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):   July 2, 2012 (June 26, 2012)

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-35574

 

37-1661577

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission File
Number)

 

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

 

625 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 

 

15222

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (412) 553-5700

 

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.

 

Underwriting Agreement

 

On June 26, 2012, EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the “ Partnership ”) entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), by and among the Partnership, EQT Midstream Services, LLC (the “ General Partner ”), EQT Corporation (“ EQT ”) and Equitrans Investments, LLC (the “ Operating Company ” and, together with the Partnership, the General Partner and EQT, the “ Partnership Parties ”) and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters named therein (the “ Underwriters ”), providing for the offer and sale by the Partnership (the “ Offering ”), and purchase by the Underwriters, of 12,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership at a price to the public of $21.00 per common unit. Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Partnership also granted the Underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 1,875,000 common units (the “ Option Units ”) to cover over-allotments, if any, on the same terms.  On June 28, 2012, the Underwriters exercised in full their option to purchase the additional 1,875,000 common units.

 

The material terms of the Offering are described in the prospectus, dated June 26, 2012 (the “ Prospectus ”), filed by the Partnership with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). The Offering is registered with the Commission pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-179487).

 

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, or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

 

The Offering closed on July 2, 2012.  The Partnership received proceeds from the Offering (net of underwriting discounts and after deducting the structuring fee and estimated offering expenses) of approximately $278 million. The Partnership will use the net proceeds from the sale of the common units to:

 

·                   fund a cash distribution of approximately $232 million to EQT, in part for reimbursements of capital expenditures associated with the Partnership’s assets;

 

·                   provide approximately $12 million in working capital to replenish amounts distributed by Equitrans, L.P. (“ Equitrans ”) to EQT, in the form of trade and other accounts receivable, in connection with the closing of this offering;

 

·                   pre-fund approximately $32 million of maintenance capital expenditures, the majority of which is expected to be incurred over the next two years, related to two identified regulatory compliance initiatives; and

 

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·                   pay approximately $2 million in revolving credit origination fees.

 

As more fully described under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus, certain of the Underwriters and their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for the Partnership, EQT and their respective affiliates from time to time in the ordinary course of their business for which they have received customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. Affiliates of each of the Underwriters are lenders under the revolving credit facility described below and receive a portion of the net proceeds from the exercise of the Underwriters’ option to purchase additional units.  Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates have performed or will perform commercial banking, investment banking and advisory services for EQT during the 180-day period prior to, or the 90-day period following, the date of the Prospectus, for which they have received or will receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses.

 

The foregoing description and the description contained in the Prospectus are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Omnibus Agreement

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Partnership entered into an Omnibus Agreement (the “ Omnibus Agreement ”) by and among the Partnership, the General Partner and EQT.

 

Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, EQT agreed to provide the Partnership with a license to use the name “EQT” and related marks in connection with the Partnership’s business. The Omnibus Agreement also provides for certain indemnification and reimbursement obligations between EQT and the Partnership.

 

As more fully described in the Prospectus, the Omnibus Agreement addresses the following matters:

 

·                   the Partnership’s obligation to reimburse EQT and its affiliates for certain direct operating expenses they pay on the Partnership’s behalf;

 

·                   the Partnership’s obligation to reimburse EQT and its affiliates for providing the Partnership corporate, general and administrative services and providing the Partnership operation and management services pursuant to the Services Agreement (as defined below);

 

·                   EQT’s obligation to indemnify or reimburse the Partnership for losses or expenses relating to or arising from (i) certain plugging and abandonment obligations; (ii) certain bare steel replacement capital expenditures; (iii) certain pipeline safety costs; (iv) certain preclosing environmental liabilities; (v) certain title and rights-of-way matters; (vi) the

 

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Partnership’s failure to have certain necessary governmental consents and permits; (vii) certain preclosing tax liabilities; (viii) assets previously owned by Equitrans, but retained by EQT and its affiliates following the Offering, including the Sunrise Pipeline; (ix) any claims related to Equitrans’ previous ownership of the Big Sandy Pipeline; and (x) any amounts owed to the Partnership by a third party that has exercised a contractual right of offset against amounts owed by EQT to such third party; and

 

·                   the Partnership’s obligation to indemnify EQT for losses attributable to (i) the ownership or operation of the Partnership’s assets after the closing of the Offering, except to the extent EQT is obligated to indemnify the Partnership for such losses pursuant to the Services Agreement with EQT, and (ii) any amounts owed to EQT by a third party that has exercised a contractual right of offset against amounts owed by the Partnership to such third party.

 

The foregoing description and the description contained in the Prospectus are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Omnibus Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Operation and Management Services Agreement

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Partnership entered into an operation and management services agreement (the “ Services Agreement ”) with EQT Gathering, LLC (“ EQT Gathering ”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of EQT, pursuant to which EQT Gathering will provide the Partnership’s pipelines and storage facilities with certain operational and management services.  The Partnership will reimburse EQT Gathering for such services pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Agreement as described above.

 

Under the Services Agreement, EQT Gathering will indemnify the Partnership with respect to claims, losses or liabilities incurred by the Partnership, including third party claims, arising out of EQT Gathering’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Partnership will indemnify EQT Gathering from any claims, losses or liabilities incurred by EQT Gathering, including any third-party claims, arising from the performance of the agreement, but not to the extent of losses or liabilities caused by EQT Gathering’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Services Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Revolving Credit Agreement

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the Offering, the Partnership entered into a $350 million senior credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders, which will mature on the fifth anniversary of the closing date of the Offering. The credit facility is available to fund working capital requirements and capital expenditures, to purchase assets, to pay distributions and repurchase units and for general

 

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partnership purposes. The credit facility has an accordion feature that will allow the Partnership to increase the available revolving borrowings under the facility by up to an additional $150 million, subject to the Partnership’s receipt of increased commitments from existing lenders or new commitments from new lenders and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. In addition, the credit facility includes a sublimit up to $35 million for same-day swing line advances and a sublimit up to $150 million for letters of credit. Further, the Partnership has the ability to request that one or more lenders make term loans to it under the credit facility subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, which term loans will be secured by cash and qualifying investment grade securities. The Partnership’s obligations under the revolving portion of the credit facility are unsecured.

 

The credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions and also requires maintenance of a consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 5.00 to 1.00 (or, after the Partnership obtains an investment grade rating, not more than 5.50 to 1.00 for certain measurement periods following the consummation of certain acquisitions) and, until the Partnership obtains an investment grade rating, a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00.

 

Loans under the credit facility (other than swing line loans) will bear interest at the Partnership’s option at either:

 

·                   a Base Rate, which will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, (ii) the administrative agent’s prime rate in effect on such day and (iii) one-month LIBOR plus 1.0%, in each case, plus an applicable margin; or

 

·                   a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate plus an applicable margin.

 

Swing line loans will bear interest at (i) the Base Rate plus an applicable margin or (ii) a Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate plus an applicable margin. Prior to the Partnership obtaining an investment grade rating, the applicable margin will vary based upon the Partnership’s consolidated leverage ratio and, upon obtaining an investment grade rating, the applicable margin will vary based upon the Partnership’s long term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt rating.

 

The unused portion of the credit facility will be subject to a commitment fee ranging from (i) 0.25% to 0.35% per annum before the Partnership obtains an investment grade rating and (ii) 0.15% to 0.35% upon obtaining an investment grade rating.

 

The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement

 

The description of the Contribution Agreement (as defined below) provided below under Item 2.01 (and as defined therein) is incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference. A copy of the

 

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Contribution Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

In connection with the Offering, the Board of Directors of the General Partner adopted the EQT Midstream Services, LLC 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for employees and non-employee directors of the General Partner and those of its affiliates. The Plan consists of phantom units, performance awards, restricted units, distribution equivalent rights, market-priced options, unit appreciation rights and cash-based awards.  The Plan limits the number of common units that may be delivered pursuant to awards under the plan to 2,000,000 units. The Plan will be administered by the Board of Directors of the General Partner or a committee thereof.

 

The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which is filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Relationships

 

As more fully described in the section “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” of the Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference, affiliates of EQT own the General Partner and own 2,964,718 common units and 17,339,718 subordinated units, representing a 57.4% limited partner interest in the Partnership. In addition, the General Partner owns a 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, represented by 707,744 general partner units.

 

Item 2.01.              Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the following transactions, among others, occurred pursuant to the Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, EQT Midstream Investments, LLC (“ Midstream Investments ”), the Operating Company, Equitrans, Equitrans Services, LLC (“ Equitrans GP ”), EQT Investments Holdings, LLC (“ Investments Holdings ”), ET Blue Grass, LLC (“ Blue Grass ”) and EQT (the “ Contribution Agreement ”):

 

·                   EQT contributed its 97.25% limited partner interest in Equitrans to Investments Holdings, and Investments Holdings contributed a 3.0073% limited partner interest in Equitrans to the General Partner (the “ GP Limited Partner Interest ”) and a 94.2427% limited partner interest in Equitrans to Midstream Investments (the “ LP Limited Partner Interest ”);

 

·                   Blue Grass distributed its 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans to Investments Holdings, and Investments Holdings contributed a 0.0850% general partner interest in Equitrans to the General Partner (the “ GP General Partner Interest ” and, together with the GP Limited Partner Interest, the “ GP Contribution Interest ”) and a 2.6650% general

 

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partner interest in Equitrans to Midstream Investments (the “ LP General Partner Interest ” and, together with the LP Limited Partner Interest, the “ LP Contribution Interest ”);

 

·                   Equitrans distributed its trade and other accounts receivable from affiliates and third-parties (the “ Equitrans Accounts Receivable ”) to the General Partner and to Midstream Investments pro rata in accordance with their ownership interests in Equitrans and each of the General Partner and Midstream Investments distributed all of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable owned by it to Investments Holdings;

 

·                   The General Partner contributed the GP Contribution Interest to the Partnership in exchange for (i) 707,744 general partner units in the Partnership representing a continuation of its 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights in the Partnership and (iii) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $6 million;

 

·                   The Partnership contributed the GP General Partner Interest to the Operating Company, and the Operating Company contributed the GP General Partner Interest to Equitrans GP;

 

·                   Midstream Investments contributed the LP Contribution Interest to the Partnership in exchange for (i) 17,339,718 subordinated units representing a 49.0% ownership interest in the Partnership, (ii) 2,964,718  common units representing an 8.38% ownership interest in the Partnership and (iii) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $226 million, which amount includes the net proceeds resulting from the full exercise by the Underwriters of the over-allotment option pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement;

 

·                   The Partnership contributed the LP General Partner Interest to the Operating Company, and the Operating Company contributed the LP General Partner Interest to Equitrans GP;

 

·                   The Partnership contributed the LP Limited Partner Interest and the GP Limited Partner Interest to the Operating Company; and

 

·                   The Partnership redeemed the initial interests of the General Partner and Midstream Investments and refunded the General Partner’s initial contribution of $20, Midstream Investments’ initial contribution of $980, as well as any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial capital contributions to the General Partner and Midstream Investments, respectively, in proportion to such initial contribution.

 

The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Contribution Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated in this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

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Item 2.03.                                                 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The description of the Revolving Credit Agreement provided above under Item 1.01 is incorporated in this Item 2.03 by reference.

 

Item 3.02.                                           Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The description in Item 2.01 above of the issuances by the Partnership of securities on July 2, 2012 in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing transactions were undertaken in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. The Partnership believes that exemptions other than the foregoing exemption may exist for these transactions.

 

Each of the subordinated units will convert into one common unit at the end of the subordination period.  The subordination period will end on the first business day after the Partnership has earned and paid at least (i) $1.40 (the minimum quarterly distribution on an annualized basis) on each outstanding common, subordinated and general partner unit, for each of three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods ending on or after June 30, 2015, or (ii) $2.10 (150% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on each outstanding common unit, subordinated unit and general partner unit, in addition to any distribution made in respect of the incentive distribution rights, for any four-quarter period ending on or after June 30, 2013, in each case provided that there are no arrearages on the common units at that time.

 

The description of the subordination period contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions— Subordination Period” is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

The description of the Long-Term Incentive Plan provided above under Item 1.01 is incorporated in this Item 5.02 by reference.

 

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

 

First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the Partnership amended and restated its Limited Partnership Agreement (as amended, the “ Partnership Agreement ”). A description of the Partnership Agreement is contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement” and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The foregoing description and the description contained in the Prospectus are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Partnership

 

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Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference.

 

First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC

 

On July 2, 2012, in connection with the closing of the Offering, the General Partner amended and restated its Limited Liability Company Agreement (as amended, the “ LLC Agreement ”). The amendments to the LLC Agreement included, among other things, outlining the rights of the sole member and management by the board of directors of the Partnership’s business.

 

The foregoing description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the LLC Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 3.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference.

 

Item 9.01.                                           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)                                   Exhibits.

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2012, by and among EQT Corporation, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, EQT Midstream Partners, LP, Equitrans Investments, LLC and the Underwriters named therein.

3.2

 

First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated July 2, 2012.

3.4

 

First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC dated July 2, 2012.

10.1

 

Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among Partnership, the General Partner, Midstream Investments, the Operating Company, Equitrans, Equitrans GP, Investments Holdings, Blue Grass and EQT.

10.2

 

Omnibus Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner and EQT.

10.3

 

Operation and Management Services Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among the Partnership and EQT Gathering.

10.4

 

Revolving Credit Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among the Partnership Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein.

10.5

 

EQT Midstream Services, LLC 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated July 2, 2012.

 

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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.

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: July 2, 2012

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

 

Name: Philip P. Conti

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2012, by and among EQT Corporation, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, EQT Midstream Partners, LP, Equitrans Investments, LLC and the Underwriters named therein.

3.2

 

First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated July 2, 2012.

3.4

 

First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC dated July 2, 2012.

10.1

 

Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among Partnership, the General Partner, Midstream Investments, the Operating Company, Equitrans, Equitrans GP, Investments Holdings, Blue Grass and EQT.

10.2

 

Omnibus Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner and EQT.

10.3

 

Operation and Management Services Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among the Partnership and EQT Gathering.

10.4

 

Revolving Credit Agreement, dated July 2, 2012, by and among the Partnership Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders named therein.

10.5

 

EQT Midstream Services, LLC 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated July 2, 2012.

 

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Exhibit 1.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

12,500,000 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

New York, New York
June 26, 2012

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

As Representatives of the several Underwriters,
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Partnership ”), proposes to sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you (the “ Representatives ”) are acting as representatives, 12,500,000 common units (the “ Firm Units ”), each representing a limited partner interest in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”).  The Partnership also proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to 1,875,000 additional Common Units to cover over-allotments, if any (the “ Option Units ,” and together with the Firm Units, the “ Units ”).  Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 20 hereof.

 

It is understood and agreed to by all parties that the Partnership was formed at the direction of EQT Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“ EQT ”), by its sole general partner, EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”) and its sole limited partner, EQT Midstream Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EQT Midstream Investments ”), to own, operate and develop certain natural gas transmission, storage and gathering assets in the Appalachian Basin (the “ Assets ”) that are owned and operated by Equitrans, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership (“ Equitrans ”), as described more particularly in the most recent Preliminary Prospectus.

 

It is further understood and agreed to by all parties that as of the date hereof:

 

(a)                                  EQT directly owns all of the membership interests in EQT Investments Holdings LLC (“ EQT Investments ”);

 

(b)                                  EQT Investments directly owns a 100% membership interest in each of the General Partner, EQT Midstream Investments and ET Blue Grass, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Blue Grass ”);

 



 

(c)                                   EQT Midstream Investments and the General Partner directly own a 98.0% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest, respectively, in the Partnership;

 

(d)                                  The Partnership directly owns a 100% membership interest in Equitrans Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Operating Company ”);

 

(e)                                   The Operating Company directly owns a 100% membership interest in Equitrans Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Equitrans Services ”);

 

(f)                                    EQT directly owns a 97.25% limited partner interest in Equitrans;

 

(g)                                   Blue Grass directly owns a 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans;

 

(h)                                  The transmission and storage system and the gathering system comprising the Assets have historically been operated pursuant to that certain FERC Gas Tariff of Equitrans, L.P. filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (as amended, the “ Equitrans Tariff ”);

 

(i)                                      On June 12, 2012, pursuant to that certain Abbreviated Application of Equitrans, L.P. to Amend Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, to Abandon Pipeline Facilities by Transfer, and for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to Lease Pipeline Facilities, Equitrans was granted the right to abandon the ongoing Sunrise pipeline project (as more particularly described in the Preliminary Prospectus) to Sunrise Pipeline, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Sunrise ”) and a wholly owned subsidiary of EQT Investments, and to enter into the Sunrise Lease (defined herein); and

 

(j)                                     On March 1, 2011, Equitrans and EQT Production Company, a Pennsylvania corporation owned by EQT Investments (“ EQT Production ”), entered into a sublease agreement pursuant to which EQT Production Company dedicated natural gas production from certain wells for transportation on the Equitrans transmission and storage system.

 

Immediately prior to or on the Closing Date (as defined herein), the following transactions will occur:

 

(a)                                  EQT, EQT Investments, Blue Grass, Equitrans and Sunrise will enter into an Assignment Agreement and Bill of Sale to transfer the Sunrise Facilities (as defined in the Sunrise Lease (as defined herein)) to Sunrise (the “ Sunrise Assignment ”);

 

(b)                                  Equitrans and Sunrise will enter into that certain Sunrise Facilities Lease Agreement (the “ Sunrise Lease ”) pursuant to which Equitrans will agree to operate the Sunrise Facilities (as defined in the Sunrise Lease) for the benefit of Sunrise;

 

(c)                                   EQT and Blue Grass will each contribute cash to Equitrans in proportion to their ownership interests in Equitrans, which Equitrans will use to retire its intercompany indebtedness;

 

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(d)                                  EQT, EQT Investments, Blue Grass, EQT Midstream Investments, Equitrans, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company and Equitrans Services will enter into a Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “ Contribution Agreement ,” and together with any related bills of sales, conveyances and similar transfer documents necessary to effectuate the intent of the Contribution Agreement, the “ Contribution Documents ”) pursuant to which:

 

(i)                                      EQT will contribute its 97.25% limited partner interest in Equitrans to EQT Investments, and EQT Investments will contribute 3.0073% of such limited partner interest in Equitrans to the General Partner (the “ GP Limited Partner Interest ”) and 94.2427% of such limited partner interest in Equitrans to EQT Midstream Investments (the “ LP Limited Partner Interest ”).

 

(ii)                                   Blue Grass will distribute its 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans to EQT Investments, and EQT Investments will contribute 0.0850% of such general partner interest in Equitrans to the General Partner (the “ GP General Partner Interest ” and, together with the GP Limited Partner Interest, the “ GP Contribution Interest ”) and 2.6650% of such general partner interest in Equitrans to EQT Midstream Investments (the “ LP General Partner Interest ” and, together with the LP Limited Partner Interest, the “ LP Contribution Interest ”).

 

(iii)                                Equitrans will distribute its trade and other accounts receivable from affiliates and third-parties (the “ Equitrans Accounts Receivable ”) to the General Partner and to EQT Midstream Investments pro rata in accordance with their ownership interests in Equitrans and each of the General Partner and EQT Midstream Investments will distribute all of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable owned by it to EQT Investments.

 

(iv)                               The General Partner will contribute the GP Contribution Interest to the Partnership in exchange for (A) 707,744 general partner units in the Partnership (the “ General Partner Units ”) representing a continuation of its 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, (B) the Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement (as defined herein)) and (C) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $3.9 million.

 

(v)                                  The Partnership will contribute the GP General Partner Interest to the Operating Company, and the Operating Company will contribute the GP General Partner Interest to Equitrans Services.

 

(vi)                               EQT Midstream Investments will contribute the LP Contribution Interest to the Partnership in exchange for (A) 2,964,718 Common Units, (B) 17,339,718 subordinated units (“ Subordinated Units ”) representing a 49% ownership interest in the Partnership (and together with the Common Units referred to in clause (A) of this paragraph, the “ Sponsor Units ”), (C) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of $189.8 million

 

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and (D) the right to receive the Deferred Issuance and Distribution (as defined in the Partnership Agreement).

 

(vii)                            The Partnership will contribute the LP General Partner Interest to the Operating Company, and the Operating Company will contribute the LP General Partner Interest to Equitrans Services.

 

(viii)                         The Partnership will contribute the LP Limited Partner Interest and the GP Limited Partner Interest to the Operating Company.

 

(ix)                               The Partnership will redeem the initial interests of the General Partner and EQT Midstream Investments and will refund the General Partner’s initial contribution of $20, EQT Midstream Investments’ initial contribution of $980, as well as any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial capital contributions to the General Partner and EQT Midstream Investments, respectively, in proportion to such initial contribution.

 

(e)                                   The public offering of the Units contemplated hereby (the “ Offering ”) will be consummated;

 

(f)                                    The Partnership will use the net proceeds of the Offering as follows: (i) to pay the structuring fee and offering expenses, estimated to be an aggregate $5.6 million; (ii) to fund approximately a $189.8 million and approximately $3.9 million cash distribution to EQT Midstream Investments and the General Partner, respectively, in part for reimbursement of capital expenditures associated with the Assets; (iii) to provide approximately $14 million in working capital to replenish amounts distributed by Equitrans to EQT in the form of Equitrans Accounts Receivable pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; (iv) to pre-fund $31.8 million of maintenance capital expenditures, the majority of which is expected to be incurred over the next two years related to two identified regulatory compliance initiatives (the “ Compliance Expenditures ”); and (v) to pay $1.9 million of origination fees associated with the entry into the New Credit Agreement (as defined herein);

 

(g)                                   The Partnership will amend and restate its partnership agreement, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as so amended and restated, the “ Partnership Agreement ”);

 

(h)                                  The General Partner will amend and restate its limited liability company agreement, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (as so amended and restated, the “ GP LLC Agreement ”);

 

(i)                                      Equitrans will amend and restate its Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement into the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement is referred to herein as the “ Equitrans LP Agreement ”);

 

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(j)                                     The Partnership, EQT and the General Partner will enter into an omnibus agreement, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “ Omnibus Agreement ”);

 

(k)                                  EQT Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT (“ EQT Gathering ”), and Equitrans will enter into an operation and management services agreement, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “ Services Agreement ”);

 

(l)                                      EQT and EQT IP Ventures, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT, will assign their interest in the “Equitrans” trade name and mark to EPC Investments, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of EQT, and EPC Investments, Inc. will assign the “Equitrans” trade name and mark to the Partnership.

 

(m)                              The Partnership, as borrower, will enter into a $350 million credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “ New Credit Agreement ”); and

 

(n)                                  The General Partner will grant 4,780 phantom units to its independent directors and 146,490 performance units to certain of its affiliates’ employees, in each case pursuant to the EQT Midstream Services, LLC 2012-Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “ LTIP ”), in connection with the consummation of the offering contemplated hereby.

 

The transactions contemplated in subsections (a) through (n) above (including the transactions to be consummated pursuant to the Contribution Documents) are collectively referred to herein as the “ Transactions .”  The “ Transaction Documents ” shall mean the Contribution Documents, the Sunrise Lease, the Omnibus Agreement, the Services Agreement and the New Credit Agreement.  The “ EQT Parties ” shall mean EQT, the Partnership, the General Partner and the Operating Company.  The Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, Equitrans Services, Equitrans and all other subsidiaries of the Partnership, if any, are herein collectively referred to as the “ Partnership Entities ” and, together with EQT, EQT Gathering, EQT Investments, EQT Midstream Investments, Blue Grass and Sunrise, the “ EQT Entities .”  The “ Organizational Documents ”) shall mean the Partnership Agreement, the GP LLC Agreement, the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company, the limited liability company agreement of Equitrans Services, the Equitrans LP Agreement and the limited liability company agreement, partnership agreement or other operating agreement, as applicable, of all other subsidiaries of the Partnership.  The “ Operative Agreements ” shall mean the Organizational Documents and the Transaction Documents.

 

This is to confirm the agreement among the EQT Parties and the Underwriters concerning the purchase by the Underwriters of the Firm Units and of the Option Units, if any, from the Partnership by the Underwriters.

 

1.         Representations and Warranties .  Each of the EQT Parties, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each Underwriter as set forth below in this Section 1 .

 

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(a)                                  Registration .  The Partnership has prepared and filed with the Commission a registration statement (File Number 333-179487) on Form S-1, including a related preliminary prospectus, for registration under the Act of the offering and sale of the Units.  Such Registration Statement, including all amendments thereto filed prior to the Execution Time, has become effective.  The Partnership may have filed one or more amendments thereto, including a related preliminary prospectus, each of which has previously been furnished to the Representatives.  The Partnership will file with the Commission a final prospectus in accordance with Rule 424(b).  As filed, such Prospectus shall contain all information required by the Act and, except to the extent the Representatives shall agree in writing to a modification, such Prospectus shall be in all substantive respects in the form furnished to the Representatives prior to the Execution Time or, to the extent not completed at the Execution Time, shall contain only such specific additional information and other changes (beyond that contained in the latest Preliminary Prospectus) as the Partnership has advised the Representatives, prior to the Execution Time, will be included or made therein.

 

(b)                                  No Stop Order .  No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or, to the knowledge of any of the EQT Parties, threatened by the Commission. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by the Commission.

 

(c)                                   No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Registration Statement or Prospectus .  On the Effective Date, the Registration Statement did, and when the Prospectus is first filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date and on any date on which Option Units are purchased, if such date is not the Closing Date (a “ settlement date ”), the Prospectus (and any supplement thereto) will, comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act; on the Effective Date and at the Execution Time, the Registration Statement did not and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and on the date of any filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) and on the Closing Date and any settlement date, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) 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, not misleading; provided , however , that the Partnership makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Partnership by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b)  hereof.

 

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(d)                                  No Material Misstatements or Omissions in Disclosure Package .  The most recent Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Act.  As of the Execution Time, (i) the Disclosure Package, and (ii) each electronic road show, when taken together as a whole with the Disclosure Package, does not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or 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; provided , however , that the EQT Parties make no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Partnership by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b)  hereof.

 

(e)                                   Projections .  Each of the statements made by the Partnership in the Registration Statement and the Disclosure Package and to be made in the Prospectus (and any supplements thereto) within the coverage of Rule175(b) under the Act, including (but not limited to) any statements with respect to projected results of operations, estimated available cash and future cash distributions of the Partnership, and any statements made in support thereof or related thereto under the heading “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” or the anticipated ratio of taxable income to distributions, was made or will be made with a reasonable basis and in good faith.

 

(f)                                    Electronic Road Show .  The Partnership has made available a “bona fide electronic road show” (as defined in Rule 433) such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Units.

 

(g)                                   Eligible Issuer .  (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and (ii) as of the Execution Time (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes of this clause (ii)), the Partnership was not and is not an Ineligible Issuer (as defined in Rule 405), without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Partnership be considered an Ineligible Issuer.

 

(h)                                  Emerging Growth Company.  From the time of initial filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Partnership engaged directly or through any Person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters-Communication) through the Execution Time, the Partnership has been and is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Act (an “ Emerging Growth Company ”).

 

(i)                                      Testing-the-Waters Communications.  The Partnership (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication and (ii) has not authorized anyone to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications.

 

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(j)                                     Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses .  Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus; provided , however , that the EQT Parties make no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Partnership by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b)  hereof.

 

(k)                                  Formation and Qualification .  Each of the EQT Entities has been duly formed or incorporated and is validly existing as a limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization with all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.  Each of the Partnership Entities has all requisite power and authority to own or lease and to operate its properties currently owned or leased or to be owned or leased on the Closing Date and each settlement date, including the Assets, and conduct its business as currently conducted or to be conducted on the Closing Date and each settlement date, in each case, as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires, or at the Closing Date and each settlement date will require, such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be likely to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”), or subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material liability or disability.

 

(l)                                      Power and Authority of General Partner .  The General Partner has, and on the Closing Date and each settlement date will have, all requisite power and authority to act as general partner of the Partnership in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(m)                              Ownership of EQT Investments .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, EQT will own, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EQT Investments; the membership interests of EQT Investments have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of EQT Investments (as the same may be amended or restated at or prior to the Closing Date, the “ EQT Investments LLC Agreement ”), and are fully paid (to the extent required by the EQT Investments LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”)); and EQT owns such membership interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, charges or other claims (“ Liens ”) except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the EQT Investments LLC Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, if

 

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any, and (B) Liens created or arising under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2010 (the “ EQT Credit Agreement ”) among EQT, PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the Lenders party thereto, as amended or otherwise modified.

 

(n)                                  Ownership of General Partner .  EQT Investments owns, and on the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, will own, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the General Partner; the membership interests of the General Partner have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the GP LLC Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required by the GP LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and EQT Investments owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the GP LLC Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) Liens created or arising under the EQT Credit Agreement.

 

(o)                                  Ownership of General Partner Interest .  The General Partner is, and on the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, will be, the sole general partner of the Partnership with a 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, such interest being represented by the General Partner Units; such General Partner Units have been, and on the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, will be, duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner owns such General Partner Units free and clear of all Liens except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) Liens created or arising under the New Credit Agreement.

 

(p)                                  Ownership of the Sponsor Units and Incentive Distribution Rights in the Partnership .  Assuming no purchase by the Underwriters of any Option Units, on the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, EQT Midstream Investments will own the Sponsor Units and the General Partner will own 100% of the Incentive Distribution Rights; all of such Sponsor Units and Incentive Distribution Rights and the limited partner interests represented thereby will be 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 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 EQT Midstream Investments will own the Sponsor Units, and the General Partner will own the Incentive Distribution Rights, in each case free and clear of all Liens except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) Liens created or arising under the EQT Credit Agreement.

 

(q)                                  Ownership of the Operating Company .  The Partnership owns, and on the Closing Date and each settlement date, will own, all of the issued and outstanding

 

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membership interests of the Operating Company; such membership interests have been, and on the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, will be, duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company, and are fully paid (to the extent required by the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Partnership owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the limited liability company agreement of the Operating Company or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) Liens created or arising under the New Credit Agreement.

 

(r)                                     Valid Issuance of the Units .  The Units to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Partnership 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 on the Closing Date and each settlement date, will be validly issued and 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 LP Act).

 

(s)                                    Capitalization .  In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase all 1,875,000 Option Units pursuant to Section 2(b)  before the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Units will be the only limited partner interests of the Partnership issued and outstanding on the Closing Date other than the Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights.  In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase fewer than 1,875,000 Option Units pursuant to Section 2(b)  (a “ Partial Exercise Amount ,” and such Option Units being the “ Partial Option Units ”) before the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Firm Units and the Partial Option Units will be the only limited partner interests of the Partnership issued and outstanding on the Closing Date other than the Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights.  In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase Option Units pursuant to Section 2(b)  for delivery on any settlement date other than the Closing Date and other than in connection with a settlement date concurrent with the expiration of the term set forth in Section 2(b) , the Firm Units and such Option Units will be the only limited partner interests issued and outstanding on such delivery date other than the Sponsor Units, the Incentive Distribution Rights and any Partial Option Units delivered on any prior settlement date.  In the event that the Underwriters do not exercise the option to purchase Option Units pursuant to Section 2(b)  for an aggregate of 1,875,000 Option Units prior to the expiration of the term set forth in Section 2(b) , other than the Sponsor Units (which in such event will be deemed to include any Common Units issued to EQT Midstream Investments pursuant to the Deferred Issuance and Distribution) and the Incentive Distribution Rights, the Firm Units and any Partial Option Units will be the only limited partner interests issued and outstanding on such date.

 

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(t)                                     Ownership of Other Partnership Entities .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions,

 

(i)                                      the Operating Company will own 100% of the membership interests in Equitrans Services and a 97.25% limited partner interest in Equitrans; all of such equity interests will be duly and validly authorized and issued in accordance with the applicable Organizational Documents, will be fully paid (to the extent required by the applicable Organizational Documents) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by, as applicable, (i) Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act, (ii) Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act or (iii) the Pennsylvania Limited Partnership Act and such equity interests will be owned free and clear of all Liens except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in Equitrans Services limited liability company agreement or Equitrans LP Agreement, as applicable, or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) Liens created or arising under the New Credit Agreement; and

 

(ii)                                   Equitrans Services will own a 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans; all of such equity interest will be duly and validly authorized and issued in accordance with the applicable Organizational Documents; and such equity interests will be owned free and clear of all Liens except for (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the Equitrans LP Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (B) Liens created or arising under the New Credit Agreement.

 

(u)                                  No Other Subsidiaries .  Other than (i) the General Partner’s ownership of the 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, (ii) the Partnership’s ownership of 100% of the Operating Company, (iii) the Operating Company’s 100% ownership of Equitrans Services and (iv) the Operating Company and Equitrans Services ownership of a 97.25% limited partner interest and a 2.75% general partner interest, respectively, in Equitrans, none of the Partnership Entities own or will own, on the Closing Date and each settlement date, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.

 

(v)                                  No Preemptive Rights, Registration Rights or Options .  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no (i) preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any equity securities of the Partnership Entities or (ii) outstanding options or warrants to purchase any securities of the Partnership Entities.  Neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Units as contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any Common Units or other securities of the Partnership.

 

(w)                                Authority and Authorization .  Each of the EQT Parties has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its respective

 

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obligations hereunder.  The Partnership has all requisite partnership power and authority to issue, sell and deliver (i) the Units, in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) the Sponsor Units and Incentive Distribution Rights, in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Partnership Agreement and the Contribution Agreement.  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, all corporate, limited partnership and limited liability company action, as the case may be, required to be taken by the EQT Entities or any of their members, partners or shareholders for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Units, the Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, the execution and delivery by the EQT Entities of the Transaction Documents to which they are a party and the consummation of the transactions (including the Transactions) contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, shall have been validly taken.

 

(x)                                  Authorization of This Agreement .  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the EQT Parties.

 

(y)                                  Enforceability of Operative Agreements .  At or before the Closing Date and on each settlement date, each of the Operative Agreements will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the EQT Entities party thereto and, assuming due authorization by the other parties thereto (other than an EQT Entity), will be a valid and legally binding agreement of such EQT Entities, enforceable against such parties in accordance with its terms; provided , that, with respect to each agreement described in this Section 1(y) , the enforceability thereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, 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, any applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

(z)                                   No Conflicts .  None of (i) the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Operative Agreements by the EQT Entities that are parties hereto or thereto, as the case may be, (iii) the consummation of the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or (iv) the application of the proceeds as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (A) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a violation of the partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, certificate of formation or conversion, certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other constituent document of any of the EQT Entities, (B) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of the EQT Entities is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound, (C) violates or will violate any statute, law or regulation or any order, judgment, decree or injunction of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the EQT Entities or any of

 

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their properties in a proceeding to which any of them or their property is a party or (D) 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 Liens created pursuant to the New Credit Agreement) except, in the case of clauses (B), (C) and (D), where such breaches, violations, defaults or Liens would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

(aa)                           No Consents .  No permit, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing or qualification of or with any court, governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the EQT Entities or any of their properties or assets is required in connection with the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the EQT Parties, the execution and delivery of the Operative Agreements by the EQT Entities that are parties thereto, the performance by the EQT Entities that are parties thereto of their respective obligations under the Operative Agreements or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Operative Agreements other than (i) registration of the Units under the Act, which has been effected (or, with respect to any registration statement to be filed hereunder pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act, will be effected in accordance herewith) and consents required under the Exchange Act, (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Units are being offered by the Underwriters, (iii) any necessary qualification under the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“ FINRA ”),  (iv) consents that have been, or prior to the Closing Date will be, obtained, and (v) consents that, if not obtained, would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of any of the EQT Parties to consummate the Transactions or perform their respective obligations under this Agreement or the Operative Agreements.

 

(bb)                           No Defaults .  None of the EQT Entities is in violation, breach or default (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be in violation, breach or default) of (i) any provision of its Organizational Documents, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which any of the EQT Entities is a party relating to the Assets or the operation thereof or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over any of the EQT Parties or any of its properties, as applicable, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), where such breaches, violations, defaults or Liens, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

(cc)                             Conformity of Units to Description .  The Units, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement and this Agreement against payment therefor as provided therein and herein, and the Sponsor Units, the General

 

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Partner Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement and the Contribution Agreement, will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(dd)                           No Labor Dispute .  No labor problem or dispute with the employees of any of the EQT Parties exists or, to the knowledge of the EQT Parties, is threatened, that would reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ee)                             Financial Statements .  The historical financial statements and schedules of the predecessor to the Partnership together with its consolidated subsidiaries (the “ Predecessor ”) included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Predecessor as of the dates and for the periods indicated, comply as to form with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein).  The summary historical and pro forma financial and operating information set forth in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data” and the selected historical and pro forma financial and operating information set forth under the caption “Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial and Operating Data” in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus is accurately presented in all material respects and prepared on a basis consistent with the audited and unaudited historical financial statements and pro forma financial statements, as applicable, from which it has been derived, unless expressly noted otherwise.  The other financial information of the Partnership Entities, including non-GAAP financial measures, if any, contained in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Partnership Entities and fairly presents in all material respects the information purported to be shown thereby.  There are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus that are not so included as required; the Partnership Entities do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus; and all disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus (as defined herein) regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Act, to the extent applicable.

 

(ff)                               Pro Forma Financial Statements.  The pro forma financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus include assumptions that provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions and events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, and the

 

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pro forma adjustments reflect an appropriate application of those adjustments to the historical financial statement amounts in the pro forma financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.  The pro forma financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulations S-X and G of the Act, the Exchange Act, Item 10 under Regulation S-K and Financial Interpretation No. 46 and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements.

 

(gg)                             Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .  Ernst & Young LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Predecessor and its consolidated subsidiaries (including the related notes thereto) included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus is and was during the periods covered by such financial statements an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Predecessor as required by the Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

 

(hh)                           Litigation .  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no action, suit, proceeding or inquiry by or before any court or governmental or other regulatory or administrative agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any of the EQT Entities or their property is pending or, to the knowledge of the EQT Parties, threatened or contemplated, that would reasonably be likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Partnership Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus but are not described as required.

 

(ii)                                   Title to Properties .  Following consummation of the Transactions and on the Closing Date and each settlement date, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except to the extent that failure of the following to be true, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)                                      the Partnership Entities will have (A) good and indefeasible title to all real property (exclusive of rights-of-way, as hereinafter defined) owned by them and (B) good title to all personal property owned by them, in each of cases (A) and (B) as such properties are described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, free and clear of all Liens, except as are created or arise under the New Credit Agreement;

 

(ii)                                   all land, buildings and other improvements, and all equipment and other personal property, to be held under lease or sublease by any of the Partnership Entities, will be held by them under valid and subsisting leases or subleases, as the case may be, with such exceptions as do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property, buildings or other

 

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improvements by the Partnership Entities, as such uses are described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

 

(jj)                                 Rights of Way .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, each of the Partnership Entities will have such consents, easements, rights-of-way or licenses from any person (collectively, “ rights-of-way ”) as are necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except for such rights-of-way the failure of which to obtain, would not reasonably be likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; and each of the Partnership Entities will have fulfilled and performed all of its obligations with respect to such rights-of-way and no event shall have occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such rights-of-way except for such revocations, terminations and impairments that would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(kk)                           Possession of Licenses and Governmental Permits .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, each of the Partnership Entities will possess, such permits, licenses, patents, certificates of need, approvals, consents and other authorizations issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governments or regulatory agencies or bodies (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus except for such Governmental Licenses, the failure of which to obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; the Partnership Entities are and will be in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; the Governmental Licenses are and will be 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, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to the knowledge of the EQT Parties, none of the EQT Parties has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Governmental Licenses that, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ll)                                   Tax Returns .  Each of the Partnership Entities has filed all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested extensions thereof, other than certain state and local tax returns as to which the failure to file would not reasonably be likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and has timely paid all taxes shown to be due pursuant to such returns other than (i) those currently being contested in good faith for which adequate reserves have been established or (ii) those which, if not paid, would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(mm)                   Insurance .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, the Partnership Entities will be 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 will be in full force and effect; and the Partnership Entities will be in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects.

