UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 17, 2011 (May 10, 2011)

 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-35172

 

27-3427920

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

6120 South Yale Avenue

Suite 805

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(918) 481-1119

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14a-12)

 

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-14d-2(b))

 

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On May 17, 2011, NGL Energy Partners LP (the “ Partnership ”) completed its initial public offering (the “ IPO ”) of common units representing limited partnership interests (the “ Common Units ”) at a price to the public of $21.00 per Common Unit.  The Common Units were offered pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-172186) (the “ Registration Statement ”), initially filed by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on February 11, 2011, including a prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”), which contains the material terms of the IPO, filed with the Commission on May 12, 2011 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4).

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

In connection with the IPO, the Partnership entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) on May 11, 2011, by and among the Partnership, NGL Energy Holdings LLC, the general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), Silverthorne Operating LLC (the “ Operating Company ”), NGL Supply, LLC (“ NGL Supply ”) and Hicksgas, LLC (“ Hicksgas ” and, together with the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company and NGL Supply, the “ Partnership Parties ”) and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “ Underwriters ”), providing for the offer and sale by the Partnership, and purchase by the Underwriters, of 3,500,000 Common Units at a price to the public of $21.00 per common unit ($19.635 per common unit, net of underwriting discounts and commissions).  The Underwriting Agreement also granted the Underwriters a 30-day option (the “ Over-allotment Option ”) to purchase up to an additional 525,000 Common Units on the same terms.

 

The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements of the Partnership Parties, and customary conditions to closing, obligations of the parties and termination provisions.  The Partnership Parties have agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

 

The IPO closed on May 17, 2011 and the Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $65.3 million (net of underwriting discounts and commissions, a structuring fee and offering expenses).  As described in the Prospectus, the Partnership intends to use the net proceeds to repay amounts outstanding under its revolving credit facility and, to the extent that net proceeds remain after all amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility are repaid, for working capital and general partnership purposes, which may include the acquisition of propane and midstream related businesses.  The Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from any exercise of the Over-allotment Option as follows: (i) the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of any of the first 350,000 Common Units (approximately $6.8 million) will be used with the other net proceeds of this offering as described above after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and a structuring fee and (ii) the net proceeds from the issuance and sale of any of the remaining 175,000 Common Units (approximately $3.4 million) will be used to redeem from pre-IPO limited partners

 

1



 

on a pro rata basis a number of Common Units equal to the number of Common Units issued upon exercise of that portion of the Over-allotment Option at a price per Common Unit equal to the proceeds per common unit before expenses but after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and a structuring fee.

 

As more fully described under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus, certain of the Underwriters have performed commercial banking services for the Partnership for which they have received customary fees and expenses.  Certain of the Underwriters and their affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking, advisory and other financial services to the Partnership and its affiliates for which they may in the future receive customary fees and expenses.  Certain affiliates of the Underwriters are lenders under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility and will receive their proportionate share of the repayment of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility by the Partnership in connection with the IPO.

 

The description of the Underwriting Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

NGL Energy Partners LP 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

The description of the LTIP provided in Item 5.02 (and as defined therein) is incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.  A copy of the LTIP is filed as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

 

NGL Energy Partners LP 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

On May 10, 2011, the board of directors (the “ Board ”) of the General Partner adopted the Partnership’s 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ LTIP ”) for the employees, directors and consultants of the General Partner and its affiliates who perform services for the Partnership.  The LTIP provides for awards of restricted units, phantom units, unit options, unit appreciation rights and other unit-based awards.  The number of Common Units that may be delivered pursuant to awards under the LTIP is limited to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common and subordinated units.  The maximum number of units deliverable under the plan automatically increases to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common and subordinated units immediately after each issuance of Common Units, unless the plan administrator determines to increase the maximum number of units deliverable by a lesser amount.  The LTIP is administered by the Board and, upon its establishment, the compensation committee of the Board.

 

The description of the LTIP is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the LTIP, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Item 5.03.  Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Changes in Fiscal Year

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NGL Energy Partners LP

 

On May 10, 2011, in connection with the IPO, the Partnership amended and restated its First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership by adopting the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (as amended and restated, the “ Partnership Agreement ”) which became effective on May 11, 2011, immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.  A description of the Partnership Agreement is contained in the Prospectus in the section entitled “The Partnership Agreement” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The description of the Partnership Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Partnership Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.1 and incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference.

 

Item 7.01.  Regulation FD Disclosure

 

The Partnership issued a press release on May 11, 2011 announcing the pricing of the IPO.  A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)  Exhibits

 

The following materials are filed as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Exhibits .

 

1.1            Underwriting Agreement, dated May 11, 2011, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, NGL Supply and Hicksgas and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

 

3.1            Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NGL Energy Partners LP dated as of May 10, 2011.

 

10.1          NGL Energy Partners LP Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

99.1          NGL Energy Partners LP press release dated May 11, 2011.

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

NGL Energy Holdings LLC,

 

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 17, 2011

 

By:

/s/ Craig S. Jones

 

 

 

Craig S. Jones

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

1.1            Underwriting Agreement, dated May 11, 2011, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, NGL Supply and Hicksgas and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and RBC Capital Markets, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters named therein.

 

3.1            Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NGL Energy Partners LP dated as of May 10, 2011.

 

10.1          NGL Energy Partners LP Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

99.1          NGL Energy Partners LP press release dated May 11, 2011.

 

4


Exhibit 1.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 

3,500,000 Common Units

 

Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

Dated:  May 11, 2011

 

 



 

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

 

 

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties

3

 

 

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing

21

 

 

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Partnership

23

 

 

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses

28

 

 

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations

29

 

 

SECTION 6. Indemnification

32

 

 

SECTION 7. Contribution

35

 

 

SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery

36

 

 

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement

36

 

 

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters

37

 

 

SECTION 11. Notices

38

 

 

SECTION 12. Parties

38

 

 

SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME

39

 

 

SECTION 14. Effect of Headings

39

 

 

SECTION 15. Definitions

39

 

 

SECTION 16. Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses

43

 

 

SECTION 17. Absence of Fiduciary Relationship

43

 

 

SECTION 18. Research Analyst Independence

44

 

 

SECTION 19. Consent to Jurisdiction

44

 

i



 

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A

Underwriters

Exhibit B

Subsidiaries of the Company

Exhibit C

List of Persons Subject to Lock-Up

Exhibit D

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

Exhibit E

Form of Opinion of Company Counsel

Exhibit F

Price-Related Information

Exhibit G

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses

Exhibit H

Issuer Pricing Free Writing Prospectus

 

ii



 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 

3,500,000 Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

May 11, 2011

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
375 Park Avenue
New York, New York  10152

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), NGL Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), Silverthorne Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Silverthorne Operating ”), NGL Supply, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ NGL Supply LLC ”), Hicksgas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Hicksgas LLC ”), confirm their respective agreements with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“ Wells Fargo ”), RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“ RBC ”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “ Underwriters ,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Wells Fargo and RBC are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “ Representatives ”), with respect to the issuance and sale by the Partnership of a total of 3,500,000 common units (the “ Initial Securities ”) representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”), and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of Initial Securities set forth in said Exhibit A hereto, and with respect to the grant by the Partnership to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of 525,000 additional Common Units to cover over-allotments, if any.  The Initial Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the 525,000 Common Units subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “ Option Securities ”) are hereinafter called, collectively, the “ Securities .”  Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 15 hereof.

 

The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership.  Silverthorne Operating, NGL Supply LLC and Hicksgas LLC are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Subsidiaries .”  Each of the General Partner and the Partnership is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Partnership Party ,” and they are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Partnership Parties .”  Each of the Partnership Parties and each of the Subsidiaries is sometimes referred to herein as a “ Partnership Entity ,” and they are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “ Partnership Entities .”

 

The Partnership Entities understand that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

 

1



 

Promptly after the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Partnership will prepare and file with the Commission a prospectus dated May 11, 2011 in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A and Rule 424(b) and the Partnership has previously advised you of all information (financial and other) that will be set forth therein. Such prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise) is herein called the “ Prospectus .”

 

Prior to the date of this Agreement (in the case of clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) below) and prior to or concurrently with (in the case of clauses (f), (g) and (h) below) the purchase of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters on the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, each on the terms contemplated by the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus:

 

(a)           Hicks Oils & Hicksgas, Incorporated, an Indiana corporation (“ HOH ”), formed Hicksgas LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of HOH, and contributed to Hicksgas LLC all of HOH’s propane and propane-related assets.  The stockholders of Hicksgas Gifford, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“ Gifford ”), contributed all of their shares of stock in Gifford to Gifford Holdings, Inc., an Indiana corporation (“ Gifford Holdings ”).

 

(b)           Each of the NGL Supply Parties, the Coady Parties and the IEP Parties made capital contributions to the General Partner in exchange for membership interests in the General Partner in the aggregate amounts of 36.47%, 31.00% and 32.53%, respectively.

 

(c)           The General Partner made a cash capital contribution of approximately $58,800 to the Partnership in exchange for the continuation of the General Partner’s 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership and incentive distribution rights and the IEP Parties made a cash capital contribution to the Partnership in the aggregate amount of approximately $11.0 million in exchange for an aggregate 18.67% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

 

(d)           NGL Supply, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ NGL Supply, Inc. ”), and Gifford each converted into a limited liability company and the members of NGL Supply LLC, Hicksgas LLC and Gifford contributed 100% of their respective membership interests in those entities to the Partnership as capital contributions in exchange for (i) in the case of NGL Supply LLC, a 43.27% limited partner interest in the Partnership, a cash distribution of approximately $40.0 million and the Partnership’s agreement to pay or cause to be paid approximately $27.9 million of existing indebtedness of NGL Supply LLC, (ii) in the case of Hicksgas LLC, a 37.96% limited partner interest in the Partnership, a cash distribution of approximately $1.6 million and the Partnership’s agreement to pay or cause to be paid approximately $6.5 million of existing indebtedness of Hicksgas LLC and (iii) in the case of Gifford, a cash payment of approximately $15.5 million.

 

(e)           The Partnership made a capital contribution of 100% of the membership interests of each of NGL Supply LLC, Hicksgas LLC and Gifford to Silverthorne Operating, its wholly owned operating subsidiary.

 

2



 

(f)            Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, each common unit held by the NGL Energy LP Investor Group will split into 3.7219 Common Units and 5,919,346 Common Units held by the NGL Energy LP Investor Group will be converted on a pro rata basis into 5,919,346 subordinated units (the “ Subordinated Units ”) representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.

 

(g)           The Partnership Agreement (as defined herein) of the Partnership will be amended and restated to the extent necessary to reflect the foregoing transactions and the other matters reflected therein in substantially the form attached as Appendix A to the Prospectus.

 

(h)           Concurrent with the completion of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, the General Partner will contribute approximately $74,000 to the Partnership to maintain its 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership.

 

Clauses (a) through (h) above are collectively referred to herein as the “ Pre-Closing Transactions .”

 

SECTION 1.  Representations and Warranties .

 

(a)           Representations and Warranties by the Partnership Entities.  Each Partnership Entity, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Date referred to in Section 2(c) hereof, and as of each Option Closing Date (if any) referred to in Section 2(b) hereof, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

 

(1)     Compliance with Registration Requirements .  The offer and sale of the Securities have been duly registered under the 1933 Act pursuant to the Registration Statement.  Each of the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have been declared effective under the 1933 Act and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act or, not later than 8:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the business day immediately after the date of this Agreement, will become effective under the 1933 Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with.

 

(2)     Registration Statement, Prospectus and Disclosure at Time of Sale .  At the respective times the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing became effective and at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or

 

3



 

omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

At the respective times the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto was filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or issued, at the Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are purchased, at the applicable Option Closing Date), and at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of Securities (whether to meet the requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

As of the Applicable Time and as of each time prior to the Closing Date that an investor agrees (orally or in writing) to purchase any Securities from the Underwriters, neither (x) any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time and the information, if any, included on Exhibit F hereto, all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (y) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing filed as part of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, or delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, complied when so filed or when so delivered, as the case may be, in all material respects with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

 

The representations and warranties in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 1(a)(2) do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any the foregoing made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

 

At the respective times that the Initial Registration Statement, any 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment to any of the foregoing were filed and at the date hereof, the Partnership was not and is not an “ineligible issuer” as defined in Rule 405, in each case without taking into account any determination made by the Commission pursuant to paragraph (2) of the definition of such term in Rule 405; and, without limiting the foregoing, the Partnership has at all relevant times met, meets and

 

4



 

will at all relevant times meet the requirements of Rule 164 for the use of a free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405) in connection with the offering contemplated hereby.

 

The copies of the Initial Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments to any of the foregoing and the copies of each preliminary prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, that have been or subsequently are delivered to the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise) were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.  For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “delivery” or “furnishing” of any of the foregoing documents to the Underwriters, and any similar terms, include, without limitation, electronic delivery.

 

The Partnership has made available a “bona fide electronic road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) such that no filing with the Commission of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering and sale of the Securities, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus that has not been superseded or modified.

 

(3)     Pre-Closing Transactions .  The Pre-Closing Transactions have been or will be consummated, as the case may be, on or prior to the respective times contemplated by this Agreement (or such earlier times as may be contemplated by the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus) on the terms contemplated by this Agreement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; and the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner (the “ General Partner Agreement ”) is in full force and effect and the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “ Partnership Agreement ”) is binding upon the General Partner and all of the limited partners party thereto and will be in full force and effect immediately prior to the closing of the offering contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(4)     Independent Accountants .  BDO USA, LLP, who certified the audited financial statements and certain financial information of NGL Supply, Inc. included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  Grant Thornton LLP, who issued unqualified audit reports on the financial statements of the businesses of HOH contributed to the Partnership as of June 30, 2010 and 2009 and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2010 and the businesses of Gifford sold to the

 

5



 

Partnership as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 and the audited balance sheet of the Partnership included in the Registration Statement as of September 30, 2010, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

(5)     Financial Statements .  The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Partnership, NGL Supply, Inc., the businesses of HOH contributed to the Partnership, and the businesses of Gifford sold to the Partnership at the dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in partners’ capital/stockholders’ equity, as applicable, and cash flows of the Partnership, NGL Supply, Inc., the businesses of HOH contributed to the Partnership and the businesses of Gifford sold to the Partnership for the periods specified; the financial statements of any other entities or businesses included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes, present fairly the financial position of each such entity or business, as the case may be, and its consolidated subsidiaries (if any) at the dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in partners’ capital/stockholders’ (or other owners’) equity, as applicable, and cash flows of such entity or business, as the case may be, and its consolidated subsidiaries, if any, for the periods specified; and all such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and comply with all applicable accounting requirements under the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.  The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the information required to be stated therein.  The information in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Summary—Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data” and “Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data” presents fairly the information shown therein and has been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  The pro forma financial statements and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein; and the information appearing in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Summary—Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data” and “Selected Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data” presents fairly the information shown therein and has been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the pro forma financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  All “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined in the

 

6



 

rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply with Regulation G and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Commission, to the extent applicable.

 

(6)     No Material Adverse Change in Business .  Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), (A) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or prospects of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (in any such case, a “ Material Adverse Effect ”); (B) except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), no Partnership Entity has incurred any liability or obligation or entered into any transaction or agreement that, individually or in the aggregate, is material with respect to the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole, and no Partnership Entity has sustained any loss or interference with its business or operations from fire, explosion, flood, earthquake or other natural disaster or calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or disturbance or court or governmental action, order or decree, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Partnership on its Common Units.

 

(7)     Good Standing of the Partnership and the General Partner .  Each of the Partnership and the General Partner has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and (A) to execute and deliver this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, (B) in the case of the Partnership, to issue, sell and deliver the Securities and (C) in the case of the General Partner, to act as the general partner of the Partnership as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  Each of the Partnership and the General Partner is duly qualified as a foreign limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Exhibit B accurately sets forth the jurisdiction of formation and each jurisdiction of foreign qualification of each Subsidiary.

 

(8)     Good Standing of Subsidiaries .  Each subsidiary of the Partnership has been duly organized or formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing as a

 

7



 

corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization or formation, has power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary that is a corporation and all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests, membership interests or other similar interests of each such subsidiary that is a limited liability company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Partnership, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any Lien; and none of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of any such subsidiary that is a corporation and none of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests, membership interests or other similar interests of any such subsidiary that is a limited liability company was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of such subsidiary or any other person.  The only subsidiaries of the Partnership are the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit B hereto and Exhibit B accurately sets forth whether each such subsidiary is a corporation or limited liability company and the jurisdiction of organization or formation of each such subsidiary and, in the case of any subsidiary that is a partnership or limited liability company, its general partners and managing members, respectively.  Any subsidiaries of the Partnership that are “significant subsidiaries” as defined by Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X are listed on Exhibit B hereto.

 

(9)     Ownership of the General Partner .  The General Partner is (A) 21.96% owned by NGL Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ NGL Holdings ”), and (B) 78.04% owned by the Management Holders. NGL Holdings and the Management Holders are collectively referred to herein as the “ GP Members .”  The GP Members directly own all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the General Partner; such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the General Partner Agreement, and, at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the General Partner Agreement, and are fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”)); and the GP Members are the record holders of such membership interests free and clear of all Liens.

 

(10)   Ownership of the General Partner Interest in the Partnership .  The General Partner is and, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, will be, the sole general partner of the Partnership, with a 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership; such general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the

 

8



 

Partnership Agreement, and, at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner is the record holder of such general partner interest free and clear of all Liens.

 

(11)   Ownership of Sponsor Units . Assuming no purchase by the Underwriters of Option Securities on the Closing Date, immediately prior to the completion of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, NGL Holdings will be the record holder of 1,307,992 Common Units and 1,544,100 Subordinated Units and the Sponsor Holders will be the record holder of 3,706,230 Common Units and 4,375,246 Subordinated Units (collectively, the “ Sponsor Units ”); the Sponsor Units and the limited partner interests represented thereby will have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and will be fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware LP Act ”)), and NGL Holdings and the Sponsor Holders will be the record holders of their respective Sponsor Units free and clear of all Liens.

 

(12)   Valid Issuance of Units . At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, the Securities and the limited partner interests represented thereby will be duly authorized in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered to the Underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).

 

(13)   Ownership of Incentive Distribution Rights in the Partnership . The General Partner is the record holder of all of the incentive distribution rights in the Partnership (the “ Incentive Distribution Rights ”) and such Incentive Distribution Rights have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and the General Partner is the record holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights free and clear of all Liens.

 

(14)   Ownership of Silverthorne Operating .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, the Partnership will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Silverthorne Operating; such membership interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of Silverthorne Operating, as in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Partnership will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

9



 

(15)   Ownership of NGL Supply, LLC .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, Silverthorne Operating will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply, LLC; such membership interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of NGL Supply, LLC, as in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and Silverthorne Operating will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(16)   Ownership of Hicksgas LLC .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, Silverthorne Operating will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Hicksgas LLC; such membership interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of Hicksgas LLC, as in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and Silverthorne Operating will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(17)   Ownership of NGL Gateway Terminals Inc. (Canada) .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, NGL Supply, LLC will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock in NGL Gateway Terminals Inc. (Canada), an Ontario corporation (“ NGL Canada ”); such shares of capital stock will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of NGL Canada, as in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable; and NGL Supply, LLC will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(18)   Ownership of NGL Supply Retail, LLC .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, NGL Supply, LLC will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply Retail, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ NGL Retail ”); such membership interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of NGL Retail, as in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and NGL Supply, LLC will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(19)   Ownership of NGL Supply Wholesale, LLC .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, NGL Supply, LLC will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply Wholesale, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ NGL Wholesale ”); such membership interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of NGL Wholesale, as

 

10



 

in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and NGL Supply, LLC will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(20)   Ownership of NGL Supply Terminal Company, LLC .  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, after giving effect to the Pre-Closing Transactions, NGL Supply, LLC will own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply Terminal Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ NGL Terminal ”); such membership interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Document of NGL Terminal, as in effect at such time, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be limited by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and NGL Supply, LLC will own all such membership interests free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens arising under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

(21)   No Other Subsidiaries .  Other than its ownership interest in Silverthorne Operating and its indirect ownership interests in NGL Supply, LLC, Hicksgas LLC, NGL Canada, NGL Retail, NGL Wholesale, NGL Terminal and Rocket Supply Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Rocket Supply ”), the Partnership does not own, and at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, will not own, directly or indirectly, an equity interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.  Other than its ownership interest in the Partnership and its indirect ownership interests in Silverthorne Operating, NGL Supply, LLC, Hicksgas LLC, NGL Canada, NGL Retail, NGL Wholesale, NGL Terminal and Rocket Supply, the General Partner does not own, and at the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, will not own, directly or indirectly, an equity interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.