 

(nn)                           Distribution Restrictions .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, after giving effect to the Transactions, no Partnership Entity will be prohibited, directly or indirectly, from making any distribution with respect to its equity interests, from repaying any loans or advances to any other Partnership Entity or from transferring any of its property or assets to the Partnership or any other Partnership Entity, except as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(oo)                           Environmental Laws .  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)                                      with respect to the ownership and operation of the Assets, none of the EQT 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 protection of the environment, human health (to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials) or wildlife, or to pollution or contamination of the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), 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 ”);

 

(ii)                                   with respect to the ownership of the Assets, the Partnership Entities will have as of the Closing Date all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements;

 

(iii)                                with respect to the ownership of the Assets, no EQT Entities have received written notice of any 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 of the EQT Entities; and

 

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(iv)                               with respect to the ownership and operation of the Assets, none of the EQT Entities are aware of any event or circumstance 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 of the EQT Entities relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

 

In the ordinary course of their business, the Partnership Entities periodically review the effect of Environmental Laws on their business, operations and properties, in the course of which they identify and evaluate associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws, or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties).  On the basis of such review, the Partnership Entities have concluded that such associated costs and liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as described in or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(pp)                           Intellectual Property .  The Partnership Entities own, possess, license or have other rights to use, on reasonable terms, all patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other intellectual property (collectively, the “ Intellectual Property ”) necessary for the operations of the Assets as now conducted or as proposed in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus to be conducted except to the extent that the failure to own, possess, license or have other rights in such Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(qq)                           Certain Relationships and Related Transactions .  No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any Partnership Entity, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, affiliates, customers or suppliers of any Partnership Entity, on the other hand, that is required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus and is not so described.

 

(rr)                                 ERISA .  On the Closing Date and each settlement date, except as would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the EQT Entities will be in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published governmental interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”); (ii) no “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043(c) ERISA) will have occurred with respect to any “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) for which any EQT Entities would have any liability, excluding any reportable event for which a waiver could apply; (iii) no EQT Entity will have incurred, nor will any such entity expect to incur, liability under (a) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “pension plan” or (b) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published governmental interpretations thereunder (the “ Code ”) with respect to any “pension plan”; (iv) each “pension plan” for

 

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which any EQT Entity would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code will be the subject of a favorable determination or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that it is so qualified and, to the knowledge of the EQT Entities, nothing will have occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification; and (v) no EQT Entities have incurred any unpaid liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (other than for payment of premiums in the ordinary course of business) for which any Partnership Entity would reasonably be expected to be liable.

 

(ss)                               No Changes .  Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, none of the Partnership Entities has sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, investigation, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and other than as would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or prevent or materially interfere with or delay the consummation of the Transactions. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in each case excluding any amendments or supplements to the foregoing made after the execution of this Agreement, there has not been (i) any material adverse change, or any development involving, individually or in the aggregate, a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), management, earnings, business or properties of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto) or (ii) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by any Partnership Entity, in each case other than as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

(tt)                                 Sufficiency of Contribution Documents .  The Contribution Documents will be legally sufficient to transfer or convey to the Partnership Entities satisfactory title to, or valid rights to use or manage, all properties not already held by them that are, individually or in the aggregate, required to enable the Partnership Entities to conduct their operations in all material respects as contemplated by the Prospectus and the Disclosure Package, including the Assets. Upon execution and delivery of the Contribution Documents, the Partnership Entities will succeed in all material respects to the business, assets (including the Assets), properties, liabilities and operations reflected by the pro forma financial statements of the Partnership.

 

(uu)                           Description of Contracts; Filing of Exhibits .  The information in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the captions “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions,” “Provisions of our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions,” “Business—Regulatory Environment,” “Business—Environmental Matters,” “Management,” “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties,” “Description of the Common Units,” “The Partnership Agreement,”

 

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and “Material Federal Income Tax Consequences”, in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Operative Agreements 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 most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus of any the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which any of the EQT Entities is a party are accurate in all material respects.  There is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, that is not described or filed as required (and the most recent Preliminary Prospectus contains in all material respects the same description of the foregoing matters contained in the Prospectus).

 

(vv)         Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 .  At the Effective Date, the Partnership and, to the knowledge of the EQT Parties, the officers and directors of the General Partner, in their capacities as such were, and on the Closing Date, will be, in compliance in all respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange promulgated thereunder.

 

(ww)       Investment Company .  None of the Partnership Entities is now, and immediately following the sale of the Units to be sold by the Partnership hereunder and application of the net proceeds from such sale as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” none will be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled by” an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”).

 

(xx)         Internal Controls .  The Partnership maintains internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to maintain accountability for its assets, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.  The Partnership and its subsidiaries’ internal accounting controls are effective and none of the Partnership Entities is aware of any material weakness in their internal accounting controls.

 

(yy)         Disclosure Controls and Procedures .  The Partnership has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (as is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); and (i) such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in the reports it files or will file or submit under the Exchange Act, as applicable, is accumulated and communicated to management of the General Partner, including its principal executive

 

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officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure to be made and (ii) such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established to the extent required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

 

(zz)         Market Stabilization .  None of the EQT Entities has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Partnership to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.

 

(aaa)      Foreign Corrupt Practices Act .  No EQT Entity nor, to the knowledge of any of the EQT Parties, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of any EQT Entity, has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, 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 EQT Entities and, to the knowledge of any of the EQT Parties, their 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.

 

(bbb)      Money Laundering Laws .  The operations of each of the EQT Parties 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 jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any of the EQT Parties with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of each of the EQT Parties, threatened.

 

(ccc)       Office of Foreign Assets Control .  No EQT Entity nor, to the knowledge of any of the EQT Parties, any director, officer, employee or affiliate of any EQT Entity, is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the EQT Entities will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available 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.

 

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(ddd)      Lending Relationship .  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no EQT Entity (i) has any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any of the Underwriters and (ii) intends to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Units hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of the Underwriters.

 

(eee)       Private Placement .  The issuance of the Sponsor Units to EQT Midstream Investments, the General Partner Units to the General Partner and the Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner are exempt from the registration requirements of the Act, the rules and regulations and the securities laws of any state having jurisdiction with respect thereto, and none of the EQT Entities has taken or will take any action that would cause the loss of such exemption.

 

(fff)        Statistical and Market-Related Data .  All statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the EQT Parties believe to be reliable and accurate in all material respects, and the Partnership has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.

 

(ggg)       No Distribution of Other Offering Materials .  None of the EQT Entities has distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the Closing Date or any settlement date and completion of the distribution of the Units, will distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Units other than the most recent  Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Representatives have consented in accordance with this Agreement, and any other materials permitted by the Act, including Rule 134, and in connection with the Directed Unit Program described in Section 4 hereof, the enrollment materials prepared by Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

(hhh)      FINRA .  To the knowledge of the EQT Entities, there are no affiliations or associations between any member of FINRA and any of the officers or directors of the General Partner or the holders of 5% or greater of the Common Units, except as described in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

(iii)          Significant Subsidiaries .  The Operating Company, Equitrans Services and Equitrans are the only significant subsidiaries of the Partnership as defined by Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X.

 

(jjj)         No Debt Securities .  The Partnership has no debt securities or preferred equity that is rated by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act).

 

(kkk)      Directed Unit Program. The Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply, and any amendments or supplements thereto will comply, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Disclosure Package, as amended or

 

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supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Unit Program as defined in Section 4 hereto. The Partnership has not offered, or caused Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to offer, Units to any person pursuant to the Directed Unit Program with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (i) a customer or supplier of the Partnership Entities to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Partnership Entities, or (ii) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Partnership Entities or their industry.

 

Any certificate signed by any officer of the EQT Parties and delivered to the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Units shall be deemed a joint and several representation and warranty by each of the EQT Parties, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

 

2.   Purchase and Sale .

 

(a)           Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants herein set forth, the Partnership agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Partnership, at a purchase price of $19.761 per unit, the amount of the Firm Units set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule I hereto.

 

(b)           Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants herein set forth, the Partnership hereby grants an option to the several Underwriters to purchase, severally and not jointly, up to 1,875,000 Option Units at the same purchase price per unit as the Underwriters shall pay for the Firm Units, less an amount per Option Unit equal to any distributions declared by the Partnership and payable on the Firm Units but not payable on the Option Units.  Said option may be exercised only to cover over-allotments in the sale of the Firm Units by the Underwriters.  Said option may be exercised in whole or from time to time in part at any time on or before the 30th day after the date of the Prospectus upon written or telegraphic notice by the Representatives to the Partnership setting forth the number of Option Units as to which the several Underwriters are exercising the option and the settlement date.  The number of Option Units to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the same percentage of the total number of Option Units to be purchased by the several Underwriters as such Underwriter is purchasing of the Firm Units, subject to such adjustments as the Representatives in their absolute discretion shall make to eliminate any fractional Units.

 

3.   Delivery and Payment .  Delivery of and payment for the Firm Units and the Option Units (if the option provided for in Section 2(b)  hereof shall have been exercised on or before the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date) shall be made at 9:00 AM, Houston, Texas time, on July 2, 2012, or at such time on such later date not more than three Business Days after the foregoing date as the Representatives shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement between the Representatives and the Partnership or as provided in Section 9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Units being herein called the “ Closing Date ”).  Delivery of the Units shall be made to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters against payment by the several

 

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Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Partnership by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Partnership.

 

If the option provided for in Section 2(b)  hereof is exercised after the third Business Day immediately preceding the Closing Date, the Partnership will deliver the Option Units (at the expense of the Partnership) to the Representatives on the date specified by the Representatives (which shall be within three Business Days after exercise of said option) (each, a “ settlement date ”) for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters, against payment by the several Underwriters through the Representatives of the purchase price thereof to or upon the order of the Partnership by wire transfer payable in same-day funds to an account specified by the Partnership.  If settlement for the Option Units occurs after the Closing Date, the Partnership will deliver to the Representatives on such settlement date, and the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase the Option Units shall be conditioned upon receipt of, supplemental opinions, certificates and letters confirming as of such date the opinions, certificates and letters, in forms reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, delivered on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6 hereof.  Delivery of the Firm Units and the Option Units shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

 

4.   Offering by Underwriters .  It is understood that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Units for sale to the public at the price as set forth in the Prospectus.  As part of the offering contemplated by this Agreement, each Underwriter has agreed to reserve out of the Firm Units set forth opposite its name on Schedule I to this Agreement, up to 8% of the Firm Units, for sale to the officers, directors (current or former) and employees of the General Partner and its affiliates and certain other persons associated with the General Partner or any of its affiliates, as designated by the General Partner (collectively, the “ Directed Unit Participants ”), as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Underwriting” (the “ Directed Unit Program ”). The Firm Units to be sold by the Underwriters pursuant to the Directed Unit Program (the “ Directed Units ”) will be sold by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. pursuant to this Agreement at the public offering price. Any Directed Units not orally confirmed for purchase by any Directed Unit Participants by 7:00 AM, Houston, Texas time, on the business day following the date on which this Agreement is executed will be offered to the public by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus. Under no circumstances will Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or any other Underwriter be liable to any of the Partnership Parties or to any Directed Unit Participants for any action taken or omitted by them in connection with such Directed Unit Program. It is further understood that any Firm Units which are not purchased by Directed Unit Participants will be offered by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. to the public upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

 

5.   Agreements .  Each of the EQT Parties, jointly and severally, agrees with the several Underwriters that:

 

(a)           Preparation of Prospectus and Registration Statement .  Prior to the termination of the offering of the Units, the Partnership will not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement unless the Partnership has furnished the Representatives a copy

 

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for their review prior to filing and will not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.  The Partnership will cause the Prospectus, properly completed, and any supplement thereto to be filed in a form approved by the Representatives with the Commission pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) within the time period prescribed and will provide evidence satisfactory to the Representatives of such timely filing.  The Partnership will promptly advise the Representatives (i) when the Prospectus, and any supplement thereto, shall have been filed (if required) with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or when any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have been filed with the Commission, (ii) when, prior to termination of the offering of the Units, any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed or become effective, (iii) of any request by the Commission or its staff for any amendment of the Registration Statement, or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or for any supplement to the Prospectus or for any additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any notice objecting to its use or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (v) of the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Units for sale in any jurisdiction or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.  The Partnership will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or the occurrence of any such suspension or objection to the use of the Registration Statement and, upon such issuance, occurrence or notice of objection, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal of such stop order or relief from such occurrence or objection, including, if necessary, by filing an amendment to the Registration Statement or a new registration statement and using its best efforts to have such amendment or new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.

 

(b)           Amendment or Supplement of Disclosure Package and Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses .  If, at any time prior to the filing of the Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b), any event occurs as a result of which (i) the Disclosure Package or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would include any untrue statement of a material fact or 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 at such time not misleading or (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the most recent Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, the Partnership will (A) notify promptly the Representatives so that any use of the Disclosure Package or the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (B) amend or supplement the Disclosure Package or the Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to correct such statement, omission or conflict; and (C) supply any amendment or supplement to the Representatives in such quantities as it may reasonably request.

 

(c)           Amendment of Registration Statement or Supplement of Prospectus .  If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus as then supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under

 

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which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend the Registration Statement or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Partnership promptly will (i) notify the Representatives of any such event; (ii) prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of subsection (a)  of this Section 5 , an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; and (iii) supply any supplemented Prospectus to the Representatives in such quantities as they may reasonably request.

 

(d)           Reports to Unitholders .  As soon as practicable, the Partnership will make generally available to its unitholders and to the Representatives an earnings statement or statements of the Partnership and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and Rule 158 under the Act.

 

(e)           Signed Copies of the Registration Statement and Copies of the Prospectus .  The Partnership will furnish (or otherwise make available) to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, upon request, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172), as many copies of the most recent Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any supplement thereto as the Representatives may reasonably request.  The Partnership will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all documents relating to the offering.

 

(f)            Qualification of Units .  The Partnership will arrange, if necessary, for the qualification of the Units for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and will maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Units; provided , that in no event shall the Partnership be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Units, or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.

 

(g)           Lock-Up Period .  The EQT Parties will not, without the prior written consent of each Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or would reasonably be likely to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the EQT Parties or any officer or director of the General Partner) directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any other Common Units or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, Common Units; or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Agreement (the “ Lock-Up Period ”). The restrictions contained in the preceding sentence shall not apply to (a) the

 

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Units to be sold hereunder, (b) the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units and other securities pursuant to the Contribution Agreement as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (c) the issuance by the Partnership of equity awards pursuant to the EQT Midstream Services, LLC Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Partnership may file a registration statement on Form S-8 relating to such plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Partnership issues an earnings release or announces material news or a material event relating to the Partnership occurs; or (ii) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Partnership announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, then the restrictions imposed in this clause shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or the occurrence of the material event unless the Representatives waive such extension in writing.  The Partnership will provide the Representatives and any co-managers and each individual subject to the restricted period pursuant to the lock-up letters described in Section 6(j) with prior notice of any such announcement or occurrence that gives rise to an extension of the restricted period.

 

(h)           Price Manipulation .  The EQT Parties will not, and will cause the EQT Entities to not, take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Partnership to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.

 

(i)            Expenses .  The Partnership agrees to pay the costs and expenses relating to the following matters: (i) the preparation, printing or reproduction and filing with the Commission of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits thereto), each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and each amendment or supplement to any of them; (ii) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery (including postage, air freight charges and charges for counting and packaging) of such copies of the Registration Statement, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all amendments or supplements to any of them, as may, in each case, be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Units; (iii) the preparation, printing, authentication, issuance and delivery of certificates for the Units, including any stamp or transfer taxes in connection with the original issuance and sale of the Units; (iv) the printing (or reproduction) and delivery of this Agreement, any blue sky memorandum and all other agreements or documents printed (or reproduced) and delivered in connection with the offering of the Units; (v) the registration of the Units under the Exchange Act and the listing of the Units on NYSE; (vi) any registration or qualification of the Units for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of the several states (including filing fees and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters relating to such registration and qualification); (vii) any filings required to be made with FINRA (including filing fees and up to $20,000 in legal fees of counsel to the Underwriters relating to such FINRA matters); (viii) the transportation and other expenses incurred by or on behalf of Partnership representatives in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Units; provided, however, that the

 

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Underwriters will pay for fifty percent of the costs and expenses of any chartered flight in connection with the road show; (ix) the fees and expenses of the Partnership’s accountants and the fees and expenses of counsel (including local and special counsel) for the Partnership; and (x) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance by the Partnership of its obligations hereunder.  The Partnership agrees to pay all fees and disbursements incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Unit Program and any stamp duties or other taxes incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Unit Program.  Except as provided in this Section 5(i) and in Section 7 , the Underwriters shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel, transfer taxes on any resale of the Units by any Underwriter, any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make and the transportation and other expenses incurred by the Underwriters on their own behalf in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Units.

 

(j)            Free Writing Prospectuses .  The Partnership agrees that, unless it has or shall have obtained the prior written consent of the Representatives, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Partnership that, unless it has or shall have obtained, as the case may be, the prior written consent of the Partnership, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Units that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405) required to be filed by the Partnership with the Commission or retained by the Partnership under Rule 433; provided , that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in Schedule II hereto and any electronic road show.  Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives or the Partnership is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus .”  The Partnership agrees that (i) it has treated and will treat, as the case may be, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and (ii) it has complied and will comply, as the case may be, with the requirements of Rules 164 and 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

 

(k)           Use of Proceeds .  The Partnership will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Units in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

 

(l)            NYSE Listing .  The Partnership will use its reasonable best efforts to effect and maintain the listing of the Common Units on the NYSE.

 

(m)          Emerging Growth Company .  The Partnership will notify promptly the Representatives if the Partnership ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (a) completion of the distribution of the Units within the meaning of the Act and (b) completion of the 180-day restricted period referred to in Section 5(g)  hereof.

 

(n)           Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.  The Partnership shall not, and shall cause the EQT Entities not to, engage in any Testing-the-Waters

 

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Communications.  If it is determined that a Written Testing-the-Waters Communication has occurred and at any time following the distribution of any such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any event occurs as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication would include any untrue statement of a material fact or 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 at such time not misleading, the Partnership will (i) notify promptly the Representatives so that the use of the Written Testing-the-Waters Communication may cease until it is amended or supplemented; (ii) amend or supplement the Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission, at its own expense; and (iii) supply any amendment or supplement to the Representatives in such quantities as may reasonably be requested.

 

6.   Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters .  The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Firm Units and the Option Units, as the case may be, shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the EQT Parties contained herein as of the Execution Time, the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, to the accuracy of the statements of the EQT Parties made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the EQT Parties of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

 

(a)           Filing of Prospectus; No Stop Order .  The Prospectus and any supplement thereto have been filed in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); any material required to be filed by the Partnership pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by Rule 433; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened.  If the Partnership has selected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Act, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement.

 

(b)           EQT Parties’ Counsel Opinion .  The Partnership shall have requested and caused each of (i) Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel to the EQT Parties, and (ii) Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, special Pennsylvania counsel to the EQT Parties, to have furnished to the Representatives its legal opinion, dated the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, and addressed to the Representatives, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit B and Exhibit C , respectively.

 

(c)           General Counsel’s Opinion .   Lewis B. Gardner, the General Counsel of EQT, shall have furnished to the Representatives his legal opinion, dated the Closing Date and any settlement date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, substantially in the form set forth on Exhibit D .

 

(d)           Underwriters’ Counsel Opinion.  The Representatives shall have received from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions,

 

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dated the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, and addressed to the Representatives, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Units, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus (together with any supplement thereto) and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Partnership shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

 

(e)                                   Officers’ Certificate.  EQT and the General Partner shall each have furnished to the Representatives a certificate of the Chairman, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or an Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President of such party (or persons holding similar positions, as applicable) and of the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of such party (or persons holding similar positions, as applicable), dated the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, to the effect that the signers of each such certificate have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as well as each electronic roadshow used in connection with the offering of the Units, and this Agreement and that:

 

(i) the representations and warranties of the EQT Parties in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, with the same effect as if made on the Closing Date and any settlement date pursuant to Section 3 hereof, and each EQT Party has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied on or prior to such Closing Date or settlement date, as applicable;

 

(ii) since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto), there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto); and

 

(iii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the EQT Parties, threatened.

 

(f)                                    Comfort Letter.  The Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP customary comfort letters dated the date of this Agreement, the Closing Date and any settlement date, and addressed to the Underwriters (with executed copies for each of the Representatives), 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 contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and, with regards to such letters dated the Closing Date or any settlement date, to the effect that such firm reaffirms the statements made in the letters furnished on the date of this Agreement, except that the specified date referred

 

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to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date or such settlement date.  References to the Prospectus in this subsection (f)  include any supplement thereto at the date of the respective letter.

 

(g)                                   No Material Change.   Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any thereof) and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there shall not have been (i) any material increase or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in subsection (f)  of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business or properties of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as described in the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto) the effect of which, in any case referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Units as contemplated by the Registration Statement (exclusive of any amendment thereof), the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

(h)                                  No Downgrade.   Subsequent to the Execution Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the EQT Entities’ debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

 

(i)                                      NYSE Listing.  The Units shall have been approved for listing and admitted and authorized for trading on the NYSE, and satisfactory evidence of such actions shall have been provided to the Representatives.

 

(j)                                     Lock-Up Agreements.   At the Execution Time, the Partnership shall have furnished to the Representatives a lock-up agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A from each of the parties listed on Schedule III hereto and addressed to the Representatives.

 

(k)                                  Consummation of Transactions.   The EQT Parties shall have furnished to the Representatives evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives that each of the Transactions shall have occurred or will occur as of the Closing Date, in each case as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus without material modification, change or waiver, except for such material modifications, changes or waivers as have been specifically identified to the Representatives and which, in the judgment of the Representatives, do not make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering and delivery of the Units on the Closing Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(l)                                      Directed Unit Program.   Each participant in the Directed Unit Program shall have agreed to be restricted from sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation of any Directed Units during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on and including the date that is 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, and the EQT Parties shall direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon such Directed Units during such period.

 

(m)                              Other Certificates.  The Representatives shall have received from the EQT Parties such additional documents and certificates as the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters may reasonably request.

 

If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been fulfilled when and as provided in this Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall not be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., this Agreement and all obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Representatives.  Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Partnership in writing or by telephone or facsimile confirmed in writing.

 

7.         Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses.   If the sale of the Units provided for herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of any termination pursuant to Section 10(i)  hereof in the event trading in the Partnership’s Common Units shall have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE, or because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the EQT Parties to perform any agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by any of the Underwriters, the EQT Parties will reimburse the Underwriters severally through Citigroup Global Markets Inc. on demand for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Units.

 

8.         Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a)                                  The EQT Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, the directors, officers, employees and agents of each Underwriter, and each affiliate of any Underwriter who has participated or is alleged to have participated in the distribution of the Units as underwriters, and each person who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement for the registration of the Units as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be

 

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stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made (with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus, the Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) not misleading and (ii) the Directed Unit Program, except, with respect to this clause (ii), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, or liability is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in conducting the Directed Unit Program, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided , however , that the EQT Parties will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of any Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by or on behalf of the Underwriters consists of the information described in subsection (b)  of this Section 8 .  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the EQT Parties may otherwise have.

 

Without limitation of and in addition to its obligations under the other paragraphs of this Section 8 , the EQT Parties jointly and severally agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and its directors, officers, employees and agents, and each person who controls Citigroup Global Markets Inc. within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which it or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (1) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or on behalf or with the consent of the Partnership for distribution to participants in the Directed Unit Program or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; (2) is or was caused by the failure of any participating in the Directed Unit Program to pay for and accept delivery of Units that the participant has agreed to purchase; or (3) otherwise arises out of or is based upon the Directed Unit Program; provided, however , that the EQT Parties shall not be responsible under this clause (3) for any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in conducting the Directed Unit Program. Section 8(d)  shall apply equally to any proceeding brought against Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or any such person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the EQT Parties pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, except that the EQT Parties shall be liable for the expenses of one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and any such person, separate and in addition to counsel for the persons who may seek indemnification pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 8(a), in any such proceeding.

 

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(b)                                  Each Underwriter severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the EQT Parties, each of the directors and officers of the General Partner who sign the Registration Statement, and each person who controls the EQT Parties within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the EQT Parties to each Underwriter, but only with reference to written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have.  The EQT Parties acknowledge that the statements set forth (i) in the last paragraph of the cover page regarding delivery of the Units and, under the heading “Underwriting,” (ii) the list of Underwriters and their respective participation in the sale of the Units, (iii) the sentences related to concessions and reallowances and (iv) the paragraph related to stabilization and syndicate covering transactions in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus constitute the only information furnished in writing by or on behalf of the several Underwriters for inclusion in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

(c)                                   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8 , notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under subsection (a)  or (b)  above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in subsection (a)  or (b)  above.  The indemnifying party shall be entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party’s choice at the indemnifying party’s expense to represent the indemnified party in any action for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below); provided , however , that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party.  Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel (but in no event shall the indemnifying party bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of more than one such separate counsel) if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying

 

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party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party.  An indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.  If the indemnifying party is obligated pursuant to this Section 8(c)  to bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of one separate counsel for all of the indemnified parties, such indemnified parties shall not, without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution is sought hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement 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.

 

(d)                                  In the event that the indemnity provided in subsection (a) , (b)  or (c)  of this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, the EQT Parties and the Underwriters severally agree to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending the same) (collectively “ Losses ”) to which the EQT Parties and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the EQT Parties on the one hand and by the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Units; provided , however , that in no case shall any Underwriter (except as may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of the Units) be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting discount or commission applicable to the Units purchased by such Underwriter hereunder. If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the EQT Parties and the Underwriters severally shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the EQT Parties on the one hand and of the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  Benefits received by the EQT Parties shall be deemed to be equal to the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses and applicable structuring and advisory fees) received by the Partnership, and benefits received by the Underwriters shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting

 

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discounts and commissions, in each case as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus. Relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information provided by the EQT Parties on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission.  The EQT Parties and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d) , no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 8(d) , each person who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who controls the Partnership within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the Partnership who shall have signed the Registration Statement and each director of the Partnership shall have the same rights to contribution as the EQT Parties, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this subsection (d) .

 

9.         Default by an Underwriter.   If any one or more Underwriters shall fail to purchase and pay for any of the Units agreed to be purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to purchase shall constitute a default in the performance of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in the respective proportions which the amount of Units set forth opposite their names in Schedule I hereto bears to the aggregate amount of Units set forth opposite the names of all the remaining Underwriters) the Units which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided , however , that in the event that the aggregate amount of Units that the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Units set forth in Schedule I hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, of the Units, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Units, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Partnership Entities.  In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 9 , the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding five Business Days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the Partnership and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

 

10.                          Termination.   This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice given to the Partnership prior to delivery of and payment for the Units, if at any time prior to such time (i) trading in the Partnership’s Common Units shall have been suspended by the Commission or NYSE or trading in securities generally on the NASDAQ Stock Market or the NYSE shall have been suspended

 

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or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such Exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared either by federal or New York State authorities, (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Units as contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto) or (iv) there has occurred any material adverse effect in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, 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, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the completion of the offering or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Units.

 

11.                          Representations and Indemnities to Survive.   The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the EQT Parties or any of their officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the EQT Parties or any of the officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents or controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Units.  The provisions of Section 7 and Section 8 hereof shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

 

12.                          Notices.   All communications hereunder will be in writing and effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed, delivered or telefaxed to the Citigroup Global Markets Inc. General Counsel (fax no.: (212) 816-7912) and confirmed to the General Counsel, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10013, Attention: General Counsel; Barclays Capital Inc., 745 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019; Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, 9 West 57th Street, New York, New York 10019; Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y.  10010-3629, Attention:  LCD-IBD; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk (fax no.: (212) 622-8358); and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 301 S. College Street, Charlotte, NC 28288, Attention: Transaction Management (fax no:  (704) 383-9165); or, if sent to the EQT Parties, will be mailed, delivered to EQT Midstream Services, LLC, 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, Attention: General Counsel (fax no.: (412) 553-5970).

 

13.                          Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

14.                          No Fiduciary Duty . Each of the EQT Parties hereby acknowledge that (a) the purchase and sale of the Units pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the EQT Parties, on the one hand, and the Underwriters and

 

37



 

any affiliate through which it may be acting, on the other, (b) the Underwriters are acting as principal and not as an agent or fiduciary of the EQT Parties and (c) the engagement of the Underwriters in connection with the offering and the process leading up to the offering is as independent contractors and not in any other capacity. Furthermore, each of the EQT Parties agree that it is solely responsible for making its own judgments in connection with the offering (irrespective of whether any of the Underwriters has advised or is currently advising the EQT Parties on related or other matters).  Each of the EQT Parties agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owe an agency, fiduciary or similar duty to any of the EQT Parties in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

 

15.                          Integration . This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the EQT Parties and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

16.                          Applicable Law.   This Agreement, and any claim, controversy or dispute relating to or arising under this Agreement, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed within the State of New York.

 

17.                          Waiver of Jury Trial . Each of the EQT Parties hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

18.                          Counterparts . This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

19.                          Headings. The section headings used herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

20.                          Definitions. The terms that follow, when used in this Agreement, shall have the meanings indicated.

 

Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.

 

Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Disclosure Package ” shall mean (i) the Preliminary Prospectus dated June 18, 2012, (ii) the price to public, the number of Firm Units and the number of Option Units to be included on the cover page of the Prospectus, (iii) the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any,

 

38



 

identified in Schedule II hereto and (iv) any other Free Writing Prospectus that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Disclosure Package.

 

Effective Date ” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement became or becomes effective.

 

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Execution Time ” shall mean the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

 

Free Writing Prospectus ” shall mean a free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 405.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” shall mean an issuer free writing prospectus, as defined in Rule 433.

 

Preliminary Prospectus ” shall mean any preliminary prospectus referred to in Section 1(a) above and any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the Effective Date that omits Rule 430A Information.

 

Prospectus ” shall mean the prospectus relating to the Units that is first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) after the Execution Time.

 

Registration Statement ” shall mean the registration statement referred to in Section 1(a)  above, including exhibits and financial statements and any prospectus supplement relating to the Units that is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) and deemed part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430A, as amended at the Execution Time and, in the event any post-effective amendment thereto or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective prior to the Closing Date, shall also mean such registration statement as so amended or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, as the case may be.

 

Rule 158 ”, “ Rule 163 ”, “ Rule 164 ”, “ Rule 172 ”, “ Rule 405 ”, “ Rule 415 ”, “ Rule 424 ”, “ Rule 430A ” and “ Rule 433 ” refer to such rules under the Act.

 

Rule 430A Information ” shall mean information with respect to the Units and the offering thereof permitted to be omitted from the Registration Statement when it becomes effective pursuant to Rule 430A.

 

Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ” shall mean a registration statement and any amendments thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) relating to the offering covered by the registration statement referred to in Section 1(a) hereof.

 

Testing-the-Waters Communication ” shall mean any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Act.

 

39



 

Written Testing-the-Waters Communications ” shall mean any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405.

 

40



 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement among the EQT Parties and the several Underwriters.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

EQT Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Porges

 

Name: David L. Porges 

 

Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT Midstream Services, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

Equitrans Investments, LLC

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Partners, LP,

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]

 



 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Amit Jhunjhunwala

 

By:

/s/ Victoria Hale

Name: Amit Jhunjhunwala 

 

Name: Victoria Hale 

Title: Director 

 

Title: Vice President 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For themselves and the other several Underwriters named in Schedule I to the foregoing Agreement.

 

 

[ Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement ]

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriters

 

Number of Firm Units
to be Purchased

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

2,062,500

 

Barclays Capital Inc.

 

2,062,500

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

 

1,625,000

 

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

 

1,625,000

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

1,625,000

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

1,625,000

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

 

625,000

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

625,000

 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

 

625,000

 

Total

 

12,500,000

 

 

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SCHEDULE II

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses included in the Disclosure Package:

 

None.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus not included in the Disclosure Package:  Electronic roadshow as made available on http://www.netroadshow.com.

 

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SCHEDULE III

 

Parties to Lock-Up Agreements

 

David L. Porges

Philip P. Conti

Randall L. Crawford

Theresa Z. Bone

Lewis B. Gardner

Michael A. Bryson

Julian M. Bott

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER

 

June 26, 2012

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

As Representatives of the several Underwriters,
c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”), among EQT Corporation, EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the “ Partnership ”), EQT Midstream Services, LLC and Equitrans Investments, LLC and you as Representatives (the “ Representatives ”) of a group of Underwriters named therein, relating to an underwritten public offering of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“ Common Units ”).

 

In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or would reasonably be likely to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the undersigned or any affiliate of the undersigned or any person in privity with the undersigned or any affiliate of the undersigned), directly or indirectly, including the filing (or participation in the filing) of a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any Common Units of the Partnership or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for such Common Units, or publicly announce an intention to effect any such transaction, for a period of 180 days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Lock-up Period ”) other than Common Units disposed of as bona fide gifts approved by each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. (provided that in the case of any such transfer pursuant to a bona fide gift, the transferee or donee shall execute and deliver a lock-up letter agreement substantially in the form of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement).

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, if (i) during the last 17 days of the Lock-up Period, the Partnership issues an earnings release or announces material news or a material event relating to the Partnership occurs; or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, the Partnership announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-up Period, then the restrictions imposed in the preceding paragraph shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or occurrence of the material event, unless each of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. waives, in writing, such extension.  The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the Partnership has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to provide written notice of any event that would result in an extension of the Lock-up Period and agrees that any such notice properly delivered will be deemed to have given to, and received by, the undersigned.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, to the extent that (i) at any time subsequent to the execution of this Lock-up Letter Agreement the undersigned is not required to make any filings under Section 16 or Sections 13(d) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to any shares of Common Units, and (ii) the undersigned has entered into or will enter into an agreement similar to this Lock-up Letter Agreement (a) in connection with a bona fide issuer directed unit program relating to the underwritten public offering of Common Units (a “ DUP Program ”) with respect to any Common Units to be purchased in such DUP Program (the “ DUP Units ”) and (b) with any member of the underwriting syndicate or any affiliate of such member who is acting as administrator of such DUP Program, the terms of such other similar lock-up agreement and not of this Lock-up Letter Agreement shall govern the undersigned’s rights with respect to such DUP Units.

 

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Partnership and its transfer agent are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement.

 

If for any reason the Underwriting Agreement shall be terminated prior to the Closing Date (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement), the agreement set forth above shall likewise be terminated.

 

 

Yours very truly,

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF OPINION OF BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.

 

1.             Formation and Qualification .  Each of the EQT Entities (other than EQT and Equitrans) (the “ Delaware EQT Entities ”) 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, with all requisite power and authority necessary to enter into and perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, to own or lease and to operate its properties currently owned or leased and conduct its business as currently conducted or as to be conducted on the Closing Date and each settlement date, in each case in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  Each of the Delaware EQT Entities is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing as a foreign limited partnership or foreign limited liability company in each jurisdiction set forth opposite its name on Annex A hereto.

 

2.             Power and Authority to Act as General Partner of the Partnership .  The General Partner has all requisite power and authority to act as general partner of the Partnership in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

3.             Ownership of the General Partner .  EQT Investments owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the General Partner; all of such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the GP LLC Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required by the GP LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and EQT Investments owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in the GP LLC Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming EQT Investments as debtor is on file as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the EQT Credit Agreement.

 

4.             Valid Issuance of Membership Interests of EQT Investments.  All of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EQT Investments have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Organizational Documents of EQT Investments, and are fully paid (to the extent required by such Organizational Documents) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act).

 

5.             Ownership of the General Partner Interest in the Partnership .  The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership with a 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership and, after giving effect to the Transactions, such interest will be represented by 707,744 General Partner Units; such General Partner Units will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner will own such

 

B-1



 

General Partner Units free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (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 as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act or the New Credit Agreement.

 

6.             Ownership of Sponsor Units and Incentive Distribution Rights .  After giving effect to the Transactions, EQT Midstream Investments will own the Sponsor Units and the General Partner will own 100% of the Incentive Distribution Rights; all of such Sponsor Units and Incentive Distribution Rights 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 nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and EQT Midstream Investments will own the Sponsor Units and the General Partner will own the Incentive Distribution Rights, in each case free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming EQT Midstream Investments or the General Partner as debtor, as applicable, is on file as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act or the EQT Credit Agreement.

 

7.             Ownership of the Operating Company.  The Partnership owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Operating Company; such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Operating Company LLC Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Operating Company LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Partnership owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in the Operating Company LLC Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (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 as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the New Credit Agreement.

 

8.             Ownership of Equitrans Services.  The Operating Company owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Equitrans Services; such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with Equitrans Services’ limited liability company agreement (the “Equitrans Services LLC Agreement”) and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Equitrans Services LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Operating Company owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in the Equitrans Services LLC Agreement or

 

B-2



 

as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Operating Company as debtor is on file as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation, other than those created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act or the New Credit Agreement.

 

9.                                       Valid Issuance of the Units .  The Units to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Partnership have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued and fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).

 

10.                                Capitalization .  After giving effect to the Transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, the issued and outstanding limited partner interests of the Partnership will consist of 17,339,718 Common Units, 17,339,718 Subordinated Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, which will be the only limited partner interests of the Partnership issued and outstanding.

 

11.                                No Preemptive Rights, Registration Rights or Options .  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no (i) preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any equity securities of the Partnership Entities; or (ii) outstanding options or warrants to purchase any securities of the Partnership, in each case pursuant to or under the Organizational Documents of the Partnership Entities or any other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (excluding the agreements listed on Annex B hereto). To the knowledge of such counsel, neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Units as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any Common Units or other securities of the Partnership, except such rights as have been waived or satisfied.

 

12.                                Authority and Authorization .  Each of the Delaware EQT Entities has all requisite limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver each of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements to which such Delaware EQT Entity is a party, as applicable, and to perform its respective obligations thereunder.  The Partnership has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to issue, sell and deliver (i) the Units, in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and (ii) the Sponsor Units and Incentive Distribution Rights and any Common Units issued to EQT Midstream Investments as a part of the Deferred Issuance and Distribution, in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Partnership Agreement and the Contribution Agreement.  All limited partnership and limited liability company action, as the case may be, required to be taken by the Delaware EQT Entities or any of their members or partners for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Units, the Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, the execution and delivery by the Delaware EQT Entities of the

 

B-3



 

Transaction Documents to which they are a party and the consummation of the transactions (including the Transactions) contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the Transaction Documents has been validly taken.

 

13.                                Authorization of the Underwriting Agreement .  The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Partnership, the General Partner and the Operating Company.

 

14.                                Enforceability of the Operative Agreements .  The Operative Agreements have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Delaware EQT Entities that are parties thereto, and the Partnership Agreement, the GP LLC Agreement, the Operating Company LLC Agreement, the Equitrans Services LLC Agreement and the New Credit Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, are valid and legally binding agreements of the EQT Entities that are parties thereto, enforceable against such EQT Entities that are parties thereto in accordance with their terms; provided that, with respect to each such agreement, the enforceability thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, 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 (ii) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

15.                                Non-contravention .  None of (A) the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units, (B) the execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements by the EQT Entities that are parties thereto, (C) the consummation of the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents by the EQT Entities or (D) the application of the proceeds as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of the Organizational Documents of any of the Delaware EQT Entities, (ii)  constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under, or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of any of the EQT Entities (other than Liens created pursuant to the New Credit Agreement) under, any agreement or other instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (other than the agreements listed on Annex B hereto) or the EQT Credit Agreement, or (iii) violates or will violate the Delaware LP Act, the Delaware LLC Act, the DGCL or federal law, which conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults or Liens, in the case of clauses (ii) or (iii), would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents; provided, however, that such counsel need express no opinion in this paragraph 15 with respect to federal or state securities laws and other anti-fraud laws.

 

16.                                No Consents .  No permit, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing or qualification (“ consent ”) of or with any Delaware or federal court, governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the EQT Entities or their properties or assets, is required in connection with (i) the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units, (ii) the

 

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execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements by the EQT Entities party thereto, (iii) the consummation of the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the Operative Agreements by the EQT Entities party thereto or (iv) the application of the proceeds as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, other than (a) registration of the Units under the Act or the Exchange Act (as to which such counsel need not express an opinion), (b) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Units are being offered by the Underwriters (as to which such counsel need not express an opinion), (c) under the by-laws and rules and regulations of FINRA (as to which such counsel need not express an opinion), (d) consents that have been obtained, and (e) where the failure to obtain such consent would neither reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect nor materially impair the ability of the EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

17.                                Effectiveness of Registration Statement .  The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the Act; any required filing of the Prospectus, and any supplements thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b); to the knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any notice objecting to its use has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or threatened by the Commission.

 

18.                                Description of Common Units .  The descriptions of the Common Units included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions “Prospectus Summary—The Offering,” “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions—General,” “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions,” “Description of the Common Units,” and “The Partnership Agreement” constitute accurate summaries of the terms of the Common Units in all material respects.

 

19.                                Descriptions and Summaries .  The statements included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the captions “Our Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions,” “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” “Conflicts of Interest and Duties,” “The Partnership Agreement,” and “Investment in EQT Midstream Partners, LP by Employee Benefit Plans” insofar as they purport to constitute summaries of the provisions of federal statutes, rules or regulations or the Delaware LP Act, the Delaware LLC Act or the DGCL, any contracts and other documents, constitute accurate summaries of the provisions of such statutes, rules and regulations, and contracts and other documents in all material respects.

 

20.                                Tax Opinion.   The opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. that is filed as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement is confirmed and the Underwriters may rely upon such opinion as if it were addressed to them.

 

21.                                Investment Company Act.  None of the Partnership Entities is now, or immediately following the sale of the Units to be sold by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and application of the net proceeds from such sale as described in the

 

B-5



 

Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” will be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) rely in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers and employees of the EQT Entities and upon information obtained from public officials, (ii) assume that all documents submitted to such counsel as originals are authentic, that all copies submitted to such counsel conform to the originals thereof, and that the signatures on all documents examined by such counsel are genuine, (iii) state that its opinion is limited to matters governed by federal law and the Delaware LP Act, Delaware LLC Act and the DGCL and the contract law of the State of New York, (iv) with respect to the opinions expressed as to the good standing or due qualification or registration as a foreign limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, of the Delaware EQT Entities, state that such opinions are based upon certificates of good standing provided by the Secretary of State of the state of formation and certificates of foreign qualification or registration provided by the Secretary of State of the states listed on an annex to be attached to such counsel’s opinion (each of which shall be dated as of a date not more than fourteen days prior to the Closing Date and shall be provided to counsel to the Underwriters), (v) state that they express no opinion with respect to (A) any permits to own or operate any real or personal property or (B) state or local taxes or tax statutes to which any of the limited partners of the Partnership or any of the EQT Entities may be subject; and (vi) with respect to the opinions expressed in paragraphs 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 relating to the existence of any Lien for which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file, rely solely upon such counsel’s review of reports, dated as of recent dates, prepared by CT Corporation, purporting to describe all financing statements on file as of the dates thereof in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, naming such applicable Delaware EQT Entity as debtor.

 

In addition, such counsel shall make statements to the following effect:

 

We have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the EQT Entities, with representatives of the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm, and with your representatives and your counsel, at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed.  The purpose of our professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters set forth in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and we have not undertaken to verify independently any of the factual matters in such documents.  Moreover, many of the determinations required to be made in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus involve matters of a non-legal nature.  Accordingly, we are not passing upon, and do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained or included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (except to the extent stated in paragraphs 18 and 19 above).  Subject to the foregoing and on the basis of the information we gained in the course of performing the services referred to above, we advise you that:

 

(a)                                  the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, and the Prospectus, as of its date and the Closing Date, appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all

 

B-6



 

material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and

 

(b)                                  nothing came to our attention that caused us to believe that:

 

(A)                                the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, 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,

 

(B)                              the Disclosure Package, as of the Execution Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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, or

 

(C)                              the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the Closing Date included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits 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;

 

it being understood that in each case we have not been asked to, and do not express any belief with respect to (i) the financial statements and schedules or other financial, accounting or reserve information contained or included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom or (ii) representations and warranties and other statements of fact contained in the exhibits to the Registration Statement or to documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

B-7



 

ANNEX A

 

Name

 

Foreign Jurisdiction

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

 

EQT Midstream Services, LLC

 

 

Equitrans Investments, LLC

 

 

Equitrans Services, LLC

 

 

EQT Gathering, LLC

 

 

EQT Investments Holdings LLC

 

 

ET Blue Grass, LLC

 

 

Sunrise Pipeline L.L.C.

 

 

 

Annex A to Exhibit B

 



 

ANNEX B

 

1.                                       Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and EQT Energy LLC, dated September 21, 2010.

 

2.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 23, 2011 (EQTR 11628-588).

 

3.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated April 1, 2011 (EQTR 11695-586).

 

4.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2011 (EQTR 11667-591).

 

5.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2011 (EQTR 11670-593).

 

6.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 23, 2011 (EQTR 11630-585).

 

7.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2011 (EQTR 11672-590).

 

8.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to No-Notice Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule NOFT between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 29, 2011 (EQTR 11661-583).

 

9.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to No-Notice Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule NOFT between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 29, 2011 (EQTR 11662-584).

 

10.                                 EQT Guaranty dated April 25, 2012, executed by EQT Corporation in favor of Equitrans, L.P.

 

11.                                 Sublease Agreement between Equitrans, L.P. and EQT Production Company, effective March 1, 2011.

 

12.                                 Amendment of Sublease Agreement between Equitrans, L.P. and EQT Production Company, dated April 5, 2012

 

13.                                 Sunrise Facilities Lease Agreement by and between Equitrans, L.P. and Sunrise Pipeline, L.L.C.

 

Annex B to Exhibit B

 



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF OPINION OF BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC

 

1.                                       Formation and Qualification .  Each of EQT and Equitrans (the “ Pennsylvania EQT Entities ”) is validly existing as a corporation or limited partnership, as applicable, and is in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with all requisite power and authority necessary to enter into and perform its obligations under each Transaction Document to which it is a party, to own or lease and to operate its properties currently owned or leased and conduct its business as currently conducted or as to be conducted on the Closing Date and each settlement date, in each case in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  Equitrans is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing as a foreign limited partnership in each jurisdiction set forth opposite its name on Annex A hereto.

 

2.                                       Power and Authority to Act as General Partner of Equitrans.  After giving effect to the Transactions, Equitrans Services will have all requisite power and authority to act as general partner of Equitrans in all material respects as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

3.                                       Ownership of EQT Investments .  EQT owns all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of EQT Investments free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in Organizational Documents of EQT Investments or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania naming EQT as debtor is on file as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation other than those created by or arising under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law or the EQT Credit Agreement.

 

4.                                       Ownership of Equitrans.  After giving effect to the Transactions, the Operating Company and Equitrans Services will own the 97.25% limited partner interest and the 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans, respectively; the partnership interests will have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with Equitrans’ Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement dated [ · ] (the “ Equitrans LP Agreement ”), and the limited partner interests will be fully paid (to the extent required by the Equitrans LP Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections [ · ] of the Pennsylvania Limited Partnership Act); and the Operating Company and Equitrans Services will own such partnership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for restrictions on transferability contained in the Equitrans LP Agreement or as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) (i) in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Operating Company or Equitrans Services as debtor is on file as of a recent date in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or (ii) otherwise known to such counsel, without independent investigation other than those created by or arising under the Pennsylvania Limited Partnership Act or the New Credit Agreement.

 

C-1



 

5.                                       Authority and Authorization .  EQT has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver the Underwriting Agreement and perform its obligations thereunder.  All corporate and limited partnership action, as the case may be, required to be taken by EQT and Equitrans or any of their stockholders or partners for the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which they are a party and the consummation of the transactions (including the Transactions) contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the Transaction Documents has been validly taken.

 

6.                                       Authorization of the Underwriting Agreement .  The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by EQT.

 

7.                                       Enforceability of the Operative Agreements .  The Operative Agreements have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Pennsylvania EQT Entities that are party thereto, and the Equitrans LP Agreement, the Contribution Documents, the Sunrise Lease, the Omnibus Agreement and the Services Agreement, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto, are valid and legally binding agreements of the Pennsylvania EQT Entities that are parties thereto, enforceable against such Pennsylvania EQT Entities that are parties thereto in accordance with their terms; provided that, with respect to each such agreement, the enforceability thereof may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, 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 (ii) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

8.                                       Sufficiency of Contribution Documents. Each Contribution Document is in a form legally sufficient to transfer or convey to the Partnership Entities thereunder all of the right, title and interest of the transferor stated therein and to the ownership interests, assets and rights purported to be transferred thereby, as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, subject to the conditions, reservations, encumbrances and limitations described in the Contribution Documents.

 

9.                                       Non-contravention .  None of (A) the execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements by the Pennsylvania EQT Entities that are parties thereto, (B) the consummation of the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents or (C) the application of the proceeds as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) constitutes or will constitute a violation of the Organizational Documents of EQT or Equitrans, (ii)  constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under, or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of any of EQT or Equitrans under, any agreement or other instrument included on Annex B attached hereto, which conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults or Liens, in the case of clause (ii) would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Pennsylvania EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

C-2



 

10.                                No Consents .  No permit, consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing or qualification (“ consent ”) of or with any Pennsylvania court, governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Pennsylvania EQT Entities or their properties or assets is required in connection with (A) the execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements by the Pennsylvania EQT Entities party thereto, (B) the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents by the Pennsylvania EQT Entities party thereto, other than (i) consents that have been obtained, (ii) any necessary qualification under the securities or blue sky laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Units are being offered by the Underwriters (as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) and (iii) where the failure to obtain such consent would neither reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect nor materially impair the ability of the Pennsylvania EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) rely in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers and employees of the EQT Entities and upon information obtained from public officials, (ii) assume that all documents submitted to such counsel as originals are authentic, that all copies submitted to such counsel conform to the originals thereof, and that the signatures on all documents examined by such counsel are genuine, (iii) state that its opinion is limited to matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, (iv) with respect to the opinions expressed as to the good standing or due qualification or registration as a foreign limited partnership of the Pennsylvania EQT Entities, state that such opinions are based upon certificates of good standing provided by the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and certificates of foreign qualification or registration provided by the Secretary of State of the states listed on an annex to be attached to such counsel’s opinion (each of which shall be dated as of a date not more than fourteen days prior to the Closing Date and shall be provided to counsel to the Underwriters), (v) state that they express no opinion with respect to (A) any permits to own or operate any real or personal property or (B) state or local taxes or tax statutes to which any of the limited partners of the Partnership or any of the EQT Entities may be subject; and (vi) with respect to the opinions expressed in paragraphs 3 and 4 relating to the existence of any Lien for which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file, rely solely upon such counsel’s review of reports, dated as of recent dates, prepared by CT Corporation, purporting to describe all financing statements on file as of the dates thereof in the office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the State of Delaware, as applicable, naming such applicable Pennsylvania EQT Entity as debtor.

 

C-3



 

ANNEX A

 

Name

 

Foreign Jurisdiction

Equitrans, LP

 

 

 

Annex A to Exhibit C

 



 

ANNEX B

 

(1)                                  Indenture dated as of April 1, 1983 between the Company and Pittsburgh National Bank.

 

(2)                                  Instrument dated as of [December 31, 1998] appointing Bankers Trust Company as successor trustee to Pittsburgh National Bank.

 

(3)                                  Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 15, 1991 with Bankers Trust Company eliminating limitations on liens and additional funded debt.

 

(4)                                  Resolution adopted August 19, 1991 by the Ad Hoc Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company Addenda Nos. 1 through 27, establishing the terms and provisions of the Series A Medium-Term Notes.

 

(5)                                  Resolutions adopted July 6, 1992 and February 19, 1993 by the Ad Hoc Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and Addenda Nos. 1 through 8, establishing the terms and provisions of the Series B Medium-Term Notes.

 

(6)                                  Resolution adopted July 14, 1994 by the Ad Hoc Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company and Addenda Nos. 1 and 2, establishing the terms and provisions of the Series C Medium-Term Notes.

 

(7)                                  Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2008 between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas pursuant to which EQT Corporation assumed the obligations of Equitable Resources, Inc. under the related Indenture.

 

(8)                                  Indenture with The Bank of New York, as successor to Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of July 1, 1996.

 

(9)                                  Resolution adopted January 18 and July 18, 1996 by the Board of Directors of the Company and Resolutions adopted July 18, 1996 by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, establishing the terms and provisions of the 7.75% Debentures issued July 29, 1996.

 

(10)                           Officer’s Declaration dated as of February 20, 2003 establishing the terms of the issuance and sale of the Notes of the Company in an aggregate amount of up to $200,000,000.

 

(11)                           Officer’s Declaration dated as of November 7, 2002 establishing the terms of the issuance and sale of the Notes of the Company in an aggregate amount of up to $200,000,000.

 

(12)                           Officer’s Declaration dated as of September 27, 2005 establishing the terms of the issuance and sale of the Notes of the Company in an aggregate amount of $150,000,000.

 

(13)                           Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2008 between the Company and The Bank of New York pursuant to which EQT Corporation assumed the obligations of Equitable Resources, Inc. under the related Indenture.

 

(14)                           Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008 between the Company and The Bank of New York.

 

Annex B to Exhibit C

 



 

(15)                           First Supplemental Indenture (including the form of senior note) dated as of March 18, 2008 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the 6.5% Senior Notes due 2018 were issued.

 

(16)                           Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2008 between the Company and The Bank of New York pursuant to which EQT Corporation assumed the obligations of Equitable Resources, Inc. under the related Indenture.

 

(17)                           Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 15, 2009 between the Company and The Bank of New York pursuant to which the 8.125% Senior Notes due 2019 were issued.

 

(18)                           Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 7, 2011, between EQT Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, pursuant to which the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2021 were issued.

 



 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF OPINION OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

 

1.                                  Legal Proceedings .  To the knowledge of such counsel, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which any of the EQT Entities is a party or to which any of their respective properties is subject that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus but are not so described as required by the Act.

 

2.                                       Exhibits.   To the knowledge of such counsel, there are no agreements, contracts, indentures, leases or other instruments to which any of the EQT Entities is a party that are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described or filed as required by the Act.

 

3.                                       No Conflicts.  None of (A) the offering, issuance or sale by the Partnership of the Units, (B) the execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement and the Operative Agreements by the EQT Entities that are parties thereto, (C) the consummation of the Transactions and any other transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents by the EQT Entities or (D) the application of the proceeds as described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i)  constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default) under, or will result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the EQT Entities (other than Liens created pursuant to the New Credit Agreement) under, any agreement or other instrument listed on Annex A hereto or (ii) violates or will violate any order, judgment, decree or injunction known to such counsel to which any of the EQT Entities is a party or any of their property or assets is subject, which conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults, in the case of clauses (i) or (ii), would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the EQT Entities to consummate the Transactions or any other transactions provided for in the Underwriting Agreement or the Transaction Documents.

 

4.                                       No Preemptive Rights, Registration Rights or Options.  Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no (i) preemptive rights or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any equity securities of the Partnership Entities or (ii) outstanding options or warrants to purchase any securities of the Partnership, pursuant to any agreement or instrument known to such counsel to which any such Partnership Entity is a party or by which any such Partnership Entity may be bound, excluding the Organizational Documents of such entity and any agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (other than those listed on Annex A hereto) as to which such counsel need not opine.

 

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) rely in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers and employees of the EQT Entities and upon information obtained from public officials, (ii) assume that all documents submitted to such counsel as originals are

 

D-1



 

authentic, that all copies submitted to such counsel conform to the originals thereof, and that the signatures on all documents examined by such counsel are genuine and (iii) state that its opinion is limited to matters governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

In addition, such counsel shall make statements to the following effect:

 

I have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and I or my representatives have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the EQT Entities, with representatives of the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm, and with your representatives and your counsel, at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed.  I have not undertaken to verify independently any of the factual matters in such documents.  Moreover, many of the determinations required to be made in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus involve matters of a non-legal nature.  Accordingly, I am not passing upon, and do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained or included in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  Subject to the foregoing and on the basis of the information I gained in the course of performing the services referred to above, I advise you that nothing came to my attention that caused me to believe that:

 

(A)                                the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Date, 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,

 

(B)                                the Disclosure Package, as of the Execution Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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, or

 

(C)                                the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the Closing Date included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits 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;

 

it being understood that in each case I have not been asked to, and do not express any belief with respect to (i) the financial statements and schedules or other financial, accounting or reserve information contained or included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom or (ii) representations and warranties and other statements of fact contained in the exhibits to the Registration Statement or to documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

D-2



 

ANNEX A

 

1.                                       Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and EQT Energy LLC, dated September 21, 2010.

 

2.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 23, 2011 (EQTR 11628-588).

 

3.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated April 1, 2011 (EQTR 11695-586).

 

4.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2011 (EQTR 11667-591).

 

5.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2011 (EQTR 11670-593).

 

6.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 23, 2011 (EQTR 11630-585).

 

7.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule FTS between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 30, 2011 (EQTR 11672-590).

 

8.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to No-Notice Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule NOFT between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 29, 2011 (EQTR 11661-583).

 

9.                                        Transportation Service Agreement Applicable to No-Notice Firm Transportation Service Under Rate Schedule NOFT between Equitrans, L.P. and Equitable Gas Company, LLC, dated March 29, 2011 (EQTR 11662-584).

 

10.                                EQT Guaranty dated April 25, 2012, executed by EQT Corporation in favor of Equitrans, L.P.

 

11.                                Sublease Agreement between Equitrans, L.P. and EQT Production Company, effective March 1, 2011.

 

12.                                Amendment of Sublease Agreement between Equitrans, L.P. and EQT Production Company, dated April 5, 2012.

 

13.                                Sunrise Facilities Lease Agreement by and between Equitrans, L.P. and Sunrise Pipeline, L.L.C.

 

Annex A to Exhibit E


Exhibit 3.2

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

OF

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

A Delaware Limited Partnership

 

 

Dated as of

 

July 2, 2012

 

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

Section 1.2

Construction

25

 

 

 

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

25

 

 

 

Section 2.1

Formation

25

Section 2.2

Name

26

Section 2.3

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

26

Section 2.4

Purpose and Business

26

Section 2.5

Powers

27

Section 2.6

Term

27

Section 2.7

Title to Partnership Assets

27

 

 

 

ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

27

 

 

 

Section 3.1

Limitation of Liability

27

Section 3.2

Management of Business

27

Section 3.3

Rights of Limited Partners

28

 

 

 

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

29

 

 

 

Section 4.1

Certificates

29

Section 4.2

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates

29

Section 4.3

Record Holders

30

Section 4.4

Transfer Generally

31

Section 4.5

Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests

31

Section 4.6

Transfer of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest

32

Section 4.7

Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights

33

Section 4.8

Restrictions on Transfers

33

Section 4.9

Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders

35

Section 4.10

Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE V CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

37

 

 

 

Section 5.1

Organizational Contributions

37

Section 5.2

Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates

37

Section 5.3

Contributions by Limited Partners

38

Section 5.4

Interest and Withdrawal

38

Section 5.5

Capital Accounts

39

Section 5.6

Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests

42

Section 5.7

Conversion of Subordinated Units

43

Section 5.8

Limited Preemptive Right

43

 

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Section 5.9

Splits and Combinations

43

Section 5.10

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests

44

Section 5.11

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

44

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

46

 

 

 

Section 6.1

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes

46

Section 6.2

Allocations for Tax Purposes

56

Section 6.3

Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders

57

Section 6.4

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

58

Section 6.5

Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus

60

Section 6.6

Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

60

Section 6.7

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units

60

Section 6.8

Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights

61

Section 6.9

Entity-Level Taxation

61

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

62

 

 

 

Section 7.1

Management

62

Section 7.2

Certificate of Limited Partnership

64

Section 7.3

Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group

65

Section 7.4

Reimbursement of the General Partner

65

Section 7.5

Outside Activities

66

Section 7.6

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

67

Section 7.7

Indemnification

68

Section 7.8

Liability of Indemnitees

70

Section 7.9

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

70

Section 7.10

Other Matters Concerning the General Partner

73

Section 7.11

Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests

73

Section 7.12

Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates

74

Section 7.13

Reliance by Third Parties

78

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

79

 

 

 

Section 8.1

Records and Accounting

79

Section 8.2

Fiscal Year

79

Section 8.3

Reports

79

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX TAX MATTERS

80

 

 

 

Section 9.1

Tax Returns and Information

80

Section 9.2

Tax Elections

80

Section 9.3

Tax Controversies

80

Section 9.4

Withholding

80

 

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ARTICLE X ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

81

 

 

 

Section 10.1

Admission of Limited Partners

81

Section 10.2

Admission of Successor General Partner

82

Section 10.3

Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership

82

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS

82

 

 

 

Section 11.1

Withdrawal of the General Partner

82

Section 11.2

Removal of the General Partner

84

Section 11.3

Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner

84

Section 11.4

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

86

Section 11.5

Withdrawal of Limited Partners

86

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

86

 

 

 

Section 12.1

Dissolution

86

Section 12.2

Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution

87

Section 12.3

Liquidator

87

Section 12.4

Liquidation

88

Section 12.5

Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership

89

Section 12.6

Return of Contributions

89

Section 12.7

Waiver of Partition

89

Section 12.8

Capital Account Restoration

89

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

89

 

 

 

Section 13.1

Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner

89

Section 13.2

Amendment Procedures

91

Section 13.3

Amendment Requirements

91

Section 13.4

Special Meetings

92

Section 13.5

Notice of a Meeting

92

Section 13.6

Record Date

92

Section 13.7

Postponement and Adjournment

93

Section 13.8

Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting

93

Section 13.9

Quorum and Voting

93

Section 13.10

Conduct of a Meeting

94

Section 13.11

Action Without a Meeting

94

Section 13.12

Right to Vote and Related Matters

95

Section 13.13

Voting of Incentive Distribution Rights

95

 

 

 

ARTICLE XIV MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION

96

 

 

 

Section 14.1

Authority

96

Section 14.2

Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion

96

Section 14.3

Approval by Limited Partners

98

Section 14.4

Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Conversion

99

Section 14.5

Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion

100

 

 

 

ARTICLE XV RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

101

 

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Section 15.1

Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests

101

 

 

 

ARTICLE XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS

102

 

 

 

Section 16.1

Addresses and Notices; Written Communications

102

Section 16.2

Further Action

103

Section 16.3

Binding Effect

103

Section 16.4

Integration

103

Section 16.5

Creditors

103

Section 16.6

Waiver

103

Section 16.7

Third-Party Beneficiaries

103

Section 16.8

Counterparts

103

Section 16.9

Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury

103

Section 16.10

Invalidity of Provisions

104

Section 16.11

Consent of Partners

105

Section 16.12

Facsimile and Email Signatures

105

 

iv



 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP dated as of July 2, 2012, is entered into by and between EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and EQT Midstream Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, 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, stock acquisition, merger 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, 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 of not less than twelve 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; and

 

(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

 

1



 

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 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 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 such period, (ii) the amount of any reimbursements by EQT Corp pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Omnibus Agreement and (iii) 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 such period, (ii) the amount of 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)(iii) above and (iii) 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

 

2



 

any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus.

 

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

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ” has the meaning given such term 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 or other consideration 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. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property.

 

Agreement ” means this First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream 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, member, 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 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:

 

3



 

(i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter; and

 

(ii) if the General Partner so determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of 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, for anticipated future debt service requirements of the Partnership Group and for refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing relating to FERC rate proceedings) subsequent to such Quarter;

 

(ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; or

 

(iii) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or 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 subclause (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 General Partner, its board of directors or board of managers, if the General Partner is a corporation or limited liability company, or the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the General Partner, if the General Partner is a limited partnership, as applicable.

 

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).

 

4



 

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 Pennsylvania 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.

 

Capital Contribution ” means (a) 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) or (b) current distributions that a Partner is entitled to receive but otherwise waives.

 

Capital Improvement ” means (a) the construction or development of new capital assets by a Group Member, (b) the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets by a Group Member or (c) a Capital Contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member has, or after such Capital Contribution will have, directly or indirectly, an equity interest, to fund such Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the construction or development of new, or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing, capital assets by such Person, in each case if and to the extent such construction, development, replacement, improvement or expansion 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 construction, development, replacement, improvement, expansion or Capital Contribution. For purposes of this definition, “long-term” generally refers to a period of not less than twelve months.

 

5



 

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 Sections 5.5(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

 

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

 

Certificate ” means a certificate in such form (including global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more classes of Partnership Interests. The initial form of certificate approved by the General Partner for Common Units is attached as Exhibit A to this Agreement.

 

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.

 

c laim ” (as used in Section 7.12(g)) has the meaning given such term in Section 7.12(g).

 

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

 

Closing Price ” for any day, means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the last closing bid and ask prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the average of the high bid and low ask prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and ask 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.

 

6



 

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

 

Combined Interest ” has the meaning given such term in Section 11.3(a).

 

Commences Commercial Service ” means the date upon which a Capital Improvement is first put into commercial service by a Group Member following completion of construction, replacement, improvement or expansion and testing, as applicable.

 

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Unit ” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not include a 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, as to any Quarter within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i).

 

Conflicts Committee ” means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed 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 (other than Group Members), (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the General Partner or its Affiliates or the Partnership Group other than (i) Common Units and (ii) awards that are granted to such director in his capacity as a director under any long-term incentive plan, equity compensation plan or similar plan implemented by the General Partner or the Partnership and (d) is determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be independent under the independence standards for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed or admitted to trading (or if no such National Securities Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange).

 

Construction Debt ” means debt incurred to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on other Construction Debt or (c) distributions (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on Construction Equity.

 

Construction Equity ” means equity issued to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on Construction Debt or (c) distributions (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on other Construction Equity.  Construction Equity does not include equity issued in the Initial Public Offering.

 

7



 

Construction Period ” means the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that the Group Member abandons or disposes of such Capital Improvement.

 

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 or other asset shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

 

Contribution Agreement ” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, among the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, Equitrans Services, LLC, Equitrans, EQT Midstream Investments, ETBG, EQT Investments Holdings, LLC and EQT Corp, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

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

 

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

 

Current Market Price ” as of any date of any class of Limited Partner Interests, means 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.

 

Deferred Issuance and Distribution ” means both (a) the issuance by the Partnership of a number of additional Common Units that is equal to the excess, if any, of (x) 1,875,000,  over (y) the aggregate number, if any, of Common Units actually purchased by and issued to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option on the Option Closing Date(s), and (b) distribution(s) of cash, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, in an amount equal to the total amount of cash contributed by the IPO Underwriters to the Partnership on or in connection with any Option Closing Date with respect to Common Units issued by the Partnership upon the applicable exercise of the Over-Allotment Option in accordance with Section 5.3(b), if any.

 

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.

 

8



 

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.

 

Derivative Partnership Interests ” means any options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative securities relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.

 

Disposed of Adjusted Property ” has the meaning given such term 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 ” means a certificate the General Partner may request a Limited Partner to execute as to such Limited Partner’s (or such Limited Partner’s beneficial owners’) federal income tax status or nationality, citizenship or other related status for the purpose of determining whether such Limited Partner is an Ineligible Holder.

 

Eligible Taxable Holder ” means (a) a Limited Partner subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership or (b) an entity not subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership, so long as all of the entity’s owners are subject to such taxation.

 

EQT Corp ” means EQT Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation.

 

EQT Midstream Investments ” means EQT Midstream Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Equitrans ” means Equitrans, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership.

 

Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.

 

ETBG ” means ET Blue Grass, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

 

Event of Withdrawal ” has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(a).

 

Excess Additional Book Basis ” has the meaning given such term in the definition of “Additional Book Basis Derivative Items.”

 

Excess Distribution ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).

 

Excess Distribution Unit ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A).

 

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

 

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Expansion Capital Expenditures ” means cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees paid during the Construction Period on Construction Debt.  Where cash 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.

 

FERC ” means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or any successor to the powers thereof.

 

Final Subordinated Units ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(d)(x)(A).

 

First Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(D).

 

First Target Distribution ” means $0.4025 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2012, it means the product of $0.4025 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.

 

Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis ” means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, a basis that includes (a) the weighted average number of Outstanding Units during such period plus (b) all Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests (i) 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, (ii) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price, if any, is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (iii) 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 (iv) 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 Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, such Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests shall be deemed to have been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the measurement period; provided, further, that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (x) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (y) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.

 

General Partner ” means EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general

 

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partner of the Partnership, in their capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context otherwise requires).

 

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

 

General Partner Unit ” means a fractional part of the General Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the General Partner Interest. A General Partner Unit is not a Unit.

 

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 two or more Persons that with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates have 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 a Group Member to fluctuations in interest rates, the price of hydrocarbons, basis differentials or currency exchange rates in their operations or financing activities and not for speculative purposes.

 

Holder ” means any of the following:

 

(a)           the General Partner who is the record holder of Registrable Securities;

 

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(b)           any Affiliate of the General Partner who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who are Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates);

 

(c)           any Person that has been the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities;

 

(d)           any Person that has been an Affiliate of the General Partner within the prior two years and who is the Record Holder of Registrable Securities (other than natural persons who were Affiliates of the General Partner by virtue of being officers, directors or employees of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates); and

 

(e)           a transferee and current Record Holder of Registrable Securities to whom the transferor of such Registrable Securities, who was a Holder at the time of such transfer, assigns its rights and obligations under this Agreement; provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and provides its name and address to the Partnership promptly upon such transfer.

 

IDR Reset Common Units ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(a).

 

IDR Reset Election ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(a).

 

Incentive Distribution Right ” means a Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights in this Agreement.

 

Incentive Distributions ” means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii) and Sections 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v).

 

Incremental Income Taxes ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.9.

 

Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.12(g).

 

Indemnitee ” means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of (i) any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or (ii) any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner as a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, 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, and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s status, service or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.

 

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Ineligible Holder ” means a Limited Partner who is not an Eligible Taxable Holder or whose nationality, citizenship or other related status the General Partner determines, upon receipt of an Eligibility Certificate or other requested information, has created or would create under any federal, state or local law or regulation to which a Group Member is subject, a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which a Group Member has an interest.

 

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

 

Initial Limited Partners ” means the Organizational Limited Partner, EQT Midstream Investments (with respect to the Common Units and Subordinated Units received by it pursuant to Section 5.2(a)), the General Partner (with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2) and the IPO Underwriters upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units as described in Section 5.3(a) in connection with the Initial Public Offering.

 

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

 

Initial Unit Price ” means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Common Units were first offered to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the IPO Prospectus 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 the Common Units sold to the IPO Underwriters in the Initial Public Offering) to anyone other than the Partnership Group; and (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.

 

Investment Capital Expenditures ” means capital expenditures that are neither Expansion Capital Expenditures nor Maintenance Capital Expenditures.

 

IPO Prospectus ” means the final prospectus relating to the Initial Public Offering dated June 26, 2012 and filed by the Partnership with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act on June 27, 2012.

 

IPO Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-179487) 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.

 

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

 

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

 

Limited Partner ” means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, 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.

 

Limited Partner Interest ” means an interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Subordinated Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Interests (other than a General Partner Interest) or a combination thereof (but excluding Derivative Partnership Interests), and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner pursuant to the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

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

 

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

 

Maintenance Capital Expenditure ” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the construction or development of new capital assets or the replacement, improvement or expansion of existing capital assets) by a Group Member made to maintain, over the long-term, the operating capacity or operating income of the Partnership Group.  For purposes of this definition, “long-term” generally refers to a period of not less than twelve months.

 

Merger Agreement ” has the meaning given such term in Section 14.1.

 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution ” means $0.3500 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2012, it means the product of $0.3500 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.

 

National Securities Exchange ” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section).

 

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Net Agreed Value ” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property or other consideration reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property or other consideration 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 Liabilities 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 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 by the Partnership (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 by the Partnership (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

 

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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(b); 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).

 

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 ” means a written request from a Holder pursuant to Section 7.12 which shall (i) specify the Registrable Securities intended to be registered, offered and sold by such Holder, (ii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities, and (iii) contain the undertaking of such Holder to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required or appropriate in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements and obligations in connection with the registration and disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 7.12.

 

Notice of Election to Purchase ” has the meaning given such term in Section 15.1(b).

 

Omnibus Agreement ” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, among EQT Corp, the General Partner and the Partnership, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Operating Company ” means Equitrans Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successors thereto.

 

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 taxes, compensation of employees and directors of the General Partner, reimbursement of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, debt service payments, Maintenance Capital Expenditures, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts, 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;

 

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

 

(c)           Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iii) distributions to Partners, (iv) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than repurchases of Partnership Interests by the Partnership to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans or reimbursement of expenses of the General Partner for purchases of Partnership Interests by the General Partner to satisfy obligations under employee benefit plans, or (v) any other expenditures or payments using the proceeds of the Initial Public Offering as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the IPO Registration Statement; and

 

(d)           (i) amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a Hedge Contract 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 scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract.

 

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

 

(a)           the sum of (i) $30 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 the termination of Hedge Contracts (provided that cash receipts from the termination of a Hedge Contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in Operating Surplus 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 during the Construction Period (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on Construction Equity, 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 (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures, (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred, or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional Working Capital Borrowings, 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

 

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purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero. Cash receipts from an Investment Capital Expenditure shall be treated as cash receipts only to the extent they are a return on principal, but return of principal shall not be treated as cash receipts.

 

Operation and Management Services Agreement ” means that certain Operation and Management Services Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, between EQT Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Equitrans as such agreement may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to, or the general counsel or other inside counsel of, the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner or to such other person selecting such counsel or obtaining such opinion.

 

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

 

Organizational Limited Partner ” means EQT Midstream Investments in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Outstanding ” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding in the Register as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall not be entitled to be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement, except that 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, upon 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 with the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the General Partner.

 

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Over-Allotment Option ” means the over-allotment option to purchase additional Common Units granted to the IPO 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 EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

Partnership Group ” means, collectively, the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

 

Partnership Interest ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership, which shall include any Limited Partner Interests and the General Partner Interest but shall exclude any Derivative Partnership Interests.

 

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).

 

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

 

Percentage Interest ” means as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner with respect to General Partner Units and as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, as the case may be, the product obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) below by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of General Partner Units held by the General Partner or the number of Units held by such Unitholder, as the case may be, by (B) the total number of Outstanding Units and 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, estate, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

 

Plan of Conversion ” has the meaning given such term in Section 14.1.

 

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Pro Rata ” means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned 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, (c) when used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder, and (d) when used with respect to Holders who have requested to include Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 7.12(a) or 7.12(b), apportioned among all such Holders in accordance with the relative number of Registrable Securities held by each such holder and included in the Notice relating to such request.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Record Date ” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to receive notice of, or entitled to exercise rights in respect of, any lawful action of Limited Partners (including voting) 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 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 and the Register as of the Partnership’s close 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 in the Register as of the Partnership’s close of business on a particular 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.

 

Register ” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.5(a) of this Agreement.

 

Registrable Security ” means any Partnership Interest other than the General Partner Interest and General Partner Units; provided any Registrable Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security (a) at the time a Registration Statement covering such Registrable Security is declared effective by the Commission or otherwise becomes effective under the Securities Act, and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such Registration

 

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Statement; (b) at the time such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor or similar rule or regulation under the Securities Act); (c) when such Registrable Security is held by a Group Member; and (d) at the time such Registrable Security has been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under Section 7.12 of this Agreement have not been assigned to the transferee of such securities.

 

Registration Statement ” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.12(a) of this Agreement.

 

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

 

Required Allocations ” means 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 ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(e).

 

Reset Notice ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.11(b).

 

Retained Converted Subordinated Unit ” has the meaning given such term in Section 5.5(c)(ii).

 

Second Liquidation Target Amount ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(E).

 

Second Target Distribution ” means $0.4375 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2012, it means the product of $0.4375 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6 and Section 6.9.

 

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

 

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to the procedures in Section 7.12 of this Agreement.

 

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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 (as holder of the General Partner Units), the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such 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 taxable 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 Limited Partner Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term “Subordinated Unit” does not include a Common Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.

 

Subordination Period ” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and expiring 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 Quarter ending June 30, 2015 in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, 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 all Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, 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 Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, 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 Quarter ending June 30, 2013 in respect of which (i) (A) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated

 

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Units, 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 the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, 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 the Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units, in each case that were Outstanding during such period on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, plus the corresponding Incentive Distributions and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.

 

(c)          the date on which the General Partner is removed in a manner described in Section 11.4.

 

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 ” has the meaning given such term in Section 14.2(b).

 

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

 

Third Target Distribution ” means $0.5250 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2012, it means the product of $0.5250 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.

 

Trading Day ” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which the referenced Partnership Interests of any class are listed or admitted for trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such Partnership Interests are not listed or admitted for trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City are not legally required to be closed.

 

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Transaction Documents ” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.1(b).

 

transfer ” has the meaning given such term in Section 4.4(a).

 

Transfer Agent ” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the General Partner to act as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests in accordance with the Exchange Act and the rules of the National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed (if any); provided that, if no such Person is appointed as registrar and transfer agent for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act as registrar and transfer agent for such class of Partnership Interests.