 

(22)   Capitalization .  The authorized, issued and outstanding limited partner interests and general partner interests of the Partnership as of the date of this Agreement is 2,937,631 Common Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights and a 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership and, at the time of the purchase of the Initial Securities by the Underwriters on the Closing Date, the authorized, issued and outstanding limited partner interests and general partner interests of the Partnership will consist of 8,514,222 Common Units, 5,919,346 Subordinated Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights and a 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership (in each case except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to compensation plans described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus).  The authorized, issued and outstanding limited partner interests and general partner interests of the Partnership as of the first Option Closing Date (assuming on that date the Underwriters have exercised the option described in Section 2(b) in full) will consist of 8,864,222 Common Units, 5,919,346 Subordinated Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights and a 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership (in each case except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to

 

11



 

compensation plans described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus).  The outstanding limited partner interests and general partner interests of the Partnership have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and none of the outstanding limited partner interests or general partner interests of the Partnership was issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Partnership or any other person.

 

(23)   Authorization of Agreement .  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the Partnership Entities that is a party hereto.

 

(24)   Authorization of Securities .  The Securities to be sold by the Partnership under this Agreement have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); no holder of the Securities is or will be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such a holder; and the issuance and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Partnership under this Agreement are not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Partnership or any other person.

 

(25)   Description of Securities .  The Common Units and the Partnership Agreement conform in all material respects to all of the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and such statements conform to the rights set forth in the respective instruments and agreements defining the same.

 

(26)   Absence of Defaults and Conflicts .  None of the Partnership Entities is in violation of its Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Partnership Document, except (solely in the case of Partnership Documents other than Subject Instruments) for such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Partnership Entities with their obligations under this Agreement do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Partnership Entities pursuant to, any Partnership Documents, except (solely in the case of Partnership Documents other than Subject

 

12



 

Instruments) for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of any of the Partnership Entities or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Partnership Entities or any of their respective assets, properties or operations.

 

(27)   Absence of Labor Dispute .  No labor dispute with the employees of the General Partner or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the General Partner exists or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, is imminent, and the Partnership Entities are not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of the principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors of the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries which might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(28)   Absence of Proceedings .  There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, threatened, against or affecting the Partnership Entities that is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Partnership Entities of their obligations under this Agreement; the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(29)   Accuracy of Descriptions and Exhibits .  The information in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Risk Factors—Tax Risks to Common Unitholders,” “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions,” “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions,” “Business—Government Regulation,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties,” “Description of the Common Units,” “The Partnership Agreement” and “Material Tax Consequences,” and the information in the Registration Statement under Items 14 and 15 of Part II, in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner Agreement or any other instruments or agreements, summaries of legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, is correct in all material respects; all descriptions in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of any Partnership Documents are accurate in all material respects; and there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements,

 

13



 

bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

 

(30)   Possession of Intellectual Property .  The Partnership and its subsidiaries have valid and enforceable licenses to use, or otherwise have the right to use on reasonable terms all patents, patent rights, patent applications, licenses, inventions, copyrights, inventions, know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trade marks, service marks, trade names, service names, software, internet addresses, domain names and other intellectual property that is described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or that is necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(31)   Material Contracts .  Each contract, document or other agreement described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable by and against the parties thereto in accordance with its terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (B) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  Neither any Partnership Entity nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, any other party is in default in the observance or performance of any term or obligation to be performed by it under any such agreement.

 

(32)   Absence of Further Requirements .  (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any unitholder or creditor of the Partnership Entities, (C) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument, and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for the performance by the Partnership Entities of their obligations under this Agreement, for the offering, issuance, sale or delivery of the Securities hereunder, or for the consummation of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations and except that no representation is made as to such as may be required under state or foreign securities laws.

 

14



 

(33)   Possession of Licenses and Permits .  Each of the Partnership Entities possesses such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them; the Partnership Entities are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Partnership Entities has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(34)   Title to Property .  The Partnership Entities have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by any of them and good title to all other properties owned by any of them, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) are not, individually or in the aggregate, material to the Partnership Entities taken as a whole, are not required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Partnership Entities; all real property, buildings and other improvements, and all equipment and other property held under lease or sublease by any of the Partnership Entities is held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases or subleases, as the case may be, with, solely in the case of leases or subleases relating to real property, buildings or other improvements, such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property and buildings or other improvements by the Partnership Entities, and all such leases and subleases are in full force and effect; and none of the Partnership Entities has any notice of any claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Partnership Entities under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above or affecting or questioning the rights of the Partnership Entities to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease except for such claims that, if successfully asserted, would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(35)   Rights of Way .  Each Partnership Entity has such consents, easements, rights-of-way or licenses from any person (“ rights-of-way ”) as are necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and except for such rights-of-way the failure of which to have obtained would not result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; none of such rights-of-way

 

15



 

contains any restriction that is materially burdensome to the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole.

 

(36)   Investment Company Act .  None of the Partnership Entities is, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities to the Underwriters as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” none of the Partnership Entities will be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

 

(37)   Environmental Laws .  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) none of the Partnership Entities is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “ Hazardous Materials ”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (B) the Partnership Entities have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against any Partnership Entity and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting any Partnership Entity relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

 

(38)   Absence of Registration Rights .  There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) (A) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or (B) except as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, otherwise registered by the Partnership under the 1933 Act, and there are no persons with co-sale rights, tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of Securities.

 

(39)   Parties to Lock-Up Agreements .  Each of the persons listed on Exhibit C hereto has executed and delivered to the Representatives a lock-up agreement in the form of Exhibit D hereto (the “ Lock-Up Agreement ”).  Exhibit C hereto contains a true, complete and correct list of all directors and executive officers of the Partnership.

 

16



 

(40)   NYSE .  The outstanding Common Units and the Securities being sold hereunder by the Partnership have been approved for listing, subject only to official notice of issuance, on the NYSE.

 

(41)   FINRA Matters .  All of the information provided to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters in connection with any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rules 5110 or 5121 is true, complete and correct in all material respects.

 

(42)   Tax Returns .  The Partnership Entities have filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or have obtained extensions thereof, except where the failure so to file would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and have paid all taxes (including, without limitation, any estimated taxes) required to be paid and any other assessment, fine or penalty, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions and except for such taxes, assessments, fines or penalties the nonpayment of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(43)   Insurance .  The Partnership Entities are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Partnership Entities or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Partnership Entities are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by any Partnership Entity under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; no Partnership Entity has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and no Partnership Entity has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers at a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(44)   Accounting and Disclosure Controls .  The Partnership Entities maintain and have established and maintained effective “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15 of the 1934 Act Regulations).  The Partnership Entities maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since

 

17



 

the first day of NGL Supply, Inc.’s most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been (1) no material weakness (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission) in the Partnership’s or NGL Supply, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated), and (2) no fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees who have a role in the Partnership’s or NGL Supply, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting and, since the end of NGL Supply, Inc.’s most recent fiscal year for which audited financial statements are included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Partnership’s or NGL Supply, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s or NGL Supply, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Partnership’s independent public accountants and the General Partner’s board of directors have been advised of all material weaknesses, if any, and significant deficiencies (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of the Commission), if any, in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting or of all fraud, if any, whether or not material, involving management or other employees who have a role in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting, in each case that occurred or existed, or was first detected, at any time during the three most recent fiscal years covered by the audited financial statements of NGL Supply, Inc., HOH and Gifford included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or at any time subsequent thereto.

 

(45)   Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.   There is and has been no failure on the part of the Partnership, the General Partner or any of the General Partner’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with which any of them is required to comply, including Section 402 related to loans.

 

(46)   Absence of Manipulation .  The Partnership Entities have not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

(47)   Statistical and Market-Related Data .  Any statistical, demographic, market-related and similar data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Partnership and the General Partner believe to be reliable and accurate and accurately reflect the materials upon which such data is based or from which it was derived, and the Partnership and the General Partner have made available true, complete and correct copies of such materials to the Representatives.

 

(48)   Foreign Corrupt Practices Act .  Neither any Partnership Entity nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate

 

18



 

or other person acting on behalf of any Partnership Entity is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in a violation by any such person of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Partnership Entities, and, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, its other affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

(49)   Money Laundering Laws .  The operations of the Partnership Entities are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Partnership Entities with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, threatened.

 

(50)   OFAC .  None of the Partnership Entities nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC ; and neither the General Partner nor the Partnership will directly or indirectly use any of the proceeds from the sale of Securities by the Partnership in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available any such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

(51)   ERISA Compliance None of the following events has occurred or exists: (A) a failure to fulfill the obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of ERISA with respect to a Plan determined without regard to any waiver of such obligations or extension of any amortization period; (B) an audit or investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any other federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory agency with respect to the employment or compensation of employees by the Partnership Entities that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (C) any breach of any contractual obligation, or any violation of law or applicable qualification standards, with respect to the employment or compensation of employees by the Partnership

 

19



 

Entities that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (i) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans in the current fiscal year of the Partnership Entities compared to the amount of such contributions made in the most recently completed fiscal year of the Partnership or NGL Supply, Inc.; (ii) a material increase in the “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 106) of the Partnership Entities compared to the amount of such obligations in the most recently completed fiscal year of the Partnership or NGL Supply, Inc.; (iii) any event or condition giving rise to a liability under Title IV of ERISA that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (iv) the filing of a claim by one or more employees or former employees of the Partnership Entities related to its or their employment that might reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  For purposes of this paragraph and the definition of ERISA, the term “ Plan ” means a plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA with respect to which the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s subsidiaries may have any liability.

 

(52)   Changes in Management .  Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the persons who were executive officers of the General Partner or the Partnership or directors of the General Partner as of the date of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus has given oral or written notice to the General Partner, the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s subsidiaries of his or her resignation (or otherwise indicated to the Partnership Entities an intention to resign within the next twelve months), nor has any such officer or director been terminated by the General Partner or the Partnership or otherwise removed from his or her office or from the board of directors, as the case may be (including, without limitation, any such termination or removal which is to be effective as of a future date) nor is any such termination or removal under consideration by the Partnership, the General Partner or the General Partner’s board of directors.

 

(53)   Related Party Transactions .  There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, any other person that are required to be described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus that have not been described as required.

 

(54)   No Right of First Refusal .  No Partnership Entity nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, any other person has any preemptive right, right of first refusal or other similar right to purchase or otherwise acquire any of the Securities to be sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(55)   Stop Transfer Instructions .  The Partnership has, with respect to any Common Units (other than the Securities to be sold pursuant to this Agreement) or Subordinated Units or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable

 

20



 

for Common Units or Subordinated Units owned or held (of record or beneficially) by any of the persons who have entered into or are required to enter into an agreement in the form of Exhibit D hereto, instructed the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as provided in such agreements); and, during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as provided in such agreements), neither the Partnership nor the General Partner will cause or permit any waiver, release, modification or amendment of any such stop transfer instructions or stop transfer procedures without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo.

 

(56)   Offering Materials .  Without limiting the provisions of Section 16 hereof, the Partnership Parties have not distributed and will not distribute, directly or indirectly (other than through the Underwriters), any “written communication” (as defined under Rule 405 under the 1933 Act) or other offering materials in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities, other than the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses (as defined in Section 16 hereof).

 

(57)   No Restrictions on Dividends .  None of the Partnership Entities is a party to or otherwise bound by any instrument or agreements that limits or prohibits or could limit or prohibit, directly or indirectly, the Partnership from paying any dividends or making other distributions on its Common Units, and no subsidiary of the Partnership is a party to or otherwise bound by any instrument or agreements that limits or prohibits or could limit or prohibit, directly or indirectly, any subsidiary of the Partnership from paying any dividends or making other distributions on its limited or general partnership interests, limited liability company interests, or other equity interest, as the case may be, or from repaying any loans or advances from, or (except for instruments or agreements that by their express terms prohibit the transfer or assignment thereof or of any rights thereunder) transferring any of its properties or assets to, the Partnership or any other subsidiary, in each case except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(58)   Brokers .  There is not a broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Partnership any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)           Certificates.  Any certificate signed by any officer of the General Partner (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the General Partner or the Partnership) and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Partnership, the General Partner, or both of them, as applicable, to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.

 

SECTION 2.  Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

 

(a)           Initial Securities.  On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Partnership agrees to sell

 

21



 

to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, the Initial Securities, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the respective number of Initial Securities set forth opposite its name in Exhibit A hereto plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, subject to such adjustments among the Underwriters as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional Securities, in each case at a price of $19.635 per Common Unit (the “ Purchase Price ”).

 

(b)           Option Securities.  In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Partnership hereby grants to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, an option to purchase, ratably in accordance with the number of Initial Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter, all or a portion of the Option Securities at a price per Common Unit equal to the Purchase Price referred to in Section 2(a) above.  The option hereby granted will expire at the close of business on the 30th day after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments that may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Partnership setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities.  Any such time and date of delivery (an “ Option Closing Date ”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), nor in any event prior to the Closing Date.  If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, the Partnership will sell to the Underwriters the total number of Option Securities then being purchased, and each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Exhibit A hereto opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject in each case to such adjustments as the Representatives in their discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional units.

 

(c)           Payment.  Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of Latham & Watkins LLP, 717 Texas Avenue, 16 th  Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Partnership, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on May 17, 2011 (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof), or such other time not later than five business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Partnership (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “ Closing Date ”).

 

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Partnership, on each Option Closing Date as specified in the notice from the Representatives to the Partnership.

 

22



 

Payment shall be made to the Partnership by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a single bank account designated by the Partnership against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Securities to be purchased by them.  It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase.  Wells Fargo, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

 

(d)           Delivery of Securities. Delivery of the Initial Securities and any Option Securities shall be made through the facilities of DTC unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

 

SECTION 3.  Covenants of the Partnership .  The Partnership covenants with each Underwriter as follows:

 

(a)           Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests.   The Partnership, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A and Rule 433 and will notify the Representatives immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective, or when any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission (together with a copy of any comment letters and any transcript of oral comments and any written responses thereto), (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or any document incorporated by reference therein or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes, or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Partnership becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities.  The Partnership will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any such stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

(b)           Filing of Amendments.   The Partnership will give the Representatives notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment, supplement or revision to any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act or otherwise, and the Partnership will furnish the

 

23



 

Representatives with copies of any such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall object.

 

(c)           Delivery of Registration Statements.  The Partnership has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the Initial Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and copies of all consents and certificates of experts. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

(d)           Delivery of Prospectuses.  The Partnership has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Partnership hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act.  The Partnership will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) to be delivered by applicable law (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), such number of copies of the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto as such Underwriter may reasonably request. Each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

(e)           Continued Compliance with Securities Laws.  The Partnership will comply with the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  If at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by the applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Partnership that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus so that the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading or if it is necessary (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Partnership that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the 1934 Act Regulations, the Partnership will

 

24



 

promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, the Partnership will use its best efforts to have such amendment declared or become effective as soon as practicable and the Partnership will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.  If at any time an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement or if an event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary (or if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Partnership that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus so that it will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made or then prevailing, not misleading, or if it is necessary (or, if the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall notify the Partnership that, in their judgment, it is necessary) to amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Partnership will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly prepare and, if required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission or to comply with such requirements, and the Partnership will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

 

(f)            Blue Sky Qualifications.  The Partnership will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event less than one year from the date of this Agreement); provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.  In each jurisdiction in which the Securities have been so qualified, the Partnership will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification for so long as required for the distribution of the Securities (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement).

 

(g)           Rule 158.  The Partnership will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

 

25



 

(h)           Use of Proceeds .  The Partnership will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

 

(i)            Listing.   The Partnership will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Securities on the NYSE as and when required by this Agreement.

 

(j)            Restriction on Sale of Securities.  During the Lock-Up Period (as may be extended pursuant to the provisions set forth in the next sentence), the Partnership Entities will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)    offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Common Units, other equity securities of the Partnership or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Units or other equity securities of the Partnership, except that the Partnership may issue Common Units or any securities convertible or exchangeable into Common Units as payment of any part of the purchase price for businesses that are acquired by the Partnership; provided that any recipient of such Common Units must agree in writing to be bound by the terms of this Section 3(j) for the remaining term of the Lock-Up Period,

 

(ii)   file or cause the filing of any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any Common Units, other equity securities of the Partnership or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Units or other equity securities of the Partnership (other than (i) any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement filed to register Securities to be sold to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) any registration statement on Form S-8 to register Common Units or options to purchase Common Units pursuant to the long-term incentive plan described in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Management—Elements of Executive Compensation—Long-Term Incentive Compensation,” and (iii) any registration statement in connection with the entrance by the Partnership into a definitive agreement relating to the acquisition of a business as contemplated by Section 3(j)(i)), or

 

(iii)  enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Common Units, other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Units or other equity securities of the Partnership,

 

whether any transaction described in clause (i) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Units, Subordinated Units, other equity securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.  Moreover, if:

 

26



 

(1)           during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Partnership occurs, or

 

(2)           prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership announces that it will release earnings results or the Partnership becomes aware of material news on a material event relating to the Partnership that will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period,

 

the Lock-Up Period shall be extended and the restrictions imposed by this Section 3(j) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as the case may be, unless Wells Fargo waives, in writing, such extension. In the event of any extension of the Lock-Up Period pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall notify the Representatives of such extension as promptly as practicable and in any event prior to the last day of the original Lock-Up Period.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the Partnership may, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo:

 

(1)           issue the Securities to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement,

 

(2)           issue Common Units, and options to purchase Common Units, pursuant to equity incentive plans described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, if the terms of such equity incentive plans are substantially the same as the form filed as part of the Registration Statement, and

 

(3)           issue Common Units upon the exercise of options outstanding on the date of this Agreement or issued after the date of this Agreement under equity incentive plans referred to in clause (2) above,

 

provided, however, that in the case of any issuance described in clause (3) above, it shall be a condition to the issuance that each recipient executes and delivers to Wells Fargo, acting on behalf of the Underwriters, not later than one business day prior to the date of such issuance, a written agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto to this Agreement and otherwise satisfactory in form and substance to Wells Fargo.

 

(k)           Reporting Requirements.  The Partnership, during the period when the Prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations.

 

(l)            Preparation of Prospectus.  Immediately following the execution of this Agreement, the Partnership will, subject to Section 3(b) hereof, prepare the Prospectus, which shall contain the selling terms of the Securities, the plan of distribution thereof and such other information as may be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations

 

27



 

or as the Representatives and the Partnership may deem appropriate, and, if requested by the Representatives, will prepare the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus containing the information set forth in Exhibit F hereto and such other information as may be required by Rule 433 or as the Representatives and the Partnership may deem appropriate, and will file or transmit for filing with the Commission, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A and in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), the Prospectus and any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

SECTION 4.  Payment of Expenses .