 

Treasury Regulation ” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Underwriting Agreement ” means that certain Underwriting Agreement dated as of June 26, 2012 among the IPO Underwriters, EQT Corp, the Partnership, the General Partner and the Operating Company providing for the purchase of Common Units by the IPO Underwriters.

 

Underwritten Offering ” means (a) an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public (other than the Initial Public Offering), (b) an offering of Partnership Interests pursuant to a Registration Statement that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks, and (c) an “at-the-market” offering pursuant to a Registration Statement in which Partnership Interests are sold to the public through one or more investment banks or managers on a best efforts basis.

 

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

 

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

 

Unitholders ” means the Record Holders of Units.

 

Unpaid MQD ” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).

 

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

 

Unrealized Loss ” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date

 

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(prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).

 

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

 

Unrestricted Person ” means (a) each Indemnitee, (b) each Partner, (c) each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, a General Partner or any Departing General Partner and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Unrestricted Person” for purposes of this Agreement from time to time.

 

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

 

Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ” has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(b).

 

Working Capital Borrowings ” means borrowings incurred pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement that are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to the Partners; provided that when such borrowings are incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from the date of such borrowings other than from 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, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.  The General Partner has the power to construe and interpret this Agreement and to act upon any such construction or interpretation.  Any construction or interpretation of this Agreement by the General Partner and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination made by the General Partner in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Record Holders and all other Persons for all purposes.

 

ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION

 

Section 2.1              Formation .  The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and hereby amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT

 

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Midstream Partners, LP in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties, 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 record owner thereof for all purposes.

 

Section 2.2              Name .  The name of the Partnership shall be “EQT Midstream Partners, LP”. Subject to applicable law, 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,” “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 Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, 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 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.

 

Section 2.4              Purpose and Business .  The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would 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 the conduct by the Partnership of any business and may decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity and the

 

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General Partner in determining whether to propose or approve the conduct by the Partnership of any business shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

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.

 

Section 2.7              Title to Partnership Assets .  Title to the assets of the Partnership, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such assets of the Partnership or any portion thereof. Title to any or all assets of the Partnership may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees of the General Partner or its Affiliates, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any assets of the Partnership 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 of the General Partner or its Affiliates 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 or one or more of the Partnership’s designated Affiliates 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 any successor General Partner. All assets of the Partnership shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such assets of the Partnership 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. No action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner,

 

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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 be deemed to be participating 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) nor shall any such action affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.3              Rights of Limited Partners .

 

(a)            Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partner’s own expense:

 

(i)             to obtain from the General Partner either (A) the Partnership’s most recent filings with the Commission on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings on Form 10-Q and 8-K or (B) if the Partnership is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the information specified in, and meeting the requirements of, Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act or any successor or similar rule or regulation under the Securities Act (provided that the foregoing materials shall be deemed to be available to a Limited Partner in satisfaction of the requirements of this Section 3.3(a)(i) if posted on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website);

 

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

 

(iii)           to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto.

 

(b)            The rights to information granted the Limited Partners pursuant to Section 3.3(a) replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act and each of the Partners and each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in Partnership Interests hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Partners to receive any information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section 3.3(a).

 

(c)            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 determines is in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner determines (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 regulation or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.3).

 

(d)            Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Partners, each other Person or Group who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership

 

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or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person or Group.

 

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

 

Section 4.1              Certificates .  Owners of Partnership Interests and, where appropriate, Derivative Partnership Interests, shall be recorded in the Register and ownership of such interests shall be evidenced by a physical certificate or book entry notation in the Register.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests, Partnership Interests and Derivative Partnership Interests shall not be evidenced by physical certificates. Certificates, if any, shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President and the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or other authorized officer of the General Partner, and shall bear the legend set forth in Section 4.8(e).  The signatures of such officers upon a certificate may be facsimiles.  In case any officer who has signed or whose signature has been placed upon such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Partnership with the same effect as if he were such officer at the date of its issuance. 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(b) and 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 the Common Units into which such Record Holder’s Subordinated Units converted, or (ii) if the Subordinated Units are not evidenced by Certificates, shall be issued Certificates evidencing the Common Units into which such Record Holders’ Subordinated Units converted. With respect to any Partnership Interests that are represented by physical certificates, the General Partner may determine that such Partnership Interests will no longer be represented by physical certificates and may, upon written notice to the holders of such Partnership Interests and subject to applicable law, take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to cause such Partnership Interests to be registered in book entry or global form and may cause such physical certificates to be cancelled or deemed cancelled.

 

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

 

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the same number and type of Partnership Interests or Derivative 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 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 or the Transfer Agent.

 

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, to the fullest extent permitted by law, 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 payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

 

Section 4.3              Record Holders .  The names and addresses of Unitholders as they appear in the Register shall be the official list of Record Holders of the Partnership Interests for all purposes.  The Partnership and the General Partner 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 or Group, regardless of whether the Partnership or the General Partner 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 or Group in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Person on the other, such representative Person shall be the Limited

 

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Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest upon becoming the Record Holder in accordance with Section 10.1(b) and have the rights and obligations of a Partner hereunder as, and to the extent, provided herein, including Section 10.1(c).

 

Section 4.4                                      Transfer Generally .

 

(a)                                   The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns all or any part of its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) 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 assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner as a result thereof, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, excluding a pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage but including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

 

(b)                                  No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void, and the Partnership shall have no obligation to effect or recognize any such transfer or purported transfer.

 

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

 

Section 4.5                                       Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests .

 

(a)                                   The General Partner shall keep, or cause to be kept by the Transfer Agent on behalf of the Partnership, one or more registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests, and any Derivative Partnership Interests as applicable, shall be recorded (the “ Register ”).

 

(b)                                  The General Partner 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 payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of this Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver,

 

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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.  Upon the proper surrender of a Certificate, such transfer shall be recorded in the Register.

 

(c)                                   Upon the receipt by the General Partner of proper transfer instructions from the Record Holder of uncertificated Partnership Interests, such transfer shall be recorded in the Register.

 

(d)                                  Except as provided in Section 4.9, by acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests pursuant to a transfer in accordance with this Article IV , each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, or agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group) (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 Register and such Person 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) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iv) shall be deemed to make any consents, acknowledgements or waivers contained in this Agreement and (v) shall be deemed to certify that the transferee is an Eligible Taxable Holder, 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.

 

(e)                                   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 shall be freely transferable.

 

(f)                                     The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their 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 June 30, 2022, the General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) to a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B) another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation

 

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of the General Partner with or into such other Person or the transfer by the General Partner of all or substantially all of its assets to such other Person.

 

(b)                                  Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after June 30, 2022, the General Partner may transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval or the approval of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

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

 

Section 4.8                                       Restrictions on Transfers .

 

(a)                                   Except as provided in Section 4.8(d), notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).  The Partnership may issue stop transfer instructions to any Transfer Agent in order to implement any restriction on transfer contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership’s becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) 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; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any

 

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class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

 

(c)                                   The transfer of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit or a Common Unit issued upon conversion of a Subordinated Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c).

 

(d)                                  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.

 

(e)                                   Each certificate or book entry evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in substantially the following form:

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) 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 EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE EQT MIDSTREAM 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). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE PARTNERSHIP.  THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE

 

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FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.

 

Section 4.9                                      Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders .

 

(a)                                   The General Partner may upon demand or on a regular basis require Limited Partners, and transferees of Limited Partner Interests in connection with a transfer, to execute an Eligibility Certificate or provide other information as is necessary for the General Partner to determine if any such Limited Partners or transferees are Ineligible Holders.

 

(b)                                  If any Limited Partner (or its beneficial owners) falsely certifies its status as an Eligible Taxable Holder or fails to furnish to the General Partner within 30 days of its request an Eligibility Certificate and other information related thereto, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or a transferee of a Limited Partner is 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 or the General Partner may refuse to effect the transfer of the Limited Partner Interests to such transferee. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted for any Limited Partner that is an Ineligible Holder as the Limited Partner in respect of the Ineligible Holder’s Limited Partner Interests.

 

(c)                                   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.

 

(d)                                  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 its Limited Partner Interest (representing the right to receive its share of such distribution in kind).

 

(e)                                   At any time after an Ineligible Holder can and does certify that it no longer is an Ineligible Holder, it 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 upon approval of the General Partner, shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of such Limited Partner Interests.

 

(f)                                     If at any time a transferee of a Partnership Interest fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or any other information requested by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.9 within 30 days of such request, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or such other information the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that such transferee is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the transferee establishes to the

 

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satisfaction of the General Partner that such transferee is not an Ineligible Holder, prohibit and void the transfer, including by placing a stop order with the Transfer Agent.

 

Section 4.10                               Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders .

 

(a)                                   If at any time a Limited Partner falsely certifies its status as an Eligible Taxable Holder or fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or any other information requested by the General Partner pursuant to Section 4.9 within 30 days of such request, or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or such 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 not an Ineligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certificate 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:

 

(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 in the Register, 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, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

 

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(b)                                  The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests held by a Limited Partner as nominee, agent or representative of a Person determined to be an Ineligible 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 and the transferor provides notice of such transfer to the General Partner. 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 such transferee is not an Ineligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification within 30 days after the request and, in any event, before the redemption date, such redemption shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

 

ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

 

Section 5.1                                       Organizational Contributions .  In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $20.00 in exchange for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $980.00 in exchange for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, the interests of the General Partner and Organizational Limited Partner shall be redeemed as provided in the Contribution Agreement and the initial Capital Contributions of the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner shall be refunded, and all interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner, respectively.

 

Section 5.2                                      Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates .

 

(a)                                   On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, the General Partner contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, a 3.0073% and 0.0850% limited partner interest and general partner interest, respectively, in Equitrans, in exchange for (i) 707,744 General Partner Units representing a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest (after giving effect to any exercise of the Over-Allotment Option and the Deferred Issuance and Distribution), subject to all of the rights, privileges and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement, (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights, and (iii) a right to receive approximately $6.0 million in part as a reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Equitrans pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d).  On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, EQT Midstream Investments contributed to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, a 94.2427% and 2.6650% limited partner interest and general partner interest, respectively, in Equitrans, in exchange for (i) 2,964,718 Common Units, (ii) 17,339,718 Subordinated Units, (iii) a right to receive approximately $189.4 million in part as a reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Equitrans pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-

 

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4(d), and (iv) the right to receive the Deferred Issuance and Distribution upon the earlier to occur of (A) the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option or (B) the exercise in full of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

(b)                                  Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than (i) the Common Units issued in the Initial Public Offering, (ii) the Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights issued pursuant to Section 5.2(a) (including any Common Units issued pursuant to the Deferred Issuance and Distribution), (iii) any Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 and (iv) any Common Units issued upon the conversion of any Partnership Interests), the General Partner may, in order to maintain the Percentage Interest with respect to its General Partner Interest, make additional Capital Contributions in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (A) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interests immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership by (y) 100% less the Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership times (B) the gross amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners (before deduction of underwriters’ discounts and commissions) in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests. Except as set forth in Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership.

 

Section 5.3                                      Contributions by Limited Partners .

 

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

 

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

 

(c)                                   No Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued to EQT Midstream Investments pursuant to subparagraph (a) of Section 5.2, (ii) the Common Units issued to the IPO Underwriters as described in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.3 and (iii) the Incentive Distribution Rights issued to the General Partner.

 

(d)                                  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 termination of the Partnership may be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no

 

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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, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such beneficial 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). The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the General Partner Units issued to the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(a) shall equal the Net Agreed Value of the Capital Contribution specified in Section 5.2(a), which shall be deemed to equal the product of the number of General Partner Units issued to the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.2(a) and the Initial Unit Price for each Common Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each General Partner Unit shall equal the Initial Unit Price for each Common Unit).  The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued to EQT Midstream Investments pursuant to Section 5.2(a) shall equal the respective Net Agreed Value of the Capital Contributions specified in Section 5.2(a), which shall be deemed to equal the product of the number of Common Units and Subordinated Units issued to EQT Midstream Investments pursuant to Section 5.2(a) and the Initial Unit Price for each such Common Unit and Subordinated Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each such Common Unit and Subordinated Unit shall equal its Initial Unit Price). The initial Capital Account balance attributable to the Common Units issued to the IPO Underwriters pursuant to Section 5.3(a) shall equal the product of the number of Common Units so issued to the IPO Underwriters and the Initial Unit Price for each Common Unit (and the initial Capital Account balance attributable to each such Common Unit shall equal its Initial Unit Price). The initial Capital Account attributable to the Incentive Distribution Rights shall be zero. Thereafter, the Capital Account shall in respect of each such Partnership Interest 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:

 

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(i)                                      Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing, organizational or similar documents) of all property owned by (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. 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)                                  An item of income of the Partnership that is described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) of the Code (with respect to items of income that are exempt from tax) shall be treated as an item of income for the purpose of this Section 5.5(b), and an item of expense of the Partnership that is described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code (with respect to expenditures that are not deductible and not chargeable to capital accounts), shall be treated as an item of deduction for the purpose of this Section 5.5(b).

 

(vi)                               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.

 

(vii)                            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

 

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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)                                      The 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 converted Subordinated Units (“ Retained Converted Subordinated Units ”) or Subordinated Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.

 

(d)                                  (i)                                      In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, or the conversion of the General Partner’s Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of 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

 

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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 (other than General Partner Interests) and Derivative Partnership Interests 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; (v) whether 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

 

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Derivative Partnership Interests pursuant to this Section 5.6, including Common Units issued in connection with the Deferred Issuance and Distribution, (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 Register as the Record Holders of such Limited Partner Interests 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 expiration of the Subordination Period.

 

(b)                                  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 and Section 5.11 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, 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, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Interests.

 

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.

 

(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,

 

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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 (or such shorter periods as required by applicable law). 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 or uncertificated Partnership Interests 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 Partnership Interests represented by Certificates, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

 

(d)                                  The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units or General Partner 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 and General Partner Units but for the provisions of Section 5.6(d) and this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit and General Partner Units shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit or General Partner Unit (with fractional Units or General Partner Units equal to or greater than a 0.5 Unit or General Partner Unit being rounded to the next higher Unit or General Partner Unit).

 

Section 5.10                                 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests .  All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 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

 

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of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (the number of Common Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the “ Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units ”). If at the time of any IDR Reset Election the General Partner and its Affiliates are not the holders of a majority interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights, then the IDR Reset Election shall be subject to the prior written concurrence of the General Partner that the conditions described in the immediately preceding sentence have been satisfied. Upon the issuance of such IDR Reset Common Units, the Partnership will issue to the General Partner that number of additional General Partner Units equal to the product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner immediately prior to such issuance by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less such Percentage Interest by (y) the number of such IDR Reset Common Units, and the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for such issuance. The making of the IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in this Section 5.11 shall cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner will become entitled to receive General Partner Units on the basis specified above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders other than as set forth in this Section 5.11(a), 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, 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 Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive.

 

(c)                                   The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and the General Partner will be entitled to receive the related additional General Partner Units on the fifteenth Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice; provided, however, that the issuance of IDR Reset 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 IDR Reset 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

 

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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 and the Target Distributions, 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 average cash distribution amount per Common Unit for the two Quarters immediately prior to the Partnership’s receipt of the Reset Notice (the “ Reset MQD ”), (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 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 will (i) first, be allocated to IDR Reset Common Units in an amount equal to the product of (A) the Aggregate Quantity of IDR Reset Common Units and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for an Initial Common Unit, and (ii) second, as to any remaining balance in such Capital Account, will be retained by the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights. If there is not sufficient capital 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 (i) of this Section 5.11(f), the IDR Reset Common Units shall be subject to Sections 6.1(d)(x)(B) and (C).

 

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

 

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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), 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

 

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during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter 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

 

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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), 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 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)                               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)

 

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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).

 

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

 

(i)                                      Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704- 2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation 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) and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), 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 Alloca tions .

 

(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

 

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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 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.

 

(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

 

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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, the 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

 

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this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.

 

(B)                                 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 Common 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 Common 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.

 

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(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. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. 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. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.

 

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

 

(xii)                            Corrective 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

 

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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 Sections 6.1(d)(xii)(A)—(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).

 

(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.

 

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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 to be 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.

 

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

 

(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, agent or representative in any case in which such nominee, agent or representative has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

 

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

 

(a)                                   Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on September 30, 2012, 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 the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. The Record Date for the first distribution of Available Cash shall not be prior to the final closing of the Over-Allotment Option or the Deferred Issuance and Distribution. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “ Capital Surplus .” All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

 

(b)                                  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 shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

 

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(c)                                   The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners, as determined appropriate under the circumstances by the General Partner.

 

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

 

Section 6.4                                       Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus .

 

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

 

(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;

 

(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;

 

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(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 the Subordination Period . Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the Subordination Period (which Quarter may include the date on which the Subordination Period ends) 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 required in respect of additional Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section 5.6(b):

 

(i)                                      First, 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 Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

 

(ii)                                   Second, 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;

 

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

 

(iv)                               Fourth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to 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

 

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(C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (v);

 

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

 

Section 6.5                                       Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus .  Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 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, Target Distributions, 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. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distributions shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator is the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such distribution.

 

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

 

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

 

(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

 

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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)(A), 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 holder of 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 represented 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 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) and Section 6.1(d)(x); 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 Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii), Sections 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), and Section 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI.

 

Section 6.9                                       Entity-Level Taxation .  If legislation is enacted or the 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, at its option, reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the

 

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Target Distributions 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 and the Target Distributions 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, but without limitation on the ability of the General Partner to delegate its rights and power to other Persons, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner in its capacity as such shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(vi)                               the distribution of cash held by the Partnership;

 

(vii)                            the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “president,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, internal and 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);

 

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(xiii)                         the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Partnership Interests;

 

(xiv)                          the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of 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 hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member Agreement of each other Group Member, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, the Operation and Management Services Agreement, and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the IPO Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement (collectively, the “ Transaction Documents ”) (in each case other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements thereof entered into after the date such Person becomes bound by the provisions of this Agreement); (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 IPO Registration Statement 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 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 or any other obligation of any type whatsoever 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

 

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property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.3(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 to Sell Assets of the Partnership Group .  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 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)                                  Subject to the Omnibus Agreement and the Operation and Management Services Agreement, the General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including Affiliates of the General Partner, to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner or its Affiliates in connection with managing and operating the Partnership Group’s business and affairs (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7. This provision does not affect the ability of the General Partner and its Affiliates to enter into an agreement to provide services to any Group Member for a fee or otherwise than for cost.

 

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

 

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Affiliates any Partnership Interests or Derivative Partnership Interests that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees, consultants and directors pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests or Derivative 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 employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest 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 or as described in or contemplated by the IPO Registration Statement, (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member, or (C) subject to the limitations contained in the Omnibus Agreement, the performance of its obligations under the Omnibus Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Except as provided in the Omnibus Agreement and subject to the terms of Section 7.5(c), each Unrestricted Person (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; provided such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Unrestricted Person.

 

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(c)                                   Subject to the terms of Sections 7.5(a) and (b), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Unrestricted Person (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 duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, of the General Partner or any other Unrestricted Person for the Unrestricted Persons (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 Unrestricted Persons 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 Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner). Except as provided in the Omnibus Agreement, no Unrestricted Person (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 Unrestricted Person (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement for breach of any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (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 Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person.

 

(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.

 

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

 

(a)                                   The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arm’s-length basis (without reference to the lending party’s financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending 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.

 

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(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 or any other obligation of any type whatsoever, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners existing hereunder, or existing at law, in equity or otherwise by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General 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 omitting or refraining to act) in such capacity on behalf of or for the benefit of the Partnership; provided, that the 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 engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to any Indemnitee (other than a Group Member) with respect to any such Affiliate’s obligations pursuant to the Transaction Documents. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a 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 upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay

 

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such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.7.

 

(c)                                   The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under this Agreement, any other 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 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 it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

 

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

 

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

 

(h)                                  The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees 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

 

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arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

Section 7.8                                       Liability of Indemnitees .

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, 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)                                  The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(a)                                   Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member 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 Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv)

 

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determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be 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.  Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever the General Partner makes a determination to refer any potential conflict of interest to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval, seek Unitholder Approval or adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval or Unitholder Approval, then the General Partner shall be 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 or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner 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, and the General Partner in making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.  If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors of the General Partner acted in good faith.  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 any action by the Conflicts Committee with respect to any matter referred to the Conflicts Committee for Special Approval by the General Partner, any action by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in determining whether 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 or whether a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption that the Conflicts Committee or the Board of Directors of the General Partner, as applicable, acted in good faith; in all cases subject to the provisions for conclusive determination in Section 7.9(b) .  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 IPO Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

 

(b)            Whenever the General Partner or the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof (including the Conflicts Committee), makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any Affiliate of the General Partner 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, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, the Board of Directors or 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

 

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the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. A determination or other action or inaction will conclusively be deemed to be in “good faith” for all purposes of this Agreement, if the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action subjectively believe that the determination or other action or inaction is in the best interests of the Partnership Group; provided, that if the Board of Directors of the General Partner is making a determination or taking or declining to take an action pursuant to clause (iii) or clause (iv) of the first sentence of Section 7.9(a), then in lieu thereof, such determination or other action or inaction will conclusively be deemed to be in “good faith” for all purposes of this Agreement if the members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action subjectively believe that the determination or other action or inaction meets the standard set forth in clause (iii) or clause (iv) of the first sentence of Section 7.9(a), as applicable; provided further, that if the Board of Directors of the General Partner is making a determination that a director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of a Conflicts Committee, then in lieu thereof, such determination will conclusively be deemed to be in “good faith” for all purposes of this Agreement if the members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner making such determination subjectively believe that the director satisfies the eligibility requirements to be a member of the Conflicts Committee.

 

(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 or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, 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, and the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action shall be permitted to do so in their sole and absolute discretion. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, “the General Partner at its option,” or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity.

 

(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

 

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business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.

 

(f)             Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or required by 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 general partner or managing member of a Group Member, to approve 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 and any other Indemnitee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

(b)            The General Partner and any other Indemnitee 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 or such Indemnitee, respectively, 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 or any Group Member.

 

Section 7.11          Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests .  The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests or Derivative 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

 

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and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Interests for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X.

 

Section 7.12            Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates .

 

(a)            Demand Registration.   Upon receipt of a Notice from any Holder at any time after the 180th day after the Closing Date, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable a registration statement under the Securities Act (each, a “ Registration Statement ”) providing for the resale of the Registrable Securities identified in such Notice, which may, at the option of the Holder giving such Notice, be a Registration Statement that provides for the resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.  The Partnership shall not be required pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) to file more than one Registration Statement in any twelve-month period nor to file more than three Registration Statements in the aggregate.   The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement and to remain effective and available for the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Selling Holders named therein until the earlier of (i) six months following such Registration Statement’s effective date and (ii) the date on which all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold.  In the event one or more Holders request in a Notice to dispose of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement in an Underwritten Offering and such Holder or Holders reasonably anticipate gross proceeds from such Underwritten Offering of at least $20,000,000 in the aggregate, the Partnership shall retain underwriters that are reasonably acceptable to such Selling Holders in order to permit such Selling Holders to effect such disposition through an Underwritten Offering; provided the Partnership shall have the exclusive right to select the bookrunning managers.  The Partnership and such Selling Holders shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Partnership Interests therein.  No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sell its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement.   In the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect.  Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering.

 

(b)            Piggyback Registration.   At any time after the 180th day after the Closing Date, if the Partnership shall propose to file a Registration Statement (other pursuant to a demand made pursuant to Section 7.12(a)) for an offering of Partnership Interests for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan, an offering relating to a transaction on Form S-4 or an offering on any registration statement that does not permit secondary sales), the

 

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Partnership shall notify all Holders of such proposal at least five business days before the proposed filing date.  The Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to include such number of Registrable Securities held by any Holder in such Registration Statement as each Holder shall request in a Notice received by the Partnership within two business days of such Holder’s receipt of the notice from the Partnership.  If the Registration Statement about which the Partnership gives notice under this Section 7.12(b) is for an Underwritten Offering, then any Holder’s ability to include its desired amount of Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement shall be conditioned on such Holder’s inclusion of all such Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering; provided that, in the event that the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in its opinion the inclusion of all or some Registrable Securities would adversely and materially affect the timing or success of the Underwritten Offering, the amount of Registrable Securities that each Selling Holder requested be included in such Underwritten Offering shall be reduced on a Pro Rata basis to the aggregate amount that the managing underwriter deems will not have such material and adverse effect.  In connection with any such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership and the Selling Holders involved shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form that is reasonably acceptable to the Partnership and take all reasonable actions as are requested by the managing underwriters to facilitate the Underwritten Offering and sale of Partnership Interests therein.  No Holder may participate in the Underwritten Offering unless it agrees to sells its Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement on the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement and completes and delivers all necessary documents and information reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement.  Any Holder may withdraw from such Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the managing underwriter; provided such notice is delivered prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering.  The Partnership shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement or Underwritten Offering initiated by it under this Section 7.12(b) prior to the pricing date of the Underwritten Offering.

 

(c)              Sale Procedures.   In connection with its obligations under this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall:

 

(i)             furnish to each Selling Holder (A) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing a Registration Statement or supplement or amendment thereto, and (B) such number of copies of such Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided that the Partnership will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to clause (B) hereof that is available on the Commission’s website;

 

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(ii)            if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the managing underwriter, shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Partnership will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

(iii)           promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the filing of a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; and (B) any written comments from the Commission with respect to any Registration Statement or any document incorporated by reference therein and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;

 

(iv)           immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the occurrence of any event or existence of any fact (but not a description of such event or fact) as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of the prospectus contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made); (B) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (C) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction.  Following the provision of such notice, subject to Section 7.12(f), the Partnership agrees to, as promptly as practicable, amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto; and

 

(v)            enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities, including the provision of comfort letters and legal opinions as are customary in such securities offerings.

 

(d)            Suspension.   Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 7.12(c)(iv), shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities by means of a prospectus or prospectus supplement until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or

 

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amended prospectus contemplated by such subsection or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus.

 

(e)            Expenses.   Except as set forth in an underwriting agreement for the applicable Underwritten Offering or as otherwise agreed between a Selling Holder and the Partnership, all costs and expenses of a Registration Statement filed or an Underwritten Offering that includes Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 (other than underwriting discounts and commissions on Registrable Securities and fees and expenses of counsel and advisors to Selling Holders) shall be paid by the Partnership.

 

(f)             Delay Right. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Conflicts Committee determines that the Partnership’s compliance with its obligations in this Section 7.12 would be detrimental to the Partnership because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone compliance with such obligations for a period of not more than six months; provided that such right may not be exercised more than twice in any 24-month period.

 

(g)              Indemnification.

 

(i)             In addition to and not in limitation of the Partnership’s obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, “ Indemnified Persons ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(g) as a “claim” and in the plural as “claims”) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus under which any Registrable Securities were registered or sold by such Selling Holder under the Securities Act, or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or issuer free writing prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Selling Holder specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

 

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(ii)            Each Selling Holder shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner’s officers and directors and each Person who controls the Partnership (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in such Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, final prospectus or free writing prospectus.

 

(iii)           The provisions of this Section 7.12(g) shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnified Person may be entitled under law, equity, contract or otherwise.

 

(h)          Specific Performance. Damages in the event of breach of Section 7.12 by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each party, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such party from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such party may have.

 

Section 7.13          Reliance by Third Parties .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) 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 (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

 

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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 the Register and all other books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.3(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the Register, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 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 December 31.

 

Section 8.3              Reports .

 

(a)            Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership (or such shorter period as required by the Commission), the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website) to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or 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.

 

(b)            Whether or not the Partnership is subject to the requirement to file reports with the Commission, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 50 days after the close of each Quarter (or such shorter period as required by the Commission) except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website) to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of the Commission or any

 

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National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS

 

Section 9.1             Tax Returns and Information .  The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year 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 reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and 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 Section 6231(a)(7) of 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 .  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

 

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or any other federal, state or local law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code, or established under any foreign law. 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 Section 6.3 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, Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights to the General Partner, EQT Midstream Investments and the IPO Underwriters in connection with the Initial Public Offering as described in Article V, such Persons shall, by acceptance of such Partnership Interests, and upon becoming the Record Holders of such Partnership Interests, be admitted to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units, Subordinated Units or Incentive Distribution Rights issued to them and be bound by this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Persons.

 

(b)           By acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests transferred in accordance with Article IV or acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger, 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, agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group, which nominee, agent or representative shall be subject to Section 10.1(c) below) (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 such Person becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or acquired, (ii) shall become bound, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound, by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) shall be deemed to represent that the transferee or acquirer has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iv) shall be deemed to make any consents, acknowledgements or waivers contained in this Agreement and (v) shall be deemed to certify that the transferee or acquirer is an Eligible Taxable Holder, 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 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 becoming 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)           With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person that is the Record Holder (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), such Record Holder shall, in exercising the rights of a Limited Partner in respect of such Units, including the right to vote, on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, take all action as a

 

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Limited Partner by virtue of being the Record Holder of such Units in accordance with the direction of the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Units, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Record Holder is so acting without further inquiry.  The provisions of this Section 10.1(c) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

 

(d)           The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed in the Register. The General Partner shall update the Register from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable).

 

(e)           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 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 is hereby authorized to and 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 Register and any other 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;

 

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(iii)          The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;

 

(iv)          The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

 

(v)           A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

 

(vi)          (A) if 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) if the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise upon the termination of the General Partner.

 

If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

 

(b)           Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on June 30, 2022 the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel (“ Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel ”) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability 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 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on June 30, 2022 the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv)

 

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notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member.  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 Unitholders holding a majority of the outstanding Subordinated Units (if any Subordinated Units are then Outstanding) voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.2. 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’ 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

 

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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, 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 shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnership’s assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner, 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 its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or

 

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its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.

 

(c)           If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to the product of (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 and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, (i) the Subordination Period will end and all Outstanding Subordinated Units will immediately and automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis, (ii) all Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common Units will be extinguished and (iii) the General Partner will have the right to convert its General Partner Interest and its Incentive Distribution Rights into Common Units or to receive cash in exchange therefor in accordance with Section 11.3.

 

Section 11.5          Withdrawal of Limited Partners .  No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.

 

ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

Section 12.1          Dissolution .  The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of 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 11.1, Section 11.2 or Section 12.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

 

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(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 a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2;

 

(b)           an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

 

(c)           the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act; or

 

(d)           at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

 

Section 12.2          Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution .  Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

 

(i)            the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

 

(ii)           if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and

 

(iii)          the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;

 

provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act 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 in accordance with the provisions of Article XII, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as

 

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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.

 

(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

 

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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 assets of the Partnership.

 

Section 12.7          Waiver of Partition .  To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

 

Section 12.8          Capital Account Restoration .  No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

 

ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

 

Section 13.1          Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner .  Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, 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 office 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

 

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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 considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the IPO Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(e)           a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

 

(f)            an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

 

(g)           an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization or issuance of any class or series of 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;

 

(k)           a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(c); or

 

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(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 free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any other Person bound by this Agreement, and, in declining to propose or approve an amendment to this Agreement, 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, and the General Partner in determining whether to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion. An amendment to this Agreement shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Section 13.1 or Section 13.3, the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage of Outstanding Units is required under this Agreement. 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 posted or made accessible such amendment through the Partnership’s or the Commission’s website.

 

Section 13.3                              Amendment Requirements .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of (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 percentages, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute (x) in the case of a reduction as described in subclause (a)(i) hereof, not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced, (y) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section 11.2, not less than 90% of the Outstanding Units, or (z) in the case of an increase in the percentage in Section 13.4, not less than a majority of the Outstanding Units.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c) or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

 

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(c)                                   Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partner’s authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable 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 specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called and the class or classes of Units for which the meeting is proposed.  No business may be brought by any Limited Partner before such special meeting except the business listed in the related request.  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. 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 be permitted to 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.  If any such vote were to take place, it shall be deemed null and void to the extent necessary so as not 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.

 

Section 13.6                              Record Date .  For purposes of determining the Limited Partners who are Record Holders of the class or classes of Limited Partner Interests entitled to notice of or to vote

 

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at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11, the General Partner shall 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 such Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.

 

Section 13.7                              Postponement and Adjournment .  Prior to the date upon which any meeting of Limited Partners is to be held, the General Partner may postpone such meeting one or more times for any reason by giving notice to each Limited Partner entitled to vote at the meeting so postponed of the place, date and hour at which such meeting would be held.  Such notice shall be given not fewer than two days before the date of such meeting and otherwise in accordance with this Article XIII.  When a meeting is postponed, a new Record Date need not be fixed unless the aggregate amount of such postponement shall be for more than 45 days after the original meeting date.  Any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner one or more times for any reason, including the failure of a quorum to be present at the meeting with respect to any proposal or the failure of any proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval.  No vote of the Limited Partners shall be required for any adjournment.  A meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner as to one or more proposals regardless of whether action has been taken on other matters.  When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

 

Section 13.8                              Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting .  The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after call and notice in accordance with Sections 13.4 and 13.5, 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 of any matters submitted for consideration or to object to the failure to submit for consideration any matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the beginning of the meeting.

 

Section 13.9                              Quorum and Voting .  The presence, in person or by proxy, of 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 and its Affiliates) 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,

 

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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 at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a 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 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 exit 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.

 

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 submission and revocation of approvals in writing.

 

Section 13.11                       Action Without a Meeting .  If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Outstanding Units held by such Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Outstanding Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any permitted 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) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed 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

 

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date sufficient approvals are first deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.

 

Section 13.12                       Right to Vote and Related Matters .

 

(a)                                  Only those Record Holders of the 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 that is the Record Holder (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), such Record Holder 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 in accordance with the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner of such Units, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume such Record Holder 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.

 

Section 13.13                       Voting of Incentive Distribution Rights .

 

(a)                                  For so long as a majority of the Incentive Distribution Rights are held by the General Partner and its Affiliates, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Rights on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law, and the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, in their capacity as such, shall be deemed to have approved any matter approved by the General Partner.

 

(b)                                  For so long as less than a majority of the Incentive Distribution Rights are held by the General Partner and its Affiliates, the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to a vote of Unitholders, other than amendments to this Agreement and other matters that the General Partner determines do not adversely affect the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights as a whole in any material respect. On any matter in which the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights are entitled to vote, such holders will vote together with the Subordinated Units, prior to the end of the Subordination Period, or together with the Common Units, thereafter, in either case as a single class except as otherwise required by Section 13.3(c), and such Incentive Distribution Rights shall be treated in all respects as Subordinated Units or Common Units, as applicable, when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required

 

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votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement. The relative voting power of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the Subordinated Units or Common Units, as applicable, will be set in the same proportion as cumulative cash distributions, if any, in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights for the four consecutive Quarters prior to the record date for the vote bears to the cumulative cash distributions in respect of such class of Units for such four Quarters.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding Section 13.13(b), in connection with any equity financing, or anticipated equity financing, by the Partnership of an Expansion Capital Expenditure, the General Partner may, without the approval of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, temporarily or permanently reduce the amount of Incentive Distributions that would otherwise be distributed to such holders, provided that in the judgment of the General Partner, such reduction will be in the long-term best interest of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights.

 

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 duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or 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 Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, and the General Partner in determining whether to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership shall be permitted to do so in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

(b)                                  If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

 

(i)                                      name and state of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

 

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(ii)                                   the name and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “ Surviving Business Entity ”);

 

(iii)                                the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

 

(iv)                               the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (A) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (B) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

 

(v)                                  a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

 

(vi)                               the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and

 

(vii)                            such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

(c)                                   If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:

 

(i)                                      the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;

 

(ii)                                   a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;

 

(iii)                                a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;

 

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(iv)                               the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity;

 

(v)                                  in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership;

 

(vi)                               in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation, or other organizational documents of the converted entity;

 

(vii)                            the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the articles of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of Conversion (provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such articles of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such articles of conversion and stated therein); and

 

(viii)                         such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

 

Section 14.3                              Approval by Limited Partners .  Except as provided in Section 14.3(d), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent and, subject to any applicable requirements of Regulation 14A pursuant to the Exchange Act or successor provision, no other disclosure regarding the proposed merger, consolidation or conversion shall be required.

 

(a)                                  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, effects an amendment to any provision of this Agreement that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement adopted pursuant to Article XIII, 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.

 

(b)                                  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 articles of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the

 

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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 limited liability under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) of any Limited Partner as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the General Partner determines that 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.

 

(d)                                  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 limited liability entity if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner under the laws of the jurisdiction governing the other limited liability entity (if that jurisdiction is not Delaware) as compared to its limited liability under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) 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, (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) 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 (v) 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.

 

(e)                                   Pursuant t o Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (i) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (ii) 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 or Certificate of Conversion .  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 or other filing, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or the appropriate filing office of any other jurisdiction, as applicable, in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act or other applicable law.

 

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Section 14.5                              Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion .

 

(a)                                  At the effective time of the 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 conversion:

 

(i)                                      the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;

 

(ii)                                   all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;

 

(iii)                                all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution by reason of the conversion;

 

(iv)                               all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;

 

(v)                                  a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new organizational form and by or against the prior partners without any need for substitution of parties; and

 

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(vi)                               the Partnership Interests that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares, evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the plan of conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion.

 

ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

 

Section 15.1                                 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests .

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three Business 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 applicable 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), together with such information as may be required by law, rule or regulation, at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date.  Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be filed and distributed as may be required by the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed.  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,  or instructions agreeing to such redemption in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the Register 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 or exchange 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

 

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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 or redemption instructions shall not have been surrendered for purchase or provided, respectively, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI, and Article XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, in the case of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates, or instructions agreeing to such redemption, 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, in the Register, 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 Record Holder of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII).

 

(c)                                   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, in accordance with procedures set forth by the General Partner.

 

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. Except as otherwise provided herein, 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 in the Register, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing in the Register is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they

 

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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.

 

Section 16.2                                 Further Action .  The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 16.3                                 Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

 

Section 16.4                                 Integration .  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

Section 16.5                                 Creditors .  None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

 

Section 16.6                                 Waiver .  No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

 

Section 16.7                                 Third-Party Beneficiaries .  Each Partner agrees that (a) 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 and (b) any Unrestricted Person 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 Unrestricted Person.

 

Section 16.8                                 Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) or (b) without execution hereof.

 

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Section 16.9                                 Applicable Law; Forum; Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury .

 

(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 or Group 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 duty (including 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;

 

(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/or parts 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 provisions and/or part shall be reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

 

104



 

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 and Email Signatures .  The use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document (.pdf) or similar format affixed in the name and on behalf of the Transfer Agent of the Partnership on certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

105



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti 

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER:

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

  By:

EQT Investments Holdings, LLC,

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

  By:

/s/ Joshua Miller 

 

 

Name: Joshua Miller 

 

 

Title: Vice President 

 

Signature Page to First Amended and Restated

Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 



 

EXHIBIT A
to the First Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

No.