 

(a)           Expenses.  The Partnership will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto (in each case including exhibits) and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (ii) the word processing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities, (iii) the preparation of the certificates for the Securities and the issuance and delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other taxes or duties payable in connection with the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Partnership, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto, (vi) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (vii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing, (viii) the fees and expenses of the Custodian and the transfer agent and registrar for the Securities, (ix) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (x) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the NYSE, and (xi) the costs and expenses of the Partnership and any of its officers, directors, counsel or other representatives in connection with presentations or meetings undertaken in connection with the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics and the production and hosting of any electronic road shows, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with road show presentations, travel, lodging, transportation, and other expenses of the officers, directors, counsel and other representatives of the Partnership incurred, 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered from a third party in connection with any such presentations or meetings and 50% of the fuel costs for any Partnership owned or leased aircraft used in connection with any such presentations or meetings.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Underwriters shall bear the remaining 50% of the cost of any aircraft chartered from a third party in connection with any such presentations or meetings and 50% of the fuel costs for any Partnership owned or leased aircraft used in connection with any such presentations or meetings.

 

28



 

(b)           Termination of Agreement.  If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and Section 9(a)(i) hereof, the Partnership shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

 

SECTION 5.  Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations .  The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Partnership Entities contained in this Agreement, or in certificates signed by any officer of the General Partner or the Partnership (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the General Partner or the Partnership) delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters, to the performance by the Partnership Entities of their covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

 

(a)           Effectiveness of Registration Statement.  The Initial Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor initiated or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters.  The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus required to be filed with the Commission shall have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 433.

 

(b)           Opinion of Counsel for Partnership.  At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date, of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, counsel for the Partnership, in form and substance satisfactory to the counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit E hereto and to such further effect as the Representatives or counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.

 

(c)           Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters.  At the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Date, of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such opinion for each of the other Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

 

(d)           Officers’ Certificate.  At the Closing Date or the applicable Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change or any development that could reasonably be expected to result

 

29



 

in a material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or prospects of the Partnership and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and, at the Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received a certificate, signed on behalf of the Partnership by the President, the Chief Executive Officer or an Executive Vice President of the General Partner and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of the General Partner, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Partnership Entities in this Agreement are true and correct at and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Date, (iii) the Partnership has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date under or pursuant to this Agreement, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Entities, are contemplated by the Commission.

 

(e)           Accountant’s Comfort Letter.  At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received (i) from BDO USA, LLP a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information of NGL Supply, Inc. contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than any electronic road show), any Issuer Pricing Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and (ii) from Grant Thornton LLP, a letter, dated the date of this Agreement and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the audited financial statements of the businesses of HOH contributed to the Partnership and the businesses of Gifford sold to the Partnership and the audited balance sheet of the Partnership contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses (other than any electronic road show), any Issuer Pricing Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

(f)            Bring-down Comfort Letter.  At Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received (i) from BDO USA, LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e)(i) of this Section 5, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date and (ii) from Grant Thornton a letter, dated as of the Closing Date and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e)(ii) of this

 

30



 

Section 5, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to Closing Date.

 

(g)           Approval of Listing.  At Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance.

 

(h)           Lock-up Agreements.  Prior to the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto signed by each of the persons listed in Exhibit C hereto.

 

(i)            No Objection.   Prior to the date of this Agreement, FINRA shall have confirmed in writing that it has no objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements.

 

(j)            Pre-Closing Transactions .  Prior to the purchase of the Initial Securities on the Closing Date, the Pre-Closing Transactions shall have been duly consummated at the respective times and on the terms contemplated by this Agreement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and the Representatives shall have received such evidence that the Pre-Closing Transactions have been consummated as the Representatives may reasonably request.

 

(k)           Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities.  In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities on any Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the applicable Option Securities shall be subject to the conditions specified in the introductory paragraph of this Section 5 and to the further condition that, at the applicable Option Closing Date, the Representatives shall have received:

 

(1)           Opinion of Counsel for Partnership .  The favorable opinion of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, counsel for the Partnership, in form and substance satisfactory to the counsel for the Underwriters and dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

 

(2)           Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters .  The favorable opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Option Closing Date, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Option Closing Date and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

 

(3)           Officers’ Certificate .  A certificate, dated such Option Closing Date, to the effect set forth in, and signed on behalf of the Partnership by two of the officers specified in Section 5(d) hereof, except that the references in such certificate to the Closing Date shall be changed to refer to such Option Closing Date.

 

31



 

(4)           Bring-down Comfort Letter .  A letter from each of (i) BDO USA, LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(f)(i) hereof and (ii) Grant Thornton LLP, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Option Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(f)(ii) hereof, except that in each case the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Option Closing Date, and except that such letter shall cover any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any electronic road show) and the Prospectus subsequent to the Closing Date.

 

(l)            Additional Documents.  At the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, contained in this Agreement, or as the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters may otherwise reasonably request; and all proceedings taken by the Partnership in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and in connection with the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

 

(m)          Termination of Agreement.  If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on an Option Closing Date which is after the Closing Date, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities on such Option Closing Date, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Partnership at any time on or prior to Closing Date or such Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 hereof shall survive any such termination of this Agreement and remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 6.  Indemnification .

 

(a)           Indemnification by the Partnership Entities.   The Partnership Entities agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates and its and their officers, directors, employees, partners, members and agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

 

(i)            against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material

 

32



 

fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d), or any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433) that does not constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

(ii)           against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Partnership; and

 

(iii)          against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above,

 

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by any Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or in any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d), or any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433) that does not constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters as aforesaid consists of the information described as such in Section 6(b) hereof.

 

(b)           Indemnification by the Underwriters .  Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the directors and each of the officers of the General Partner who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section 6, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the Pre-Pricing Prospectus, any other preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the

 

33



 

Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d), or any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433) that does not constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein.  The Partnership hereby acknowledges and agrees that the information furnished to the Partnership by the Underwriters through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d), or any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433) that does not constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, consists exclusively of the following information appearing under the caption “Underwriting” in the Pre-Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus: (i) the information regarding the concession and reallowance appearing in the sixth paragraph under such caption, (ii) the information regarding stabilization, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids appearing in the fifteenth and sixteenth paragraphs under such caption and (iii) the information regarding the limitation on sales to discretionary accounts appearing in the nineteenth paragraph under such caption.

 

(c)           Actions Against Parties; Notification.  Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder.  Counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected as follows: counsel to the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above shall be selected by Wells Fargo; and counsel to the Partnership, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall be selected by the Partnership.  An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party.  In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Underwriters and the other indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above and the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for the Partnership, the directors and each of the officers of the General Partner who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, in each case in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.   No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as

 

34



 

to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d)           Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.  If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this Section 6, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

 

SECTION 7.  Contribution .  If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Partnership Entities on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Partnership Entities on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

 

The relative benefits received by the Partnership Entities on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Partnership and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on such cover.

 

The relative fault of the Partnership Entities on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Partnership Entities on the one hand or by the Underwriters on the other hand and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

The Partnership Entities and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7.  The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal

 

35



 

or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

For purposes of this Section 7, each officer, director, employee, partner, member, agent and affiliate of any Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the General Partner, each officer of the General Partner who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Partnership.  The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Exhibit A hereto and not joint.

 

SECTION 8.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery .  All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates signed by any officer of the General Partner (whether signed on behalf of such officer, the General Partner or the Partnership) and delivered to the Representatives or counsel to the Underwriters, shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, any officer, director, employee, partner, member, agent or affiliate of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter, or by or on behalf of the Partnership, any officer, director or employee of the General Partner or any person controlling the Partnership, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

 

SECTION 9.  Termination of Agreement .

 

(a)           Termination; General.  The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Partnership, at any time on or prior to Closing Date (and, if any Option Securities are to be purchased on an Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the Representatives may terminate the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase such Option Securities, by notice to the Partnership at any time on or prior to such Option Closing Date) (i) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (in each case exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement), any material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably expected to

 

36



 

result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), results of operations, business, properties, management or prospects of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions (including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities), in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Partnership has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the NYSE, or if trading generally on the NYSE, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the NYSE Amex, the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade has been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or in Europe, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities or (v) if there shall have occurred, since the time of execution of this Agreement, any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Partnership, or of the securities of any subsidiary or subsidiary trust of the Partnership, by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436 under the 1933 Act) or any public announcement that any such organization has placed its rating on the Partnership or any such debt securities under surveillance or review or on a so-called “watch list” (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating) or any announcement by any such organization that the Partnership or any such debt securities has been placed on negative outlook.

 

(b)           Liabilities.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 hereof shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 10.  Default by One or More of the Underwriters .  If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Date or an Option Closing Date to purchase the Securities that it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “ Defaulted Securities ”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

 

(1)     if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount of such

 

37



 

Defaulted Securities in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters; or

 

(2)     if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Option Closing Date which occurs after the Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Partnership to sell the Option Securities that were to have been purchased and sold on such Option Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

 

No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

 

In the event of any such default that does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of an Option Closing Date that is after the Closing Date, that does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Partnership to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, the Representatives shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or the relevant Option Closing Date, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.  As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

 

SECTION 11.  Notices .  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing, shall be effective only upon receipt and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or overnight courier, transmitted by fax (with the receipt of such fax to be confirmed by telephone) or, in the case of any notice given under Section 2(b) hereof, by email correspondence if receipt of such correspondence is actually acknowledged, other than via auto-reply.  Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to the Representatives at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152, Attention of Equity Syndicate, and notices to the Partnership shall be directed to it at 6120 South Yale Avenue, Suite 805, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136, Attention of Chief Executive Officer.

 

SECTION 12.  Parties .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters and the Partnership Entities.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Partnership Entities and their respective successors and the controlling persons and other indemnified parties referred to in Sections 6 and 7 hereof and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained.  This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters and the Partnership Entities and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and other indemnified parties and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person or entity.  No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

 

38



 

SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME .  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

 

SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings .  The Section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 15.  Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Applicable Time ” means 8:00 a.m. (New York City time) on May 12, 2011 or such other time as agreed by the Partnership and Wells Fargo.

 

Coady Parties ” means Coady Enterprises, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company, and Thorndike, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

EDGAR ” means the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder.

 

Existing Credit Agreement ” means the Credit Agreement dated October 14, 2010 by and among Silverthorne Operating, LLC, NGL Supply, LLC, Hicksgas, LLC, NGL Supply Retail, LLC, NGL Supply Wholesale, LLC, and NGL Supply Terminal Company, LLC, as joint and several borrowers, the Partnership and certain subsidiaries of the Partnership as guarantors, each of the financial institutions party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent for the financial institutions, and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp. and Harris N.A. as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, including any promissory notes, pledge agreements, security agreements, mortgages, guarantees and other instruments or agreements entered into by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in each case as amended or supplemented, if applicable.

 

FCPA ” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles.

 

39



 

IEP Parties ” means KrimGP2010, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, Infrastructure Capital Management, LLC, a New York limited liability company (“ ICM LLC ”), and Atkinson Investors, LLC (“ Atkinson LLC ”), a Texas limited liability company.

 

Initial Registration Statement ” means the Partnership’s registration statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-172186), as amended (if applicable), including the Rule 430A Information.  In addition, in the event that any Rule 430C information is deemed, pursuant to Rule 430C, to be a part of and included in the Initial Registration Statement, then the term “Initial Registration Statement” shall also include such Rule 430C Information from and after the time that such Rule 430C Information is deemed, pursuant to Rule 430C, to be a part of and included in the Initial Registration Statement.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Securities that (a) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Partnership, (b) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (c) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, and all free writing prospectuses that are listed in Exhibits G and H hereto, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Partnership’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

 

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any Issuer Pricing Free Writing Prospectus) that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Exhibit G hereto.

 

Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus or an Issuer Pricing Free Writing Prospectus.

 

Issuer Pricing Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that reflects, among other things, the initial public offering price of the Securities and that is listed in Exhibit H hereto.

 

Lien ” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

 

Lock-Up Period ” means the period beginning on and including the date of this Agreement through and including the date that is the 180 th  day after the date of this Agreement, subject to extension of such period as provided herein.

 

Management Holders ” means Stanley A. Bugh, David R. Eastin, Robert R. Foster, Brian K. Pauling, Stanely D. Perry, Stephen D. Tuttle, Craig S. Jones, Daniel Post, Mark McGinty, Sharra Straight, the Coady Parties and the IEP Parties.

 

NGL Energy LP Investor Group ” means the NGL Supply Parties, David R. Eastin, the IEP Parties and HOH.

 

40



 

NGL Supply Parties ” means NGL Holdings, Stanley A. Bugh, Robert R. Foster, Brian K. Pauling, Stanley D. Perry, Stephen D. Tuttle, Craig S. Jones, Daniel Post, Mark McGinty and Sharra Straight.

 

 “ NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

OFAC ” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department.

 

Organizational Documents ” means (a) in the case of a corporation, its charter and by-laws; (b) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its partnership agreement; (c) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; (d) in the case of a trust, its certificate of trust, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its trust agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity.

 

Partnership Documents ” means (a) all Subject Instruments and (b) all other contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, swap agreements, leases or other instruments or agreements to which the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries is subject that solely in the case of this clause (b), are material with respect to the Partnership and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Pre-Pricing Prospectus ” means the preliminary prospectus dated May 4, 2011 relating to the Securities in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

preliminary prospectus ” means any prospectus used in connection with the offering of the Securities that omitted the public offering price of the Securities or that was captioned “Subject to Completion.”  The term “preliminary prospectus” includes, without limitation, the Pre-Pricing Prospectus.

 

Registration Statement ” means the Initial Registration Statement; provided that, if a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed with the Commission, then the term “Registration Statement” shall include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement from and after the time of such filing, mutatis mutandis.

 

Repayment Event ” means any event or condition that (a) gives the holder of any bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Partnership or any subsidiary of the Partnership, or (b) gives any counterparty (or any person acting on such counterparty’s behalf) under any swap agreement or similar agreement or instrument to which the Partnership or any subsidiary of the Partnership is a party the right to liquidate or accelerate the payment obligations, or designate an early termination date under such agreement or instrument, as the case may be.

 

41



 

Rule 164 ,” “ Rule 172 ,” “ Rule 173 ,” “ Rule 405 ,” “ Rule 424(b) ,” “ Rule 430A ,” “ Rule 430C ,” “ Rule 433 ” and “ Rule 462(b) ” refer to such rules under the 1933 Act.

 

Rule 430A Information ” means the information included in the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, that was omitted from the Initial Registration Statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be a part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430A.

 

Rule 430C Information ” means the information, if any, deemed to be a part of and included in the Initial Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430C.

 

Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ” means a registration statement filed by the Partnership pursuant to Rule 462(b) for the purpose of registering any of the Securities under the 1933 Act, including the documents and other information incorporated by reference therein and the Rule 430A Information.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.

 

Sponsor Holders ” means Stanley A. Bugh, David R. Eastin, Robert R. Foster, Brian K. Pauling, Stanley D. Perry, Stephen D. Tuttle, Craig S. Jones, Daniel Post, Mark McGinty, Sharra Straight, HOH, Krim2010, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, ICM LLC and Atkinson LLC.

 

Subject Instruments ” means the Existing Credit Agreement and all other instruments, agreements and documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the Commission; provided, that if any instrument, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as aforesaid has been redacted or if any portion thereof has been deleted or is otherwise not included as part of such exhibit (whether pursuant to a request for confidential treatment or otherwise), the term “Subject Instruments” shall nonetheless mean such instrument, agreement or other document, as the case may be, in its entirety, including any portions thereof which shall have been so redacted, deleted or otherwise not filed.

 

1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

1933 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act.

 

1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1934 Act Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act.

 

1940 Act ” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Initial Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus,

 

42



 

any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the version thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR and all versions thereof delivered (physically or electronically) to the Representatives or the Underwriters.

 

SECTION 16.  Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses .  The Partnership represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not make, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, represents, warrants and agrees that it has not made and, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Partnership and the Representatives, it will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that constitutes or would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433) or that otherwise constitutes or would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) or portion thereof required to be filed with the Commission or, in the case of the Partnership, whether or not required to be filed with the Commission; provided that the prior written consent of the Partnership and the Representatives shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, listed on Exhibit G hereto and to any electronic road show in the form previously provided by the Partnership to and approved by the Representatives.  Any such free writing prospectus consented to or deemed to have been consented to as aforesaid is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.”  The Partnership represents, warrants and agrees that it has treated and will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rules 164 and 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit G or Exhibit H hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.

 

SECTION 17.  Absence of Fiduciary Relationship .  Each of the Partnership Entities, jointly and severally, acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a)           each of the Underwriters is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with the sale of the Securities and no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Partnership Entities, on the one hand, and any of the Underwriters, on the other hand, has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether any of the Underwriters has advised or is advising the Partnership Entities on other matters;

 

(b)           the public offering price of the Securities and the price to be paid by the Underwriters for the Securities set forth in this Agreement were established by the Partnership Entities following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Representatives;

 

(c)           it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(d)           it is aware that the Underwriters and their respective affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from those of the Partnership Entities and that none of the Underwriters has any obligation to disclose such interests and

 

43



 

transactions to the Partnership Entities by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

 

(e)           it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against any of the Underwriters for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agrees that none of the Underwriters shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Partnership, including unitholders, employees or creditors of Partnership Entities.

 

SECTION 18.  Research Analyst Independence .  The Partnership Entities acknowledge that the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that such Underwriters’ research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Partnership and/or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions.  The Partnership Entities hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any claims that the Partnership Entities may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by their independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Partnership Entities by such Underwriters’ investment banking divisions.  The Partnership Entities acknowledge that each of the Underwriters is a full service securities firm and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for its own account or the account of its customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

SECTION 19.  Consent to Jurisdiction .  The Partnership Entities hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any U.S. federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan, the City and County of New York in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to or based upon this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding in any such court and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

44



 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Partnership a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner, Silverthorne Operating, NGL Supply, LLC and Hicksgas LLC in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By:

NGL Energy Holdings LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL ENERGY HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SILVERTHORNE OPERATING LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL SUPPLY, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HICKSGAS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the
date first above written:

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

 

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

 

 

 

By:

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ David Herman

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

By:

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Lance Tupper

 

 

Name:

Lance Tupper

 

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

For themselves and as Representative of the Underwriters named in Exhibit A hereto.

 

[Signature page to Underwriting Agreement]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Name of Underwriter

 

Number of
Initial
Securities

 

 

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

1,120,000

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

1,120,000

 

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

 

420,000

 

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

 

315,000

 

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

 

315,000

 

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

 

105,000

 

BOSC, Inc.

 

105,000

 

Total

 

3,500,000

 

 

A-1



 

EXHIBIT B

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP

 

 

Name

 

Jurisdiction
of
Organization

 

Jurisdictions of
Foreign
Qualification

 

Material
Subsidiary?

 

Type of
Entity

 

Names of General
Partners/Managing
Members*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silverthorne Operating LLC

 

Delaware

 

New York
Oklahoma
Texas

 

Yes

 

Limited Liability Company

 

NGL Energy Partners LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL Supply, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Alabama
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Texas
Wisconsin

 

Yes

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Silverthorne Operating LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hicksgas, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Illinois
Indiana

 

Yes

 

Limited Liability Company

 

Silverthorne Operating LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL Gateway Terminals Inc. (Canada)

 

Ontario

 

None

 

No

 

Corporation

 

NGL Supply, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL Supply Retail, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Georgia
Kansas

 

No

 

Limited Liability Company

 

NGL Supply, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL Supply Wholesale, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky

 

Yes

 

Limited Liability Company

 

NGL Supply, LLC

 


* Applicable only if the subsidiary in question is a limited or general partnership or limited liability company.

 

B-1



 

 

 

 

 

Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota

Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGL Supply Terminal Company, LLC

 

Delaware

 

Illinois
Missouri

 

Yes

 

Limited Liability Company

 

NGL Supply, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rocket Supply Inc.

 

Delaware

 

None

 

No

 

Corporation

 

Hicksgas, LLC

 

B-2



 

EXHIBIT C

 

LIST OF PERSONS SUBJECT TO LOCK-UP

 

H. Michael Krimbill

Craig S. Jones

Bradley K. Atkinson

Shawn W. Coady

Todd M. Coady

Brian K. Pauling

Stephen D. Tuttle

Sharra Straight

William A. Zartler

James C. Kneale

 

C-1



 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

NGL Energy Partners LP

 

Public Offering of Common Units

 

Dated as of May     , 2011

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

As Representatives of the several Underwriters

c/o Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

375 Park Avenue

New York, New York  10152

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This agreement is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) between NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), NGL Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), Silverthorne Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, NGL Supply, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Hicksgas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“ Wells Fargo ”) and RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“ RBC ”), as representatives of a group of underwriters (the “ Underwriters ”) and the other parties thereto (if any), relating to a proposed underwritten public offering of common units representing limited partner interests (the “ Common Units ”) in the Partnership.  Terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, and in light of the benefits that the offering of the Common Units will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a securityholder and/or an officer or director of the Partnership or the General Partner, as the case may be, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter that, during the period beginning on and including the date of the Underwriting Agreement through and including the date that is the 180th day after the date of the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Lock-Up Period ”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, directly or indirectly:

 

(i)  offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase,

 

D-1



 

lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Common Units, other equity securities of the Partnership or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Units or other equity securities of the Partnership, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or

 

(ii)  enter into any swap or other agreement, arrangement or transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Common Units, other equity securities of the Partnership or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any Common Units or other equity securities of the Partnership,

 

whether any transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Units, other equity securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce any intention to do any of the foregoing.  Moreover, if:

 

(1)            during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period the Partnership issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Partnership occurs, or

 

(2)            prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Partnership announces that it will release earnings results or the Partnership becomes aware of material news on a material event relating to the Partnership that will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period,

 

the Lock-Up Period shall be extended and the restrictions imposed by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, as the case may be, unless Wells Fargo waives, in writing, such extension.

 

Prior to engaging in any transaction or taking any other action that is subject to the restrictions imposed by this agreement at any time during the period from and including the date of this agreement through and including the 34 th  day following the last day of the Lock-Up Period (prior to giving effect to any extension of the Lock-Up Period pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence), the undersigned will give notice thereof to the Partnership and will not consummate such transaction or take any such action unless it has received written confirmation from the Partnership that the Lock-Up Period (as the same may have been extended pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence) has expired.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph, the undersigned may, without the prior written consent of Wells Fargo, transfer any Common Units, other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Units or other equity securities:

 

(1) if the undersigned is a natural person, (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts or by will, by intestate succession or pursuant to a so-called “living trust” or other revocable trust established to provide for the disposition of property on the undersigned’s death, in each case to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the

 

D-2



 

undersigned’s immediate family, or as a bona fide gift or gifts to a charity or educational institution and (ii) as required or permitted by any of the Company’s benefit plans that are described in the Registration Statement to reimburse or pay income tax or withholding obligations in connection with the vesting or exercise of any awards under such plans, and

 

(2) if the undersigned is a partnership or a limited liability company, to a partner or member, as the case may be, of such partnership or limited liability company if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value,

 

provided, however, that in the case of any transfer described in clause (1)(i) or (2) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that (A) the transferee executes and delivers to Wells Fargo, acting on behalf of the Underwriters, not later than one business day prior to such transfer, a written agreement, in substantially the form of this agreement (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the undersigned and not to the immediate family of the transferee) and otherwise satisfactory in form and substance to Wells Fargo, (B) in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (1)(i) above, if the undersigned is required to file a report under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ 1934 Act ”), reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Common Units, other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Units or other equity securities by the undersigned during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above), the undersigned shall include a statement in such report to the effect that such transfer is not a transfer for value and that such transfer is being made as a gift, by will or intestate succession or pursuant to a so-called “living trust” or other revocable trust established to provide for the disposition of property on the undersigned’s death, as the case may be, (C) in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (2) above, no filing under Section 16(a) of the 1934 Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Common Units, other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Units or other equity securities shall be required to be made during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above) and (D) in the case of a transfer pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above, no voluntary filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other public report, filing or announcement shall be made in respect of such transfer during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above).   For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than the first cousin (including by adoption).

 

The undersigned further agrees that (i) it will not, during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above), make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ 1933 Act ”), of any Common Units, other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Units or other equity securities, and (ii) the Partnership may, with respect to any Common Units, other equity securities or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Units or other equity securities owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the undersigned, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period (as the same may be extended as described above).

 

D-3



 

In addition, the undersigned hereby waives any and all notice requirements and rights with respect to the registration of any securities pursuant to any agreement, instrument, understanding or otherwise, including any registration rights agreement or similar agreement, to which the undersigned is a party or under which the undersigned is entitled to any right or benefit, provided that such waiver shall apply only to the public offering of Common Units pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and each registration statement filed under the 1933 Act in connection therewith.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this agreement and that this agreement has been duly authorized (if applicable), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned.  This agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

 

If the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by the parties thereto prior to May 30, 2011, this agreement shall automatically terminate and become null and void.

 

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that whether or not any public offering of Common Units actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions.

 

[Signature Page Immediately Follows]

 

D-4



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

Yours very truly,

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name:

 

D-5



 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL

 

1.              Each of the Partnership, the General Partner, Silverthorne Operating, NGL Supply LLC and Hicksgas (collectively, the “ NGL Parties ” and each, an “ NGL Party ”) has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership or  limited liability company, as applicable, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Each Subsidiary is validly existing as a limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

2.              Each Partnership Entity is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, in, and (solely with respect to the Specified States) is in good standing under the laws of, each jurisdiction so identified on Exhibit F attached hereto.

 

3.              Each Partnership Entity has all requisite entity power and authority to own its respective properties and conduct its business, in each case in all material respects, as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.  Each NGL Party has the entity power and authority necessary to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement.  The Partnership has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Units in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement and the Partnership Agreement.  The General Partner has the limited liability company power and authority necessary to act as the general partner of the Partnership.  The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement by each NGL Party and the performance by such NGL Party of its respective obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary entity action on the part of such NGL Party.

 

4.              The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the NGL Parties.

 

5.              The Redemption Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the NGL Parties party thereto.

 

6.              The Units to be issued and sold to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered to the Underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware LP Act ”)) and will not have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights granted under the Constitutive Documents of the Partnership, the Delaware LP Act or any Material Agreement.

 

E-1



 

7.              NGL Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ NGL Holdings ”), owns of record 21.96% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the General Partner, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, charges or other claims  (“ Liens ”), except Liens arising under NGL Holdings’ debt instruments, in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming NGL Holdings as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.  Each of the persons specified on Exhibit H hereto (a “ Specified GP Member ”) owns of record the respective percentage specified on Exhibit H hereto of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the General Partner.  All of the issued and outstanding membership interests in the General Partner have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of the General Partner and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of the General Partner) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

8.              The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership and owns of record a 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the General Partner as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”), (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of the Partnership, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.

 

9.              (a)     NGL Holdings owns of record [ 1,307,992] Common Units and [1,544,100] Subordinated Units (each as defined in the Partnership Agreement and referred to herein as the “ NGL Common Units ” and the “ NGL Subordinated Units ,” respectively), and, in each case, the limited partner interests represented thereby, in the Partnership, free and clear of all Liens, except Liens arising under NGL Holdings’ debt instruments, in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming NGL Holdings as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.  Each of the persons specified on Exhibit I hereto (a “ Specified Holder ”) owns of record the respective number of Common Units (the “ Specified Holder Common Units ”) specified on Exhibit I hereto, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, in the Partnership.  Such Common Units and Subordinated Units, and, in each case, the limited partner interests represented thereby specified in the two previous sentences, have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).

 

(b)       Immediately after issue and delivery of the Units to the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement on the date hereof, (i) the issued and

 

E-2



 

outstanding partner interests in the Partnership will consist of the limited partner interests in the Partnership represented by [            ] Common Units (including the Units), [            ] Subordinated Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights and the 0.1% general partner interest in the Partnership; and (ii) other than the NGL Common Units, the NGL Subordinated Units, the Specified Holder Common Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, the limited partner interests in the Partnership represented by Units will be the only issued and outstanding limited partner interests in the Partnership.

 

10.            The General Partner owns of record all of the Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement), and the limited partner interests represented thereby, in the Partnership, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the General Partner as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LLC Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of the Partnership, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.  Such Incentive Distribution Rights, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303(a), 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).

 

11.            The Partnership owns of record 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Operating LLC, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Partnership as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LP Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of Operating LLC, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.  Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of Operating LLC and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of the Operating LLC) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

12.            Operating LLC owns of record 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming Operating LLC as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LLC Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus

 

E-3



 

and the Final Prospectus.  Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of the NGL Supply) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

13.            Operating LLC owns of record 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Hicksgas, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming Operating LLC as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LLC Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of Hicksgas, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.  Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of Hicksgas and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of Hicksgas) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

14.            NGL Supply owns of record 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply Retail, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming NGL Supply as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LLC Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Retail, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.  Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Retail and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Retail) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

15.            NGL Supply owns of record 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply Wholesale, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming NGL Supply as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to us, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LLC Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Wholesale, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.  Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Wholesale and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Wholesale) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

E-4



 

16.            NGL Supply owns of record 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in NGL Supply Terminal, free and clear of all Liens (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming NGL Supply as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel without independent investigation, in the case of (i) and (ii), other than those Liens that are (A) created under the Delaware LLC Act, (B) created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements, (C) created by the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Terminal, or (D) disclosed in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus.  Such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Terminal  and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Constitutive Documents of NGL Supply Terminal) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

17.            Except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, or, in the case of transfer restrictions, options to purchase, other rights to subscribe or to purchase, voting restrictions and preemptive rights, created by the Constitutive Documents of the Partnership, there are no options, warrants, preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any equity interests in the Partnership pursuant to any Constitutive Document of the Partnership, any other Material Agreement or any law, rule or regulation of any Included Law, other than those restrictions upon the transfer of equity interests created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements.  None of the offering, issuance or sale of the Units as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement gives rise under the Constitutive Documents of the Partnership or any Material Agreement to any rights for inclusion in the Registration Statement of any Common Units or other securities of the Partnership, other than those that have been waived or are described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus.

 

18.            The Registration Statement was declared effective under the Securities Act on May 11, 2011. To our knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened by the SEC. The filings of the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) (without reference to Rule 424(b)(8)) under the Securities Act were made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule.

 

19.            No permit, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing or qualification (“ Consent ”) of or with any court or governmental agency or body under the Included Laws is required in connection with the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units or the execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement by the Partnership, other than (a) such Consents required under state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, (b) such Consents that have been obtained or made and (c) Consents with respect to the SEC required in the performance by the Partnership of its obligations under Section 3 of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

E-5



 

20.            None of the offering, issuance or sale of the Units by the Partnership, the execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement by the Partnership or the performance of the actions required to be taken by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of or a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under, or results or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of any of the Partnership Entities (other than those created in connection with the Partnership’s credit facilities constituting Material Agreements) pursuant to, (a) any Constitutive Document, (b) any Material Agreement, (c) any law, rule or regulation of the Included Laws or (d) any order, judgment, decree or injunction of any court or governmental agency or body known to us directed to any of the Partnership Entities or any of their properties in a proceeding to which any of them or their property is a party; provided, however, that no opinion is expressed pursuant to this paragraph with respect to federal securities laws and other anti-fraud laws.

 

21.            The Partnership is not, and after giving effect to the Offering and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

22.            The statements included in the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus under the headings “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions,” “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity, Sources of Capital and Capital Resource Activities—Revolving Credit Facility,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties,” “Description of the Common Units,” “The Partnership Agreement” and “Material Tax Consequences,” insofar as they purport to summarize any agreement, statute or regulation or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions, are accurate and fair summaries in all material respects; and the Common Units (including the Units), the Incentive Distribution Rights and the Subordinated Units conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus under the captions “Description of the Common Units” and “The Partnership Agreement.”

 

23.            Each Operative Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Partnership Entity party thereto and is a valid and legally binding agreement of such Partnership Entity, enforceable against such Partnership Entity in accordance with its terms under the Included Laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Because the primary purpose of our professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters or financial, accounting or statistical information, and because many determinations involved in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus are of a wholly or partially non-legal character, except as expressly set forth in paragraph 22 of this opinion letter, we are not passing upon and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained or

 

E-6



 

incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus and we make no representation that we have independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements.

 

However, in the course of our acting as counsel to the Partnership in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Final Prospectus, we have reviewed each such document and have participated in conferences and telephone conversations with representatives of the Partnership, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Partnership, representatives of the Underwriters and representatives of the Underwriters’ counsel, during which conferences and conversations the contents of such documents and related matters were discussed.

 

Based on our participation in such conferences and conversations, our review of the documents described above, our understanding of the U.S. federal securities laws and the experience we have gained in our practice thereunder, we advise you that:

 

(a)  Each of the Registration Statement, as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement, the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus (as of its date) and the Final Prospectus (as of its date), appeared on its face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, except that (i) we express no view as to the financial statements, the notes and schedules thereto and other financial and accounting data contained or incorporated by reference therein, and (ii) we express no view as to the antifraud provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated under such provisions.  We have no knowledge of any documents that are required to be filed  under the Securities Act (but are not filed) as exhibits to the Registration Statement, or of any documents that are required under the Securities Act to be (but are not) summarized in the Pre-Pricing Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, except, in each case, we express no view as to (i) the antifraud provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated under such provisions and (ii) the financial statements, the notes and schedules thereto and other financial and accounting data so required to be filed or summarized.

 

(b)  No information has come to our attention that causes us to believe that (i) the Registration Statement, as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of [      ] a.m. (New York time) on May [    ], 2011 (which you have informed us is a time prior to the time of the first sale of the Units by any Underwriter), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading or (iii) the Final Prospectus, as of its date and as of the Closing Date, contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that in the case of each of clauses (i)-(iii) above, we do not express any view as to the financial statements, financial schedules and other financial and accounting data contained or incorporated by reference therein.

 

E-7



 

Exhibit F

 

Partnership Entity

 

States

General Partner

 

None

Partnership

 

None

Operating LLC

 

New York, Oklahoma, Texas

NGL Supply

 

Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin

Hicksgas

 

Illinois, Indiana

NGL Supply Retail

 

Georgia, Kansas

NGL Supply Wholesale

 

Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

NGL Supply Terminal

 

Illinois, Missouri

Rocket Supply

 

None

 

E-8



 

Exhibit H

 

Intentionally omitted.

 

E-9



 

Exhibit I

 

Intentionally omitted.

 

E-10



 

EXHIBIT F

 

PRICE-RELATED INFORMATION

 

Public offering price: $21.00 per common unit

 

Net proceeds, before expenses and the restructuring fee, to the Partnership: $19.635 per common unit

 

Settlement date:  May 17, 2011

 

E-11



 

EXHIBIT G

 

ISSUER GENERAL USE FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES

 

Free Writing Prospectus filed on May 9, 2011 pursuant to Rule 433(f)

 

G-1



 

EXHIBIT H

 

ISSUER PRICING FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

 

None

 

H-1


Exhibit 3.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 



 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

Section 1.2

Construction

17

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1

Formation

17

Section 2.2

Name

17

Section 2.3

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

17

Section 2.4

Purpose and Business

17

Section 2.5

Powers

17

Section 2.6

Term

17

Section 2.7

Title to Partnership Assets

18

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1

Limitation of Liability

18

Section 3.2

Management of Business

18

Section 3.3

Outside Activities of the Limited Partners

18

Section 3.4

Rights of Limited Partners

18

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1

Certificates

19

Section 4.2

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

19

Section 4.3

Record Holders

20

Section 4.4

Transfer Generally

20

Section 4.5

Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

21

Section 4.6

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

21

Section 4.7

Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights

22

Section 4.8

Restrictions on Transfers of Limited Partner Interests

23

Section 4.9

Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders

23

Section 4.10

Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders

24

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1

Contributions by the General Partner and the Initial Limited Partners

25

Section 5.2

Common Unit Split and Conversion of Subordinated Units

25

Section 5.3

Contributions by Initial Limited Partners

26

Section 5.4

Interest and Withdrawal

26

Section 5.5

Capital Accounts

26

Section 5.6

Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests

28

Section 5.7

Conversion of Subordinated Units

29

Section 5.8

Limited Preemptive Right

29

Section 5.9

Splits and Combinations

30

Section 5.10

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

30

Section 5.11

Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights

30

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

32

Section 6.2

Allocations for Tax Purposes

40

Section 6.3

Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

41

Section 6.4

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

41

Section 6.5

Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus

44

Section 6.6

Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

44

Section 6.7

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units

44

Section 6.8

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights

45

Section 6.9

Entity-Level Taxation

45

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1

Management

45

Section 7.2

Certificate of Limited Partnership

47

Section 7.3

Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority

47

Section 7.4

Reimbursement of the General Partner

47

Section 7.5

Outside Activities

48

Section 7.6

Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members

49

Section 7.7

Indemnification

49

Section 7.8

Liability of Indemnitees

51

Section 7.9

Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties

52

Section 7.10

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

53

Section 7.11

Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests

53

Section 7.12

Reliance by Third Parties

53

 



 

ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1

Records and Accounting

54

Section 8.2

Fiscal Year

54

Section 8.3

Reports

54

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1

Tax Returns and Information

54

Section 9.2

Tax Elections

55

Section 9.3

Tax Controversies

55

Section 9.4

Withholding; Tax Payments

55

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1

Admission of Limited Partners

55

Section 10.2

Admission of Successor General Partner

56

Section 10.3

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

56

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1

Withdrawal of the General Partner

56

Section 11.2

Removal of the General Partner

58

Section 11.3

Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner

58

Section 11.4

Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages

59

Section 11.5

Withdrawal of Limited Partners

59

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1

Dissolution

60

Section 12.2

Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

61

Section 12.3

Liquidator

61

Section 12.4

Liquidation

61

Section 12.5

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

62

Section 12.6

Return of Contributions

62

Section 12.7

Waiver of Partition

62

Section 12.8

Capital Account Restoration

62

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1

Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

62

Section 13.2

Amendment Procedures

63

Section 13.3

Amendment Requirements

63

Section 13.4

Special Meetings

64

Section 13.5

Notice of a Meeting

64

Section 13.6

Record Date

64

Section 13.7

Adjournment

65

Section 13.8

Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes

65

Section 13.9

Quorum and Voting

65

Section 13.10

Conduct of a Meeting

65

Section 13.11

Action Without a Meeting

65

Section 13.12

Right to Vote and Related Matters

66

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

Section 14.1

Authority

66

Section 14.2

Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion

66

Section 14.3

Approval by Limited Partners

68

Section 14.4

Certificate of Merger

69

Section 14.5

Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion

69

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1

Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests

70

ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1

Addresses and Notices; Written Communications

71

Section 16.2

Further Action

71

Section 16.3

Binding Effect

72

Section 16.4

Integration

72

Section 16.5

Creditors

72

Section 16.6

Waiver

72

Section 16.7

Third-Party Beneficiaries

72

Section 16.8

Counterparts

72

Section 16.9

Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction

72

Section 16.10

Invalidity of Provisions

73

Section 16.11

Consent of Partners

73

Section 16.12

Facsimile Signatures

73

 



 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT

OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP (formerly known as Silverthorne Energy Partners LP) dated as of May 10, 2011 and effective as set forth in Section 16.8, is entered into by and among NGL Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and the Initial Limited Partners (as defined herein), together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1  Definitions.   The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

Acquisition ” means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing or expanding, over the long-term, the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction. For purposes of this definition, “long-term” generally refers to a period exceeding 12 months.