 

Common Units

 

In accordance with Section 4.1 of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”), EQT Midstream 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 625 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222. 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 EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT) 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 EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE EQT MIDSTREAM 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). THE GENERAL PARTNER OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.  THIS SECURITY MAY BE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON ITS TRANSFER PROVIDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS

 

A-1



 

SECURITY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE PARTNERSHIP.  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.  This Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware

 

Dated:

 

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Countersigned and Registered by:

 

 

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

 

as Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signature

 

 

A-2



 

[Reverse of Certificate]

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

 

UNIF GIFT TRANSFERS MIN ACT

 

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

 

 

Custodian

 

 

 

 

(Cust)  

 

(Minor)

 

JT TEN — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

 

under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State)

 

Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.

 

A-3



 

ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS OF
EQT MIDSTREAM 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 EQT Midstream Partners, LP.

 

Date:

 

 

NOTE: The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond

with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Signature)

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE
GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE
GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN
ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS
WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION
PROGRAM), PURSUANT
TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15

 

 

 

 

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.

 

A-4


Exhibit 3.4

 

Execution Version

 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT

 

OF

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 

A Delaware Limited Liability Company

 

Dated as of

 

July 2, 2012

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

Section 1.2

Construction

3

 

 

 

ARTICLE II ORGANIZATION

4

 

 

 

Section 2.1

Formation

4

Section 2.2

Name

4

Section 2.3

Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices

4

Section 2.4

Purposes and Powers

4

Section 2.5

Term

4

Section 2.6

No State Law Partnership

4

 

 

 

ARTICLE III RIGHTS OF SOLE MEMBER

5

 

 

 

Section 3.1

Voting

5

Section 3.2

Distribution

5

Section 3.3

No Liability of the Sole Member

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

5

 

 

 

Section 4.1

Initial Capital Contributions

5

Section 4.2

Additional Capital Contributions

5

Section 4.3

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Membership Interests

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE V MANAGEMENT

5

 

 

 

Section 5.1

Management by Board of Directors

5

Section 5.2

Number; Qualification; Tenure

6

Section 5.3

Regular Meetings

6

Section 5.4

Special Meetings

6

Section 5.5

Notice

6

Section 5.6

Action by Consent of Board

6

Section 5.7

Conference Telephone Meetings

6

Section 5.8

Quorum and Action

6

Section 5.9

Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors

7

Section 5.10

Committees

7

Section 5.11

Removal

8

Section 5.12

Compensation of Directors

8

Section 5.13

Responsibility and Authority of the Board

8

Section 5.14

Other Business of Sole Member, Directors and Affiliates

9

Section 5.15

Reliance by Third Parties

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI OFFICERS

10

 

 

 

Section 6.1

Officers

10

Section 6.2

Election and Term of Office

10

Section 6.3

Chief Executive Officer

11

Section 6.4

President

11

Section 6.5

Vice Presidents

11

Section 6.6

Treasurer

11

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

Section 6.7

Secretary

11

Section 6.8

Removal

12

Section 6.9

Vacancies

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

12

 

 

 

Section 7.1

Indemnification

12

Section 7.2

Liability of Indemnitees

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII TAXES

14

 

 

 

Section 8.1

Taxes

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS

15

 

 

 

Section 9.1

Maintenance of Books

15

Section 9.2

Reports

15

Section 9.3

Bank Accounts

15

 

 

 

ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP, TERMINATION AND CONVERSION

15

 

 

 

Section 10.1

Dissolution

15

Section 10.2

Effect of Dissolution

15

Section 10.3

Application of Proceeds

15

Section 10.4

Certificate of Cancellation

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI GENERAL PROVISIONS

16

 

 

 

Section 11.1

Offset

16

Section 11.2

Notices

16

Section 11.3

Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect

17

Section 11.4

Effect of Waiver or Consent

17

Section 11.5

Amendment or Restatement

17

Section 11.6

Binding Effect

17

Section 11.7

Governing Law; Severability

17

Section 11.8

Venue

17

Section 11.9

Further Assurances

17

 

ii



 

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 

This FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) of EQT Midstream Services, LLC (the “ Company ”), dated as of July 2, 2012, is adopted, executed and agreed to by EQT Investments Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the sole member of the Company (in such capacity, the “ Sole Member ”).

 

RECITALS :

 

WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company on January 17, 2012;

 

WHEREAS, the Sole Member of the Company executed the Limited Liability Company Agreement of EQT Midstream Services, LLC, dated as of January 17, 2012 (the “ Original Limited Liability Company Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Sole Member of the Company deems it advisable to amend and restate the Original Limited Liability Company Agreement in its entirety as set forth herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the covenants and agreements set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Sole Member hereby amends and restates the Original Limited Liability Company Agreement in its entirety as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1                                     Definitions

 

(a)                                  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below or set forth in the Sections referred to below:

 

Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

 

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.

 

Agreement ” is defined in the introductory paragraph, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

1



 

Audit Committee ” is defined in Section 5.10(b) .

 

Audit Committee Independent Director ” is defined in Section 5.10(b) .

 

Board ” is defined in Section 5.1(b) .

 

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 Pennsylvania shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

 

Capital Contribution ” means any cash, cash equivalents or the net agreed value of any property (other than cash) that the Sole Member contributes to the Company or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Company on behalf of the Sole Member.

 

Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Units ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Company ” is defined in the introductory paragraph.

 

Conflicts Committee ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Conflicts Committee Independent Director ” means a Director who meets the standards set forth in the definition of “Conflicts Committee” in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Delaware Certificate ” is defined in Section 2.1 .

 

Director ” or “ Directors ” means a member or members of the Board.

 

EQT Entities ” means EQT Corporation and its Affiliates (other than the Company and the Partnership Group).

 

Group Member ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Indemnitee ” means any of (a) the Sole Member, (b) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the Company (other than any Group Member), (c) any Person who is or was a manager, member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (other than any Group Member), (d) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company as an officer, director, member, manager, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person; provided, however , that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (e) any Person the Board designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Limited Partner ” and “ Limited Partners ” are defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

2



 

Membership Interest ” means the Sole Member’s limited liability company interests in the Company, including its share of the income, gain, loss, deduction and credits of, and the right to receive distributions from, the Company.

 

Notices ” is defined in Section 11.2 .

 

Omnibus Agreement ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Operation and Management Services Agreement ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Original Limited Liability Company Agreement ” is defined in the Recitals.

 

Partnership ” means EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.

 

Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, to be dated as of July 2, 2012, as it may be further amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Partnership Group ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

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.

 

Sole Member ” is defined in the introductory paragraph.

 

Special Approval ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Subsidiary ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. All references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding provision or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury Regulations.

 

(b)                                  Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.

 

Section 1.2                                     Construction .  Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; and (d) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The table of contents and

 

3



 

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 Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of a Certificate of Formation (the “ Delaware Certificate ”) on January 17, 2012 with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware under and pursuant to the Act and by the entering into of the Original Limited Liability Company Agreement.  The Sole Member hereby amends and restates the Original Limited Liability Company Agreement in its entirety and this amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.2                                     Name .   The name of the Company is “EQT Midstream Services, LLC” and all Company business must be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with applicable law as the Board or the Sole Member may select.

 

Section 2.3                                     Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices .   The registered office of the Company required by the Act to be maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent for service of process named in the Delaware Certificate or such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board may designate in the manner provided by applicable law. The registered agent for service of process of the Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent for service of process named in the Delaware Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Board may designate in the manner provided by applicable law. The principal office of the Company in the United States shall be at such a place as the Board may from time to time designate, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records there. The Company may have such other offices as the Board of Directors may designate.

 

Section 2.4                                     Purposes and Powers .   The purpose of the Company is to own, acquire, hold, sell, transfer, assign, dispose of or otherwise deal with partnership interests in, and act as the general partner of, the Partnership as described in the Partnership Agreement and to engage in any lawful business or activity ancillary or related thereto. The Company shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges granted by the Act, by any other law or by this Agreement, together with any powers incidental thereto, including such powers and privileges as are necessary or appropriate to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business, purposes or activities of the Company.

 

Section 2.5                                     Term .   The term of the Company commenced upon the filing of the Delaware Certificate on January 17, 2012 in accordance with the Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.4 .  The existence of the Company as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Delaware Certificate as provided in the Act.

 

Section 2.6                                     No State Law Partnership .   The Sole Member intends that the Company shall not be a partnership (whether general, limited or other) or joint venture for any purposes, and this Agreement may not be construed or interpreted to the contrary.

 

4



 

ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF SOLE MEMBER

 

Section 3.1                                     Voting .  Unless otherwise granted to the Board by this Agreement, the Sole Member shall possess the entire voting interest and exclusive authority in all matters relating to the Company, including matters relating to the amendment of this Agreement, any merger, consolidation or conversion of the Company, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the termination, dissolution and liquidation of the Company.

 

Section 3.2                                     Distribution .  Distributions by the Company of cash or other property shall be made to the Sole Member at such time as the Sole Member deems appropriate.

 

Section 3.3                                     No Liability of the Sole Member .  Except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Sole Member shall not have any personal liability whatsoever hereunder in its capacity as the Sole Member, whether to the Company, to the creditors of the Company or to any other third party, for the debts, liabilities, commitments or any other obligations of the Company or for any losses of the Company.

 

ARTICLE IV
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS

 

Section 4.1                                     Initial Capital Contributions .   At the time of the formation of the Company, the Sole Member, as the initial or organizational member of the Company, made a Capital Contribution in the amount of $1,000 in exchange for all of the Membership Interests in the Company.

 

Section 4.2                                     Additional Capital Contributions .  The Sole Member shall not be obligated to make additional Capital Contributions to the Company.

 

Section 4.3                                     Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Membership Interests .  All Membership Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with, the requirements of this Article IV shall be fully paid and non-assessable Membership Interests, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 18-303, 18-607 and 18-804 of the Act.

 

ARTICLE V
MANAGEMENT

 

Section 5.1                                     Management by Board of Directors .

 

(a)                                  The Sole Member shall have the power and authority to delegate to one or more other persons the rights and power to manage and control the business and affairs, or any portion thereof, of the Company, including to delegate to agents, officers and employees of the Sole Member or the Company, and to delegate by a management agreement with or otherwise to other Persons.

 

(b)                                  Except to the extent specifically reserved to the Sole Member hereunder, the Sole Member hereby delegates to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) all power and authority related to the Company’s management of the business and

 

5



 

affairs of the Partnership. The Board, acting as a body pursuant to this Agreement, shall constitute a “manager” for purposes of the Act.

 

Section 5.2                                     Number; Qualification; Tenure .

 

(a)                                  The number of Directors constituting the Board shall be at least three and no more than nine, and may be fixed from time to time pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Sole Member. Each Director shall be elected or approved by the Sole Member and shall continue in office until the removal of such Director in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or until the earlier death or resignation of such Director.

 

(b)                                  The initial Directors of the Company in office at the date of this Agreement are set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

 

Section 5.3                                     Regular Meetings .   Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 5.4                                     Special Meetings .   A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time at the request of (a) the Chairman of the Board or (b) a majority of the Directors then in office.

 

Section 5.5                                     Notice .   Oral, telegraphic or written notice of all meetings of the Board must be given to all Directors at least 24 hours prior to any meeting of the Board.  All notices and other communications to be given to Directors shall be sufficiently given for all purposes hereunder if in writing and delivered by hand, courier or overnight delivery service or three days after being mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, with appropriate postage prepaid, or when received in the form of an e-mail or facsimile, and shall be directed to the address, e-mail address or facsimile number as such Director shall designate by notice to the Company. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice of such meeting as provided herein. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the Directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting either before or after such meeting.

 

Section 5.6                                     Action by Consent of Board .   To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, or any committee of the Board, may act without a meeting so long as a majority of the members of the Board or committee shall have executed a written consent with respect to any action taken in lieu of a meeting.

 

Section 5.7                                     Conference Telephone Meetings .   Directors or members of any committee of the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment or by such other means by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 5.8                                     Quorum and Action .   A majority of all Directors, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 5.7 , shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the Directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. 

 

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Except as otherwise required by applicable law, all decisions of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Directors at any meeting at which a quorum is present.

 

Section 5.9                                     Vacancies; Increases in the Number of Directors .   Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of Directors shall be filled by the Sole Member.  Any Director so appointed shall hold office until his removal in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or until his earlier death or resignation.

 

Section 5.10                              Committees.

 

(a)                                  The Board may establish committees of the Board and may delegate any of its responsibilities to such committees, except as prohibited by applicable law.

 

(b)                                  The Board shall have an audit committee (the “ Audit Committee ”) comprised of at least three Directors who meet the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed (each, an “ Audit Committee Independent Director ”). The Audit Committee shall establish a written audit committee charter in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed from time to time, in each case as amended from time to time. Each member of the Audit Committee shall satisfy the rules and regulations of the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange on which the Common Units are listed from time to time, in each case as amended from time to time, pertaining to qualification for service on an audit committee.

 

(c)                                   The Board may, from time to time, establish a Conflicts Committee. The Conflicts Committee shall be composed of at least two Conflicts Committee Independent Directors. The Conflicts Committee shall function in the manner described in the Partnership Agreement. Notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, any matter approved by the Conflicts Committee in accordance with the provisions, and subject to the limitations, of the Partnership Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a breach of any duties owed by the Board or any Director to the Company or the Sole Member.

 

(d)                                  A majority of any committee, present in person or participating in accordance with Section 5.7 , shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business of such committee.  Except as otherwise required by law or the Partnership Agreement, all decisions of a committee shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the committee members at any meeting at which a quorum is present.

 

(e)                                   A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 5.5 . The Board shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

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Section 5.11                              Removal .   Any Director or the entire Board may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Sole Member.

 

Section 5.12                              Compensation of Directors .   Except as expressly provided in any written agreement between the Company and a Director or by resolution of the Board, no Director shall receive any compensation from the Company for services provided to the Company in its capacity as a Director, except that each Director shall be compensated for attendance at Board meetings at rates of compensation as from time to time established by the Board or a committee thereof; provided, however, that Directors who are also employees of the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall receive no compensation for their services as Directors or committee members. In addition, the Directors who are not employees of the Company or any Affiliate thereof shall be entitled to be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof.

 

Section 5.13                              Responsibility and Authority of the Board .

 

(a)                                  General . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the relative authority, duties and functions of the Board, on the one hand, and the officers of the Company, on the other hand, shall be identical to the relative authority, duties and functions of the board of directors and officers, respectively, of a corporation organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. The officers shall be vested with such powers and duties as are set forth in Section 6.1 hereof and as are specified by the Board from time to time. Accordingly, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the day-to-day activities of the Company shall be conducted on the Company’s behalf by the officers who shall be agents of the Company. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred on the Board by this Agreement, the Board may exercise all such powers of the Company and do all such acts and things as are not restricted by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Act or applicable law.  Notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law or in equity, any matter approved by the Board in accordance with the provisions, and subject to the limitations, of the Partnership Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a breach of any duties owed by the Board or any Director to the Company or the Sole Member.

 

(b)                                  Sole Member Consent Required for Extraordinary Matters . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board will not take any action without approval of the Sole Member with respect to an extraordinary matter that would have, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material effect, directly or indirectly, on the Sole Member’s interests in the Company. The type of extraordinary matter referred to in the prior sentence which requires approval of the Sole Member shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (i) commencement of any action relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors by the Company, the Partnership or a material Subsidiary thereof; (ii) a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the Company, the Partnership or a material Subsidiary thereof; (iii) a sale, exchange or other transfer not in the ordinary course of business of a substantial portion of the assets of the Partnership or a material Subsidiary of the Partnership, viewed on a consolidated basis, in one or a series of related transactions; (iv) the issuance or repurchase of any equity interests in the Company, (v) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company or the Partnership; and (vi) a material amendment of the Partnership Agreement. An extraordinary matter will be deemed approved by the Sole Member if the Board receives a

 

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written, facsimile or electronic instruction evidencing such approval from the Sole Member. To the fullest extent permitted by law, a Director, acting as such, shall have no duty, responsibility or liability to the Sole Member with respect to any action by the Board approved by the Sole Member.

 

(c)                                   Sole Member-Managed Decisions .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Sole Member shall have exclusive authority over the internal business and affairs of the Company that do not relate to management of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries. For illustrative purposes, the internal business and affairs of the Company where the Sole Member shall have exclusive authority include (i) the amount and timing of distributions paid by the Company, (ii) the prosecution, settlement or management of any claim made directly against the Company and not involving or relating to the Partnership Group, (iii) the decision to sell, convey, transfer or pledge any asset of the Company, (iv) the decision to amend, modify or waive any rights relating to the assets of the Company and (v) the decision to enter into any agreement to incur an obligation of the Company other than an agreement entered into for and on behalf of the Partnership for which the Company is liable exclusively by virtue of the Company’s capacity as general partner of the Partnership or of any of its Affiliates.

 

In addition, the Sole Member delegates the authority to the Board, except as such delegation may be hereafter revoked or restricted by resolution adopted by the Sole Member and subject to Section 5.13(b) , to cause the Company to exercise the rights of the Company as general partner of the Partnership (or those exercisable after the Company ceases to be the general partner of the Partnership) where (a) the Company makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action in its individual capacity under the Partnership Agreement or (b) where the Partnership Agreement permits the Company to make a determination or take or decline to take any other action in its sole discretion.

 

Section 5.14                              Other Business of Sole Member, Directors and Affiliates .

 

(a)                                  Existing Business Ventures . The Sole Member, each Director and their respective Affiliates may engage in or possess an interest in other business ventures of any nature or description, independently or with others, similar or dissimilar to the business of the Company or the Partnership, and the Company, the Partnership, the Directors and the Sole Member shall have no rights by virtue of this Agreement in and to such independent ventures or the income or profits derived therefrom, and the pursuit of any such venture, even if competitive with the business of the Company or the Partnership, shall not be deemed wrongful or improper.

 

(b)                                  Business Opportunities . None of the Sole Member, any Director or any of their respective Affiliates who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Company, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Company or the Partnership, and such Persons shall not be liable to the Company or the Sole Member for breach of any duty by reason of the fact that such Person pursues or acquires for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the Company; provided such Sole Member, Director or any of their Affiliates do not engage in such business or activity using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Company to such Persons.

 

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Section 5.15                              Reliance by Third Parties .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Company shall be entitled to assume that any officer of the Company authorized by the Board to act on behalf of and in the name of the Company has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Company and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Company, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with any such officer as if it were the Company’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. The Sole Member 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 any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Company by the officers 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 Company.

 

ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS

 

Section 6.1                                     Officers.

 

(a)                                  The Board shall elect one or more persons to be officers of the Company to assist in carrying out the Board’s decisions and the day-to-day activities of the Company in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership. Officers are not “managers” as that term is used in the Act. Any individuals who are elected as officers of the Company shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall have such titles and the authority and duties specified in this Agreement or otherwise delegated to each of them, respectively, by the Board from time to time.

 

(b)                                  The officers of the Company may consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as the Board from time to time may deem proper. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall be chosen from among the Directors.  All officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to Section 5.13 and the specific provisions of this Article VI .  The Board may from time to time elect such other officers or appoint such agents as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Company as the general partner of the Partnership.  Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in this Agreement or as may be prescribed by the Board, as the case may be from time to time.

 

Section 6.2                                     Election and Term of Office .   The officers of the Company shall be elected from time to time by the Board.  Each officer shall hold office until such person’s successor shall

 

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have been duly elected and qualified or until such person’s death or until he or she shall resign or be removed pursuant to Section 6.8 .

 

Section 6.3                                     Chief Executive Officer .   The Chief Executive Officer, who may be the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board and/or the President, shall have general and active management authority over the business of the Company and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.  The Chief Executive Officer shall also perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as may be assigned by this Agreement or prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

Section 6.4                                     President .   The President shall, subject to the control of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, in general, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Company.  The President shall perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of President and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as may be delegated by the Chief Executive Officer or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

Section 6.5                                     Vice Presidents .   Any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President and Vice President, in the order of seniority, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall, in the absence or disability of the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President.  They shall also perform the usual and customary duties and have the powers that pertain to such office and generally assist the President by executing contracts and agreements and exercising such other powers and performing such other duties as are delegated to them by the Chief Executive Officer or President or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

Section 6.6                                     Treasurer .   The Treasurer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the Company and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the Company in such form and as often as required by this Agreement, the Board or a President.  The Treasurer, subject to the order of the Board, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Company.  The Treasurer shall perform the usual and customary duties and have the powers that pertain to such office and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as are delegated to him by the Chief Executive Officer or a President or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

Section 6.7                                     Secretary .   The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board, the committees of the Board and the Limited Partners.  The Secretary shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and as required by applicable law; shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Company (if any) and affix and attest the seal (if any) to all documents to be executed on behalf of the Company under its seal; and shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by applicable law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and in general, shall perform all duties and have all powers incident to the office of Secretary and perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as may be delegated by the Chief Executive Officer or President or as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.

 

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Section 6.8                                     Removal .   Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the Sole Member or the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board whenever, in the Sole Member’s or such majority’s judgment, as applicable, the best interests of the Company would be served thereby.  No officer shall have any contractual rights against the Company for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of such person’s successor, such person’s death, such person’s resignation or such person’s removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

 

Section 6.9                                     Vacancies .   A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term at any meeting of the Board.

 

ARTICLE VII
INDEMNITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

Section 7.1                                     Indemnification .   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all 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 on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company; provided, however , that the 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 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 7.1 shall be made only out of the assets of the Company, it being agreed that the Sole Member shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.1(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company 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 7.1, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Company of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.1.

 

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(c)                                   The indemnification provided by this Section 7.1 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, 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, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

 

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

 

(e)                                   For purposes of this Section 7.1, the Company shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.1; 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 Company.

 

(f)                                    In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Sole Member 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 7.1 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 7.1 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)                                      Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.1 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Company, nor the obligations of the Company to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.1 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.

 

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(j)                                      TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND SUBJECT TO SECTION 7.1(A), THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 7.1 ARE INTENDED BY THE PARTIES TO APPLY EVEN IF SUCH PROVISIONS HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXCULPATING THE INDEMNITEE FROM LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PERSON’S NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR OTHER CONDUCT.

 

Section 7.2                                       Liability of Indemnitees

 

(a)                                   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or the Partnership Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Company, the Partnership, the Sole Member or any other Person bound by this Agreement, 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)                                  The Board and any committee thereof may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through the Company’s officers or agents, and neither the Board nor any committee thereof shall be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such officer or agent appointed by the Board or any committee thereof 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 Company or to the Sole Member, the Sole Member and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Company’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Company or to the Sole Member for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement, 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 Sole Member or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Sole Member to replace such other duties and liabilities of the Sole Member and such other Indemnitee.

 

(d)                                  Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.2 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 7.2 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

ARTICLE VIII
TAXES

 

Section 8.1                                       Taxes .  The Company and the Sole Member acknowledge that for federal income tax purposes, the Company will be disregarded as an entity separate from the Sole

 

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Member pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 301.7701-3 as long as all of the Membership Interests in the Company are owned by the Sole Member.

 

ARTICLE IX
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS

 

Section 9.1                                       Maintenance of Books

 

(a)                                   The Board shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Company or at such other location approved by the Board complete and accurate books and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business and minutes of the proceedings of the Board and any other books and records that are required to be maintained by applicable law.

 

(b)                                  The books of account of the Company shall be maintained on the basis of a fiscal year that is the calendar year and on an accrual basis in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

 

Section 9.2                                       Reports .   The Board shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Sole Member such reports, forecasts, studies, budgets and other information as the Sole Member may reasonably request from time to time.

 

Section 9.3                                       Bank Accounts .   Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as shall be designated from time to time by the Board. All withdrawals from any such depository shall be made only as authorized by the Board and shall be made only by check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.

 

ARTICLE X
DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP, TERMINATION AND CONVERSION

 

Section 10.1                                 Dissolution .  The Company shall be of perpetual duration; however, the Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the election to dissolve the Company by the Sole Member.  No other event shall cause a dissolution of the Company.

 

Section 10.2                                 Effect of Dissolution .   Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, upon the dissolution of the Company, the Sole Member shall take such actions as may be required pursuant to the Act and shall proceed to wind up, liquidate and terminate the business and affairs of the Company. In connection with such winding up, the Sole Member shall have the authority to liquidate and reduce to cash (to the extent necessary or appropriate) the assets of the Company as promptly as is consistent with obtaining fair value therefor, to apply and distribute the proceeds of such liquidation and any remaining assets in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.3 , and to do any and all acts and things authorized by, and in accordance with, the Act and other applicable laws for the purpose of winding up and liquidation.

 

Section 10.3                                 Application of Proceeds Upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company, the assets of the Company shall be applied and distributed in the following order of priority to the extent permitted by law:

 

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(a)                                   First, to the payment of debts and liabilities of the Company (including to the Sole Member to the extent permitted by applicable law) and the expenses of liquidation;

 

(b)                                  Second, to the setting up of such reserves as the Sole Member may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate for any disputed, contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company for such period as the Sole Member shall deem advisable for the purpose of applying such reserves to the payment of such liabilities or obligations and, at the expiration of such period, the balance of such reserves, if any, shall be distributed as hereinafter provided; and

 

(c)                                   Thereafter, the remainder to the Sole Member.

 

Section 10.4                                 Certificate of Cancellation .   On completion of the winding up of the Company as provided herein and under the Act, the Sole Member (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit) shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company. Upon the filing of such certificate of cancellation, the existence of the Company shall terminate, except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or by applicable law.

 

ARTICLE XI
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 11.1                                 Offset .   Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to the Sole Member, any amounts the Sole Member owes the Company may be deducted from that sum before payment.

 

Section 11.2                                 Notices .   All notices, demands, requests, consents, approvals or other communications (collectively, “ Notices ”) required or permitted to be given hereunder or which are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally served, delivered by reputable air courier service with charges prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery or facsimile, addressed as set forth below, or to such other address as such party shall have specified most recently by written notice. Notice shall be deemed given on the date of service or transmission if personally served or transmitted by facsimile. Notice otherwise sent as provided herein shall be deemed given upon delivery of such notice:

 

To the Company:

 

EQT Midstream Services, LLC
625 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  15222
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: (412) 553-5970

 

To the Sole Member:

 

EQT Investments Holdings, LLC
c/o EQT Corporation

 

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625 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  15222
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: (412) 553-5970

 

Section 11.3                                 Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect .   This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Sole Member relating to the Company and the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all provisions and concepts contained in all prior contracts or agreements between the Sole Member with respect to the Company, whether oral or written.

 

Section 11.4                                 Effect of Waiver or Consent .   Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a waiver or consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by the Sole Member in the performance by the Sole Member of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by the Sole Member of the same or any other obligations of the Sole Member with respect to the Company.

 

Section 11.5                                 Amendment or Restatement .   This Agreement may be amended or restated only by a written instrument executed by the Sole Member.

 

Section 11.6                                 Binding Effect .   This Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Sole Member and its successors and permitted assigns.

 

Section 11.7                                 Governing Law; Severability .   THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the Act, such provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of the Act may be varied or superseded in a limited liability company agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of a limited liability company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of that provision to other circumstances is not affected thereby.

 

Section 11.8                                 Venue Any and all claims, suits, actions or proceedings arising out of, in connection with or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. Each party hereto unconditionally and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware with respect to any such claim, suit, action or proceeding and waives any objection that such party may have to the laying of venue of any claim, suit, action or proceeding in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 11.9                                 Further Assurances .   In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, the Sole Member shall execute and deliver any additional

 

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documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Agreement and those transactions.

 

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

18



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sole Member has executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

 

 

SOLE MEMBER:

 

 

 

EQT INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua C. Miller 

 

 

Name: Joshua C. Miller 

 

 

Title: Vice President 

 

Signature Page to First Amended and Restated
Limited Liability Company Agreement

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

DIRECTORS

 

David L. Porges

 

Chairman of the Board

Philip P. Conti

 

Director

Randall L. Crawford

 

Director

Lewis B. Gardner

 

Director

Michael A. Bryson

 

Director

Julian M. Bott

 

Director

 

A - 1


Exhibit 10.1

 

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE AND ASSUMPTION
AGREEMENT

 

By and Among

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 

EQUITRANS INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

EQUITRANS, L.P.

 

EQUITRANS SERVICES, LLC

 

EQT MIDSTREAM INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

EQT INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS, LLC

 

ET BLUE GRASS, LLC

 

And

 

EQT CORPORATION

 

 

Dated as of July 2, 2012

 



 

CONTRIBUTION, CONVEYANCE AND ASSUMPTION
AGREEMENT

 

This Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), EQT Midstream Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Midstream Investments ”), Equitrans Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ OLLC ”), Equitrans, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership (“ Equitrans ”), Equitrans Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Equitrans GP ”), EQT Investments Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Investments Holdings ”), ET Blue Grass, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Blue Grass ”), and EQT Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“ EQT ”).  The above-named entities are sometimes referred to in this Agreement each as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .” Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in Article I.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the General Partner and Midstream Investments have formed the Partnership, pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware LP Act ”), for the purpose of engaging in any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware LP Act.

 

WHEREAS , in order to accomplish the objectives and purposes in the preceding recital, each of the following actions has been taken prior to the date hereof:

 

1.                Investments Holdings formed the General Partner under the terms of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”) and contributed $1,000 for all of the membership interests in the General Partner.

 

2.                Investments Holdings formed Midstream Investments under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act and contributed $1,000 for all of the membership interests in Midstream Investments.

 

3.                The General Partner and Midstream Investments formed the Partnership under the terms of the Delaware LP Act and contributed $20 and $980, respectively, in exchange for a 2.0% general partner interest and a 98.0% limited partner interest, respectively, in the Partnership.

 

4.                The Partnership formed OLLC under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act and contributed $1,000 for all of the membership interests in OLLC.

 

5.                OLLC formed Equitrans GP under the terms of the Delaware LLC Act and contributed $1,000 for all of the membership interests in Equitrans GP.

 

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6.                EQT contributed to Equitrans $135,681,874 in cash and Blue Grass contributed to Equitrans $3,836,763 in cash, which Equitrans will use to retire its intercompany indebtedness.

 

WHEREAS , concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, each of the following transactions will occur at the times specified hereunder:

 

1.                EQT will contribute its 97.25% limited partner interest in Equitrans to Investments Holdings, and Investments Holdings will contribute a 3.0073% limited partner interest in Equitrans to the General Partner (the “ GP Limited Partner Interest ”) and a 94.2427% limited partner interest in Equitrans to Midstream Investments (the “ LP Limited Partner Interest ”).

 

2.                Blue Grass will distribute its 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans to Investments Holdings, and Investments Holdings will contribute a 0.0850% general partner interest in Equitrans to the General Partner (the “ GP General Partner Interest ” and, together with the GP Limited Partner Interest, the “ GP Contribution Interest ”) and a 2.6650% general partner interest in Equitrans to Midstream Investments (the “ LP General Partner Interest ” and, together with the LP Limited Partner Interest, the “ LP Contribution Interest ”).

 

3.                Equitrans will distribute its trade and other accounts receivable from affiliates and third-parties (the “ Equitrans Accounts Receivable ”) to the General Partner and to Midstream Investments pro rata in accordance with their ownership interests in Equitrans and each of the General Partner and Midstream Investments will distribute all of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable owned by it to Investments Holdings.

 

4.                The General Partner will contribute the GP Contribution Interest to the Partnership in exchange for (i) 707,744 general partner units in the Partnership representing a continuation of its 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, (ii) the Incentive Distribution Rights in the Partnership and (iii) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $6.0 million.

 

5.                The Partnership will contribute the GP General Partner Interest to OLLC, and OLLC will contribute the GP General Partner Interest to Equitrans GP.

 

6.                Midstream Investments will contribute the LP Contribution Interest to the Partnership in exchange for (i) 17,339,718 Subordinated Units representing a 49.0% ownership interest in the Partnership, (ii) 2,964,718 Common Units representing an 8.38% ownership interest in the Partnership, (iii) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $189.4 million and (iv) the right to receive the Deferred Issuance and Distribution.

 

7.                The Partnership will contribute the LP General Partner Interest to OLLC, and OLLC will contribute the LP General Partner Interest to Equitrans GP.

 

8.                The Partnership will contribute the LP Limited Partner Interest and the GP Limited Partner Interest to OLLC.

 

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9.                The Partnership will redeem the initial interests of the General Partner and Midstream Investments and will refund the General Partner’s initial contribution of $20, Midstream Investments’ initial contribution of $980, as well as any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial capital contributions to the General Partner and Midstream Investments, respectively, in proportion to such initial contribution.

 

10.          The agreements of limited partnership and the limited liability company agreements of the aforementioned entities will be amended and restated to the extent necessary to reflect the applicable matters set forth above and contained in this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS , the members or partners of the Parties have taken all partnership and limited liability company action, as the case may be, required to approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, at the Effective Time, the public, through the Underwriters, will purchase from the Partnership for $262,500,000 in cash, less the amount of $17,062,500 payable to the Underwriters after taking into account the Underwriters’ discount of 5.9% and the Structuring Fee payable to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., 12,500,000 Common Units owned by the Partnership on such date (representing a 35.32% limited partner interest in the Partnership).

 

WHEREAS , at the Effective Time, the Partnership will pay (i) the Structuring Fee to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. and (ii) the transaction expenses, estimated to be approximately $4,000,000.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

The terms set forth below in this Article I shall have the meanings ascribed to them below or in the part of this Agreement referred to below:

 

Agreement ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

Blue Grass ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

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.

 

Common Units ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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Deferred Issuance and Distribution ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Delaware LP Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

Delaware LLC Act ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

Effective Time ” means immediately prior to the closing of the initial public offering pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

 

EQT ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

Equitrans ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

Equitrans Accounts Receivable ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

Equitrans GP ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

General Partner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

GP Contribution Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

GP General Partner Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

GP Limited Partner Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

Incentive Distribution Rights ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Investments Holdings ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

LP Contribution Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

LP General Partner Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

LP Limited Partner Interest ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

Midstream Investments ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

OLLC ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

Option Closing Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Option Period ” shall mean the period from the date hereof through July 26, 2012.

 

Over-Allotment Option ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

4



 

Party ” and “ Parties ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

Partnership ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.

 

Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP dated as of July 2, 2012.

 

Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Commission (Registration No. 333-179487), as amended and effective at the Effective Time.

 

Structuring Fee ” means a fee equal to 0.6% of the gross proceeds of the sale of Common Units pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, including pursuant to any exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

Subordinated Units ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Treasury Regulation ” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

 

Underwriters ” means those underwriters listed in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Underwriting Agreement ” means that certain Underwriting Agreement between Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., as representatives of the Underwriters, the General Partner, the Partnership, OLLC and EQT dated as of June 26, 2012.

 

ARTICLE II
CONTRIBUTION, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The following shall be completed immediately following the Effective Time in the order set forth herein:

 

Section 2.1            Contribution by EQT of its 97.25% Limited Partner Interest in Equitrans to Investments Holdings .  EQT hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Investments Holdings, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to its 97.25% limited partner interest in Equitrans as a capital contribution, in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in Investments Holdings, and Investments Holdings hereby accepts the 97.25% limited partner interest.

 

Section 2.2            Contribution by Investments Holdings of 3.0073% out of its 97.25% Limited Partner Interest in Equitrans to the General Partner .  Investments Holdings hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the General Partner, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the GP Limited Partner Interest in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in the General Partner, and the General Partner hereby accepts the GP Limited Partner Interest.

 

5



 

Section 2.3            Contribution by Investments Holdings of the remaining 94.2427% Limited Partner Interest in Equitrans to Midstream Investments .  Investments Holdings hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Midstream Investments, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the LP Limited Partner Interest in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in Midstream Investments, and Midstream Investments hereby accepts the LP Limited Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.4            Conveyance by Blue Grass of its 2.75% General Partner Interest in Equitrans to Investments Holdings .  Blue Grass hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Investments Holdings, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to its 2.75% general partner interest in Equitrans, and Investments Holdings hereby accepts the 2.75% general partner interest.

 

Section 2.5            Contribution by Investments Holdings of 0.0850% out of its 2.75% General Partner Interest in Equitrans to the General Partner .  Investments Holdings hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the General Partner, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the GP General Partner Interest as an additional capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in the General Partner, and the General Partner hereby accepts such GP General Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.6            Contribution by Investments Holdings of the remaining 2.6650% General Partner Interest in Equitrans to Midstream Investments .  Investments Holdings hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Midstream Investments, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the LP General Partner Interest as an additional capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in Midstream Investments, and Midstream Investments hereby accepts such LP General Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.7            Conveyance by Equitrans of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable to the General Partner and Midstream Investments .  Equitrans hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to (i) the General Partner, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to 3.0923% of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable and (ii) Midstream Investments, its successors and assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the remaining 96.9077% of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable and each of the General Partner, and Midstream Investments hereby accepts its portion of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable.

 

Section 2.8            Conveyance by the General Partner of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable to Investments Holdings .  The General Partner hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Investments Holdings, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to its 3.0923% of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable, and Investments Holdings hereby accepts the 3.0923% of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable.

 

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Section 2.9            Conveyance by Midstream Investments of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable to Investments Holdings .  Midstream Investments hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Investments Holdings, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to its 96.9077% of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable, and Investments Holdings hereby accepts the 96.9077% of the Equitrans Accounts Receivable.

 

Section 2.10         Contribution by the General Partner of the GP Contribution Interest to the Partnership .  The General Partner hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the Partnership, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the GP Contribution Interest as a capital contribution in exchange for (i) 707,744 general partner units representing a continuation of its 2.0% general partner interest in the Partnership, (ii) the issuance of the Incentive Distribution Rights, and (iii) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $6.0 million in part as a reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Equitrans pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d), and the Partnership hereby accepts such GP Contribution Interest as a contribution to the capital of the Partnership.

 

Section 2.11         Contribution by the Partnership of the GP General Partner Interest to OLLC .  The Partnership hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the OLLC, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the GP General Partner Interest as a capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in the OLLC, and OLLC hereby accepts such GP General Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.12         Contribution by the OLLC of the GP General Partner Interest to Equitrans GP .  OLLC hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Equitrans GP, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the GP General Partner Interest as a capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in Equitrans GP, and Equitrans GP hereby accepts such GP General Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.13         Contribution by Midstream Investments of the LP Contribution Interest to the Partnership .  Midstream Investments hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the Partnership, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the LP Contribution Interest, as a capital contribution, in exchange for (i) 17,339,718 Subordinated Units representing a 49.00% limited partner interest in the Partnership, (ii) 2,964,718 Common Units representing an 8.38% limited partner interest in the Partnership, (iii) the right to receive a cash distribution from the Partnership in the amount of approximately $189.4 million in part as a reimbursement for certain capital expenditures incurred with respect to the assets of Equitrans pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-4(d) and (iv) the right to receive the Deferred Issuance and Distribution.  The Partnership hereby accepts such LP Contribution Interest as a contribution to the capital of the Partnership.