 

Additional Book Basis ” means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:

 

(a)                                   Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.

 

(b)                                  If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided, that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (b) to such Book-Down Event).

 

Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the Partnership’s Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the “ Excess Additional Book Basis ”), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period. With respect to a Disposed of Adjusted Property, the Additional Book Basis Derivative items shall be the amount of Additional Book Basis taken into account in computing gain or loss from the disposition of such Disposed of Adjusted Property.

 

Adjusted Capital Account ” means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end of each taxable period of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such taxable period, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent taxable periods under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of the end of such taxable period, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent taxable periods in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to

 

1



 

such Partner’s Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the taxable period in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or Section 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

 

Adjusted Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period, (a) Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period; (b) less (i) the amount of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to that period; and (ii) the amount of any net decrease in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such period; and (c) plus (i) the amount of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to that period; (ii) the amount of any net increase in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium; and (iii) any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures initially established with respect to such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus.

 

Adjusted Property ” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Without limiting the foregoing, for purposes of this Agreement, any Person that, individually or together with its Affiliates, has the direct or indirect right to designate or cause the designation of at least one member to the Board of Directors of the General Partner, and any such Person’s Affiliates, shall be deemed to be Affiliates of the General Partner. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, the Hicks Entities and their respective Affiliates (other than the General Partner or any Group Member), on the one hand, the NGL Shareholders and their respective Affiliates (other than the General Partner or any Group Member), on another hand, and the IEP Entities and their respective Affiliates (other than the General Partner or any Group Member), on another hand, will not be deemed to be Affiliates of one another hereunder unless there is a basis for such Affiliation independent of their respective Affiliation with any Group Member, the General Partner or any Affiliate (disregarding the immediately preceding sentence) of any Group Member or the General Partner.

 

Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ” is defined in Section 5.11(a).

 

Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means, as of the end of any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.

 

Agreed Allocation ” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

 

Agreed Value ” of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution and in the case of an Adjusted Property, the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the revaluation event as described in Section 5.5(d), in both cases as determined by the General Partner. In making such determination, the General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate.

 

Agreement ” means this Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NGL Energy Partners LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Associate ” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at

 

2



 

least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

 

Available Cash ” means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:

 

(a)                                   the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of any additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter, less

 

(b)                                  the amount of any cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or Section 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided , however , that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to clause (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage on all Common Units, with respect to such Quarter; and, provided further , that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Available Cash” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.

 

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to the Board of Directors of the General Partner, its board of directors or board of managers, as applicable, if a corporation or limited liability company, or if a limited partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner.

 

Book Basis Derivative Items ” means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).

 

Book-Down Event ” means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

Book-Tax Disparity ” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.

 

Book-Up Event ” means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

Business Day ” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

 

Capital Account ” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5. The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

 

3



 

Capital Contribution ” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an underwritten offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions).

 

Capital Improvement ” means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member, (b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new or the improvement or replacement of existing, capital assets (including, without limitation, propane assets or other midstream assets or facilities) or (c) capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member has an equity interest, or after such capital contribution will have an equity interest, to fund such Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the addition or improvement to or the acquisition of existing, or the construction of new or the improvement or replacement of existing, capital assets (including, without limitation, propane assets or other midstream assets or facilities) by such Person, in each case if such addition, improvement, replacement, acquisition or construction is made to increase, over the long-term, the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the case of clause (c), from the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, replacement, acquisition or construction. For purposes of this definition, “long-term” generally refers to a period exceeding 12 months.

 

Capital Surplus ” means Available Cash distributed by the Partnership in excess of Operating Surplus, as described in Section 6.3(a).

 

Carrying Value ” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination; provided that the Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 5.5(d)(i) and Section 5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

 

Cause ” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.

 

Certificate ” means (a) a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Agreement, (ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or (b) a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Interests.

 

Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Citizenship Eligibility Trigger ” is defined in Section 4.9(a)(ii).

 

Closing Date ” means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Closing Price ” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which the respective Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the primary reporting system then in use in relation to such Limited Partner Interests of such class, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.

 

4



 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

 

Combined Interest ” is defined in Section 11.3(a).

 

Commences Commercial Service ” means the date a Capital Improvement is first put into commercial service following completion of construction, acquisition, development and testing, as applicable.

 

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Unit ” means a Partnership Interest representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not refer to or include any Subordinated Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

Common Unit Arrearage ” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i).

 

Conflicts Committee ” means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not an officer or employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner, (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or its Affiliates or the Partnership Group, other than Common Units and other awards that are granted to such director under the LTIP and (d) meets the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which any class of Partnership Interests is listed or admitted to trading.

 

Contributed Property ” means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

 

Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement ” means that certain Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2010, by and among the Hicks Entities, Hicksgas Gifford, Inc., NGL Supply, Inc., NGL Holdings, Inc., the other stockholders of NGL Supply, Inc., Krim2010, LLC, Infrastructure Capital Management, LLC, Atkinson Investors, LLC, NGL Energy Holdings LLC (formerly known as Silverthorne Energy Holdings LLC) and the Partnership.

 

Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage ” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the Common Unit Arrearages with respect to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters within the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section 6.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last of such Quarters).

 

Curative Allocation ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).

 

Current Market Price ” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.

 

Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

Departing General Partner means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2.

 

5



 

Depositary ” means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.

 

Disposed of Adjusted Property ” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B).

 

Economic Risk of Loss ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

 

Eligibility Certificate ” is defined in Section 4.9(b).

 

Eligible Holder ” means a Limited Partner whose (a) federal income tax status would not, in the determination of the General Partner, have the material adverse effect described in Section 4.9(a)(i) or Section 4.9(b) nationality, citizenship or other related status would not, in the determination of the General Partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture as described in Section 4.9(a)(ii).

 

Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ” is defined in Section 6.9.

 

Event of Withdrawal ” is defined in Section 11.1(a).

 

Excess Additional Book Basis is defined in the definition of “Additional Book Basis Derivative Items.”

 

Excess Distribution ” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).

 

Excess Distribution Unit ” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).

 

Expansion Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements, and shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence construction of a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that such Capital Improvement is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to fund such construction period interest payments or to fund distributions on equity issued (including incremental Incentive Distributions related thereto) to fund the construction of a Capital Improvement as described in clause (a)(iv) of the definition of Operating Surplus shall also be deemed to be debt incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Expansion Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.

 

Final Subordinated Units ” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(x)(A).

 

First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement ” shall mean the First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of Silverthorne Energy Partners LP (now known as NGL Energy Partners LP).

 

First Liquidation Target Amount ” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).

 

First Target Distribution ” means 115% of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution.

 

Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis ” means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that includes (1) the weighted average number of Outstanding Units plus (2) all Partnership Interests and options, rights, warrants, phantom units and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership (a) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units or for which Units are issuable, in each case that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated Units, (b) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (c) that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (d) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation is being made; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or the Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, such Partnership Interests, options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units

 

6



 

only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided, further, that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (i) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (ii) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.

 

General Partner ” means NGL Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of the Partnership, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).

 

General Partner Interest ” means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), and includes any and all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

Gross Liability Value ” means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arm’s-length transaction.

 

Group ” means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.

 

Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

 

Group Member Agreement ” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Hedge Contract ” means any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of the Partnership Group to fluctuations in interest rates or the price of hydrocarbons, other than for speculative purposes.

 

Hicks Entities ” means Hicks Oils & Hicksgas, Incorporated, an Indiana corporation, and Gifford Holdings, Inc., an Indiana corporation.

 

IDR Reset Common Unit ” is defined in Section 5.11(a).

 

IDR Reset Election ” is defined in Section 5.11(a).

 

IEP Entities ” means Krim2010, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, Atkinson Investors, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and Infrastructure Capital Management, LLC, a New York limited liability company.

 

Incentive Distribution Right ” means a non-voting Limited Partner Interest that will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights and obligations specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

7



 

Incentive Distributions ” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Section 6.4.

 

Incremental Income Taxes ” is defined in Section 6.9.

 

Indemnitee ” means (a) any General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates as an officer, director, manager, managing member, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary duty to any Group Member; provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for- services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, (f) any Person who controls a General Partner or Departing General Partner and (g) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s service, status or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.

 

Ineligible Holder ” is defined in Section 4.9(c).

 

Initial Common Units ” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Public Offering.

 

Initial Limited Partners ” means the persons identified as “Limited Partners” on the signature pages of the First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the General Partner (with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights).

 

Initial Public Offering ” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement, including any Common Units issued pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

Initial Unit Price ” means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters in the Initial Public Offering agree to offer the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the final prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act with respect to the Initial Public Offering or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.

 

Interim Capital Transactions ” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including in the Initial Public Offering); (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; and (d) capital contributions received.

 

Investment Capital Expenditures ” means capital expenditures other than Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures.

 

Liability ” means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.

 

Limited Partner ” means, unless the context otherwise requires, each Initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each case, in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership; provided, however, that when the term “Limited Partner” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right (solely with respect to its Incentive Distribution Rights and not with respect to any other Limited Partner Interest held by such Person) except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

Limited Partner Interest ” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Interests or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided

 

8



 

in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that when the term “Limited Partner Interest” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Incentive Distribution Right except as may otherwise be required by law.

 

Liquidation Date ” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

 

Liquidator ” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

 

LTIP ” means the Long-Term Incentive Plan of the General Partner, as may be amended, or any equity compensation plan successor thereto.

 

Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to or replacement of the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new, capital assets, including, without limitation, propane assets and other related or similar midstream assets) if such expenditures are made to maintain, including over the long-term, the operating capacity and/or operating income of the Partnership Group. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall not include (a) Expansion Capital Expenditures or (b) Investment Capital Expenditures. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued, other than equity issued on the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, in each case, to finance the construction or development of a replacement asset and paid during the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence constructing or developing a replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such replacement asset Commences Commercial Service and the date that such replacement asset is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund construction or development period interest payments, or such construction or development period distributions on equity, shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction or development of a replacement asset and the incremental Incentive Distributions paid relating to newly issued equity shall be deemed to be distributions paid on equity issued to finance the construction or development of a replacement asset. For purposes of this definition, “long-term” generally refers to a period exceeding 12 months.

 

Merger Agreement ” is defined in Section 14.1.

 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution ” means $0.3375 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to the period from the Closing Date to the end of the quarter in which the Closing Date occurs, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is the total number of days in such quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6 and Section 6.9. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall not be adjusted in connection with the subdivision and conversion contemplated by Section 5.2.

 

National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section) and any other securities exchange (whether or not registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) (or successor to such Section) of the Securities Exchange Act) that the General Partner shall designate as a National Securities Exchange for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Net Agreed Value ” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any Liability either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case as determined and required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code.

 

Net Income ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income

 

9



 

shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xii).

 

Net Loss ” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made without regard to any reversal of such items under Section 6.1(d)(xii).

 

Net Positive Adjustments ” means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.

 

Net Termination Gain ” means, for any taxable period, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) that are (a) recognized (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(d); provided, however, the items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

 

Net Termination Loss ” means, for any taxable period, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) that are (a) recognized (i) after the Liquidation Date or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group), or (b) deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(d); provided, however, items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

 

NGL Shareholders ” means NGL Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and the other Limited Partners identified on the signature pages hereto.

 

Nonrecourse Built-in Gain ” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.2(b) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

 

Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

 

Nonrecourse Liability ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

 

Notice of Election to Purchase ” is defined in Section 15.1(b).

 

Notional General Partner Units ” means notional units used solely to calculate the General Partner’s Percentage Interest. Notional General Partner Units shall not constitute “Units” for any purpose of this Agreement. After giving effect to the subdivision of Common Units but before giving effect to the Initial Public Offering there shall initially be 10,945 Notional General Partner Units (resulting in the General Partner’s Percentage Interest being 0.1% after giving effect to any exercise of the Over-Allotment Option). After giving effect to the Initial Public Offering and the related capital contributions by our General Partner, the number of Notional General Partner Units will be increased such that the number of Notional General Partner Units is equal to 0.1% of the total Notional General Partner Units, Common Units and Subordinated Units (resulting in the General Partner’s Percentage Interest being 0.1%). If the General Partner makes additional Capital Contributions pursuant to Section 5.2(b) to maintain its Percentage Interest, the number of Notional General Partner Units shall be increased proportionally to reflect the maintenance of such Percentage Interest.

 

10



 

Operating Expenditures ” means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts (provided that (i) with respect to amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a Hedge Contract, such amounts shall be amortized over the life of such Hedge Contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract), officer and other employee compensation, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments and Maintenance Capital Expenditures, subject to the following:

 

(a)                                   repayments of Working Capital Borrowings deducted from Operating Surplus pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of the definition of “Operating Surplus” shall not constitute Operating Expenditures when actually repaid;

 

(b)                                  payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and

 

(c)                                   Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) Investment Capital Expenditures, (iii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iv) distributions to Partners, or (v) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than repurchases of Partnership Interests to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans, or reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner for such purchases. Where capital expenditures are made in part for Maintenance Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.

 

Operating Surplus ” means, with respect to any period after the Closing Date and ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

 

(a)                                  the sum of (i) $20.0 million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and provided that cash receipts from the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings, and (iv) the amount of cash distributions paid (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on equity issued, other than equity issued in the Initial Public Offering, to finance all or a portion of the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement or replacement of a capital asset and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that the Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement or replacement of a capital asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date the Capital Improvement or replacement capital asset Commences Commercial Service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of (equity issued, other than equity issued in the Initial Public Offering, to fund the construction period interest payments on debt incurred, or construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement or replacement of a capital asset shall also be deemed to be equity issued to finance the construction, acquisition or improvement of a Capital Improvement or replacement of a capital asset for purposes of this clause (iv)), less

 

(b)                                  the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period; (ii) the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred; and (iv) any cash loss realized on disposition of an Investment Capital Expenditure; provided, however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

 

11



 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “ Operating Surplus ” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero. Cash receipts from an Investment Capital Expenditure shall be treated as cash receipts only to the extent they are a return on principal, but in no event shall a return of principal be treated as cash receipts.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.

 

Option Closing Date ” means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time after the Initial Public Offering any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding, none of the Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall be voted on any matter nor shall they be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that Partnership Interests so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than the Partnership), (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that, at or prior to such acquisition, the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership provided that, at or prior to such acquisition, the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply.

 

Over-Allotment Option ” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Partner Nonrecourse Debt ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

 

Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain ” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

 

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions ” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

 

Partners ” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

 

Partnership ” means NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

Partnership Group ” means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single consolidated entity.

 

Partnership Interest ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

Partnership Minimum Gain ” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

 

Percentage Interest ” means as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner, with respect to the General Partner Interest (calculated based upon a number of Notional General Partner Units), and as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Notional General Partner Units deemed held by the General Partner or the

 

12



 

number of Units held by such Unitholder, as the case may be, by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units and Notional General Partner Units, and (b) as to the holders of other Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right shall at all times be zero.

 

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

 

Per Unit Capital Amount ” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any class of Units held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.

 

Plan of Conversion ” is defined in Section 14.1.

 

Pro Rata ” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used with respect to Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned equally among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder.

 

Purchase Date ” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.

 

Quarter ” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership that includes the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.

 

Rate Eligibility Trigger ” is defined in Section 4.9(a)(i).

 

Recapture Income ” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

 

Record Date ” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

 

Record Holder ” means (a) with respect to Partnership Interests of any class of Partnership Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.

 

Redeemable Interests ” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.

 

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-172186) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Public Offering.

 

Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the

 

13



 

General Partner Interest), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General Partner’s Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Interest for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.

 

Required Allocations ” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(v), Section 6.1(d)(vi), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section 6.1(d)(ix).

 

Reset MQD ” is defined in Section 5.11(a).

 

Reset Notice ” is defined in Section 5.11(b).

 

Retained Converted Subordinated Unit ” is defined in Section 5.5(c)(ii).

 

Second Liquidation Target Amount ” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).

 

Second Target Distribution ” means 125% of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

 

Securities Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

 

Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (in respect of the General Partner Interest), the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such taxable period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.

 

Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee acting in good faith.

 

Subordinated Unit ” means a Partnership Interest representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term “Subordinated Unit” does not refer to or include a Common Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.

 

14



 

Subordination Period ” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first to occur of the following dates:

 

(a)                                   the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the first Quarter after the third anniversary of the Closing Date in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of (I) the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, and (II) the General Partner Interest, in each case with respect to each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on (I) all Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units and (II) the General Partner Interest, in each case in respect of such periods and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the (I) Common Units, Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units and (II) General Partner Interest, in each case that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages;

 

(b)                                  the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the first Quarter after the Closing Date in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of (I) the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, and (II) the General Partner Interest, in each case with respect to the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 150% of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of (I) the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units and (II) the General Partner Interest, in each case in respect of such period, and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded 150% of the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of (I) the Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, (II) the General Partner Interest, in each case that were Outstanding during such period on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis and (III) and the corresponding Incentive Distributions and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages;

 

(c)                                   the first date on which there are no longer outstanding any Subordinated Units due to the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7 or otherwise; and

 

(d)                                  the date on which the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership upon the requisite vote by holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist and no Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are voted in favor of such removal.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

Surviving Business Entity ” is defined in Section 14.2(b)(ii).

 

Target Distribution ” means, collectively, the First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution.

 

Third Target Distribution ” means 150% of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution.

 

15



 

Trading Day ” means, for the purpose of determining the Current Market Price of any class of Limited Partner Interests, a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

 

transfer ” is defined in Section 4.4(a).

 

transferee ” means a Person who has received Partnership Interests by means of a transfer.

 

Transfer Agent ” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests; provided, that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

 

Underwriter ” means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.

 

Underwriting Agreement ” means that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of May 11, among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner and other parties thereto, providing for the purchase of Common Units by the Underwriters.

 

Unit ” means a Partnership Interest that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i) the General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

Unitholders ” means the holders of Units.

 

Unit Majority ” means (i) during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), voting as a class, and at least a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting as a class, and (ii) after the end of the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a single class.

 

Unpaid MQD ” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).

 

Unrealized Gain ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).

 

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).

 

Unrecovered Initial Unit Price ” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision, combination or reorganization of such Units.

 

U.S. GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

 

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ” is defined in Section 11.1(b)(i).

 

Working Capital Borrowings ” means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners, made pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or other similar financing arrangement; provided that

 

16



 

when such borrowings are incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from sources other than additional Working Capital Borrowings.

 

Section 1.2  Construction.   Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof”, “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE II

 

ORGANIZATION

 

Section 2.1  Formation.   The General Partner and the Initial Limited Partners hereby amend and restate the First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.

 

Section 2.2  Name.   The name of the Partnership shall be “NGL Energy Partners LP”. The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” “LP,” “L.P.,” “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.3  Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices.   Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 6120 S. Yale, Suite 805, Tulsa, OK 74136, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 6120 S. Yale, Suite 805, Tulsa, OK 74136, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.4  Purpose and Business.   The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may, in its sole discretion, decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business.

 

Section 2.5  Powers.   The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

 

Section 2.6  Term.   The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

 

17



 

Section 2.7  Title to Partnership Assets.   Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity and/or its Subsidiaries, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

 

ARTICLE III

 

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Section 3.1  Limitation of Liability.   The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

 

Section 3.2  Management of Business.   No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.3  Outside Activities of the Limited Partners.   Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities outside of and in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any outside business ventures of any Limited Partner.

 

Section 3.4  Rights of Limited Partners.

 

(a)                                   In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, the reasonableness of which having been determined by the General Partner, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

 

(i)                                      to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership;

 

(ii)                                   promptly after its becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnership’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;

 

(iii)                                to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;

 

(iv)                               to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which

 

18



 

this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;

 

(v)                                  to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and that each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and

 

(vi)                               to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.

 

(b)                                  The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership where the primary purpose is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP

INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 4.1  Certificates.   Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary herein, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by certificates. Certificates that may be issued shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. If a Transfer Agent has been appointed for a class of Partnership Interests, no Certificate for such class of Partnership Interests shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however, that if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.7(c), if Common Units are evidenced by Certificates, on or after the date on which Subordinated Units are converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.7, the Record Holders of such Subordinated Units (i) if the Subordinated Units are evidenced by Certificates, may exchange such Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common Units or (ii) if the Subordinated Units are not evidenced by Certificates, shall be issued Certificates evidencing Common Units.

 

Section 4.2  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

 

(a)           If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests as the Certificate so surrendered.

 

(b)                                  The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

 

(i)                                      makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

 

(ii)                                   requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

 

(iii)                                if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the

 

19



 

Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

 

(iv)                               satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.

 

If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

 

(c)                                   As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the Record Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

 

Section 4.3  Record Holders.   The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person shall be (a) the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest and (b) bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner hereunder as, and to the extent, provided herein.

 

Section 4.4  Transfer Generally.

 

(a)                                   The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall mean a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person or by which a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest (other than an Incentive Distribution Right) makes any direct or indirect transfer, sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, with respect to any Person that is not a natural person, any distribution, transfer, assignment or other disposition of any Limited Partner Interest, whether voluntary, involuntary or pursuant to any dissolution, liquidation or termination of such Person, to such Person’s members, shareholders, partners or other interestholders shall constitute a “transfer” of a Limited Partner Interest (for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to a Limited Partner that is not a natural person, any transfer, sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or other disposition of any interest in such Limited Partner, by such Limited Partner or any interestholder of such Limited Partner shall be deemed to be an indirect transfer of a Limited Partner Interest hereunder).

 

(b)                                  No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, null and void. Except as provided in Section 4.8(c) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed), or (iv) constitute a breach or violation of, or a change of control or event of default under, any credit agreement, loan agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other similar instrument or document governing indebtedness for borrowed money of the Partnership or any Group Member.

 

20



 

(c)                                   Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner , and the term “transfer” shall not mean any such disposition.

 

Section 4.5  Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b)                                  The Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the Record Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions hereof, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.

 

(c)                                   By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with this Section 4.5 and except as provided in Section 4.9, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) makes the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii) Section 4.8, (iv) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any statement of designations or an amendment to this Agreement establishing such class or series, (v) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner and (vi) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests (other than the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall be freely transferable.

 

(e)                                   The General Partner shall have the right at any time to transfer its Subordinated Units and Common Units (whether issued upon conversion of the Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more Persons.

 

Section 4.6  Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest.

 

(a)                                   Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the General Partner with or into such other Person or the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person.

 

21



 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, the General Partner may at its option transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest held by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.2, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

 

Section 4.7  Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.   Prior to the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may only transfer any or all of the Incentive Distribution Rights held by such holder without any consent of the Unitholders to (a) an Affiliate of such holder (other than an individual), or (b) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with (i) the merger or consolidation of such holder of Incentive Distribution Rights with or into such other Person, (ii) the transfer by such holder of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person, (iii) the sale of all the ownership interests in such holder or (iv) the pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage of the Incentive Distribution Rights in favor a Person providing bona fide debt financing to such holder as security or collateral for such debt financing and the transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights in connection with the exercise of any remedy of such Person in connection therewith, provided, that such holder entered into such debt financing transaction in good faith for a valid purpose other than the intent to circumvent the restrictions on transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights that would otherwise have applied. Any other transfer of the Incentive Distribution Rights prior to the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date shall require the prior approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). On or after the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, the General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the transfer of Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 shall not be treated as a transfer of all or any part of the Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) no transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that no such agreement shall be required for the pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage of the Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

22



 

Section 4.8  Restrictions on Transfers of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it determines, with the advice of counsel, that such restrictions are necessary or advisable to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes or (ii) preserve the uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.1; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

 

(b)                                  In addition to the restrictions in this Section 4.8, the transfer of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7.

 

(c)                                   Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

 

(d)                                  Each certificate evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form:

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP, TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). NGL ENERGY HOLDINGS LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO (A) AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES OR (B) IN THE CASE OF LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS, TO PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY THEREOF (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES OF LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS). THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

 

Section 4.9  Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders.

 

(a)                                   If at any time the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that

 

(i)                                      the Partnership’s status other than as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or the failure of the Partnership otherwise to be subject to an entity-level tax for U.S. federal, state or local income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof of the federal income tax status) of one or more Limited Partners, has or will reasonably likely have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rate that can be charged to customers by Subsidiaries of the Partnership (a “ Rate Eligibility Trigger ”), or

 

(ii)                                   any Group Member is subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation that would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an

 

23



 

interest based on the nationality, citizenship or other related status of a Limited Partner (a “ Citizenship Eligibility Trigger ”);

 

then, the General Partner may adopt such amendments to this Agreement as it determines to be necessary or advisable to (x) in the case of a Rate Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the federal income tax status of the Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their beneficial owners, as the General Partner determines to be necessary to establish those Limited Partners whose federal income tax status does not or would not have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rate that can be charged to customers by Subsidiaries of the Partnership or (y) in the case of a Citizenship Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the General Partner is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related status of such Person) of the Limited Partner as the General Partner determines to be necessary to establish and those Limited Partners whose status as a Limited Partner does not or would not subject any Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its properties or interests therein.

 

(b)                                  Such amendments may include provisions requiring all Limited Partners to certify as to their (and their beneficial owners’) status as Eligible Holders upon demand and on a regular basis, as determined by the General Partner, and may require transferees of Units to so certify prior to being admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner (any such required certificate, an “ Eligibility Certificate ”).

 

(c)                                   Such amendments may provide that any Limited Partner who fails to furnish to the General Partner within a reasonable period requested proof of its (and its beneficial owners’) status as an Eligible Holder or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner is not an Eligible Holder (such a Limited Partner an “ Ineligible Holder ”), the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted for all Limited Partners that are Ineligible Holder as the Limited Partner in respect of the Ineligible Holder’s Limited Partner Interests.

 

(d)                                  The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, distribute the votes in the same ratios as the votes of Limited Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Limited Partner Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are cast, either for, against or abstaining as to the matter.

 

(e)                                   Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holder’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of his Limited Partner Interest (representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind).

 

(f)                                     At any time after an Ineligible Holder can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Holder, an Ineligible Holder may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, such Ineligible Holder be admitted as a Limited Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Ineligible Holder shall be admitted as a Limited Partner and shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of the Ineligible Holder’s Limited Partner Interests.

 

Section 4.10  Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders.

 

(a)                                   If at any time a Limited Partner fails to furnish an Eligibility Certification or other information requested within a reasonable period of time specified in amendments adopted pursuant to Section 4.9, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certification or other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the Limited Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Limited Partner is not an Ineligible Holder or has transferred his Limited Partner Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certification to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited Partner as follows:

 

24



 

(i)                                      The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, at his last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon redemption of the Redeemable Interests (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Limited Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made).

 

(ii)                                   The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Limited Partner Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

 

(iii)                                The Limited Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment for the Redeemable Interests at the place of payment specified in the notice of redemption on the redemption date (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner or Transferee at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank).

 

(iv)                               After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

 

(b)                                  The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an Eligible Holder.

 

(c)                                   Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that he is an Eligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 5.1 Contributions by the General Partner and the Initial Limited Partners .

 

In connection with the execution of and as set forth in the First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, (i) the General Partner made a capital contribution to the Partnership in exchange for a continuation of its General Partner Interest equal to a 0.1% Percentage Interest (2,941 Notional General Partner Units prior to giving effect to the subdivision and conversion described in Section 5.2(a)) and the Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) the Initial Limited Partners made capital contributions to the Partnership in exchange for an aggregate Limited Partnership Interest equal to a 99.9% Percentage Interest (an aggregate of 2,937,631 Common Units prior to giving effect to the subdivision and conversion described in Section 5.2(a)).

 

Section 5.2  Common Unit Split and Conversion of Subordinated Units

 

(a)                                   Immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement in connection with the Initial Public Offering and effective as of the effectiveness of this Agreement, (i) each Common Unit held by the Initial Limited Partners will be subdivided into 3.7219 Common Units resulting in a total of 10,933,568 Common

 

25



 

Units then outstanding and held by the Initial Limited Partners and (ii) 54.139207% of the Common Units then held immediately following the subdivision pursuant to Section 5.2(a)(i) by each of the Initial Limited Partners will be converted (and any fractional units will be rounded in the same manner as contemplated by Section 5.6(d)) into an aggregate total of 5,919,346 Subordinated Units.

 

(b)                                  Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than the Common Units issued in connection with the subdivision of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.2(a), Subordinated Units issued in connection with the conversion of Common Units to Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.2(a) and any Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11), the General Partner may, in order to maintain its Percentage Interest, make additional Capital Contributions in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (i) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (B) 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (ii) the amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests. Except as set forth in Section 12.8, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.

 

Section 5.3  Contributions by Initial Limited Partners.

 

(a)                                   On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall contribute cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Upon the exercise, if any, of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter shall contribute cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

(c)                                   No Limited Partner will be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Section 5.4  Interest and Withdrawal.   No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon liquidation of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 5.5  Capital Accounts.

 

(a)                                   The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(b)                                  For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:

 

(i)                                      Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the

 

26



 

applicable Group Member Agreement) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.

 

(ii)                                   All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(iii)                                Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

 

(iv)                               Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnership’s Carrying Value with respect to such property as of such date.

 

(v)                                  In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.

 

(vi)                               The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to Carrying Values. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).

 

(c)                                   (i) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

 

(ii)                                   Subject to Section 6.7(c), immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit or of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to

 

27



 

the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or transferred converted Subordinated Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.

 

(d)                                  (i) Consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of each Partner and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated among the Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1(c) and Section 6.1(d) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated; provided, however, that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed Property, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. In making its determination of the fair market values of individual properties, the General Partner may determine that it is appropriate to first determine an aggregate value for the Partnership, derived from the current trading price of the Common Units, and taking fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time, and then allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate).

 

(ii)                                   In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, and any such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss shall be treated, for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, as if it had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated among the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1(c) and Section 6.1(d) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

 

Section 5.6  Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests.

 

(a)                                   The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Interests (including as described in Section 7.4(c)) for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.

 

(b)                                  Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to redeem the Partnership Interest (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether

 

28



 

such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest.

 

(c)                                   The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the issuance of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, (iv) reflecting admission of such additional Limited Partners in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Interests being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the Combined Interest into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

 

(d)                                  No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

 

Section 5.7  Conversion of Subordinated Units.

 

(a)                                   All of the Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the first Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in respect of the final Quarter of the Subordination Period.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all the then Outstanding Subordinated Units may convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis as set forth in, and pursuant to the terms of, Section 11.4.

 

(c)                                   A Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.

 

Section 5.8  Limited Preemptive Right.   Except as provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2 or as otherwise provided in a separate agreement by the Partnership, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates or the beneficial owners thereof or any of their respective Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Interests from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Interests to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates or such beneficial owners or any of their respective Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates and such beneficial owners or any of their respective Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Interests.

 

29



 

Section 5.9  Splits and Combinations.

 

(a)                                   Subject to Section 5.9(d), Section 6.6 and Section 6.9 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests so long as, after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted retroactive to the beginning of the Partnership.

 

(b)                                  Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Interests to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.

 

(c)                                   Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

 

(d)                                  The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section 5.6(d) and this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).

 

Section 5.10  Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.   All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 5.11  Issuance of Common Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

(a)                                   Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.11, the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when there are no Subordinated Units outstanding and the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the amount of each such distribution did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such Quarter, to make an election (the “ IDR Reset Election ”) to cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their respective proportionate share of a number of Common Units (the “ IDR Reset Common Units ”) derived by dividing (i) the average amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the “ Reset MQD ”) (the number of Common Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the “ Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ”). The Percentage Interest of the General Partner after the issuance of the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units shall equal the Percentage Interest of the General Partner prior to the issuance of the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership in order to maintain its Percentage Interest in connection therewith. The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in Section 5.11(b) shall cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of

 

30



 

Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive Common Units on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders, at the time specified in Section 5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section 5.11(d).

 

(b)                                  To exercise the right specified in Section 5.11(a), the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written notice (the “ Reset Notice ”) to the Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the Partnership of such Reset Notice, as the case may be, the Partnership shall deliver a written notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnership’s determination of the aggregate number of Common Units which each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.

 

(c)                                   The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units on the fifteenth Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice; provided, however, that the issuance of Common Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading of such Common Units by the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange.

 

(d)                                  If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Common Units to be issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 on or before the 30th calendar day following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Interests having such terms as the General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units would have had at the time of the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion of such Partnership Interests into Common Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).

 

(e)                                   The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of Common Units or other Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution shall be reset to equal the Reset MQD, (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal to 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150% of the Reset MQD.

 

(f)                                     Upon the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11(a), the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights shall (A) first, be allocated to IDR Reset Common Units in an amount equal to the product of (x) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights. In the event that there is not a sufficient Capital Account associated with the Incentive Distribution Rights to allocate the full Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit to the IDR Reset Common Units in accordance with clause (A) of this Section 5.11(f), the IDR Reset Common Units shall be subject to Sections 6.1(d)(x)(B) and 6.1(d)(x)(C).

 

31



 

ARTICLE VI

 

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 6.1  Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.   For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b)) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners as provided herein below.

 

(a)                                   Net Income.   After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Income for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

 

(i)                                      First, to the General Partner until the aggregate of the Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) and the Net Termination Gain allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(A) or Section 6.1(c)(iv)(A) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods and the Net Termination Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D) or Section 6.1(c)(iii)(B) for the current and all previous taxable periods; and

 

(ii)                                   The balance, if any, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, and (y) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x).

 

(b)                                  Net Loss.   After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Loss for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:

 

(i)                                      First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided, that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

 

(ii)                                   The balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner;

 

(c)                                   Net Termination Gains and Losses.   After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d), Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Section 6.1(c). All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided, however, that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.

 

(i)                                      Except as provided in Section 6.1(c)(iv) or Section 6.1(c)(v), Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated:

 

(A)                               First, to the General Partner until the aggregate of the Net Termination Gain allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(i)(A) or Section 6.1(c)(iv)(A) and the Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate of the Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods and the Net Termination Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(ii)(D) or Section 6.1(c)(iii)(B)for all previous taxable periods;

 

(B)                                 Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or

 

32



 

Section 6.4(b)(i)with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Unpaid MQD ”) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;

 

(C)                                 Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit into a Common Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable period (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;

 

(D)                                Fourth, 100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iv) and Section 6.4(b)(ii) (the sum of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is hereinafter referred to as the “ First Liquidation Target Amount ”);

 

(E)                                  Fifth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (E), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(v) and Section 6.4(b)(iii) (the sum of (1) and (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “ Second Liquidation Target Amount ”);

 

(F)                                  Sixth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (F), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnership’s existence over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(vi) and Section 6.4(b)(iv); and

 

(G)                                 Finally, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (x) and (y) of this clause (G).

 

(ii)                                   Except as otherwise provided by Section 6.1(c)(iii) or Section 6.1(c)(v), Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Loss) shall be allocated:

 

(A)                               First, if Subordinated Units remain Outstanding, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the

 

33



 

Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

 

(B)                                 Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

 

(C)                                 Third, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(ii)(C) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

 

(D)                                Fourth, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

 

(iii)                                Except as otherwise provided by Section 6.1(c)(v), any Net Termination Loss deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d) prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:

 

(A)                               First, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iii)(A) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

 

(B)                                 The balance, if any, to the General Partner.

 

(iv)                               If a Net Termination Loss has been allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii), subsequent Net Termination Gain deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d) prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:

 

(A)                               First, to the General Partner until the aggregate Net Termination Gain allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iv)(A) is equal to the aggregate Net Termination Loss previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii)(B);

 

(B)                                 Second, to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the aggregate Net Termination Gain allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iv)(B) is equal to the aggregate Net Termination Loss previously allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii)(A); and

 

(C)                                 The balance, if any, pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(c)(i).

 

(v)                                  Allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss Prior to Closing Date.

 

(A)                               Net Termination Gain recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)) on or prior to the Closing Date shall be treated as Net Income and allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(a).

 

(B)                                 Net Termination Loss recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)) on or prior to the Closing Date shall be treated as Net Loss and allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(b).

 

(d)                                  Special Allocations.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:

 

(i)                                      Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6),

 

34



 

1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                   Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(iii)                                Priority Allocations.

 

(A)                               If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) with respect to a Unit exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Unit (the amount of the excess, an “ Excess Distribution ” and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “ Excess Distribution Unit ”), then (1) there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated gross income and gain with respect to each such Excess Distribution in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time when the Excess Distribution occurs by (y) a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time when the Excess Distribution occurs, times (bb) the total amount allocated in clause (1) above with respect to such Excess Distribution.

 

(B)                                 After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated (1) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the cumulative amount of all Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable period; and (2) to the General Partner an amount equal to the product of (aa) an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.

 

(iv)                               Qualified Income Offset.  In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the

 

35



 

deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(iv) were not in this Agreement.

 

36



 

(v)                                  Gross Income Allocation.  In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section 6.1(d)(iv) and this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.

 

(vi)                               Nonrecourse Deductions.  Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

 

(vii)                            Partner Nonrecourse Deductions.  Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.

 

(viii)                         Nonrecourse Liabilities.  For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners Pro Rata.

 

(ix)                                 Code Section 754 Adjustments.  To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

 

(x)                                    Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law.

 

(A)                               At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period (“ Final Subordinated Units ”) in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to an amount that after taking into account the other allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction to be made with respect to such taxable period will equal the product of (A) the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for

 

37



 

allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.

 

(B)                                 With respect to an event triggering an adjustment to the Carrying Value of Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.5(d) during any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, the issuance of IDR Reset Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, after the application of Section 6.1(d)(x)(A), any Unrealized Gains and Unrealized Losses shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that to the nearest extent possible results in the Capital Accounts maintained with respect to such IDR Reset Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 equaling the product of (A) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

 

(C)                                 With respect to any taxable period during which an IDR Reset Unit is transferred to any Person who is not an Affiliate of the transferor, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the transferor Partner of such transferred IDR Reset Common Unit until such transferor Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such transferred IDR Reset Unit to an amount equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit.

 

(D)                                For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.1(d)(x)(D) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.

 

(xi)                                 Curative Allocation.

 

(A)                               Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. In exercising its discretion under this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A), the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.

 

(B)                                 The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

 

38



 

(xii)                              Corrective and Other Allocations. In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:

 

(A)                               Except as provided in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B), in the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof), the General Partner shall allocate such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to (1) the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner to the same extent that the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss giving rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to them pursuant to Section 5.5(d) and (2) all Unitholders, Pro Rata, to the extent that the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss giving rise to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items was allocated to any Unitholders pursuant to Section 5.5(d).

 

(B)                                 In the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof or an allocation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof) as a result of a sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset that is an Adjusted Property (“ Disposed of Adjusted Property ”), the General Partner shall allocate (1) additional items of gross income and gain (aa) away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and (bb) to the Unitholders, or (2) additional items of deduction and loss (aa) away from the Unitholders and (bb) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items allocated to the Unitholders exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to such Disposed of Adjusted Property. Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.

 

(C)                                 In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account balances of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and (2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.