 

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Section 2.14         Contribution by the Partnership of the LP General Partner Interest to the OLLC .  The Partnership hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the OLLC, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the LP General Partner Interest as a capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in the OLLC, and the OLLC hereby accepts such LP General Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.15         Contribution by OLLC of the LP General Partner Interest to Equitrans GP .  OLLC hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to Equitrans GP, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the LP General Partner Interest as a capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in Equitrans GP, and Equitrans GP hereby accepts such LP General Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.16         Contribution by the Partnership of the LP Limited Partner Interest and the GP Limited Partner Interest to OLLC .  The Partnership hereby grants, contributes, bargains, conveys, assigns, transfers, sets over and delivers to the OLLC, its successors and its assigns, for its and their own use forever, all right, title and interest in and to the LP Limited Partner Interest and the GP Limited Partner Interest as a capital contribution in exchange for the continuation of its 100% ownership interest in the OLLC, and the OLLC hereby accepts such LP Limited Partner Interest and such GP Limited Partner Interest.

 

Section 2.17         Underwriters’ Cash Contribution .  The Parties acknowledge that the Underwriters have, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, made a capital contribution to the Partnership of approximately $262,500,000 in cash ($245,437,500 net to the Partnership after the underwriting discount of $15,487,500 and the Structuring Fee payable to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc.) in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership to the Underwriters of 12,500,000 Common Units, representing a 35.32% limited partner interest in the Partnership.

 

Section 2.18         Payment of the Structuring Fee .  The Partnership agrees to pay Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. the applicable Structuring Fee.

 

Section 2.19         Payment of Transaction Costs .  The Parties acknowledge the payment by the Partnership of transaction expenses in the amount of approximately $4,000,000.

 

Section 2.20         Redemption of the General Partner’s and Midstream Investments’ Initial Interests .  For and in consideration of the payment by the Partnership of $20 to the General Partner and $980 to Midstream Investments as a refund of their respective initial contribution to the Partnership, along with 2.0% and 98.0%, respectively, of any interest or profit that resulted from the investment or other use of such capital contribution, the Partnership hereby redeems all of the initial interests of the General Partner and Midstream Investments.

 

ARTICLE III
ADDITIONAL TRANSACTIONS

 

Section 3.1            Purchase of Additional Common Units .  If the Over-Allotment Option is exercised in whole or in part, the Underwriters will contribute additional cash to the

 

8



 

Partnership in exchange for up to an additional 1,875,000 Common Units on the basis of the initial public offering price per Common Unit set forth in the Registration Statement less the amount of underwriting discounts and applicable Structuring Fee, and the Partnership shall make a cash distribution to Midstream Investments pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof equal to the amount contributed by the Underwriters to the Partnership on each such Option Closing Date.

 

Section 3.2            Issuance of Additional Common Units .  Upon the expiration of the Option Period, the Partnership will issue to Midstream Investments a number of additional Common Units that is equal to the excess, if any, of (x) 1,875,000 over (y) the aggregate number of Common Units, if any, actually purchased by and issued to the Underwriters pursuant to each exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

 

ARTICLE IV
FURTHER ASSURANCES

 

From time to time after the Effective Time, and without any further consideration, the Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver all such additional deeds, assignments, bills of sale, conveyances, instruments, notices, releases, acquittances and other documents, and to do all such other acts and things, all in accordance with applicable law, as may be necessary or appropriate (i) more fully to assure that the applicable Parties own all of the properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, remedies, powers and privileges granted by this Agreement, or which are intended to be so granted, (ii) more fully and effectively to vest in the applicable Parties and their respective successors and assigns beneficial and record title to the interests contributed and assigned by this Agreement or intended to be so and (iii) more fully and effectively to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V
EFFECTIVE TIME

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, none of the provisions of Article II of this Agreement shall be operative or have any effect until the Effective Time, at which time all the provisions of Article II of this Agreement shall be effective and operative in accordance with Article VI, without further action by any Party hereto.

 

ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.1            Order of Completion of Transactions .  The transactions provided for in Article II and Article III of this Agreement shall be completed immediately following the Effective Time in the following order:  first, the transactions provided for in Article II shall be completed in the order set forth therein; and second, following the completion of the transactions provided for in Article II, the transactions provided for in Article III, if they occur, shall be completed.

 

Section 6.2            Headings; References; Interpretation .  All Article and Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.  The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this

 

9



 

Agreement as a whole, including, without limitation, all Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  All references herein to Articles, Sections, Schedules and Exhibits shall, unless the context requires a different construction, be deemed to be references to the Articles and Sections of this Agreement and the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, and all such Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof for all purposes.  All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender, shall include all other genders, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.  The use herein of the word “including” following any general statement, term or matter shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation”, “but not limited to”, or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that could reasonably fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.

 

Section 6.3            Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Section 6.4            No Third Party Rights .  The provisions of this Agreement are intended to bind the Parties as to each other and are not intended to and do not create rights in any other person or confer upon any other person any benefits, rights or remedies, and no person is or is intended to be a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.5            Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory Parties had signed the same document.  All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 6.6            Choice of Law .  This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Each Party hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to venue in the state and federal courts in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

 

Section 6.7            Severability .  If any of the provisions of this Agreement are held by any court of competent jurisdiction to contravene, or to be invalid under, the laws of any political body having jurisdiction over the subject matter hereof, such contravention or invalidity shall not invalidate the entire Agreement.  Instead, this Agreement shall be construed as if it did not contain the particular provisions or provisions held to be invalid and an equitable adjustment shall be made and necessary provision added so as to give effect to the intention of the Parties as expressed in this Agreement at the time of execution of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.8            Amendment or Modification .  This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties.  Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face as an amendment to this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.9            Integration .  This Agreement and the instruments referenced herein supersede all previous understandings or agreements among the Parties, whether oral or written, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and such instruments.  This Agreement and such instruments contain the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  No understanding, representation, promise or agreement, whether oral or written, is intended to be or shall be included in or form part of this Agreement unless it is contained in a written amendment hereto executed by the parties hereto after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.10         Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment .  To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “deed,” “bill of sale” or “assignment” of the assets and interests referenced herein.

 

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties to this Agreement have caused it to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITRANS INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Partners, LP,

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

  By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITRANS SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

Equitrans Investments, LLC

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Partners, LP,

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

  By:

 

EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

  By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

Name: Philip P. Conti 

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement

 



 

 

EQUITRANS, L.P.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

ET Blue Grass, LLC

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Randall L. Crawford

 

 

Name: Randall L. Crawford

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

EQT Investments Holdings, LLC

 

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua Miller

 

 

Name: Joshua Miller

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Porges

 

 

Name: David L. Porges 

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQT INVESTMENTS HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joshua Miller

 

 

Name: Joshua Miller

 

 

Title: Vice President 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ET BLUE GRASS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Randall L. Crawford

 

 

Name: Randall L. Crawford

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President

 

Signature Page to Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

Execution Version

 

OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

 

among

 

EQT CORPORATION ,

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP,

 

and

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 



 

OMNIBUS AGREEMENT

 

This OMNIBUS AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into on, and effective as of, the Closing Date (as defined herein) among EQT Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation (“ EQT ”), EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”).  The above-named entities are sometimes referred to in this Agreement each as a “ Party ” and collectively as the “ Parties .”

 

R E C I T A L S:

 

1.                                       The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article II , with respect to certain indemnification obligations of the Parties to each other.

 

2.                                       The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article IV , with respect to certain general and administrative services and operation and management services to be performed by the EQT Entities (as defined herein) for and on behalf of the Partnership Group (as defined herein) and the Partnership’s reimbursement obligations related thereto.

 

3.                                       The Parties desire by their execution of this Agreement to evidence their understanding, as more fully set forth in Article V , with respect to the granting of a license from EQT to the Partnership Group and the General Partner.

 

In consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions

 

1.1                                Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective 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.

 

Applicable Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” is defined in Section 3.2

 

Cause ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Change of Control ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ Applicable Person ”), any of the following events: (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the Applicable Person’s assets to any other Person, unless immediately following such sale, lease, exchange or other transfer such assets are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Applicable Person or such

 

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Applicable Person owns or controls such other Person; (ii) the dissolution or liquidation of the Applicable Person; (iii) the consolidation or merger of the Applicable Person with or into another Person, other than any such transaction where (a) the outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person are changed into or exchanged for Voting Securities of the surviving Person or its parent and (b) the holders of the Voting Securities of the Applicable Person immediately prior to such transaction own, directly or indirectly, not less than a majority of the outstanding Voting Securities of the surviving Person or its parent immediately after such transaction; and (iv) a “person” or “group” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act), other than EQT or its Affiliates, being or becoming the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of all of the then outstanding Voting Securities of the Applicable Person, except in a merger or consolidation that would not constitute a Change of Control under clause (iii) above.

 

Closing Date ” means July 2, 2012.

 

Common Units ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Conflicts Committee ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Contribution Agreement ” means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, EQT and certain other EQT Entities, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.

 

control ,” “ is controlled by ” or “ is under common control with ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, 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.

 

Covered Environmental Losses ” means any and all Losses (including, without limitation, the costs and expenses associated with any Environmental Activity or of any environmental or toxic tort pre-trial, trial or appellate legal or litigation work) related to or arising out of or in connection with:

 

(a)                                  any violation or correction of a violation of any Environmental Law related to the Partnership Assets; and

 

(b)                                  any event, circumstance, action, omission, condition or matter that has an adverse impact on the environment and is associated with or arising from the ownership or operation of the Partnership Assets (including, without limitation, the presence of Hazardous Substances at, on, under, about or migrating from the Partnership Assets or the exposure to or Release of Hazardous Substances arising out of the operation of Partnership Assets, including at non-Partnership Asset locations).

 

Environmental Activity ” means any investigation, study, assessment, evaluation, sampling, testing, monitoring, containment, removal, disposal, closure, corrective action, remediation (whether active or passive), natural attenuation, restoration, bioremediation, response, repair, cleanup or abatement that is required or necessary under any Environmental

 

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Law, including, without limitation, the establishment of institutional or engineering controls and the performance of or participation in a supplemental environmental project in partial or whole mitigation of a fine or penalty.

 

Environmental Laws ” means all federal, state, and local laws, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, ordinances, judgments, codes, injunctions, decrees, Environmental Permits and other legally enforceable requirements and rules of common law relating to (a) pollution or protection of the environment or natural resources, (b) any Release or threatened Release of, or any exposure of any Person or property to, any Hazardous Substance and (c) the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, transport or handling of any Hazardous Substance, including, without limitation, the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Oil Pollution Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and other environmental conservation and protection laws, each as amended through and existing on the Closing Date.

 

Environmental Permits ” means any permit, approval, identification number, license, registration, certification, consent, exemption, variance or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law.

 

EQT Entities ” means EQT and any Person controlled, directly or indirectly, by EQT other than the General Partner or a member of the Partnership Group; and “ EQT Entity ” means any of the EQT Entities.

 

Equitrans ” means Equitrans, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership.

 

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

 

G&A Services ” is defined in Section 3.1 .

 

Hazardous Substance ” means (a) any substance that is designated, defined or classified as a hazardous waste, solid waste, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant or toxic or hazardous substance, or terms of similar meaning, or that is otherwise regulated under any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any hazardous substance as such term is defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as amended, (b) petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas, crude oil, gasoline, fuel oil, motor oil, waste oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel and other petroleum hydrocarbons, whether refined or unrefined, and (c) radioactive materials, asbestos, whether in a friable or a non-friable condition, and polychlorinated biphenyls.

 

Indemnified Party ” means either one or more members of the Partnership Group or one or more EQT Entities, as the case may be, each in its capacity as a party entitled to indemnification in accordance with Article II hereof.

 

Indemnifying Party ” means either one or more members of the Partnership Group or EQT, as the case may be, each in its capacity as a party from whom indemnification may be required in accordance with Article II hereof.

 

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License ” is defined in Section 5.1 .

 

Limited Partner ” is defined in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Losses ” means all losses, damages, liabilities, injuries, claims, demands, causes of action, judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, costs and expenses of any and every kind or character (including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees).

 

Marks ” is defined in Section 5.1 .

 

Name ” is defined in Section 5.1 .

 

O&M Services ” is defined in Section 4.2 .

 

Ongoing Maintenance Capital Expenditures ” means Maintenance Capital Expenditures (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) incurred by the Partnership Group with respect to the Partnership Assets during any applicable period other than those incurred pursuant to the initiatives set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (the “ Pre-Funded Capital Expenditures Initiatives ”) for which the Partnership Group has allocated proceeds of its initial public offering for the funding thereof, as further described in the Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-179487) (the “ Allocated Proceeds ”); provided , however , that for purposes of Section 3.2 , in the event that the aggregate Maintenance Capital Expenditures incurred with respect to the Partnership Assets pursuant to the Pre-Funded Capital Expenditures Initiatives exceeds the amount of the Allocated Proceeds, such excess Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall be considered “Ongoing Maintenance Capital Expenditures.”

 

Operation and Management Agreement ” is defined in Section 4.2 .

 

Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, dated as of the Closing Date, as such agreement is in effect on the Closing Date, to which reference is hereby made for all purposes of this Agreement.

 

Partnership Assets ” means the assets conveyed, contributed or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly (including through the transfer of equity interests), or intended to be conveyed, contributed or otherwise transferred, to the Partnership Group pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, including, without limitation, gathering pipelines, transportation pipelines, natural gas storage assets, offices and related equipment and real estate.

 

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

 

Party ” and “ Parties ” are defined in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

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.

 

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Qualifying Costs ” shall mean the costs incurred by Equitrans under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and the Commission’s Orders on Accounting for Pipeline Assessment Costs in Docket No. AI05-1-000, provided, however, that Qualifying Costs shall not include costs associated with operation and maintenance expenses or capital additions made in the ordinary course of business.  The Qualifying Costs recoverable through the Pipeline Safety Cost Tracker surcharge shall include (i) the return, taxes and depreciation expense associated with invested capital and (ii) the actual operating and maintenance expenses incurred by Equitrans.

 

Release ” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment.

 

Retained Assets ” means the assets and investments owned by Equitrans as of the Closing Date that were not conveyed, contributed or otherwise transferred to the Partnership Group pursuant to the Contribution Agreement; provided, however , that any Retained Asset shall cease to be a Retained Asset upon its conveyance, contribution or transfer to the Partnership Group after the date hereof.

 

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.

 

Voting Securities ” of a Person means securities of any class of such Person entitling the holders thereof to vote in the election of, or to appoint, members of the board of directors or other similar governing body of the Person.

 

ARTICLE II
Indemnification

 

2.1                                Environmental Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 , EQT shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Group from and against any Covered Environmental Losses suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group and relating to the Partnership Assets to the

 

5



 

extent that the violation, event, circumstance, action, omission, condition or matter giving rise to such Covered Environmental Losses occurred or existed on or before the Closing Date.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall EQT have any indemnification obligations under this Agreement with respect to any claims based on additions to or modifications of Environmental Laws enacted or promulgated after the Closing Date.

 

2.2                                Additional Indemnification . In addition to and not in limitation of the indemnification provided under Section 2.1(a) , subject to the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 , EQT shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Group from and against any Losses suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group and related to or arising out of or in connection with:

 

(a)                                  any failure of the Partnership Group to be the owner on the Closing Date of valid and indefeasible easement rights, rights-of-way, leasehold and/or fee ownership interests in and to the lands on which any Partnership Assets are located to the extent that such failure renders the Partnership Group liable to a third party or unable to use or operate the Partnership Assets in substantially the same manner as they were used or operated immediately prior to the Closing Date;

 

(b)                                  any failure of the Partnership Group to have on the Closing Date any consent, license or governmental permit or waiver necessary to allow (i) the transfer of any of the Partnership Assets, including the 97.25% limited partner interest and 2.75% general partner interest, respectively, in Equitrans, to the Partnership Group on the Closing Date or (ii) the Partnership Group to use or operate the Partnership Assets in substantially the same manner that the Partnership Assets were used and operated by the EQT Entities immediately prior to the Closing Date;

 

(c)                                   any event or condition associated with the Retained Assets, whether occurring before, on or after the Closing Date;

 

(d)                                  any federal, state or local income tax liabilities attributable to the ownership or operation of the Partnership Assets prior to the Closing Date, including (i) any income tax liabilities of EQT that may result from the consummation of the formation transactions for the Partnership Group and (ii) any income tax liabilities arising under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 and any similar provision of applicable state, local or foreign law, or by contract, as successor, transferee or otherwise, and which income tax liability is attributable to having been a member of any consolidated, combined or unitary group prior to the Closing Date;

 

(e)                                   any claims related to Equitans’ previous ownership of the Big Sandy Pipeline, including specifically claims arising under the Big Sandy Purchase Agreement and those related to the current dispute with Prater Branch Resources, LLC pursuant to the letter agreement dated September, 2007 between Equitrans and Big Branch Holdings Company, which was assigned to Prater Branch Resources; and

 

(f)                                    any amounts due to any member of the Partnership Group by a third party that has not paid such amounts in reliance on a contractual provision that provides that such third

 

6



 

party may offset amounts due to any member of the Partnership Group against amounts owed by an EQT Entity to such third party.

 

2.3                                Indemnification by the Partnership Group .  Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.4 and 2.5 , the Partnership Group shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the EQT Entities from and against any Losses (including Covered Environmental Losses) suffered or incurred by the EQT Entities and related to or arising out of or in connection with

 

(a)                                  the ownership or operation of the Partnership Assets after the Closing Date, except to the extent that any member of the Partnership Group is entitled to indemnification hereunder or pursuant to the Operation and Management Agreement or unless such indemnification would not be permitted under the Partnership Agreement; and

 

(b)                                  any amounts due to any of the EQT Entities by a third party that has not paid such amounts due in reliance on a contractual provision that provides that such third party may offset amounts due to any of the EQT Entities against amounts owed by a member of the Partnership Group to such third party.

 

2.4                                Limitations Regarding Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The indemnification obligations set forth in Sections 2.1(a) , 2.2(a) , and 2.2(b)  shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Closing Date and the indemnification obligation set forth in Section 2.2(d)  shall terminate on the 60th day after the termination of any applicable statute of limitations; provided, however , that any such indemnification obligation with respect to a Loss shall survive the time at which it would otherwise expire pursuant to this Section 2.4(a)  if notice of such Loss is properly given to EQT prior to such time.  The indemnification obligations set forth in Sections 2.2(c) , 2.2(e), 2.2(f)  and 2.3 shall survive indefinitely.

 

(b)                                  The aggregate liability of EQT under Section 2.1(a)  shall not exceed $15 million.

 

(c)                                   No claims may be made against EQT for indemnification pursuant to Section 2.1(a)  unless the aggregate dollar amount of the Losses suffered or incurred by the Partnership Group exceeds $250,000, after which EQT shall be liable for the full amount of such claims in excess of $250,000, subject to the limitations of Sections 2.4(a)  and 2.4(b) .

 

(d)                                  In no event shall EQT be obligated to the Partnership Group under Section 2.1(a)  or Sections 2.2(a) , 2.2(b) , 2.2(d)  or 2.2(e)  for any Losses or income tax liabilities to the extent (i) such Losses or liabilities are reserved for in the Partnership Group’s financial statements as of December 31, 2011, (ii) any insurance proceeds are realized by the Partnership Group, such correlative benefit to be net of any incremental insurance premium that becomes due and payable by the Partnership Group as a result of such claim, (iii) any amounts are recovered by the Partnership Group from third persons, or (iv) any amounts may be recovered from customers under the Partnership Group’s tariff filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “ FERC ”) as determined by the Partnership.

 

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2.5                                Indemnification Procedures .

 

(a)                                  The Indemnified Party agrees that promptly after it becomes aware of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnification under this Article II , it will provide notice thereof in writing to the Indemnifying Party, specifying the nature of and specific basis for such claim; provided, however , that the Indemnified Party shall not submit claims more frequently than once a calendar quarter (or twice in the case of the calendar quarter in which the applicable indemnity coverage under this Agreement expires) unless such Indemnified Party believes in good faith that such a delay in notice to the Indemnifying Party would cause actual prejudice to the Indemnifying Party’s ability to defend against the applicable claim.  Notwithstanding anything in this Article II to the contrary, a delay by the Indemnified Party in notifying the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article II , except to the extent that such failure shall have caused actual prejudice to the Indemnifying Party’s ability to defend against the applicable claim.

 

(b)                                  The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to control all aspects of the defense of (and any counterclaims with respect to) any claims brought against the Indemnified Party that are covered by the indemnification under this Article II , including, without limitation, the selection of counsel, the determination of whether to appeal any decision of any court and the settlement of any such matter or any issues relating thereto; provided, however , that no such settlement shall be entered into without the consent of the Indemnified Party (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee in the case of the Partnership Group) unless it includes a full release of the Indemnified Party from such matter or issues, as the case may be, and does not include any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party.

 

(c)                                   The Indemnified Party agrees to cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party with respect to all aspects of the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification under this Article II , including, without limitation, the prompt furnishing to the Indemnifying Party of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Indemnified Party may receive, permitting the name of the Indemnified Party to be utilized in connection with such defense, the making available to the Indemnifying Party of any files, records or other information of the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party considers relevant to such defense and the making available to the Indemnifying Party, at no cost to the Indemnifying Party, of any employees of the Indemnified Party; provided, however , that in connection therewith the Indemnifying Party agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the impact thereof on the operations of the Indemnified Party and further agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all files, records and other information furnished by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 2.5 .  In no event shall the obligation of the Indemnified Party to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence be construed as imposing upon the Indemnified Party an obligation to hire and pay for counsel in connection with the defense of any claims covered by the indemnification set forth in this Article II ; provided, however , that the Indemnified Party may, at its own option, cost and expense, hire and pay for counsel in connection with any such defense.  The Indemnifying Party agrees to keep any such counsel hired by the Indemnified Party informed as to the status of any such defense, but the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to retain sole control over such defense.

 

(d)                                  The date on which the Indemnifying Party receives notification of a claim for indemnification shall determine whether such claim is timely made.

 

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(e)                                   NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION HEREUNDER COVER OR INCLUDE CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, SPECIAL OR SIMILAR DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS SUFFERED BY ANY OTHER PARTY ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.

 

ARTICLE III
Reimbursements

 

3.1                                Plugging and Abandonment .  EQT shall reimburse the Partnership for any and all plugging and abandonment expenditures and other expenditures, including but not limited to condemnation proceedings and well reworks, that are reasonably necessary, in the good faith judgment of the Partnership, to protect its storage assets owned on the Closing Date, relating to the wells identified as EQT wells on Schedule B hereto and up to $1.2 million per fiscal year for such expenditures relating to the wells identified as third party wells on Schedule C hereto.

 

3.2                                Bare Steel Replacement .  If Applicable Maintenance Capital Expenditures (as defined below) exceed $17.2 million in any year, then EQT shall reimburse the Partnership for the lesser of (a) the amount of bare steel replacement capital expenditures during such year that were reasonably necessary, in the good faith judgment of the Partnership, and (b) the amount by which such Applicable Maintenance Capital Expenditures exceeds $17.2 million.  As used herein, “Applicable Maintenance Capital Expenditures” shall mean the sum of (i) Ongoing Maintenance Capital Expenditures incurred during the applicable period, less (ii) any plugging and abandonment expenditures and other expenditures incurred by the Partnership Group during the applicable period for which the Partnership Group has been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof, less (iii) any amounts recovered from customers during the applicable period under the Partnership Group’s tariff filed with the FERC that are associated with the Partnership Assets, as determined by the Partnership.  The aggregate reimbursement obligation of EQT under this Section 3.2 shall not exceed $31.5 million.

 

3.3                                Pipeline Safety Cost Tracker Reimbursement .  EQT shall reimburse the Partnership for the amount by which the total Qualifying Costs for a given calendar year, as adjusted pursuant to Section 6.38[4][b] of the General Terms and Conditions of Equitrans’ FERC Gas Tariff, First Revised Volume No. 1, exceeds the amount recovered from Equitrans’ customers pursuant to the annual Pipeline Safety Cost Tracker surcharge that applies to such calendar year’s Qualifying Costs.

 

3.4                                Limitations Regarding Reimbursement .

 

(a)                                  The reimbursement obligations set forth in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 shall terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date.  The reimbursement obligations set forth in Section  3.3 shall terminate on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date and shall be pro-rated, based on volumes, for the periods (i) from the Closing Date through December 31, 2012 and (ii) January 1, 2017 through the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

 

(b)                                  In no event shall EQT be obligated to the Partnership Group under Sections 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 for any reimbursement to the extent (i) such Losses or liabilities are

 

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reserved for in the Partnership Group’s financial statements as of December 31, 2011, (ii) any insurance proceeds are realized by the Partnership Group, such correlative benefit to be net of any incremental insurance premium that becomes due and payable by the Partnership Group as a result of such claim, or (iii) any amounts are recovered by the Partnership Group from third persons in respect of such obligations.

 

(c)                                   The Partnership shall take all commercially reasonable actions to mitigate and reduce the amounts subject to reimbursement by EQT pursuant to Sections 3.1 , 3.2 and 3.3 .

 

3.5                                  Additional Provisions Related to Reimbursement Obligation .  With respect to EQT’s obligation to reimburse the Partnership for bare steel replacement in accordance with Section 3.2 :

 

(a)                                   Ongoing Maintenance Capital Expenditures for assets owned by the Partnership Group on the Closing Date will be tracked separately from any new builds or acquired assets.

 

(b)                                  All bare steel replacement capital expenditures for the period from January 1, 2012 through the Closing Date shall be excluded from the calculation of the reimbursement set forth in Section 3.2(a)  (but not the calculation of the Applicable Maintenance Capital Expenditures) for the year ending December 31, 2012.

 

(c)                                   All bare steel replacement capital expenditures for the period from the date which is the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date through December 31, 2022 shall be excluded from the calculation of the reimbursement set forth in Section 3.2(a)  (but not the calculation of the Applicable Maintenance Capital Expenditures) for the year ending December 31, 2022.

 

3.6                                  Reimbursement Procedures .  The Partnership may request reimbursement pursuant to Sections 3.1 , 3.2 and 3.3 on a quarterly basis based on (a) actual expenditures to date and projections for the applicable period, with respect to Sections 3.1 and 3.2 , or (b) actual qualifying pipeline safety costs recovered to date and projections for the applicable period, with respect to Section  3.3 ; provided, however , that the final determination of reimbursable amounts under each of Sections 3.1 , 3.2 and 3.3 shall be made at the end of each fiscal year promptly after audited financial statements for the Partnership are available.  If, based upon such audited financial statements and subject to Section 3.4(b) , it is determined that the Partnership received a reimbursement in excess of the amount to which it was entitled pursuant to Sections 3.1 , 3.2 and 3.3 , EQT shall be entitled, at its option, to either a credit for such amount in the following year or a refund.

 

ARTICLE IV
Services

 

4.1                                  Agreement to Provide General and Administrative Services .  Until such time as this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 6.4 , EQT hereby agrees to cause the EQT Entities to continue to provide the Partnership Group with certain centralized corporate, general and administrative services, such as accounting, audit, billing, business development, corporate

 

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record keeping, treasury services, cash management and banking, real property/land, legal, engineering, planning, budgeting, geology/geophysics, investor relations, risk management, information technology, insurance administration and claims processing, regulatory compliance and government relations, tax, payroll, human resources and environmental, health and safety, including without limitation permit filing, support for permit filing and maintenance (collectively, the “ G&A Services ”).  EQT shall, and shall cause the EQT Entities to, provide the Partnership Group with such G&A Services in a manner consistent in nature and quality to the services of such type previously provided by EQT Entities in connection with their management of the Partnership Assets prior to their acquisition by the Partnership Group.

 

4.2                                  Operation and Management Services .  Pursuant to an Operation and Management Services Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Operation and Management Agreement”), an EQT Entity has agreed to provide, or cause to be provided, to Equitrans, a member of the Partnership Group, certain operation and management services as set forth in, and subject to all terms and conditions of, the Operation and Management Agreement (such services, the “ O&M Services ,” and together with the G&A Services, the “ Services ”).

 

4.3                                  Reimbursement by Partnership .  Subject to and in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Article IV and such reasonable allocation and other procedures as may be agreed upon by EQT and the General Partner from time to time, the Partnership hereby agrees to reimburse EQT for all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred by EQT Entities in connection with the provision of the Services to the Partnership Group, including the following:

 

(a)                                   any payments or expenses incurred for insurance coverage, including allocable portions of premiums, and negotiated instruments (including surety bonds and performance bonds) provided by underwriters with respect to the Partnership Assets or the business of the Partnership Group;

 

(b)                                  salaries and related benefits and expenses of personnel employed by the EQT Entities who render Services to the Partnership Group, plus general and administrative expenses associated with such personnel; it being agreed, however, that such allocation (i) shall not include any costs or expenses attributable to EQT’s long-term incentive programs other than awards which are granted pursuant to the long-term incentive programs of both (A) EQT and (B) the General Partner or the Partnership Group, and (ii) shall include any withholding and payroll related taxes paid by EQT or its Affiliates in connection with any long-term incentive plan of the General Partner or the Partnership Group;

 

(c)                                   any taxes or other direct operating expenses paid by the EQT Entities for the benefit of the Partnership Group (including any state income, franchise or similar tax paid by the EQT Entities resulting from the inclusion of the Partnership Group in a combined or consolidated state income, franchise or similar tax report with EQT as required by applicable law as opposed to the flow through of income attributable to the EQT Entities’ ownership interest in the Partnership Group), provided, however , that the amount of any such reimbursement shall be limited to the tax that the Partnership Group would have paid had it not been included in a combined or consolidated group with EQT; and

 

11



 

(d)                                  all expenses and expenditures incurred by the EQT Entities as a result of the Partnership becoming and continuing as a publicly traded entity, including costs associated with annual and quarterly reports, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, independent auditor fees, partnership governance and compliance, registrar and transfer agent fees, legal fees and independent director compensation;

 

it being agreed, however, that to the extent any reimbursable costs or expenses incurred by the EQT Entities consist of an allocated portion of costs and expenses incurred by the EQT Entities for the benefit of both the Partnership Group and the other EQT Entities, such allocation shall be made on a reasonable cost reimbursement basis as determined by EQT.

 

4.4                                  Billing Procedures .  The Partnership will reimburse EQT, or the EQT Entities providing the Services, as applicable (the “ Service Provider ”), for billed costs no later than the later of (a) the last day of the month following the performance month, or (b) thirty (30) business days following the date of the Service Provider’s billing to the Partnership.  Billings and payments may be accomplished by inter-company accounting procedures and transfers. The Partnership shall have the right to review all source documentation concerning the liabilities, costs, and expenses upon reasonable notice and during regular business hours.

 

ARTICLE V
License of Name and Mark

 

5.1                                  Grant of License .  Upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Article V , EQT hereby grants and conveys to each of the entities currently or hereafter comprising a part of the Partnership Group a nontransferable, nonexclusive, royalty-free right and license (“ License ”) to use the name “EQT” (the “ Name ”) and any other trademarks owned by EQT which contain the Name (collectively, the “ Marks ”).

 

5.2                                  Ownership and Quality .

 

(a)                                   The Partnership agrees that ownership of the Name and the Marks and the goodwill relating thereto shall remain vested in EQT IP Ventures, LLC (“IP Ventures”), the owner of the mark, and any successor thereto, both during the term of this License and thereafter, and the Partnership further agrees, and agrees to cause the other members of the Partnership Group, never to challenge, contest or question the validity of IP Venture’s ownership of the Name and Marks or any registration thereto by IP Ventures.  In connection with the use of the Name and the Mark, the Partnership and any other member of the Partnership Group shall not in any manner represent that they have any ownership in the Name and the Marks or registration thereof except as set forth herein, and the Partnership, on behalf of itself and the other members of the Partnership Group, acknowledge that the use of the Name and the Marks shall not create any right, title or interest in or to the Name and the Mark, and all use of the Name and the Marks by the Partnership or any other member of the Partnership Group, shall inure to the benefit of IP Ventures.

 

(b)                                  The Partnership agrees, and agrees to cause the other members of the Partnership Group, to use the Name and Marks in accordance with such quality standards established by or for EQT and communicated to the Partnership from time to time, it being

 

12



 

understood that the products and services offered by the members of the Partnership Group immediately before the Closing Date are of a quality that is acceptable to EQT and justifies the License.  In the event any entity comprising a part of the Partnership Group or the Partnership is determined by EQT to be using the Marks in a manner not in accordance with quality standards established by EQT, EQT shall provide written notice of such unacceptable use including the reason why applicable quality standards are not being met.  If acceptable proof that quality standards are met is not provided to EQT within thirty (30) days of such notice, the entity’s license to use the Marks shall terminate and shall not be renewed absent written authorization from EQT.

 

5.3                                  In the Event of Termination .  In the event of termination of this Agreement, pursuant to Section 6.4 or otherwise, or the termination of the License, the Partnership Group’s right to utilize or possess the Marks licensed under this Agreement shall automatically cease, and no later than ninety (90) days following such termination, (a) the Partnership Group shall cease all use of the Marks and shall adopt trademarks, service marks, and trade names that are not confusingly similar to the Marks, provided, however, that any use of the Marks during such 90-day period shall continue to be subject to Section 5.2(b) , (b) at EQT’s request, the Partnership Group shall destroy all materials and content upon which the Marks continue to appear (or otherwise modify such materials and content such that the use or appearance of the Marks ceases) that are under the Partnership Group’s control, and certify in writing to EQT that the Partnership Group has done so, and (c) each member of the Partnership Group shall change its legal name so that there is no reference therein to the name “EQT” any name or d/b/a then used by any EQT Entity or any variation, derivation or abbreviation thereof, and in connection therewith, shall make all necessary filings of certificates with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and to otherwise amend its organizational documents by such date.

 

ARTICLE VI
Miscellaneous

 

6.1                                  Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state. Each Party hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to venue in the state and federal courts in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

 

6.2                                  Notice .  All notices or requests or consents provided for by, or permitted to be given pursuant to, this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United States mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postage-paid, and registered or certified with return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person, by overnight delivery service or by facsimile to such Party. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by facsimile shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipient’s normal business hours or at the beginning of the recipient’s next business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address set forth below or at such other address as such Party may stipulate to the other Parties in the manner provided in this Section 6.2 .

 

13



 

If to the EQT Entities:

 

EQT Corporation

625 Liberty, Suite 1700

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Attn:  General Counsel

Facsimile:  412-553-5970

 

If to the Partnership Group:

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

c/o EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its General Partner

625 Liberty, Suite 1700

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile:  412-553-5970

 

6.3                                  Entire Agreement .  This Agreement together with the Operation and Management Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.

 

6.4                                  Termination of Agreement .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, (a) if the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where (i) Cause does not exist and the Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, or (ii) Cause exists, then this Agreement, other than the provisions set forth in Section 5.3 , Article II and Article III , may at any time thereafter be terminated by EQT by written notice to the other Parties, or (b) if a Change of Control of the General Partner, EQT or the Partnership occurs, then this Agreement, other than the provisions set forth in Section 5.3, Article II and Article III , may at any time thereafter be terminated by EQT by written notice to the other Parties.

 

6.5                                  Amendment or Modification .  This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written agreement of all the Parties hereto; provided, however , that the Partnership may not, without the prior approval of the Conflicts Committee, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that, in the reasonable discretion of the General Partner, would be adverse in any material respect to the holders of Common Units.  Each such instrument shall be reduced to writing and shall be designated on its face an “Amendment” or an “Addendum” to this Agreement.

 

6.6                                  Assignment .  No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other Parties hereto; provided, however, that the Partnership may make a collateral assignment of this Agreement solely to secure working capital financing for the Partnership.

 

6.7                                  Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatory parties had signed the same document. All counterparts

 

14



 

shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile transmission or in portable document format (.pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

6.8                                  Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court or regulatory body of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

6.9                                  Further Assurances .  In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each signatory party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.

 

6.10                            Rights of Limited Partners .  The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties to this Agreement, and no Limited Partner of the Partnership shall have the right, separate and apart from the Partnership, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to this Agreement to comply with the terms of this Agreement.

 

15



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the Closing Date.

 

 

EQT CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David L. Porges

 

 

 

Name:

David L. Porges

 

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 

 

 

By:

EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its

 

 

general partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature page to Omnibus Agreement]

 



 

Schedule A

 

Pre-Funded Capital Expenditures Initiatives

 

·                   System segmentation and isolation : Install remote valve operation and pressure monitoring mechanisms on the Partnership’s transmission and storage systems.

 

·                   Valve pit remediation : Program to move valve operators above ground level and to apply coating and corrosion protection to certain equipment.