 

(D)                                For purposes of this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the Unitholders shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders under this Agreement. In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii). Without limiting the foregoing, if an Adjusted Property is contributed by the Partnership to another entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (the “ lower tier partnership ”), the General Partner may make allocations similar to those described in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A) - Section 6.1(d)(xii)(C) to the extent the General Partner determines such allocations are necessary to account for the Partnership’s allocable share of income, gain, loss and deduction of the lower tier partnership that relate to the contributed Adjusted Property in a manner that is consistent with the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).

 

(E)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1(d)(xii), (x) no allocations shall be made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii) with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date and (y) for taxable periods (or portions thereof) ending after the Closing Date, the determinations of Additional Book Basis (and items derived therefrom) and Net Positive Adjustments (and items derived therefrom)

 

39



 

shall be made without regard to any Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event that occurred on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

(xiii)                      Special Curative Allocation in Event of Liquidation Prior to End of Subordination Period. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1 (other than the Required Allocations), if the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for the taxable period that includes the Liquidation Date (and, if necessary, items arising in previous taxable periods to the extent the General Partner determines such items may be so allocated), shall be specially allocated among the Partners in the manner determined appropriate by the General Partner so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i) or Section 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable.

 

Section 6.2  Allocations for Tax Purposes.

 

(a)                                   Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(b)                                  In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Section 6.1(d)(x)(D)); provided, that the General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d) in all events.

 

(c)                                   The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

 

(d)                                  In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

 

(e)                                   All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

 

(f)                                     Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for federal income tax purposes, be determined for each taxable period and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted

 

40



 

to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, that following the Initial Public Offering such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units may then be listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

 

(g)                                  Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

 

Section 6.3  Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.

 

(a)                                   Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date after the closing date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “ Capital Surplus .”

 

(b)                                  With respect to the distribution for the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs, the amount of Available Cash distributed to the Partners in accordance with Section 6.3(a) shall equal 100% of the Available Cash with respect to such Quarter multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the Quarter in which the Closing Date occurs and of which the denominator is the number of days in such Quarter.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all cash received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs, other than from Working Capital Borrowings, shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

 

(d)                                  Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through any Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

 

Section 6.4  Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.

 

(a)                                   During Subordination Period.   Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.6(b) in respect of other Partnership Interests issued pursuant thereto:

 

(i)                                      First, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

41



 

(ii)                                   Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;

 

(iii)                                Third, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(iv)                               Fourth, to the General Partner and all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(v)                                  Fifth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v) until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(vi)                               Sixth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vi), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and

 

(vii)                            Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (vii);

 

provided, however , if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(vii).

 

(b)                                  After Subordination Period.   Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3 or Section 6.5 shall be distributed as follows, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.6(b) in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant thereto:

 

(i)                                      First, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(ii)                                   Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(iii)                                Third, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iii), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;

 

42



 

(iv)                               Fourth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (iv), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and

 

(v)                                  Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v);

 

43



 

provided, however , if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(b)(v).

 

Section 6.5  Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.   Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Minimum Quarterly Distribution has been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a). Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall then be distributed (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (B) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.

 

Section 6.6  Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels.

 

(a)                                   The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution, Third Target Distribution, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Interests in accordance with Section 5.9 but no adjustment shall be made in connection with the subdivision and conversion contemplated by Section 5.2. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be reduced in the same proportion that the distribution had to the fair market value of the Common Units immediately prior to the announcement of the distribution. If the Common Units are publicly traded on a National Securities Exchange, the fair market value will be the Current Market Price before the ex-dividend date. If the Common Units are not publicly traded, the fair market value will be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

(b)                                  The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.11 and Section 6.9.

 

Section 6.7  Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units.

 

(a)                                   Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided, however, that immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, the Unitholder holding a Subordinated Unit shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder with respect to such converted Subordinated Units, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however, that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Section 5.5(c)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(x), Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c).

 

(b)                                  A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).

 

(c)                                   The Unitholder holding a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of a Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to Section 4.1, if the Common Units are evidenced by Certificates, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and

 

44



 

federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common Units, including the application of Section 5.5(c)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(x) and Section 6.7(b); provided, however, that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units.

 

Section 6.8  Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article III and Article VII and (ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, except as provided by law, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Section 6.4 and Section 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI.

 

Section 6.9  Entity-Level Taxation.   If legislation is enacted or the official interpretation of existing legislation is modified by a governmental authority, which after giving effect to such enactment or modification, results in a Group Member becoming subject to federal, state or local or non-U.S. income or withholding taxes in excess of the amount of such taxes due from the Group Member prior to such enactment or modification (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any increase in the rate of such taxation applicable to the Group Member), then the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution by the amount of income or withholding taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the “ Incremental Income Taxes ”), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner provided in this Section 6.9. If the General Partner elects to reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Group’s aggregate liability (the “ Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ”) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental Income Taxes; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual liability for Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent determined by the General Partner, be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

 

Section 7.1 Management.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

 

(i)                                      the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible or exchangeable into Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;

 

(ii)                                   the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

 

45



 

(iii)                                the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 or Article XIV);

 

(iv)                               the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;

 

(v)                                  the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

 

(vi)                               the distribution of Partnership cash;

 

(vii)                            the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

 

(viii)                         the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;

 

(ix)                                 the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;

 

(x)                                    the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

 

(xi)                                 the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

 

(xii)                              the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);

 

(xiii)                           the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Interests;

 

(xiv)                          the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in any Group Member; and

 

(xv)                             the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and

 

46



 

confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement of any other Group Member, the Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement, Underwriting Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement (in each case other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements after the date hereof); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or is otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

Section 7.2  Certificate of Limited Partnership.   The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.

 

Section 7.3  Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority.   Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to, in the best interest of the Partnership Group, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.

 

Section 7.4  Reimbursement of the General Partner.

 

(a)                                   Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any Group Member.

 

(b)                                  The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including Affiliates of the General Partner, to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the General Partner or the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.

 

(c)                                   The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership benefit plans, programs and practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights or phantom or tracking interests relating to Partnership

 

47



 

Interests), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests in connection with, or pursuant to, any benefit plan, program or practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees and directors of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees and directors pursuant to any such benefit plans, programs or practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates, from the Partnership, to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any benefit plans, programs or practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.

 

(d)                                  The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon the revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment of such management fee or fees exceeds the amount of such fee or fees.

 

Section 7.5  Outside Activities.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a Limited Partner in the Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members as described and contemplated by this Agreement or the Registration Statement, or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member.

 

(b)                                  Each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to any Group Member or any Partner. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any outside business ventures of any Indemnitee.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the terms of the limited liability company agreement of the General Partner, as may be amended from time to time, Sections 7.5(a) and (b), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee for the Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Indemnitees shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, to present business opportunities to the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Indemnitee (including the General Partner). No Indemnitee (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership, and such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by

 

48



 

reason of the fact that such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Partnership; provided such Indemnitee does not engage in such business or activity as a result of or using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Indemnitee.

 

(d)                                  The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Interests in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units and/or other Partnership Interests acquired by them. The term “Affiliates” when used in this Section 7.5(d) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted to have the effect of restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Delaware or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners to any such restriction, such provisions shall be deemed to have been approved by the Partners and (ii) nothing in this Agreement shall limit or otherwise affect any separate contractual obligations outside of this Agreement of any Person (including any Indemnitee) to the Partnership or any of its Affiliates.

 

Section 7.6  Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may, but shall be under no obligation to, lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term “Group Member” shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.

 

(b)                                  The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).

 

(c)                                   No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty hereunder or otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partner’s Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all Partners or (ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.

 

Section 7.7  Indemnification.

 

(a)                                   To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity; provided, that an Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless pursuant to this Agreement if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or

 

49



 

engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.7, be advanced by the Partnership, from time to time, prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified.

 

(c)                                   The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

(d)                                  The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by an Indemnitee of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, the Indemnitee to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

 

(f)                                     In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(g)                                  An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(h)                                  The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

 

(i)                                      No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

50



 

Section 7.8  Liability of Indemnitees.

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Interests, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal.

 

(b)                                  Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

 

(c)                                   To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

51



 

Section 7.9  Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.

 

(a)                                   Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval or Unitholder approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder approval. If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if neither Special Approval nor Unitholder approval is sought and the Board of Directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any duty hereunder or existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

 

(b)                                  Whenever the General Partner, or any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee), makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes the General Partner to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, such committee or such Affiliates causing the General Partner to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards (including fiduciary standards) imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. In order for a determination or other action to be in “good faith” for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership.

 

(c)                                   Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any duty (including any fiduciary duty) or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, and any other Person bound by this Agreement, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrases, “at the option of the General Partner,” “in its sole discretion” or some variation of those phrases, are used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.

 

52



 

(d)                                  The General Partner’s organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partner’s general partner, if the General Partner is a partnership.

 

(e)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be in its sole discretion.

 

(f)                                     Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or the Delaware Act, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee.

 

(g)                                  The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

 

Section 7.10  Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner may rely upon, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(b)                                  The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

 

(c)                                   The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership.

 

Section 7.11  Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests.   The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10, the General Partner may not cause any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. As long as Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.

 

Section 7.12  Reliance by Third Parties.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of

 

53



 

this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

 

Section 8.1  Records and Accounting.   The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Interests, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures, including Operating Surplus and Adjusted Operating Surplus, by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

Section 8.2  Fiscal Year.   The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending March 31.

 

Section 8.3  Reports.

 

(a)                                   As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means, to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.

 

(b)                                  As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 45 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

(c)                                   The General Partner shall be deemed to have made a report available to each Record Holder as required by this Section 8.3 if it has either (i) filed such report with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such report is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such report available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

TAX MATTERS

 

Section 9.1  Tax Returns and Information.   The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or years that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information (including any information necessary for unrelated business tax income calculations) reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and

 

54



 

state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes.

 

Section 9.2  Tax Elections.

 

(a)                                   The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(f) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

 

(b)                                  Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

 

Section 9.3  Tax Controversies.   Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.

 

Section 9.4  Withholding; Tax Payments.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of all or less than all of the Partners, either as a distribution of cash to such Partners or as a general expense of the Partnership, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Article VI or Section 12.4(c) in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

 

ARTICLE X

 

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

 

Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners.

 

(a)                                   Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to the Underwriters as described in Article V in connection with the Initial Public Offering, such parties shall be automatically admitted to the Partnership as Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units issued to them.

 

(b)                                  By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with Article IV or the acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger or consolidation or conversion pursuant to Article XIV, and except as provided in Section 4.9, each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when any such transfer or admission is reflected in the books and records of the

 

55



 

Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee or other recipient has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and (iv) makes the consents, acknowledgements and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner or Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest and until such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.9.

 

(c)                                   The name and mailing address of each Limited Partner shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section 4.1.

 

(d)                                  Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(b).

 

Section 10.2  Admission of Successor General Partner.   A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

 

Section 10.3  Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.   To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

 

Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner.

 

(a)                                   The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “ Event of Withdrawal ”);

 

(i)                                      The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;

 

(ii)                                   The General Partner transfers all of its General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6;

 

(iii)                                The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;

 

(iv)                               The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a

 

56



 

reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

 

(v)                                  A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

 

(vi)                               (A) In the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.

 

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), Section 11.1(a)(v) or Section 11.1(a)(vi)(A), (B), Section 11.1(a)(vi) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give written notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

 

(b)                                  Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances:

 

(i)                                      at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 11:59 p.m., prevailing Central Time, on the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance written notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“ Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed);

 

(ii)                                   at any time after 11:59 p.m., prevailing Central Time, on the first day of the first Quarter beginning after the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance written notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice;

 

(iii)                                at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or

 

(iv)                               notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance written notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing

 

57



 

member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.l(a)(i), a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1 unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

 

Section 11.2  Removal of the General Partner.   The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2 / 3 % of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a class, and a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.2, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

 

Section 11.3  Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.

 

(a)                                   In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Departing General Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its or its Affiliates’ or beneficial owners’ general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its or its Affiliates’ Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the “ Combined Interest ”) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its withdrawal or removal. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or removal of such Departing General Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest. In either event, the Departing General Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.

 

For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General Partner’s withdrawal or removal, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing General Partner and its successor as General Partner, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such withdrawal or removal, then the Departing General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partner’s successor as General Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually

 

58



 

select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall consider the value of the Units, including the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner (including an appropriate “control premium”), the value of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner Interest and other factors it may deem relevant.

 

(b)                                  If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and the Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) contributed the Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

 

(c)                                   If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and (y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnership’s assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.

 

Section 11.4  Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist:

 

(a)                                   the Subordinated Units held by any Person will immediately and automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, provided (i) neither such Person nor any of its Affiliates voted any of its Units in favor of the removal and (ii) such Person is not an Affiliate of the successor General Partner; and

 

(b)                                  if all of the Subordinated Units convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 11.4(a), all Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common Units will be extinguished and the Subordination Period will end;

 

provided, however , that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Section 5.5(c)(ii), Section 6.1(d)(x) and Section 6.7.

 

Section 11.5  Withdrawal of Limited Partners.   No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

 

59



 

ARTICLE XII

 

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

Section 12.1  Dissolution.   The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 10.2, Section 11.1, Section 11.2 or Section 12.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner is hereby authorized to, and shall, continue the business of the Partnership. Subject to Section 12.2, the Partnership shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

 

(a)                                   an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(b)                                  an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

 

(c)                                   the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

 

(d)                                  at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

 

60



 

Section 12.2  Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.   Upon (a) an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

 

(i)            the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

 

(ii)           if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and

 

(iii)          the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement; provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

 

Section 12.3  Liquidator.   Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, voting as a single class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

 

Section 12.4  Liquidation.   The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

 

(a)                                   The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

 

61



 

(b)                                  Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

 

(c)                                   All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

 

Section 12.5  Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.   Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

 

Section 12.6  Return of Contributions.   The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

 

Section 12.7  Waiver of Partition.   To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

 

Section 12.8  Capital Account Restoration.   No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable period of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

 

Section 13.1  Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.   Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

 

(a)                                   a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

 

(b)                                  admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

 

(c)                                   a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for federal income tax purposes;

 

(d)                                  a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule,

 

62



 

regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or the Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or the Contribution, Purchase and Sale Agreement;

 

(e)                                   a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

 

(f)                                     an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

 

(g)                                  an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 5.6;

 

(h)                                  any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

 

(i)                                      an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;

 

(j)                                      an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4 or 7.1(a);

 

(k)                                   a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or

 

(l)                                      any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

 

Section 13.2  Amendment Procedures.   Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so in its sole discretion, and, in declining to propose or approve an amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by law shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. An amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.1 or 13.3, the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section 13.2 if it has either (i) filed such amendment with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such amendment is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such amendment available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.

 

Section 13.3  Amendment Requirements.

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that

 

63



 

would have the effect of (i) in the case of any provision of this Agreement other than Section 11.2 or Section 13.4, reducing such percentage or (ii) in the case of Section 11.2 or Section 13.4, increasing such percentage, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced or increased, as applicable.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of (including requiring any holder of a class of Partnership Interests to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership) any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict, change or modify in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

 

(c)                                   Except as provided in Section 14.3 or Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected. If the General Partner determines an amendment does not satisfy the requirements of Section 13.1(d)(i) because it adversely affects one or more classes of Partnership Interests, as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests, in any material respect, such amendment shall only be required to be approved by the adversely affected class or classes.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.

 

(e)                                   Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.

 

Section 13.4  Special Meetings.   All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

 

Section 13.5  Notice of a Meeting.   Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

 

Section 13.6  Record Date.   For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to

 

64



 

give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.

 

Section 13.7  Adjournment.   When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

 

Section 13.8  Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes.   The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.

 

Section 13.9  Quorum and Voting.   The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.

 

Section 13.10  Conduct of a Meeting.   The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.

 

Section 13.11  Action Without a Meeting.   If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting without a vote and without prior notice, if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall

 

65



 

govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot, if any, submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date such sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners. Nothing contained in this Section 13.11 shall be deemed to require the General Partner to solicit all Limited Partners in connection with a matter approved by the holders of the requisite percentage of Units acting by written consent without a meeting.

 

Section 13.12  Right to Vote and Related Matters.

 

(a)                                   Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of “ Outstanding ”) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.

 

(b)                                  With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

 

Section 14.1  Authority.   The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written plan of merger or consolidation (“ Merger Agreement ”) or a written plan of conversion (“ Plan of Conversion ”), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.

 

Section 14.2  Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.

 

(a)                                   Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.

 

(b)                                  If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

 

66



 

(i)              the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

 

(ii)             the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “ Surviving Business Entity ”);

 

(iii)           the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

 

(iv)           the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, then the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of equity interests represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

 

(v)                                  a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

 

(vi)                               the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain and stated in the certificate of merger); and

 

(vii)                            such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

(c)                                   If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:

 

(i)                                      the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;

 

67



 

(ii)                                   a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;

 

(iii)                                a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;

 

(iv)                               the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity or another entity, or for the cancellation of such equity securities;

 

(v)                                  in an attachment or exhibit, the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership; and

 

(vi)                               in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation, or other organizational documents of the converted entity;

 

(vii)                            the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the articles of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of Conversion (provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such articles of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain and stated in such articles of conversion); and

 

(viii)                         such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

Section 14.3  Approval by Limited Partners.

 

(a)                                   Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion and the merger, consolidation or conversion contemplated thereby, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.

 

(b)                                  Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, contains any provision that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement or the Delaware Act would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

 

(c)                                   Except as provided in Section 14.3(d) and Section 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or certificate of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability

 

68



 

entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.

 

(e)                                   Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (B) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (D) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests (other than Incentive Distribution Rights) Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.

 

(f)                                     Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.

 

Section 14.4  Certificate of Merger.   Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.

 

Section 14.5  Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.

 

(a)                                   At the effective time of the certificate of merger:

 

(i)                                      all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

 

(ii)                                   the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

 

(iii)                                all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

 

(iv)                               all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

 

(b)                                  At the effective time of the certificate of conversion, for all purposes of the laws of the State of Delaware:

 

(i)                                      the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;

 

(ii)                                   all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall remain vested in the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or

 

69



 

impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;

 

(iii)                                all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;

 

(iv)                               all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and are enforceable against the converted entity by such creditors and obligees to the same extent as if the liabilities and obligations had originally been incurred or contracted by the converted entity;

 

(v)                                  the Partnership Interests that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership, or other rights or securities in the converted entity or cash as provided in the Plan of Conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

 

Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time after the Closing Date the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable in its sole discretion, to purchase for cash all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.

 

(b)                                  If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “ Notice of Election to Purchase ”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have

 

70



 

been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article III, Article IV, Article V, Article VI, and Article XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article III, Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII).

 

(c)                                   In the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.

 

ARTICLE XVI

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 16.1   Addresses and Notices; Written Communications.

 

(a)                                   Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report given or made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 is returned marked to indicate that such notice, payment or report was unable to be delivered, such notice, payment or report and, in the case of notices, payments or reports returned by the United States Postal Service (or other physical mail delivery mail service outside the United States of America), any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) or other delivery if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

 

(b)                                  The terms “in writing”, “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication subject to the provisions of Section 16.1(a).

 

Section 16.2  Further Action.   The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

71



 

Section 16.3  Binding Effect.   This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

Section 16.4  Integration.   Except for agreements with Affiliates of the General Partner, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

Section 16.5  Creditors.   None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

 

Section 16.6  Waiver.   No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

Section 16.7  Third-Party Beneficiaries.   Each Partner agrees that any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third- party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee.

 

Section 16.8  Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement (a) immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, (b) in the case of the General Partner and the holders of Limited Partner Interests which are outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed in connection with the Initial Public Offering, immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement in connection with the Initial Public Offering; provided that , if the Closing Date does not occur as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, this Agreement will be of no force or effect and the terms and provisions of the First Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement will govern the rights and obligations of such persons as if this Agreement had not been executed, or (c) in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) immediately upon the acquisition of such Limited Partner Interests, without execution hereof.

 

Section 16.9  Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction.

 

(a)                                   This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Partners and each Person holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):

 

(i)                                      irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;

 

(ii)                                   irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

 

(iii)                                agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;

 

72



 

(iv)                               expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding; and

 

(v)                                  consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, nothing in clause (v) hereof shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

Section 16.10  Invalidity of Provisions.   If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and part thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision or part reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

 

Section 16.11  Consent of Partners.   Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

 

Section 16.12  Facsimile Signatures.   The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the Transfer Agent of the Partnership on Certificates representing Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

73



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

NGL ENERGY HOLDINGS LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INITIAL LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

 

 

HICKS OILS & HICKSGAS, INCORPORATED

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Todd M. Coady

 

 

Name:

Todd M. Coady

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KRIM2010, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Name:

H. Michael Krimbill

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

74



 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jay Hatfield

 

 

Name:

Jay Hatfield

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

ATKINSON INVESTORS, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Bradley K. Atkinson

 

 

Name:

Bradley K. Atkinson

 

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

 

 

 

NGL HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William Zartler

 

 

Name:

William Zartler

 

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

/s/ Stanley A. Bugh

 

Stanley A. Bugh

 

 

 

/s/ Robert R. Foster

 

Robert R. Foster

 

 

 

/s/ Brian K. Pauling

 

Brian K. Pauling

 

 

 

/s/ Stanley D. Perry

 

Stanley D. Perry

 

 

 

/s/ Stephen D. Tuttle

 

Stephen D. Tuttle

 

 

 

/s/ Craig S. Jones

 

Craig S. Jones

 

 

 

/s/ Daniel Post

 

Daniel Post

 

 

 

/s/ Mark McGinty

 

Mark McGinty

 

 

 

/s/ Sharra Straight

 

Sharra Straight

 

 

 

/s/ David R. Eastin

 

David R. Eastin

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

75



 

EXHIBIT A

to the Second Amended and Restated

Agreement of Limited Partnership of

NGL Energy Partners LP

 

76



 

Certificate Evidencing Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests in

NGL Energy Partners LP

 

No.                         

                   Common Units

 

In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of NGL Energy Partners LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “ Partnership Agreement ”), NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), hereby certifies that                                    (the “ Holder ”) is the registered owner of                           Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 6120 S. Yale, Suite 805, Tulsa, OK 74136. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). NGL ENERGY HOLDINGS LLC, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO (A) AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES OR (B) IN THE CASE OF LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS, TO PRESERVE THE UNIFORMITY THEROF (OR ANY CLASS OR CLASSES OF LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS). THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

 

The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement and (iii) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.

 

This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Dated:

 

 

NGL Energy Partners LP

Countersigned and Registered by:

 

By:

NGL Energy Holdings LLC

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

By:

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

By:

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signature

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

77



 

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM - as tenants in common

UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT

TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties

                         Custodian                               

JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of

(Cust)            (Minor)

survivorship and not as tenants in common

Under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State)

 

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                       hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto

 

 

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee)

 

(Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee)

 

Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                     as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of NGL Energy Partners LP.

 

Dated: _____________________________________________

 

NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN

 

 

ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,

 

 

STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN

 

 

ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH

 

(Signature)

MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE

 

 

GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT

 

 

TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED

 

 

 

No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.

 

78


Exhibit 10.1

 

NGL ENERGY PARTNERS LP
2011 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

SECTION 1.                             Purpose of the Plan .

 

The NGL Energy Partners LP 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) has been adopted by NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”).  The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership by providing to Employees, consultants and Directors incentive compensation awards based on Units to encourage superior performance.  The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the ability of the Partnership and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Partnership and to encourage them to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Partnership.

 

SECTION 2.                             Definitions .

 

As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Award ” means an Option, Unit Appreciation Right, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit, Other Unit-Based Award, or a Unit Award granted under the Plan, and includes any tandem DERs granted with respect to a Phantom Unit.

 

Award Agreement ” means the written or electronic agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced.

 

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the General Partner.

 

Change of Control ” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon one or more of the following events:

 

(i)                                      any “person” or “group” within the meaning of those terms as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) (2) of the Exchange Act, other than an Affiliate of the General Partner, shall become the beneficial owner, by way of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or otherwise, of 50% or more of the combined voting power of the equity interests in the General Partner;

 

(ii)                                   the members of the General Partner approve and implement, in one or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of the General Partner;

 



 

(iii)                                the sale or other disposition by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions to any Person other than the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner; or

 

(iv)                               a Person other than the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner becomes the general partner of the Partnership.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, “Change of Control” shall mean a “change of control event” as defined in the regulations and guidance issued under Section 409A.

 

Committee ” means the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee as may be appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

 

DER ” means a contingent right, granted in tandem with a specific Phantom Unit, to receive with respect to each Phantom Unit subject to the Award an amount in cash, Units, Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units equal in value to the distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding.

 

Director ” means a member of the board of directors of the General Partner.

 

Disability ” means, unless provided otherwise in the Award grant agreement, an illness or injury that lasts at least six continuous months, is expected to be permanent and renders the Participant unable to carry out his or her duties to the Board, the General Partner, the Partnership or an Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership.

 

Employee ” means an employee of the Partnership, the General Partner, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of the Partnership, the General Partner or a Subsidiary.

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Fair Market Value ” means the closing sales price of a Unit on the principal national securities exchange or other market in which trading in Units occurs on the applicable date (or, if there is no trading in the Units on such date, on the next preceding date on which there was trading) as reported in The Wall Street Journal (or other reporting service approved by the Committee). If Units are not traded on a national securities exchange or other market at the time a determination of fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the determination of fair market value shall be made in good faith by the Committee.

 

General Partner ” means NGL Energy Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership.

 

Option ” means an option to purchase Units granted under the Plan.

 

Other Unit-Based Award ” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6(d).

 

Participant ” means an Employee, consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan.

 

2



 

Partnership IPO ” means an initial public offering of the Partnership’s equity securities that is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Person ” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, governmental agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

 

Phantom Unit ” means a notional unit granted under the Plan that upon vesting entitles the Participant to receive a Unit or an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

Restricted Period ” means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award remains subject to forfeiture and is either not exercisable by or payable to the Participant, as the case may be.

 

Restricted Unit ” means a Unit granted under the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.

 

Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

 

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

 

Subsidiary ” means any entity (i) in which, at the relevant time, the Partnership or the General Partner owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of the total combined voting power represented by all classes of equity interests issued by such entity, (ii) as to which, at the relevant time, the Partnership or the General Partner has the right, directly or indirectly, to appoint or designate, either independently or jointly with another Person, 50% or more of the members of the board of directors or (iii) as to which at the relevant time, the Partnership or the General Partner, directly or indirectly, (A) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, not less than 50% of the total combined voting power represented by classes of equity interests issued by the general partner or managing member of such entity or (B) has the right, directly or indirectly, to appoint or designate, either independently or jointly with another Person, 50% or more of the members of the board of directors of the general partner or managing member thereof.

 

UDR ” means a distribution made by the Partnership with respect to a Restricted Unit.

 

Unit ” means a common unit of the Partnership.

 

Unit Appreciation Right ” or “ UAR ” means a contingent right that entitles the holder to receive all or part of the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the exercise date of the UAR over the exercise price of the UAR.  Such excess shall be paid in Units, cash or any combination thereof, in the discretion of the Committee.

 

Unit Award ” means a grant of a Unit that is not subject to a Restricted Period.

 

3



 

SECTION 3.                             Administration .

 

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of the Committee. Subject to the following and applicable law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan, including the power to grant Awards under the Plan, to the Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner, subject to such limitations on such delegated powers and duties as the Committee may impose, if any. Upon any such delegation, all references in the Plan to the “Committee,” other than in Section 7, shall be deemed to include the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that such delegation shall not limit the Chief Executive Officer’s right to receive Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer may not grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is an officer subject to Rule 16b-3 or a member of the Board.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant; (iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited; (vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan; (vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.  The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or an Award Agreement in such manner and to such extent as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the Partnership, the General Partner, any Affiliate of the Partnership, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.

 

SECTION 4.                             Units .

 

(a)                                   Limits on Units Deliverable .   Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the maximum number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan shall be (i) until and up to a Partnership IPO, 10% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding Units as of the date of the adoption of the Plan and (ii) from and after a Partnership IPO, that greater number of Units (which will subsume and include all Units described in Section 4(a)(i), as adjusted to give effect to any split in the Units effected in connection with a Partnership IPO) as is equal to 10% of the aggregate number of common units and subordinated units that will be issued and outstanding immediately following the closing of a Partnership IPO, plus, upon the issuance of additional Units from time to time, an automatic increase equal to the lesser of (A) 10% of the aggregate number of common units and subordinated units issued and outstanding immediately following such issuance of additional Units and (B) such lesser number of Units as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that Units withheld from an Award to either satisfy the Partnership’s or any Affiliate of the Partnership’s tax withholding obligations

 

4



 

with respect to the Award or pay the exercise price of an Award shall not be considered to be Units delivered under the Plan for this purpose.  If any Award is forfeited, cancelled, exercised, paid, or otherwise terminates or expires without the actual delivery of Units pursuant to such Award (the grant of Restricted Units is not a delivery of Units for this purpose), the Units subject to such Award shall again be available for Awards under the Plan. There shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may be paid in cash.

 

(b)                                  Sources of Units Deliverable Under Awards .   Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of Units newly issued by the Partnership, Units acquired in the open market, from any Affiliate of the Partnership or from any other Person, or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

(c)                                   Anti-dilution Adjustments .   With respect to any “equity restructuring” event that could result in an additional compensation expense to the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 — Stock Compensation (“ FASB ASC Topic 718 ”), if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary, the Committee shall equitably adjust the number and type of Units covered by each outstanding Award and the terms and conditions, including the exercise price and performance criteria (if any), of such Award to equitably reflect such restructuring event and shall adjust the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted after such event. With respect to any other similar event that would not result in a FASB ASC Topic 718 accounting charge if the adjustment to Awards with respect to such event were subject to discretionary action, the Committee shall have complete discretion to adjust Awards in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event.

 

SECTION 5.                             Eligibility .

 

Any Employee, consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant by the Committee and receive an Award under the Plan.

 

SECTION 6.                             Awards .

 

(a)                                   Options and UARs .   The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, consultants and Directors to whom Options and/or UARs shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Option or UAR, the exercise price therefor, the Restricted Period and other conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option or UAR, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

(i)                                      Exercise Price .  The exercise price per Unit purchasable under an Option or subject to a UAR shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option or UAR is granted but may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant of the Option or UAR.

 

(ii)                                   Time and Method of Exercise .  The Committee shall determine the exercise terms and the Restricted Period with respect to an Option or UAR grant, which may include, without limitation, (A) a provision for accelerated vesting upon the death or Disability of a Participant, the achievement of specified performance goals or such other events as the

 

5



 

Committee may provide, and (B) the method or methods by which payment of the exercise price with respect to an Option may be made or deemed to have been made, which may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the Committee, withholding Units from the Award, a “cashless-broker” exercise through procedures approved by the Committee, or any combination of the above methods, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price.

 

(iii)                                Forfeitures .  Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Option or UAR grant, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with or consulting services to the Partnership and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding unvested Options and UARs awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.  The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Options or UARs.

 

(b)                                  Restricted Units and Phantom Units .   The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, consultants and Directors to whom Restricted Units and Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units or Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units or Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards which may include, without limitation, a provision for accelerated vesting upon the death or Disability of a Participant, the achievement of specified performance goals or such other events as the Committee may provide.

 

(i)                                      DERs .  To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Phantom Units may include a tandem DER grant, which may provide that such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest in the discretion of the Committee), be “reinvested” in Units, Restricted Units and/or additional Phantom Units and be subject to the same or different vesting restrictions as the tandem Phantom Unit Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Absent a contrary provision in the Award Agreement, upon a distribution with respect to a Unit, cash equal in value to such distribution shall be paid promptly to the Participant without vesting restrictions with respect to each Phantom Unit then held.

 

(ii)                                   UDRs .  To the extent provided by the Committee, in its discretion, a grant of Restricted Units may provide that the distributions made by the Company with respect to the Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, without interest, until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be.  In addition, the Committee may provide that such distributions be used to acquire additional Restricted Units for the Participant.  Such additional Restricted Units may be subject to such vesting and other terms as the Committee may proscribe.  Absent such a restriction on the UDRs in the Award Agreement, upon a distribution with respect to the Restricted Unit, such distribution shall be paid promptly to the holder of the Restricted Unit without vesting restrictions.

 

6



 

(iii)                                Forfeitures .  Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Restricted Units or Phantom Units grant agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with or consulting services to the Partnership and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding, unvested Restricted Units and Phantom Units awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.  The Committee may, in its discretion, waive in whole or in part such forfeiture with respect to a Participant’s Restricted Units and/or Phantom Units.

 

(iv)                               Lapse of Restrictions .

 

(A)                               Phantom Units .  Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Phantom Unit, subject to satisfying the tax withholding obligations of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Partnership one Unit or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

 

(B)                                 Restricted Units .  Upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to satisfying the tax withholding obligations of Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate so that the Participant then holds an unrestricted Unit.

 

(c)                                   Unit Awards .   Unit Awards may be granted under the Plan to such Employees, consultants and/or Directors and in such amounts as the Committee, in its discretion, may select.

 

(d)                                  Other Unit-Based Awards .   Other Unit-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan to such Employees, consultants and/or Directors and in such amounts as the Committee, in its discretion, may select. An Other Unit-Based Award shall be an award denominated or payable in, valued in or otherwise based on or related to Units, in whole or in part. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any such Other Unit-Based Award. Upon vesting, an Other Unit-Based Award may be paid in cash, Units (including Restricted Units) or any combination thereof as provided in the Award Agreement.

 

(e)                                   General .

 

(i)                                      Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together .  Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

 

(ii)                                   Limits on Transfer of Awards .

 

(A)                               Except as provided in Section 6(e)(ii)(C), each Option and UAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

7



 

(B)                                 Except as provided in Section 6(e)(ii)(C), no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Partnership or any of its Affiliates.

 

(C)                                 To the extent specifically provided by the Committee with respect to an Option or UAR, an Option or UAR may be transferred by a Participant without consideration to immediate family members or related family trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish.

 

(iii)                                Term of Awards . The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.

 

(iv)                               Unit Certificates . All certificates for Units or other securities of the Partnership delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

(v)                                  Consideration for Grants . Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine.

 

(vi)                               Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration .  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any grant agreement to the contrary, delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Partnership is not reasonably able to obtain Units to deliver pursuant to such Award without violating applicable law or the applicable rules or regulations of any governmental agency or authority or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award grant agreement (including, without limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received by the Partnership.

 

SECTION 7.                             Amendment and Termination .

 

Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:

 

(a)                                   Amendments to the Plan . Except as required by the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b), the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or any other Person.

 

8



 

(b)                                  Amendments to Awards . Subject to Section 7(a), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted, provided no change, other than pursuant to Section 7(c), in any Award shall materially reduce the rights or benefits of a Participant with respect to an Award without the consent of such Participant.

 

(c)                                   Actions Upon the Occurrence of Certain Events . Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, any change in applicable law or regulation affecting the Plan or Awards thereunder, or any change in accounting principles affecting the financial statements of the General Partner or the Partnership, the Committee, in its sole discretion, without the consent of any Participant or holder of the Award, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, may take any one or more of the following actions in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or an outstanding Award:

 

(i)                                      provide for either (A) the termination of any Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights at such time (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of such transaction or event the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Committee without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole discretion;

 

(ii)                                   provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or be exchanged for similar options, rights or awards covering the equity of the successor or survivor, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of equity interests and prices;

 

(iii)                                make adjustments in the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Awards or in the terms and conditions of (including the exercise price), and the vesting and performance criteria included in, outstanding Awards, or both;

 

(iv)                               provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement; and

 

(v)                                  provide that the Award cannot be exercised or become payable after such event, i.e., shall terminate upon such event.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to an above event that is an “equity restructuring” event that would be subject to a compensation expense pursuant FASB ASC Topic 718, the provisions in Section 4(c) shall control to the extent they are in conflict with the discretionary provisions of this Section 7.

 

9



 

SECTION 8.                             General Provisions .

 

(a)                                   No Rights to Award . No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

 

(b)                                  Tax Withholding .  Unless other arrangements have been made that are acceptable to the Committee, the Partnership or any of its Affiliates is authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of the grant of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee to satisfy the withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes.

 

(c)                                   No Right to Employment or Services .  The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates, continue consulting services or to remain on the Board, as applicable.  Furthermore, the Partnership or any of its Affiliates may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, any Award Agreement or other agreement.

 

(d)                                  Governing Law . The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.

 

(e)                                   Severability .  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(f)                                     Other Laws .  The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or any of its Affiliates to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the Partnership by a Participant, other holder or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to such Participant, holder or beneficiary.

 

(g)                                  No Trust or Fund Created .  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Partnership or any participating Affiliate of the Partnership and a Participant or any other Person.

 

10



 

To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Partnership or any participating Affiliate of the Partnership pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Partnership or any participating Affiliate of the Partnership.

 

(h)                                  No Fractional Units .  No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

 

(i)                                      Headings .  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

 

(j)                                      Facility Payment .  Any amounts payable hereunder to any person under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to manage properly his or her financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such person, or may be applied for the benefit of such person in any manner that the Committee may select, and the Partnership shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

 

(k)                                   Gender and Number .  Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

 

SECTION 9.                             Term of the Plan .

 

The Plan shall be effective on the date it is approved by the unitholders of the Partnership, if such approval is required by the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded or, if such approval is not required, then on the date the Plan is adopted by the General Partner and shall continue until the earliest of (i) the date it is terminated by the Board, (ii) all Units available under the Plan have been paid to Participants, or (iii) the 10th anniversary of the date the Plan is approved as provided above.  However, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.

 

11


Exhibit 99.1

 

NGL Energy Partners LP Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

 

TULSA, OKLAHOMA — MAY 11, 2011 — NGL Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership, announced today the pricing of its initial public offering of 3,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests at $21.00 per unit.  The common units are expected to commence trading on the New York Stock Exchange on May 12, 2011 under the ticker symbol “NGL.”  The underwriters have been granted a 30-day option to purchase up to 525,000 additional common units.  The offering is expected to close on or about May 17, 2011, subject to customary closing conditions.

 

NGL was formed to own and operate a vertically-integrated energy business with three operating segments: midstream, wholesale supply and marketing, and retail propane.  The common units being offered to the public represent a 24.2% limited partner interest in NGL, or a 27.2% limited partner interest if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full.

 

Wells Fargo Securities and RBC Capital Markets are acting as joint book-running managers for the initial public offering.  SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and BMO Capital Markets are acting as lead managers and Baird, Janney Montgomery Scott and BOSC, Inc. are acting as co-managers.

 

This offering of common units is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained from:

 

·                   Wells Fargo Securities by telephone at (800) 326-5897, by email at cmclientsupport@wellsfargo.com, or by mail at Attn: Equity Syndicate Dept., 375 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10152.

 

·                   RBC Capital Markets by telephone at (877) 822-4089 or by mail at Attn: Equity Syndicate, Three World Financial Center, 200 Vesey Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10281.

 

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with, and declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

 

This press release includes forward-looking statements as defined under federal securities laws.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

 



 

Contact:

 

Mary Ann Vassar

Investor Relations

(918) 477-0522

Maryann.Vassar@nglep.com

 

Craig S. Jones

Chief Financial Officer

(918) 477-0532

Craig.Jones@nglep.com