 



 

Schedule B

 

EQT Wells

 

API #

 

Field

 

State

3700300713

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700390054

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700300714

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700300715

 

Bunola

 

PA

4709100158

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100162

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100163

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100176

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100153

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100015

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100085

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

3712500688

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712500691

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712500670

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712500667

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712500668

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3705901368

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705901369

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705901095

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705901094

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705901097

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705901096

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

4710300254

 

Mobley

 

WV

 

1



 

API #

 

Field

 

State

4710300717

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300798

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300802

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300834

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300841

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300865

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300875

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300885

 

Mobley

 

WV

3712500701

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901113

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901112

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901056

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901105

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901054

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901058

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901059

 

Pratt

 

PA

4704100136

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704101714

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704103693

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4701730099

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771545

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709570673

 

Shirley

 

WV

3705901075

 

Swarts

 

PA

3705901090

 

Swarts

 

PA

 

2



 

Schedule C

 

Third Party Wells

 

API #

 

Field

 

State

3700320012

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700300446

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700300787

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700300886

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700301113

 

Bunola

 

PA

3700321991

 

Bunola

 

PA

3712501861

 

Bunola

 

PA

3712501991

 

Bunola

 

PA

4709100145

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100106

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100396

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100399

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100995

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709100996

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709145003

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

4709145004

 

Comet/Maple Lake

 

WV

3700300956

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3700300957

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712501751

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712501752

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3700321606

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3700321608

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712500850

 

Finleyville

 

PA

 

1



 

API #

 

Field

 

State

3712502026

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3712502101

 

Finleyville

 

PA

3705990172

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705990188

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705990000

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

3705990001

 

Hunters Cave

 

PA

4704901016

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704970052

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704970113

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704970212

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704970252

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704972287

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704972289

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704972291

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4704972323

 

Logansport/Hayes

 

WV

4710300033

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300283

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300377

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710300976

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301667

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301766

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301767

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301768

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301769

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301785

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301796

 

Mobley

 

WV

 

2



 

API #

 

Field

 

State

4710301886

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710301962

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710372014

 

Mobley

 

WV

4710372052

 

Mobley

 

WV

3705901206

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901241

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901244

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901245

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901701

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901702

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901714

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901793

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901860

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901938

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901939

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901965

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705901966

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902121

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902122

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902123

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902124

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902125

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902126

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902128

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705902129

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705923586

 

Pratt

 

PA

 

3



 

API #

 

Field

 

State

3705923665

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705924134

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705924135

 

Pratt

 

PA

3705990159

 

Pratt

 

PA

3712501355

 

Pratt

 

PA

3712501904

 

Pratt

 

PA

4704101371

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704102941

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704103402

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704104051

 

Rhodes/Skin Creek

 

WV

4704104138

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704104616

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704104687

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704104718

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704104971

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704170057

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4704170426

 

Rhodes

 

WV

4701700607

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701701009

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701704219

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701770355

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701770943

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771544

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771549

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771550

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771551

 

Shirley

 

WV

 

4



 

API #

 

Field

 

State

4701771552

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771553

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771554

 

Shirley

 

WV

4701771555

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709500008

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709501308

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709501445

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709501540

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709501544

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709521562

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709521623

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709521624

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709521684

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709570040

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709570139

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709570214

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709570499

 

Shirley

 

WV

4709570501

 

Shirley

 

WV

4704104018

 

Skin Creek

 

WV

4704104008

 

Skin Creek

 

WV

4704104025

 

Skin Creek

 

WV

3705900634

 

Swarts

 

PA

3705990151

 

Swarts

 

PA

3705990167

 

Swarts

 

PA

3705990171

 

Swarts

 

PA

3705990174

 

Swarts

 

PA

 

5



 

API #

 

Field

 

State

3705990175

 

Swarts

 

PA

3705990178

 

Swarts

 

PA

3700321658

 

Tepe

 

PA

3700321623

 

Tepe

 

PA

3700321755

 

Tepe

 

PA

3700321574

 

Tepe

 

PA

3700321615

 

Tepe

 

PA

3700321674

 

Tepe

 

PA

3700321802

 

Tepe

 

PA

 

6


Exhibit 10.3

 

OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) dated as of July 2, 2012, by and between EQT Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Operator ”), and Equitrans, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Company ”).  The Company and the Operator may be referred to herein individually as “ Party ” or collectively as “ Parties .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company owns or leases the Facilities defined and described below consisting of a natural gas pipeline, compressors, storage and other related facilities;

 

WHEREAS, the Operator owns, operates and maintains natural gas pipelines and compression facilities;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the initial public offering of EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), the ownership interests in the Company shall be contributed to the Partnership;

 

WHEREAS, as of the effective date of such equity contribution to the Partnership (the “ Effective Date ”), the Partnership and EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), will enter into an Omnibus Agreement with an affiliate of the Operator (the “ Omnibus Agreement ”), which agreement will provide, among other things, for the provision of certain corporate, general and administrative services to the Partnership and the Company;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires that the Operator perform the Services as defined and described below with respect to the Facilities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Operator desire to set forth their respective rights and responsibilities with respect to the operation, maintenance and management of the Facilities, the provision of the Services, and other matters addressed herein;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual undertakings and agreements hereunder, the Parties undertake and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES

 

1.1                                  Facilities Description .  “ Facilities ” means all facilities, pipelines, machinery, measurement equipment and other equipment, accessions and improvements in respect of the foregoing, owned or leased by the Company.  In addition, if the Company acquires or constructs assets after the Effective Date, the assets directly connected to and constructed to support the operation of the Facilities shall automatically become a part of the Facilities and shall be managed and operated by the Operator under this Agreement. With respect to all other assets acquired or constructed by the Company after the Effective Date, the Parties shall enter into good

 



 

faith negotiations to determine whether the assets shall be managed and operated by the Operator under this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 2
PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES

 

2.1                                  Operator Duties and Authority .   The Operator shall manage, subject to the terms of this Agreement and to the Company’s general directions, the operation, maintenance, repair, design, alteration and replacement of the Facilities and of the business processes associated with the Facilities as more particularly described below.

 

2.2                                  Services Provided by Operator .   The Operator shall provide, or cause to be provided (through contractors, subcontractors or affiliates), the following services relative to the Facilities (the “ Services ”).

 

(a)                                   The Operator shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, all operations with respect to the Facilities, and shall procure and furnish, or cause to be procured or furnished, all materials, equipment, services, supplies, and labor necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Facilities, engineering support for these activities, and related warehousing and security, including the following:

 

(1)                                   Maintain and operate flow and pressure control, monitoring, and over-pressure protection;

 

(2)                                   Maintain, repair, recondition, overhaul, and replace equipment, as needed, to keep the Facilities in good working order;

 

(3)                                   Operate the Facilities in a manner consistent with the standard of conduct set forth in Section 2.6; and

 

(4)                                   Conduct all other routine day-to-day operations of the Facilities.

 

(b)                                  The Operator shall provide, manage and conduct, or cause to be provided, managed and conducted, the business operations associated with the Facilities, including without limitation, the following:

 

(1)                                   Transportation and logistics, including commercial operations;

 

(2)                                   Commercial transportation marketing;

 

(3)                                   Contract administration;

 

(4)                                   Gas control;

 

(5)                                   Gas measurement;

 

(6)                                   GIS mapping;

 

(7)                                   Database mapping, reporting and maintenance;

 

2



 

(8)                                   Rights of way;

 

(9)                                   Materials management;

 

(10)                             Engineering support (including facility design and optimization); and

 

(11)                             Such other general services related to the Facilities as the Parties may mutually agree from time to time.

 

(c)                                   The Operator shall coordinate and direct, or cause to be coordinated and directed, the activities of persons (including contractors, subcontractors, consultants, professionals, service and other organizations) required by the Operator to perform its duties and responsibilities hereunder. Such persons may include the employees of the Operator, the Company or their respective affiliates, or the employees of one or more third persons.

 

2.3                                  Records .   The Operator will maintain operations, maintenance, and inspection records, accounting records (kept in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) and source documentation substantiating the Services provided under this Agreement, in compliance with the Subject Laws (as defined in Section 2.6(b) below) and the Operator’s policies and procedures. The Operator shall develop and maintain such records as are required by laws, regulations, codes, permits, or governmental agencies.

 

2.4                                  Outside Agency Requests and Other Notices .  Should either Party receive notice of a U.S. Department of Transportation (“ DOT ”) or any other governmental agency inspection or request for written comments concerning the Facilities, the Party receiving the notice will notify the other Party and permit the other Party’s representative to be present at all scheduled inspections and to review all correspondence to or from DOT or other governmental agency and to coordinate any necessary response.  Each Party shall as soon as reasonably possible notify the other Party of the occurrence of any incident, accident, action, loss, or existence of any unsafe or other condition which involves or could involve personal injury or property damage or loss relating to the Facilities or Services.  If notice is first given orally under this Section, the notifying Party shall provide written notice to the other Party as soon as reasonably possible.

 

2.5                                  Environmental Compliance .  All operations conducted hereunder shall be in compliance with all environmental laws, rules and regulations of the United States of America and the states where the Facilities are situated.

 

2.6                                  Standard of Conduct of the Operator .

 

(a)                                   General Standard . The Operator shall (1) perform the Services and carry out its responsibilities hereunder, and shall require all contractors, subcontractors and materialmen furnishing labor, material or services for the operation of the Facilities to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with workmanlike practices common in the natural gas pipeline industry, and (2) exercise the same level of care the Operator exercises in the management of its own business and affairs.

 

(b)                                  Compliance with Procedures and Laws .  The Operator shall perform the Services under this Agreement in compliance with all laws, permits, rules, codes, ordinances,

 

3



 

requirements and regulations of all federal, state or local agencies, court and/or other governmental bodies, including without limitation the Natural Gas Act, the Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, both as amended, and the regulations and orders of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“ FERC ”) and the DOT, which are applicable to (1) the Operator’s business (2) any of the Facilities, and/or (3) the performance of Services or any other obligation of the Operator hereunder (collectively, the “ Subject Laws ”). The Operator shall also perform its Services for the Company in a manner consistent with the Company’s gas transportation services agreements and the Company’s FERC Gas Tariff.

 

ARTICLE 3
RELATIONSHIP OF PARTIES

 

3.1                                  Independent Contractor .  The Operator is an independent contractor and shall perform the Services hereunder as an independent contractor. Nothing hereunder shall be construed as creating any other relationship between the Company and the Operator, including but not limited to a partnership, agency or fiduciary relationship, joint venture, limited liability company, association, or any other enterprise. Neither Party nor any of its employees shall be deemed to be an employee of the other Party. The Company’s interest is only in the performance of the Services by the Operator in accordance with this Agreement.

 

3.2                                 Company’s Right to Observe .  The Company shall at all times have the right to observe and consult with the Operator in connection with the Operator’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement. Further, the Operator and the Company shall have the right to witness all audits or environmental assessments of the other to be performed on or in connection with the Facilities.  The Company shall comply with all reasonable requirements of the Operator prior to such observation or witnessing, including but not limited to safety requirements.

 

ARTICLE 4
REIMBURSEMENT AND BILLING PROCEDURES

 

4.1                                  Reimbursement .  The Company shall reimburse the Operator for the Services it provides pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with the reimbursement for services provisions of the Omnibus Agreement.

 

4.2                                  Billing Procedures .  The Operator shall invoice the Company for the Services in accordance with the billing procedures provisions of the Omnibus Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 5
TERMINATION

 

5.1                                  Termination .  This Agreement will terminate automatically upon the termination of the Omnibus Agreement.  Upon termination of this Agreement, all rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall terminate, provided, however , that such termination shall not affect or excuse the performance of any party under the provisions of Article 6 which provisions shall survive the termination of this Agreement indefinitely.

 

4



 

ARTICLE 6
INDEMNITY

 

6.1                                  Indemnification Scope .  IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PARTIES THAT CERTAIN RISKS RELATING TO THE MATTERS GOVERNED BY THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED AND ALLOCATED AS BETWEEN THEM. IT IS THEREFORE THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE FOR THE INDEMNITIES SET FORTH HEREIN TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW. ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE DEEMED CONSPICUOUS WHETHER OR NOT CAPITALIZED OR OTHERWISE EMPHASIZED.

 

6.2                                  Indemnified Persons .   Wherever “Company” or “Operator” appears as an Indemnitee in this Article, the term shall include that entity, its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, members, contractors and subcontractors at any tier, and the respective agents, officers, directors, employees, and representatives of the foregoing entities involved in actions or duties to act on behalf of the indemnified party.  These groups will be the “Company Indemnitees” or the “Operator Indemnitees” as applicable, provided however, that the Company Indemnitees shall not include the Operator and the Operator Indemnitees shall not include the Company, the General Partner or the Partnership. “Third parties” shall not include any Company Indemnitees or Operator Indemnitees.

 

6.3                                  Indemnifications .

 

(a)                                   THE COMPANY SHALL RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE OPERATOR INDEMNITEES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DEMANDS, LIABILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES, FINES, PENALTIES, JUDGMENTS, EXPENSES AND COSTS, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS OF INVESTIGATION AND DEFENSE (EACH, A “ LIABILITY ”) (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LIABILITY FOR (1) DAMAGE, LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF THE FACILITIES, (2) BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH OF ANY PERSON, AND (3) LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON) ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE COMPANY’S OR OPERATOR’S PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH LIABILITY IS CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF OPERATOR INDEMNITEES.

 

(b)                                  THE OPERATOR SHALL RELEASE, DEFEND, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THE COMPANY INDEMNITEES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DEMANDS, LIABILITIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES, FINES, PENALTIES, JUDGMENTS, EXPENSES AND COSTS, INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND COSTS OF INVESTIGATION AND DEFENSE (EACH, A “ LIABILITY ”) (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY LIABILITY FOR (1) DAMAGE, LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF THE FACILITIES, (2) BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS OR DEATH OF ANY PERSON AND (3) LOSS OF OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON) ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO OPERATOR’S PERFORMANCE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT TO THE EXTENT SUCH

 

5



 

LIABILITY IS CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE OPERATOR INDEMNITEES.

 

6.4                                  Damages Limitations .  Any and all damages recovered by either Party pursuant to this Article 6 or pursuant to any other provision of or actions or omissions under this Agreement shall be limited to actual damages. CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS AND LOST PROFITS) AND EXEMPLARY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES SHALL NOT BE RECOVERABLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THOSE DAMAGES ARE INCLUDED IN THIRD PARTY CLAIMS FOR WHICH A PARTY HAS AGREED HEREIN TO INDEMNIFY THE OTHER PARTY. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS AWARE THAT IT HAS POTENTIALLY VARIABLE LEGAL RIGHTS UNDER COMMON LAW AND BY STATUTE TO RECOVER CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND EACH PARTY NEVERTHELESS WAIVES, RELEASES, RELINQUISHES, AND SURRENDERS RIGHTS TO CONSEQUENTIAL PUNITIVE AND EXEMPLARY DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAIVER REGARDLESS OF THE NEGLIGENCE OR FAULT OF EITHER PARTY.

 

6.5                                  Defense of Claims .  The indemnifying Party shall defend, at its sole expense, any claim, demand, loss, liability, damage, or other cause of action within the scope of the indemnifying Party’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement, provided that the indemnified Party notifies the indemnifying Party promptly in writing of any claim, loss, liability, damage, or cause of action against the indemnified Party and gives the indemnifying Party authority, information, and assistance at the reasonable expense of the indemnified Party in defense of the matter. The indemnified Party may be represented by its own counsel (at the indemnified Party’s sole expense) and may participate in any proceeding relating to a claim, loss, liability, damage, or cause of action in which the indemnified Party or both Parties are defendants, provided however, the indemnifying Party shall, at all times, control the defense and any appeal or settlement of any matter for which it has indemnification obligations under this Agreement so long as any such settlement includes an unconditional release of the indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such claim, demand, loss, liability, damage, or other cause of action and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of the indemnified Party.  Should the Parties both be named as defendants in any third-party claim or cause of action arising out of or relating to the Facilities or Services, the Parties will cooperate with each other in the joint defense of their common interests to the extent permitted by law, and will enter into an agreement for joint defense of the action if the Parties mutually agree that the execution of the same would be beneficial.

 

ARTICLE 7
NOTICES

 

Either Party may give notices to the other Party by first class mail postage prepaid, by overnight delivery service, or by facsimile with receipt confirmed at the following addresses or other addresses furnished by a Party by written notice. Any telephone numbers below are solely for information and are not for Agreement notices.

 

6



 

If to the Company to:

 

Equitrans, L.P.

625 Liberty Avenue

Suite 1700

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3111

Attn: Andy Murphy

Fax: (412) 395-3358

 

with a copy to:

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

625 Liberty Avenue

Suite 1700

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3111

Attn: General Counsel

Fax: (412) 553-5970

 

If to the Operator to:

 

EQT Gathering, LLC

625 Liberty Avenue

Suite 1700

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3111

Attn:  David Bradley

Fax: (412) 553-7781

 

with a copy to:

EQT Corporation

625 Liberty Avenue

Suite 1700

Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3111

Attn: General Counsel

Fax: (412) 553-5970

 

ARTICLE 8
GENERAL

 

8.1                                  Succession and Assignment .   This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein. Neither Party may assign or otherwise transfer either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Party, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

8.2                                  Governing Law .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPALS.   Jurisdiction and venue shall be in the Court of Common Pleas of

 

7



 

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, or the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania .

 

8.3                                  Non-waiver of Future Default .  No waiver of any Party of any one or more defaults by the other in performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver of any other existing or future default or defaults, whether of a like or different character.

 

8.4                                  Audit and Maintenance of Records; Reporting .   Notwithstanding the payment by the Company of any charges, the Company shall have the right to review and contest the charges. For a period of two years from the end of any calendar year, the Company shall have the right, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, to inspect and audit all the records, books, reports, data and processes related to the Services performed by the Operator to ensure the Operator’s compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  If the information is confidential, the parties shall execute a mutually acceptable confidentiality agreement prior to such inspection or audit.

 

8.5                                  Entire Agreement; Amendments and Schedules .  This Agreement, together with the Omnibus Agreement, constitutes the entire agreement concerning the subject matter between the Parties and shall be amended or waived only by an instrument in writing executed by both Parties. Any schedule, annex, or exhibit referenced in the text of this Agreement and attached hereto is by this reference made a part hereof for all purposes.

 

8.6                                  Force Majeure .

 

(a)                                   If either Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by force majeure to carry out its obligations under this Agreement, other than to make payments due, the obligations of that Party, so far as they are affected by force majeure, will be suspended during the continuance of any inability so caused, but for no longer period. The Party whose performance is affected by force majeure will provide notice to the other Party, which notice may initially be oral, followed by a written notification, and will use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve the event of force majeure to the extent reasonably possible.

 

(b)                                  “Force majeure” means acts of God, strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances, acts of the public enemy, wars, blockades, insurrections, riots, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, storms, floods, washouts, arrests and restraints of governments and people, civil disturbances, terrorist acts, fires, coal mining, oil and gas operations, timbering operations, explosions, breakage or accidents to machinery or lines of pipe; freezing of wells on lines of pipe; partial or entire failure of wells or sources of supply of gas; inability to obtain, or unavoidable delays in obtaining, at reasonable cost (unless prepaid by the Company) servitudes, right of way grants, permits, governmental approvals or licenses, materials, equipment or supplies for constructing or maintaining facilities; and similar events or circumstances, not within the reasonable control of the Party claiming suspension and which by the exercise of reasonable diligence the Party is unable to prevent or overcome.

 

8



 

(c)                                   The settlement of strikes or lockouts will be entirely within the discretion of the Party having the difficulty, and settlement of strikes, lockouts, or other labor disturbances when that course is considered inadvisable is not required.

 

8.7                                  Counterpart Execution .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on the Parties hereto.

 

8.8                                  Third Parties .  This Agreement is not intended to confer upon any person not a Party any rights or remedies hereunder, and no person other than the Parties is entitled to rely on or enforce any representation, warranty or covenant contained herein.

 

9



 

The Parties have caused this Agreement to be signed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the date first written above.

 

 

Operator:

 

 

 

EQT GATHERING, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Martin A. Fritz

 

 

 

 

Name:

Martin A. Fritz

 

 

 

 

Title:

President

 

 

 

 

 

Company:

 

 

 

EQUITRANS, L.P.

 

 

 

By: Equitrans Services, LLC,

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

By: Equitrans Investments, LLC,

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Partners, LP,

 

its sole member

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC

 

its general Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page – Operation and Management Services Agreement

 


Exhibit 10.4

 

 

 

CUSIP Number: 26885CAA62

 

$350,000,000

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of July 2, 2012

 

among

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP ,

as the Borrower,

 

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER ,

as Guarantors

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer,

 

The Other L/C Issuers Named Herein

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

 


 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and
SUNTRUST BANK
Co-Syndication Agents

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
PNC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
and

SUNTRUST ROBINSON HUMPHREY, INC.

as
Joint Lead Arrangers and Book Runners

 



 

Table of Contents

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1

 

 

1.01.

Defined Terms

1

1.02.

Other Interpretive Provisions

27

1.03.

Accounting Terms

28

1.04.

Rounding

28

1.05.

References to Agreements and Laws

29

1.06.

Times of Day

29

1.07.

Letter of Credit Amounts

29

 

 

 

ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND BORROWINGS

29

 

 

2.01.

The Loans

29

2.02.

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

30

2.03.

Letters of Credit

31

2.04.

Swing Line Loans

38

2.05.

Prepayments

41

2.06.

Termination or Reduction of Commitments

42

2.07.

Repayment of Loans

43

2.08.

Interest

43

2.09.

Fees

43

2.10.

Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate

44

2.11.

Evidence of Debt

45

2.12.

Payments Generally

45

2.13.

Sharing of Payments

47

2.14.

Cash Collateral

48

2.15.

Increase in Aggregate Revolving Commitments

49

2.16.

Defaulting Lenders

50

2.17.

Incremental Term Loans

53

 

 

 

ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

54

 

 

3.01.

Taxes

54

3.02.

Illegality

58

3.03.

Inability to Determine Rates

58

3.04.

Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy

58

3.05.

Funding Losses

59

3.06.

Mitigation Obligations; Designation of a Different Lending Office

60

3.07.

Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation

60

3.08.

Survival

60

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING DATE AND TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

61

 

 

4.01.

Conditions of Closing Date and Initial Credit Extension

61

4.02.

Conditions to all Credit Extensions

63

 

 

 

ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

63

 

 

5.01.

Corporate Existence and Power

63

5.02.

Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention

63

5.03.

Binding Effect

64

5.04.

Financial Information

64

5.05.

Litigation

64

5.06.

No Default

64

 

i



 

Table of Contents (continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

5.07.

Compliance with ERISA

65

5.08.

Environmental Matters

65

5.09.

Taxes

65

5.10.

Subsidiaries

65

5.11.

Regulatory Restrictions on Borrowing; Margin Regulations

65

5.12.

Full Disclosure

66

5.13.

Compliance with Laws

66

5.14.

Material Contracts

66

5.15.

Anti-Terrorism Laws

66

5.16.

Compliance with OFAC Rules and Regulations

66

5.17.

Compliance with FCPA

66

5.18.

Perfection of Security Interests in Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral

67

5.19.

Solvency

67

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

67

 

 

 

6.01.

Information

67

6.02.

Payment of Taxes

69

6.03.

Maintenance of Property; Insurance

69

6.04.

Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence

70

6.05.

Compliance with Laws

70

6.06.

Inspection of Property, Books and Records

70

6.07.

Use of Proceeds

70

6.08.

Governmental Approvals and Filings

70

6.09.

Material Contracts

71

6.10.

Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral

71

6.11.

Additional Subsidiaries

72

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS

72

 

 

 

7.01.

Liens

72

7.02.

Financial Covenants

74

7.03.

Transactions with Affiliates

74

7.04.

Restricted Payments

75

7.05.

Mergers and Fundamental Changes

75

7.06.

Change in Nature of Business

75

7.07.

Use of Proceeds

75

7.08.

Dispositions

75

7.09.

Debt

76

7.10.

Investments

77

7.11.

Changes in Fiscal Year; Organization Documents

78

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

78

 

 

 

8.01.

Events of Default

78

8.02.

Remedies Upon Event of Default

80

8.03.

Application of Funds

81

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

82

 

 

 

9.01.

Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent

82

9.02.

Rights as a Lender

82

9.03.

Exculpatory Provisions

82

9.04.

Reliance by Administrative Agent

83

 

ii



 

Table of Contents (continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

9.05.

Indemnification of Administrative Agent

83

9.06.

Delegation of Duties

84

9.07.

Resignation of Administrative Agent

84

9.08.

Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders

85

9.09.

No Other Duties, Etc.

85

9.10.

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

85

 

 

 

ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS

86

 

 

 

10.01.

Amendments, Etc.

86

10.02.

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication

88

10.03.

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

90

10.04.

Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes

90

10.05.

Indemnification; Damage Waiver

91

10.06.

Payments Set Aside

92

10.07.

Successors and Assigns

92

10.08.

Confidentiality

97

10.09.

Set-off

97

10.10.

Interest Rate Limitation

98

10.11.

Counterparts

98

10.12.

Integration

98

10.13.

Survival of Representations and Warranties

98

10.14.

Severability

98

10.15.

Reserved

99

10.16.

Replacement of Lenders

99

10.17.

Governing Law

99

10.18.

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

100

10.19.

Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury

100

10.20.

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

101

10.21.

Entire Agreement

101

10.22.

No General Partner’s Liability for Revolving Facility

101

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI GUARANTY

101

 

 

11.01.

The Guaranty

101

11.02.

Obligations Unconditional

102

11.03.

Reinstatement

103

11.04.

Certain Additional Waivers

103

11.05.

Remedies

103

11.06.

Rights of Contribution

103

11.07.

Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee

103

11.08.

Termination or Release

103

11.09.

No General Partner’s Liability for Revolving Facility

104

 

iii



 

SCHEDULES

 

 

 

 

2.01(a)

Revolving Commitments and Pro Rata Shares

 

5.10

Subsidiaries

 

7.10

Investments as of the Closing Date

 

10.02

Administrative Agent’s Office, Certain Addresses for Notices

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

Form of

 

 

A-1

Loan Notice

 

A-2

Swing Line Loan Notice

 

B-1

Revolving Note

 

B-2

Incremental Term Note

 

B-3

Swing Line Note

 

C

Compliance Certificate

 

D

Assignment and Assumption

 

E

Form of Guarantor Joinder

 

F

Form of Incremental Term Loan Agreement

 

G-1

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Form 1)

 

G-2

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Form 2)

 

G-3

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Form 3)

 

G-4

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Form 4)

 

i



 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 2, 2012, among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party hereto, each lender from time to time party hereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers named herein.

 

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a credit facility and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01.       Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

Account Control Agreement ” means any securities account control agreement, deposit account control agreement or similar agreement entered into in connection with the borrowing of, and as security for, any Incremental Term Loans, among the Borrower (as debtor), the Intermediary (as securities intermediary or deposit bank, as applicable) and the Administrative Agent (as secured party), pursuant to which the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the applicable Class of Incremental Term Lenders, obtains “control” (as defined in Section 8-106 or 9-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code, as applicable) of any Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral held in an Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account.

 

Acquisition ” by any Person, means (a) the acquisition by such Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of property or assets (other than capital expenditures or acquisitions of inventory or supplies in the ordinary course of business) constituting a business unit or division of another Person or at least a majority of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent of another Person, in each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person and whether for cash, property, services, assumption of Debt, securities or otherwise and (b) any Drop-Down Acquisition.

 

Administrative Agent ” means Wells Fargo in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

 

Administrative Agent’s Office ” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 , or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

Administrative Questionnaire ” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.  “ Control ” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” have meanings correlative thereto.

 



 

Agent-Related Persons ” means each of the Administrative Agent and each L/C Issuer, together with its respective Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

 

 “ Aggregate Commitments ” means the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the Aggregate Incremental Term Commitments.

 

Aggregate Incremental Term Commitments ” means the Incremental Term Commitments, if any, of all the Incremental Term Lenders, of each applicable Series.

 

Aggregate Revolving Commitments ” means the Revolving Commitments of all the Revolving Lenders.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

Applicable Rate ” means, (a) until the Borrower has obtained an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, the percentages per annum set forth in the Leverage Based Pricing Grid below, based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Borrower:

 

LEVERAGE BASED PRICING GRID

 

Pricing
Level

 

Consolidated Leverage
Ratio

 

Commitment
Fee

 

Eurodollar
Rate

 

Letters
of Credit

 

Base
Rate

 

1

 

Less than 3.00 to 1.00

 

0.250

%

1.625

%

1.625

%

0.625

%

2

 

Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00 but less than 3.75 to 1.00

 

0.275

%

1.750

%

1.750

%

0.750

%

3

 

Greater than or equal to 3.75 to 1.00

 

0.350

%

2.125

%

2.125

%

1.125

%

 

and (b) on the date and at all times after the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, the percentages per annum set forth in the Ratings Based Pricing Grid below, based upon the Public Debt Ratings of the Borrower:

 

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RATINGS BASED PRICING GRID

 

Pricing
Level

 

Public Debt Ratings
S&P/Moody’s/Fitch

 

Commitment
Fee

 

Eurodollar
Rate

 

Letters
of Credit

 

Base
Rate

 

1

 

BBB+/Baa1/BBB+ or higher

 

0.150

%

1.250

%

1.250

%

0.250

%

2

 

BBB/Baa2/BBB

 

0.200

%

1.375

%

1.375

%

0.375

%

3

 

BBB-/Baa3/BBB-

 

0.250

%

1.625

%

1.625

%

0.625

%

4

 

BB+/Ba1/BB+

 

0.300

%

1.875

%

1.875

%

0.875

%

5

 

BB/Ba2/BB or lower or unrated by S&P and Moody’s

 

0.350

%

2.125

%

2.125

%

1.125

%

 

Public Debt Ratings ” means a rating to be based on the Borrower’s long-term senior unsecured non-credit enhanced debt ratings established by S&P, Moody’s, and/or Fitch.  If at any time there is a Public Debt Rating issued by each Designated Rating Agency and such Public Debt Ratings differ, and (a) two Public Debt Ratings are equal to one another, then the pricing shall be based on such Public Debt Ratings that are equal or (b) no Public Debt Ratings are equal, the intermediate Public Debt Rating will apply.  In the event that the Borrower shall maintain Public Debt Ratings from only two of S&P, Moody’s, or Fitch, and there is a split in such Public Debt Ratings, (i) in the event of a single level split, the higher Public Debt Rating (i.e. the lower pricing) will apply and (ii) in the event of a multiple level split, the pricing will be based on the rating one level lower than the higher of the two.  If only one Public Debt Rating is available, it must be from S&P or Moody’s and such Public Debt Rating shall apply.  In the event that the Borrower does not have a Public Debt Rating from at least one of S&P or Moody’s, then the Applicable Rate shall be calculated at Pricing Level 5. Each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a publicly announced change in the Public Debt Ratings shall be effective during the period commencing on the date of the public announcement thereof and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.

 

The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date until the date the Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c) for the quarter ending June 30, 2012 shall be determined based upon Pricing Level 1 of the Leverage Based Pricing Grid.  Thereafter, the Applicable Rate shall be determined based upon the Compliance Certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c) , until the date that the Borrower shall have obtained an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, on which date the Applicable Rate shall be determined as set forth above.  Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date that the Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c); provided , however , that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then the Applicable Rate shall remain at the level determined by the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate and shall continue to apply until the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered in accordance with Section 6.01(c) , whereupon the Applicable Rate shall be adjusted based upon the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio contained in such Compliance Certificate, and if the Applicable Rate would have been set at a higher level during the period of non-delivery of the Compliance Certificate, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the applicable Lenders, on demand all amounts which would have accrued hereunder had the Compliance Certificate been delivered when due.

 

Approved Fund ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(h) .

 

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Arranger ” means each of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. in their capacity as joint lead arrangers and book runners.

 

Assignee Group ” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

 

Assignment and Assumption ” means an Assignment and Assumption substantially in the form of Exhibit D .

 

Attorney Costs ” means and includes all reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel and, without duplication, the allocated cost of internal legal services and all expenses and disbursements of internal counsel.

 

Authorizations ” means all filings, recordings, and registrations with, and all validations or exemptions, approvals, orders, authorizations, consents, franchises, licenses, certificates, and permits from, any Governmental Authority.

 

Availability Period ” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the Maturity Date.

 

Base Rate ” means, for any day, a fluctuating per annum rate of interest equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (b) the prime commercial lending rate of the Administrative Agent, as established from time to time at its principal U.S. office (which such rate is an index or base rate and will not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks), and (c) the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0%.  Any change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the prime rate, the Federal Funds Rate or the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate.

 

Base Rate Committed Loan ” means a Committed Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

Base Rate Loan ” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.  All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

Benefit Arrangement ” means, at any time, an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.

 

Borrower ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

Borrower Materials ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 .

 

Borrowing ” means a Committed Borrowing, an Incremental Term Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing, as the context may require.

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, New York City or the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

4



 

Capital Lease ” means any lease of any property by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP (subject to Section 1.03(b)), be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

 

Capital Stock ” means shares of capital stock in a corporation, partnership interests in a partnership, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest (other than any debt security which by its terms is convertible at the option of the holder into Capital Stock, to the extent such holder has not so converted such debt security).

 

Cash Collateralize ” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuers or the Revolving Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Revolving Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer. “ Cash Collateral ”, in such context, shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such Cash Collateral and other credit support.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means, collectively, (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof maturing within twelve (12) months from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of creation thereof and currently having the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s, (c) certificates of deposit maturing no more than one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of creation thereof issued by commercial banks incorporated under the laws of the United States, each having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 and having a rating of “A” or better by a nationally recognized rating agency; provided that the aggregate amount invested in such certificates of deposit shall not at any time exceed $5,000,000 for any one such certificate of deposit and $10,000,000 for any one such bank, (d) time deposits maturing no more than thirty (30) days from the date of creation thereof with commercial banks or savings banks or savings and loan associations each having membership either in the FDIC or the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC and in amounts not exceeding the maximum amounts of insurance thereunder and (e) money market investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500,000,000 or having portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to investments of the character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d).

 

Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

 

5



 

Change of Control ” means the failure of (a) the Borrower to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Capital Stock of Equitrans, L.P., (b) EQT Corporation to own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the Capital Stock of the General Partner or (c) the General Partner to be the general partner of, and to Control, the Borrower.

 

Class ” (a) when used with respect to Lenders, refers to whether such Lenders are Revolving Lenders or Incremental Term Lenders having Incremental Term Loans of the applicable Series, (b) when used with respect to Commitments, refers to whether such Commitments are Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Commitments of the applicable Series and (c) when used with respect to Loans, refers to whether such Loans are Revolving Loans or Incremental Term Loans of the applicable Series.

 

Closing Date ” means July 2, 2012, which is the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 4.01 (or, in the case of Section 4.01(f) , waived by the Person entitled to receive the applicable payment).

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Collateral Documents ” means (a) each Account Control Agreement and (b) each other document executed and delivered in connection with the granting, attachment and perfection of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral, including, without limitation, Uniform Commercial Code financing statements.

 

Commercial Operation Date ” means the date on which a Qualified Project is substantially complete and commercially operable.

 

Commitment ” means, as to each Lender, its Revolving Commitment or Incremental Term Commitment, as applicable.

 

Committed Borrowing ” means a Borrowing consisting of simultaneous Committed Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a) .

 

Committed Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a) .

 

Compliance Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C .

 

Consolidated Debt ” means, as of any date of determination, the Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Debt in respect of the Sunrise Pipeline Lease) on a consolidated basis minus the amount of Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral that secures Incremental Term Loans (in an amount not to exceed the outstanding principal amount of such Incremental Term Loans).

 

Consolidated EBITDA ” means, for any period, other than those described in the last sentence of this definition, subject to Section 1.03(c), an amount equal to (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, the aggregate amount of (i) taxes based on or measured by income, (ii) Consolidated Interest Charges, (iii) transaction expenses related to the IPO and the execution and delivery of this Agreement (including, without limitation, financing fees and expenses) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1 million and (iv) depreciation and amortization expense plus (c) the amount of cash dividends actually received during such period by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis from unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Borrower or other Persons plus (d) the amount collected during the period from capital lease arrangements with affiliates to the extent not already recognized in Consolidated Net Income plus (e)

 

6



 

non-cash long term compensation expenses minus (f) to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, other income and equity in earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Borrower minus (g) the amount paid during the period as lease payments pursuant to the Sunrise Pipeline Lease minus (h) any amounts previously added to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (e) above during a prior period to the extent they are paid in cash during the current period.  For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio and compliance with Section 7.09(d) , Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to be: $16.6 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011, $16.6 million for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011 and $20.1 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2012.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio ” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date to (b) Consolidated Interest Charges for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date minus the amount of any interest income earned on the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral during such period.

 

Consolidated Interest Charges ” means, for any period, other than those described in the last sentence of this definition, determined on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, all interest expense (including, without limitation, interest expense attributable to Capital Leases (other than the Sunrise Pipeline Lease) and all net payment obligations pursuant to interest rate Swap Contracts) for such period, in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Interest Charges shall be deemed to be: $1.25 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011, $1.25 million for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011, $1.5 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2012.

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio ” means, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Debt on such day to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such day.

 

Consolidated Net Income means, for any period, the net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall not include (a) extraordinary gains or extraordinary losses, (b) net gains and losses in respect of dispositions of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, (c) gains or losses attributable to write-ups or write-downs of assets, including hedging and derivative activities in the ordinary course of business and (d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles, all as reported in the Borrower’s consolidated statement(s) of income for the relevant period(s) prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, at any date of determination, the total amount of consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries minus the value (net of any applicable reserves) of all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents and other like intangible assets, all as set forth, or on a pro forma basis would be set forth, on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed fiscal quarter, in accordance with GAAP.

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries ” means, at any date, any Subsidiary or other entity, the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the Borrower in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date.

 

Contractual Obligation ” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

7



 

Control ” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Affiliate.”

 

Credit Extension ” means each of the following:  (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

 

Credit Party ” means any of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender and the other Lenders.

 

Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate ” means, for any day, the 30-day rate of interest per annum appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any successor page) as the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such day, or if such day is not a London business day, then the immediately preceding London business day (or if not so reported, then as determined by the Administrative Agent from another recognized source or interbank quotation), or another rate as agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

 

Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Swing Line Loan that bears interest at a rate based upon the Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate.

 

Debt ” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as Debt or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)           all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)           the amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit (including standby and commercial) (other than letter of credit obligations relating to indebtedness included in Debt pursuant to another clause of this definition) and, without duplication, the unreimbursed amount of all drafts drawn thereunder;

 

(c)           all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);

 

(d)           debt (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including debt arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such debt shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

(e)           Capital Leases;

 

(f)            to the extent required to be included on the Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet as debt or liabilities in accordance with GAAP, Synthetic Lease Obligations; and

 

(g)           all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

For all purposes hereof, the Debt of the Borrower shall include the Debt of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower is a general partner or a joint venturer ( provided , however , for the avoidance of doubt, as used in this sentence “joint venturer” shall not include a limited partner in a limited partnership), unless such Debt is expressly made non-recourse to the Borrower or Subsidiary, as applicable.

 

8



 

Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Default ” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

Default Rate ” means an interest rate equal to (a) the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate for a one-month Interest Period plus (b) 2% per annum; provided , however , that with respect to any Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

 “ Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.16(b) , any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of the Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within two Business Days following the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the applicable L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days following the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the applicable L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender in writing or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it has committed to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.  Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(b) ) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender and each Lender.

 

Designated Rating Agency ” means S&P, Moody’s and/or Fitch.

 

9



 

Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by a Loan Party (including the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

 

Dollar ” and “ $ ” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

Domestic ” means organized under the laws of any state of the United States.

 

Drop-Down Acquisition ” means the acquisition by the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of property or assets from another Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), so long as the property or assets being acquired is engaged or used (or intended to be used), as applicable, primarily in the midstream energy business.

 

Eligible Assignee ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(h).

 

Environmental Laws ” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

Environmental Liability ” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Substances, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Substances, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substances into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor statute.

 

ERISA Group ” means the Borrower, any Subsidiary and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

Eurodollar Rate ” means the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate or the Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate.

 

Eurodollar Rate Loan ” means a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan or a Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan.  Each reference to Eurodollar Rate Loan when used in connection with Committed Loans shall mean a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan.  Each reference to Eurodollar Rate Loan when used in connection with Swing Line Loans shall mean a Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01 .

 

Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the

 

10



 

Pennsylvania capital stock and foreign franchise tax) and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Revolving Commitment or otherwise under a Loan Document pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Revolving Commitment or becomes a Lender hereunder (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 10.16 ) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(b) , amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(f) , (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA and (e) any interest, fines, or penalties applicable to Taxes, and any additions to Tax, in each case that are owing by any Recipient as a result of such Recipient’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

 

Fee Letters ” means, collectively, (i) the letter agreement, dated May 3, 2012 among the Borrower, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Wells Fargo, (ii) the letter agreement, dated May 3, 2012 among the Borrower, PNC Capital Markets LLC and PNC Bank and (iii) the letter agreement, dated May 3, 2012 among the Borrower, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and SunTrust Bank.

 

Fitch ” means Fitch Ratings Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate means:

 

(a)           with respect to any Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan for the Interest Period applicable to such Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (i) the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%), or, if for any reason such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page), then a rate as shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for a period equal to such Interest Period, by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.  The Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate

 

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applicable to Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loans may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

LIBOR Rate =

London interbank offered rate quoted by Reuters
or appropriate successor as shown on Reuters Screen LIBOR01

1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

 

(b)           with respect to any Base Rate Loan, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1% per annum) (i) the rate for deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 for a period equal to one month (commencing on the date of determination of such interest rate) which appears on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date of determination, or, if such date is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding Business Day (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%), or, if for any reason such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page), then a rate as shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such date of determination for a period equal to one month commencing on such date of determination, by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage. The Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans may also be expressed by the following formula:

 

LIBOR Rate =

London interbank offered rate quoted by Reuters
or appropriate successor as shown on Reuters Screen LIBOR01

1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage

 

The Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan that is outstanding on the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage as of such effective date.  The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Borrower of the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan means a Loan that bears interest at a rate of interest based on the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate.

 

Foreign Lender ” means a Lender that is not a U.S. Person.

 

Form S-1 ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of the Borrower filed with the SEC on February 13, 2012, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on April 4, 2012 and by Amendment No. 2 filed on May 10, 2012, and as may be further amended on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

FRB ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

 

Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to an L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Revolving Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Swing Line Loans other

 

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than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Revolving Lenders.

 

Fund ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(h) .

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

General Partner ” means EQT Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (including any permitted successors and assigns under the Partnership Agreement).

 

Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantee ” means, as to any Person, any (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Debt or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Debt or other obligation is assumed by such Person.  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

Guarantors ” means, collectively, Equitrans, L.P., each other entity appearing as a Guarantor on the signature pages hereto, and any direct or indirect Material Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a Guarantor hereunder pursuant to Section 6.11 .

 

Hazardous Substances ” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

Increase Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.15(b) .

 

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Incremental Term Borrowing ” means a Borrowing consisting of simultaneous Incremental Term Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b) .

 

Incremental Term Commitments ” means, for any Incremental Term Lender, the commitment of such Incremental Term Lender to make Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(b) , as such commitment (i) is set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement delivered pursuant to Section 2.17 and (ii) may be reduced or terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Incremental Term Lender ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b) .  For the avoidance of doubt, any Person that (i) has no Incremental Term Loan owed to it and (ii) whose Incremental Term Commitment was terminated prior to funding will not be an “Incremental Term Lender”.

 

Incremental Term Loan Agreement ” means, with respect to any borrowing of Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.17 , (a) an amendment to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto, executed by the Borrower and the applicable Incremental Term Lenders for a Series of Incremental Term Loans, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, or (b) an amendment to, or restatement, amendment and restatement or modification of, this Agreement, executed by the Borrower, the applicable Incremental Term Lenders for a Series of Incremental Term Loans and the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.01 hereof, in each case evidencing the applicable Incremental Term Lender’s agreement to provide Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower’s obligation to repay such Incremental Term Loans and provide Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral therefor, and effecting such other amendments hereto as are contemplated by Section 10.01 .

 

Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral ” means, with respect to any Series of Incremental Term Loans, each of the following instruments and securities to the extent having maturities (for purposes of this definition, “maturities” shall mean (i) weighted average life for asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, and the next reset date for auction rate securities and (ii) with respect to mutual funds, the weighted average maturity of the investments it owns) not greater than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof:

 

(a)                                  cash;

 

(b)                                  investments in money market mutual funds that are registered with the SEC and subject to Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and have a net asset value of 1.0, provided, that in the event due to a Change in Law with respect to Rule 2a-7 such Rule 2a-7 ceases to require such funds to have a net asset value of 1.0, such funds shall comply with such alternate requirements as such Rule 2a-7 as revised may require;

 

(c)                                   U.S. Treasury Notes;

 

(d)                                  direct obligations of the United States and other obligations whose principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States;

 

(e)                                   money market instruments (including, but not limited to, commercial paper, banker’s acceptances, time deposits and certificates of deposits), other than instruments issued by Affiliates of Lenders, rated A-1 by S&P, P-1 by Moody’s or F-1 by Fitch at the time of purchase;

 

(f)                                    obligations of corporations or other business entities (excluding structured obligations and obligations of any Affiliates of Lenders, or any obligations convertible into equity) rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase;

 

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(g)                                   repurchase obligations that are collateralized no less than 100% (and, to the extent commercially available, not less than 102%) of market value (including accrued interest) by obligations of the United States government or one of its sponsored enterprises or agencies;

 

(h)                                  municipal obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any municipality or other political subdivision of any such state rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase; and

 

(i)                                      shares in bond mutual funds that are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that invest solely in the items set forth in (a)-(h) above and rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch at the time of purchase,

 

in each case above which is held in any Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account and is subject to an Account Control Agreement and in which the Administrative Agent has, on behalf of the applicable Class of Incremental Term Lenders, a perfected security interest prior to all other Liens (other than inchoate Liens permitted under Section 7.01).

 

Notwithstanding the above, at the time of purchase, no one issuer will be more than $30,000,000 of the value of the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral. This rule excludes (i) direct obligations of the United States, (ii) U.S. Treasury Notes, (iii) obligations of United States sponsored agencies and enterprises, (iv) money market funds, (v) repurchase agreements and (vi) securities that have an effective maturity no longer than the next Business Day.  Obligations of United States sponsored agencies and enterprises are limited to the greater of $100,000,000 or 40% of the value of the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral at time of purchase, per issuer. For purposes of calculating the amount of Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral on deposit in any Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account hereunder, Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral of an issuer that exceeds the $30,000,000 or the greater of $100,000,000 or 40% thresholds set forth above shall be excluded from such calculation.

 

Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account ” means any securities account or deposit account of the Borrower established and maintained with an Intermediary in connection with the borrowing of, and as security for, any Incremental Term Loans.

 

Incremental Term Loans ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(a)  and, for the avoidance of doubt, includes each Series of Incremental Term Loans.

 

Incremental Term Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of an Incremental Term Lender evidencing Incremental Term Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 .

 

Indemnified Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.05(a) .

 

Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.05(a) .

 

Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.08 .

 

Initial Asset Acquisition ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01(e).

 

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Interest Payment Date ” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan and other than a Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided , however , that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date; and (c) as to any Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar month.

 

Interest Period ” means, (a) with respect to any Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, or, if agreed by all of the relevant Lenders, nine or twelve months, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice, or (b) with respect to any Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan commences and ending one Business Day thereafter; provided that:

 

(i)                                      any Interest Period applicable to any Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan which would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

(ii)                                   any Interest Period applicable to any Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day;

 

(iii)                                any Interest Period applicable to any Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject to the provisions of clause (i) above, end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(iv)                               no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

Intermediary ” means, with respect to any Series of Incremental Term Loans, any deposit bank or securities intermediary, as applicable, that holds Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral, specified as such in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement.

 

Investment ” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of the Capital Stock of another Person, (b) an Acquisition or (c) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guarantees Debt of such other Person.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means (a) a BBB- rating or higher from S&P, (b) a Baa3 rating or higher from Moody’s or (c) a BBB- rating or higher from Fitch.

 

IPO ” means the initial public offering of common units of the Borrower, as described in the Form S-1.

 

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

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ISP ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(g) .

 

Laws ” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

L/C Advance ” means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Pro Rata Share.

 

L/C Borrowing ” means an extension of credit from the applicable L/C Issuer resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed by the Borrower on the date when made or refinanced as a Committed Borrowing.

 

L/C Credit Extension ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

 

L/C Issuance Limit ” means, (a) with respect to Wells Fargo, as L/C Issuer, FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000), (b) with respect to PNC Bank, as L/C Issuer, FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000), and (c) with respect to SunTrust Bank, as L/C Issuer, FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ($50,000,000).

 

L/C Issuer ” means each of Wells Fargo, PNC Bank or SunTrust Bank in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.  As used herein, the term “the L/C Issuer” shall mean “each L/C Issuer” or “the applicable L/C Issuer,” or, collectively, “the L/C Issuers”, as the context may require.

 

L/C Obligations ” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts (including all L/C Borrowings).  For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07 .  For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

Lenders ” means the Revolving Lenders and the Incremental Term Lenders, if any, and as the context requires, the Swing Line Lender.

 

Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

Letter of Credit ” means any standby letter of credit issued on or after the Closing Date hereunder.

 

Letter of Credit Application ” means an application, an application and agreement, or other similar document in the nature of an application required by the L/C Issuer, for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit, in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.

 

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Letter of Credit Expiration Date ” means the day that is seven days prior to the Stated Maturity Date (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

 

Letter of Credit Sublimit ” means an amount equal to $150,000,000, as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.06 .  The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

 

LIBOR Reserve Percentage ” means, for any day, the percentage (expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the FRB (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.

 

Lien ” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

Loan ” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Committed Loan, a Swing Line Loan or an Incremental Term Loan.

 

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, each Note, and the Fee Letters.

 

Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Committed Loans or Incremental Term Loans, (b) a conversion of Committed Loans or Incremental Term Loans from one Type to the other or (c) a continuation of Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 .

 

Loan Parties ” means, collectively, the Borrower and the Guarantors.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means (a) a material adverse change in the operations, business or financial condition of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

 

Material Debt ” means Debt (other than the Loans) of the Borrower and one or more Subsidiaries, arising in one or more related or unrelated transactions, in an aggregate principal or face amount exceeding $15,000,000.

 

Material Disposition ” means the Disposition by any Person, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of either (a) property or assets constituting a business unit or division of such Person to another Person or (b) a majority or greater of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent of a Subsidiary of such Person to another Person, in each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other Person.

 

Material Plan ” means, at any time, a Plan or Plans having aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess of $15,000,000.

 

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Material Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Subsidiary of Borrower for which (i) its assets and the assets of its consolidated Subsidiaries comprise more than 5% of the assets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, or (ii) its revenue and the revenue of its consolidated Subsidiaries comprise more than 5% of the revenue of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent fiscal year.

 

Maturity Date ” means the earlier of (a) the Stated Maturity Date and (b) the effective date of any other termination, cancellation, or acceleration of all Commitments under this Agreement.

 

Minimum Collateral Amount ” means, at any time, an amount equal to 102% of the Fronting Exposure applicable to any Defaulting Lender with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Multiemployer Plan ” means, at any time, an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five year period.

 

Multiple Employer Plan ” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any member of the ERISA Group) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

 

Note ” means a Revolving Note, Swing Line Note or an Incremental Term Note.

 

Obligations ” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Borrower arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

Organization Documents ” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient (or an agent or affiliate thereof) and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a

 

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security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

 

Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court, documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document except (i) any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 10.16) and (ii) any interest, fines, or penalties applicable to Taxes, and any additions to Tax, in each case that are owing by any Recipient as a result of such Recipient’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

Outstanding Amount ” means (i) with respect to Committed Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Committed Loans occurring on such date; (ii) with respect to Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Swing Line Loans occurring on such date; and (iii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date.

 

Participant ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(d) .

 

Participant Register ” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07(d).

 

Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EQT Midstream Partners, LP dated as of July 2, 2012 among the General Partner and EQT Midstream Investments, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as modified from time to time in a manner not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

 

Pension Act ” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

 

Pension Funding Rules ” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

Pension Plan ” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any member of the ERISA Group and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

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Plan ” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue code and either (i) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

 

Platform ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01 .

 

PNC Bank ” means PNC Bank, National Association and its successors.

 

Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to (a) each Revolving Lender at any time, a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Revolving Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time; provided that, if the commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , then the Pro Rata Share of each Revolving Lender shall be determined based on the Pro Rata Share of such Lender immediately prior to such termination and after giving effect to any subsequent assignments made pursuant to the terms hereof and (b) each Incremental Term Lender under a given Class at any time, a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans of such Incremental Term Lender with respect to such Class at such time (or, if the full amount of Incremental Term Loans under the applicable Incremental Term Commitment shall not yet have been made, the aggregate amount of the Incremental Term Commitments of such Incremental Term Lender with respect to such Class at such time) and the denominator of which is the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans with respect to such Class at such time (or, the full amount of Incremental Term Loans under the applicable Incremental Term Commitment shall not yet have been made, the amount of the Aggregate Incremental Term Commitments with respect to such Class at such time).  When a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Pro Rata Share” shall be calculated without including any Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment or Incremental Term Loans (or Incremental Term Commitments, as applicable).  The initial Pro Rata Shares of each Revolving Lender are set forth opposite the name of such Revolving Lender on Schedule 2.01(a)  or, if such Revolving Lender becomes a Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then in the applicable amendment to this Agreement giving effect to the applicable Increase Effective Date, or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Revolving Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.  The initial Pro Rata Shares of each Incremental Term Lender will be set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Incremental Term Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

Public Debt Ratings ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Applicable Rate.”

 

PUC ” means any state or local regulatory agency or governmental authority that exercises jurisdiction over the rates, services, ownership, capital structure, authority to borrow, operation or production of electricity, oil, gas or hydrocarbons, or over Persons who own, construct, or operate facilities or systems that produce, transport, process, or market electricity, oil, gas, or hydrocarbons.

 

Qualified Acquisition ” means an Acquisition by any Loan Party, the aggregate purchase price for which, when combined with the aggregate purchase price for all other Acquisitions by any Loan Party in any rolling 12-month period, is greater than or equal to $25,000,000.

 

Qualified Project ” means the construction or expansion of any capital project of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the aggregate capital cost of which exceeds $10,000,000.

 

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Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments ” shall mean, with respect to each Qualified Project:

 

(a)                                  prior to the Commercial Operation Date of a Qualified Project (but including the fiscal quarter in which such Commercial Operation Date occurs), a percentage (based on the then-current completion percentage of such Qualified Project) of an amount to be approved by the Administrative Agent as the projected Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for the first 12-month period following the scheduled Commercial Operation Date of such Qualified Project (such amount to be determined based on customer commitments and related contracts in connection with such Qualified Project, the creditworthiness of the other parties to such contracts, and projected revenues from such contracts, capital costs and expenses, scheduled Commercial Operation Date and other reasonable factors deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent), which may, at the Borrower’s option, be added to actual Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter in which construction of such Qualified Project commences and for each fiscal quarter thereafter until the Commercial Operation Date of such Qualified Project (including the fiscal quarter in which such Commercial Operation Date occurs, but net of any actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project following such Commercial Operation Date); provided that if the actual Commercial Operation Date does not occur by the scheduled Commercial Operation Date, then the foregoing amount shall be reduced, for quarters ending after the scheduled Commercial Operation Date to (but excluding) the first full quarter after its actual Commercial Operation Date, by the following percentage amounts depending on the period of delay (based on the period of actual delay or then-estimated delay, whichever is longer): (i) 90 days or less, 0%, (ii) longer than 90 days, but not more than 180 days, 25%, (iii) longer than 180 days but not more than 270 days, 50%, and (iv) longer than 270 days, 100%; and

 

(b)                                  thereafter, actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for each full fiscal quarter after the Commercial Operation Date, plus the amount approved by Administrative Agent pursuant to Part (a) above as the projected Consolidated EBITDA of Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for the fiscal quarters constituting the balance of the full four fiscal quarter period following such Commercial Operation Date; provided, in the event the actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for any full fiscal quarter after the Commercial Operation Date shall materially differ from the projected Consolidated EBITDA approved by Administrative Agent pursuant to Part (a) above for such fiscal quarter, the projected Consolidated EBITDA of Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project for any remaining fiscal quarters included in the foregoing calculation shall be redetermined in the same manner as set forth in Part (a) above, such amount to be approved by the Administrative Agent, which may, at the Borrower’s option, be added to actual Consolidated EBITDA for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarters.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing:

 

(A)                                no such additions shall be allowed with respect to any Qualified Project unless:

 

(1)                                  not later than 30 days prior to the delivery of any certificate required by the terms and provisions of Section 6.01(c)  to the extent Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments will be made to Consolidated EBITDA in determining compliance with Section 7.02 , the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent written pro forma projections of Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries attributable to such Qualified Project; and

 

(2)                                  prior to the date such certificate is required to be delivered, the Administrative Agent shall have approved (such approval not to be unreasonably

 

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withheld) such projections and shall have received such other information and documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and

 

(B)                                the aggregate amount of all Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments during any period shall be limited to 20% of the total actual Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period (which total actual Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined without including any Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments).

 

Recipient ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any L/C Issuer, as applicable.

 

Register ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.07(c) .

 

Reimbursement Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

 

Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

 

Request for Credit Extension ” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Committed Loans or Incremental Term Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

 

Required Collateral Amount ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.10(b) .

 

Required Incremental Term Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Incremental Term Lenders having greater than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the applicable Series of Incremental Term Loans at such time (or, if the full amount of the applicable Series of Incremental Term Loans shall not yet have been made, the aggregate amount of the applicable Series of the Incremental Term Commitments); provided that the Incremental Term Loans (or Incremental Term Commitments, as applicable) of any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Incremental Term Lenders.

 

Required Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having greater than 50% of the sum of (i) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments or, if the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , Lenders holding in the aggregate greater than 50% of the Total Revolving Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Lender for purposes of this definition) plus (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of any Incremental Term Loans at such time (or, if the full amount of any Series of Incremental Term Loans shall not yet have been made, the Aggregate Incremental Term Commitments of each such Series); provided that the Revolving Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Outstandings held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender, and the Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Term Commitment, of any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

 

Required Revolving Lenders ” means, as of any date of determination, Revolving Lenders having greater than 50% of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments or, if the commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been

 

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terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , Revolving Lenders holding in the aggregate greater than 50% of the Total Revolving Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Lender for purposes of this definition); provided that the Revolving Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Revolving Lenders.

 

Responsible Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the chief executive officer, president, executive vice president, senior vice president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of such Person.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower.

 

Restricted Payment ” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to Capital Stock of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Capital Stock or on account of any return of capital to a Loan Party’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof), or any setting apart of funds or assets for any of the foregoing.

 

Revolving Commitment ” means, (i) with respect to each Lender listed on Schedule 2.01(a), the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on such Schedule, (ii) with respect to any financial institution which becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, the amount of the Revolving Commitment extended by it as of the applicable Increase Effective Date and (iii) with respect to any assignee which becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 10.07(b), the amount of the transferor Lender’s Revolving Commitment assigned to it pursuant to Section 10.07 (b), in each case as such amount may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to this Agreement; provided that, if the context so requires, the term “Revolving Commitment” means the obligation of a Lender to extend credit up to such amount to the Borrower hereunder.

 

Revolving Lenders ” means those Lenders with a Revolving Commitment, or if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 , Lenders holding the outstanding Revolving Loans.

 

Revolving Loan ” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Committed Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

 

Revolving Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Lender evidencing Committed Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 .

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

Sanctioned Country ” means a country subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx, or as otherwise published from time to time.

 

Sanctioned Person ” means (a) a Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-

 

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center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx, or as otherwise published from time to time, or (b) (i) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned Country, (ii) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (iii) a person resident in a Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

Series ” means any series of Incremental Term Loans designated in and made pursuant to any applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement.

 

Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person as of a particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is able to pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (b) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature in their ordinary course, (c) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s assets would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged or is to engage, (d) the fair value of the assets of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person and (e) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured.  In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed as the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

Stated Maturity Date ” means July 2, 2017.

 

Subsidiary ” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

Sunrise Pipeline Lease ” means that certain Sunrise Facilities Lease Agreement to be entered into by and between Equitrans, L.P. and Sunrise Pipeline, L.L.C. substantially in the form attached to the Form S-1.

 

Swap Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, NYMEX futures contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related

 

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schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

Swap Termination Value ” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon the average of at least two mid-market or other readily available commercially reasonable quotations provided by any leading dealer in such Swap Contracts (one of which may be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender).

 

Swing Line ” means the revolving credit facility made available by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04 .

 

Swing Line Borrowing ” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04 .

 

Swing Line Lender ” means Wells Fargo in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

 

Swing Line Loan ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a) .

 

Swing Line Loan Notice ” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Swing Line Loans, or (b) a conversion of Swing Line Loans from one Type to the other, pursuant to Section 2.04(b) , which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 .

 

Swing Line Note ” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swing Line Lender evidencing Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 .

 

Swing Line Sublimit ” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $35,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.  The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.

 

Synthetic Lease Obligation ” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, fines, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

Total Revolving Outstandings ” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Committed Loans, Swing Line Loans and all L/C Obligations.

 

Type ” means, (a) with respect to a Committed Loan or Incremental Term Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan, and (b) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan.

 

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Unfunded Liabilities ” means, with respect to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (i) the value of all benefit liabilities under such Plan, determined on a plan termination basis using the assumptions prescribed by the PBGC for purposes of Section 4044 of ERISA, exceeds (ii) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such liabilities under Title IV of ERISA (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions), all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent that such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the ERISA Group to the PBGC or any other Person under Title IV of ERISA.

 

United States ” and “ U.S. ” mean the United States of America.

 

Unreimbursed Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c)(i) .

 

U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01(f) .

 

Wells Fargo ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and its successors.

 

Withholding Agent ” means any Loan Party and the Administrative Agent.

 

1.02.                      Other Interpretive Provisions .  With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)                                  The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

 

(b)                                  (i)                                      The words “herein,” “hereto,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision thereof.

 

(ii)                                   Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedule references are to the Loan Document in which such reference appears.

 

(iii)                                The term “including” is by way of example and not limitation.

 

(iv)                               The term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.

 

(v)                                  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”

 

(vi)                               Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns.

 

(vii)                            The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

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(c)                                   In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(d)                                  Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

1.03.                      Accounting Terms .

 

(a)                                  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time.

 

(b)                                  If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that , until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, for purposes of calculations made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, GAAP will be deemed to treat leases that would have been classified as operating leases in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect on December 31, 2011 in a manner consistent with the treatment of such leases under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect on December 31, 2011, notwithstanding any modifications or interpretive changes thereto that may occur thereafter.

 

(c)                                   Calculations .  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary:

 

(i)                                      For purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.02 , with respect to all Acquisitions and Material Dispositions subsequent to the Closing Date, Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Interest Charges and Consolidated Debt with respect to such newly acquired assets shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such Acquisition or Material Disposition had occurred at the beginning of the applicable twelve month period of determination.

 

(ii)                                   Upon the Borrower obtaining an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and/or Fitch, for purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.02 , Consolidated EBITDA may include, at Borrower’s option, any Qualified Project EBITDA Adjustments as provided in the definition thereof.

 

1.04.                      Rounding .  Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein

 

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and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

1.05.                      References to Agreements and Laws .  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to Organization Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.

 

1.06.                      Times of Day .  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

1.07.                      Letter of Credit Amounts .  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit Application therefor, whether or not such maximum face amount is in effect at such time.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE COMMITMENTS AND BORROWINGS

 

2.01.                      The Loans .

 

(a)                                  Committed Loans . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “ Committed Loan ”) to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Revolving Lender, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment.  Within the limits of each Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01(a) , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.01(a) .  Committed Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

(b)                                  Incremental Term Loans .  Subject to Section 2.17 , the other terms and conditions set forth herein and the relevant Incremental Term Loan Agreement, each Incremental Term Lender severally agrees to make an Incremental Term Loan to the Borrower, at any time and from time to time during the period from the effective date of the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement to sixty (60) days following such date, which Incremental Term Loans: (i) may only be incurred on the date or dates set forth in the relevant Incremental Term Loan Agreement; (ii) may be made in the form of a new Series of Incremental Term Loans or additional Incremental Term Loans under an existing Series of Incremental Term Loans, in each case to the extent provided for in the relevant Incremental Term Loan Agreement; and (iii) shall be made by each such Incremental Term Lender in an aggregate principal amount which does not exceed the Incremental Term Commitment of such Incremental Term Lender (as set forth in the relevant

 

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Incremental Term Loan Agreement); provided , however , that the Borrower may not request more than two (2) draws with respect to each Series of Incremental Term Loans, one of which must be on the effective date of the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement.  Once repaid or prepaid, Incremental Term Loans may not be reborrowed; provided that this Section 2.01(b) shall not limit the Borrower’s right to request additional Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.17 hereof.

 

2.02.                      Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans .

 

(a)                                  Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s delivery to the Administrative Agent of an irrevocable written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, which may be delivered via facsimile.  Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans.  Each Borrowing of, conversion or continuation of (i) Committed Loans shall be in a principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (ii) Incremental Term Loans shall be in a principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 (or as may otherwise be provided in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement).  Each Loan Notice shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto and (vi) whether such Borrowing will consist of Committed Loans or Incremental Term Loans, and if such Borrowing will consist of Incremental Term Loans, the applicable Series of Incremental Term Loans.  If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans.  Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans.  If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.

 

(b)                                  Following receipt of a Loan Notice, (i) in the case of Committed Loans, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify, each Revolving Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Committed Loans and (ii) in the case of Incremental Term Loans, each Incremental Term Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the applicable Series of Incremental Term Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each applicable Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in the preceding subSection.  Each Lender shall make the amount of the applicable Committed Loan or Incremental Term Loan, as the case may be, available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice.  Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01 ), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Wells

 

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Fargo with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided , however , that if, on the date the Loan Notice with respect a Committed Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Committed Borrowing shall be applied, first , to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings and second , to the Borrower as provided above.

 

(c)                                   Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan.  During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

 

(d)                                  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate.  The determination of the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Wells Fargo’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

 

(e)                                   After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than ten Interest Periods in effect with respect to Loans.

 

2.03.                      Letters of Credit .

 

(a)                                  The Letter of Credit Commitment .

 

(i)                                      Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03 , from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subSection (b) below; and (B) the Revolving Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower; provided that no L/C Issuer shall be obligated to make any L/C Credit Extension that would result in the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer to exceed such L/C Issuer’s L/C Issuance Limit; and provided further that no L/C Issuer shall be obligated to make any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, and no Revolving Lender shall be obligated to participate in any Letter of Credit if as of the date of such L/C Credit Extension, (x) the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Revolving Lender, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans would exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, or (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit.  Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

 

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(ii)                                   The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit and, in the case of clauses (B) and (C) below shall not issue any Letter of Credit, if:

 

(A)                                any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of Letters of Credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

 

(B)                                subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii) , the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last renewal, unless the Required Revolving Lenders have approved such expiry date;

 

(C)                                the expiry date of such requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless all the Revolving Lenders have approved such expiry date;

 

(D)                                the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer; or

 

(E)                                 such Letter of Credit is (1) in an initial amount less than $100,000, (2) is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars, or (3) is to be issued for a purpose other than to support surety bonds (including appeal bonds), worker’s compensation requirements and other general corporate purposes.

 

(iii)                                The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under any of Sections 2.03(a)(ii)(B) , (C)  or (E)(2)  or (3) .

 

(iv)                               The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

 

(b)                                  Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Renewal Letters of Credit .

 

(i)                                      Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower.  Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later

 

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date and time as the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in its sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be.  In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; and (G) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require.  In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require.

 

(ii)                                   Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the Borrower will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor.  Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not be satisfied, then, upon receipt by the L/C Issuer of confirmation from the Administrative Agent that the requested issuance or amendment is permitted in accordance with the terms hereof, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices.  Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)                                If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “ Auto-Extension Letter of Credit ”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date ”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.  Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension.  Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided , however , that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.03(a)  or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice

 

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(which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Revolving Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

 

(iv)                               Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment or a report containing information with respect thereto including the face amount of such Letter of Credit, the date of issuance or amendment and such other information as may be required by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall give the Revolving Lenders notice of the issuance of any Letter of Credit and any amendment thereto.

 

(c)                                   Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations .

 

(i)                                      Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof.  The Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent by paying an amount equal to the amount of any drawing under a Letter of Credit not later than (i) if the Borrower shall have received notice of such drawing prior to 10:00 a.m. on any Business Day, then 2:00 p.m. on such Business Day or (ii) otherwise, 11:00 a.m. on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice (each such date for reimbursement, a “ Reimbursement Date ”).  If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the Reimbursement Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the “ Unreimbursed Amount ”), and the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof.  In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice).  Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i)  may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

(ii)                                   Each Revolving Lender (including the Revolving Lender acting as L/C Issuer) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i)  make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agent’s Office in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii) , each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Committed Loan to the Borrower in such amount.  The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.

 

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(iii)                                With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Committed Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.  In such event, each Revolving Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii)  shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Revolving Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03 .

 

(iv)                               Until each Revolving Lender funds its Committed Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.

 

(v)                                  Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c) , shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default; (C) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto; (D) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off, defense or other right that such Revolving Lender may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction; (E) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit; (F) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or (G) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)  is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice).  No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(vi)                               If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such

 

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Revolving Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c)  by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii) , the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing.  If such Revolving Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Lender’s Committed Loan included in the relevant Committed Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be.  A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)                                  Repayment of Participations .

 

(i)                                      At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Lender such Revolving Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c) , if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Lender’s L/C Advance was outstanding) in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)                                   If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i)  is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Pro Rata Share thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is paid by such Revolving Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

 

(e)                                   Obligations Absolute .  The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

 

(i)                                      any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto;

 

(ii)                                   the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this

 

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Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

(iii)                                any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)                               any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or

 

(v)                                  any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower.

 

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer.  The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

(f)                                    Role of L/C Issuer .  Each Revolving Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document.  None of the L/C Issuer, any Agent-Related Person, nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Revolving Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Revolving Lenders or the Required Revolving Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Application.  The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided , however , that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement.  None of the L/C Issuer, any Agent-Related Person, any Revolving Lender, nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the L/C Issuer, shall be liable or responsible to the Borrower for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e) ; provided , however , that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which damages have been determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been caused by the L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under

 

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any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

 

(g)                                   Applicability of ISP .  Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance) (the “ ISP ”) shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit.

 

(h)                                  Letter of Credit Fees .  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata Share a Letter of Credit fee for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (whether or not such maximum amount is then in effect under such Letter of Credit).  Such Letter of Credit fees shall be computed on a quarterly basis in arrears.  Such Letter of Credit fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand.  If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily maximum amount of each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

(i)                                      Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer .  The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters.  In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to Letters of Credit as from time to time in effect.  Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

 

(j)                                     Conflict with Letter of Credit Application .  In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit Application, the terms hereof shall control.

 

2.04.                      Swing Line Loans .

 

(a)                                  The Swing Line .  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04 , to make loans (each such loan, a “ Swing Line Loan ”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of Committed Loans and L/C Obligations of the Revolving Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment; provided , however , that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding

 

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Amount of the Committed Loans of any Revolving Lender, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment, and provided , further , that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan.   Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04 , prepay under Section 2.05 , and reborrow under this Section 2.04 .  The Borrower will have the option to choose whether the Swing Line Loan is a (1) Base Rate Loan, or a (2) Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan.  Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

 

(b)                                  Borrowing Procedures; Conversion to Base Rate .  Each Swing Line Borrowing, and each conversion of Swing Line Borrowings from one Type to the other shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.  Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, (ii) the requested borrowing or conversion date, which shall be a Business Day, and (iii) whether the loan is a Base Rate Loan or a Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan.  Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower.  Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof.  Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) , or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 4:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower.

 

(c)                                   Refinancing of Swing Line Loans .

 

(i)                                      The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Lender make a Base Rate Committed Loan in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding.  Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for a Committed Loan for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02 , without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 .  The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice

 

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to the Administrative Agent.  Each Revolving Lender shall make an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii) , each Revolving Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Committed Loan to the Borrower in such amount.  The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

 

(ii)                                   If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Committed Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i) , the request for Base Rate Committed Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i)  shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

 

(iii)                                If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c)  by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i) , the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.  A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Revolving Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(iv)                               Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c)  shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided , however , that each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c)  is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 .  No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(d)                                  Repayment of Participations .

 

(i)                                      At any time after any Revolving Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

 

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(ii)                                   If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate.  The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender.  The obligations of the Revolving Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender .  The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans.  Until each Revolving Lender funds its Committed Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Pro Rata Share shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

 

(f)                                    Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender .  The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

 

2.05.                      Prepayments .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Committed Loans or Incremental Term Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (B) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (ii) any prepayment of Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, and (iii) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding (or in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such other amount as may be provided in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement).  Each such notice shall specify (x) the date and amount of such prepayment, (y) whether such Loans are Committed Loans or Incremental Term Loans, and, if Incremental Term Loans, the applicable Series and (z) the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Revolving Lender or Incremental Term Lender, as the case may be, of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of such prepayment.  If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided that, a notice of prepayment of all outstanding Loans may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any incurrence or issuance of debt or equity or the occurrence of any other transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked, subject to Section 3.05 , by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  Any prepayment of Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be accompanied by all accrued interest thereon, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 .  Each such prepayment (1) of Committed Loans shall be applied to the Committed Loans of the Revolving Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares and (2) of Incremental Term Loans shall be applied to Incremental Term Loans in such Series in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares.

 

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(b)                                  The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (ii) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment.  If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

 

(c)                                   If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided , however , that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(c)  unless after the prepayment in full of the Committed Loans, the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments then in effect.

 

2.06.                      Termination or Reduction of Commitments .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, such Letter of Credit Sublimit or such Swing Line Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess; provided further that, a notice of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any incurrence or issuance of debt or equity or the occurrence of any other transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked, subject to Section 3.05 , by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Revolving Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments.  Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Commitment of each Revolving Lender according to its Pro Rata Share.  All commitment fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower may (unless otherwise provided in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement), upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate any unused Incremental Term Commitments provided pursuant to the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement, or from time to time permanently reduce any unused Incremental Term Commitments provided pursuant to the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement in an integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or as may otherwise be provided in the respective Incremental Term Loan Agreement); provided , that each such reduction shall apply proportionately to permanently reduce the unused Incremental Term Commitments of the applicable Incremental Term Lenders provided pursuant to the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement; provided

 

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further that, a notice of termination of any unused Incremental Term Commitments may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or any incurrence or issuance of debt or equity or the occurrence of any other transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked, subject to Section 3.05 , by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the applicable Incremental Term Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the unused Incremental Term Commitments.

 

2.07.                      Repayment of Loans .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower shall repay to the Revolving Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans outstanding on such date.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower shall repay to the applicable Incremental Term Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans outstanding on such date.

 

2.08.                      Interest .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the provisions of subSection (b) below, (i) each Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan (other than Swing Line Loans) shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the (1) Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate, or (2) Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)                                  While any Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall (i) automatically, in the case of an Event of Default under any of Sections 8.01(a) , (f)  or (g)  or (ii) upon the request of the Required Lenders, in the case of any other Event of Default, pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.  Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

(c)                                   Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein.  Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

2.09.                      Fees .

 

(a)                                  Commitment Fee .  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata Share, a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Revolving

 

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Commitments exceed the sum of (y) the Outstanding Amount of Committed Loans and (z) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16 .  For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments for purposes of determining the commitment fee.  The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Section 4.02 is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Maturity Date (and, if applicable, thereafter on demand). The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately (but not invoiced separately) for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

(b)                                  Other Fees .

 

(i)                                      The Borrower shall pay to each Arranger and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters.  Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(ii)                                   The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.  Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

2.10.                      Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate .

 

(a)                                  All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans based on the prime commercial lending rate of the Administrative Agent shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.  All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year).  Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a) , bear interest for one day.

 

(b)                                  If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Required Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders (or former Lenders), promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent or any Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period.  This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as the case may be, under Section  2.08(b)  or under Article VIII .  The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the

 

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termination of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

2.11.                      Evidence of Debt .

 

(a)                                  The Credit Extensions made by each Lender, each L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender, such L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the L/C Issuers and each Lender shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.  Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Revolving Note or an Incremental Term Note, as applicable, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records.  Upon the request of the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Swing Line Lender a Swing Line Note, which shall evidence the applicable Swing Line Loans to the Borrower in addition to such accounts or records.  Each Lender and the Swing Line Lender may attach schedules to its Revolving Note, an Incremental Term Note or its Swing Line Note, as applicable, and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subSection (a), each Revolving Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Revolving Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

2.12.                      Payments Generally .

 

(a)                                  All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein.  The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

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(b)                                  If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

 

(c)                                   (i)                                      Unless the Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent, prior to the date any payment is required to be made by it to the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer hereunder, that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has timely made such payment and may (but shall not be so required to), in reliance thereon, make available a corresponding amount to the Person entitled thereto.  If and to the extent that such payment was not in fact made to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, shall forthwith on demand repay to the Administrative Agent the portion of such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender or the L/C Issuer in immediately available funds, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to such Lender or the L/C Issuer to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

(ii)                                   Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Loans accruing interest at the Base Rate, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02 ) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans.  If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period.  If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subSection (c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(d)                                  If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II , and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the

 

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applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

(e)                                   The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans are several and not joint.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.05 on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, purchase its participation or make its payment under Section 9.05 .

 

(f)                                    Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

2.13.                      Sharing of Payments .

 

(a)                                  If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain on account of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it, any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders of the applicable Class such participations in the Loans of the applicable Class made by them, and/or such subparticipations in the participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans held by them, as the case may be, as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment in respect of such Loans or such participations, as the case may be, pro rata with each of them; provided , however , that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to that extent be rescinded and each other applicable Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying Lender’s ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such paying Lender’s required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without further interest thereon.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.09 ) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.  The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the Lenders of the applicable Class following any such purchases or repayments.  Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests, demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.

 

(b)                                  If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.03(c) , 2.04 , or 9.05 , then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the

 

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Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender or the L/C Issuers to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to any of them under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.  For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the application or holding pursuant to this subSection of all or a part of a payment made by the Borrower for the account of a Lender, as between the Borrower and such Lender the Borrower shall be discharged from the obligation with respect to which such payment was made as if and to the extent such application or holding had not occurred.

 

2.14.                      Cash Collateral .  At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of such L/C Issuer and/or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)  and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.

 

(a)                                  Grant of Security Interest .  The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each applicable L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of the applicable L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans, to be applied pursuant to subSection (b) below.  If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

(b)                                  Application .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.14 or Section 2.16 in respect of Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

 

(c)                                   Termination of Requirement .  Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce the Fronting Exposure of an L/C Issuer and/or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.14 following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the good faith determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 2.16 , the Person providing Cash Collateral, such L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations; and provided further that to the extent such Cash Collateral was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

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2.15.                      Increase in Aggregate Revolving Commitments .

 

(a)                                  Provided there exists no Default, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Revolving Lenders), the Borrower may from time to time during the term of this Agreement request an increase in the Aggregate Revolving Commitments to an amount not exceeding $500,000,000 at any time; provided that any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  At the time of sending such notice, the Borrower (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Revolving Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than ten Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Revolving Lenders).  Each Revolving Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees to increase its Revolving Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Pro Rata Share of such requested increase.  Any Revolving Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Revolving Commitment.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and each Revolving Lender of the Revolving Lenders’ responses to each request made hereunder.  To achieve the full amount of a requested increase, the Borrower may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become Revolving Lenders pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

(b)                                  If the Aggregate Revolving Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall determine the effective date (the “ Increase Effective Date ”) and the final allocation of such increase.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Revolving Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Increase Effective Date.  As a condition precedent to such increase, the Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)                                      copies of corporate resolutions certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the General Partner, or such other evidence as may be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, demonstrating that Borrower’s incurrence of indebtedness hereunder in the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments as increased pursuant to this Section 2.15 and with a maturity date of the Stated Maturity Date, has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, together with an opinion of counsel to the Borrower (which, as to certain matters as agreed by the Administrative Agent, may be internal counsel) to such effect,

 

(ii)                                   a certificate dated as of the Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V (including without limitation the representation and warranties set forth in Sections 5.04(d) , 5.05 and 5.06 ) and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the Increase Effective Date, (or, if such representation speaks as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date), (B) no Default exists and (C) the Borrower is in compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.02 hereof, and

 

(iii)                                an opinion of counsel to the Borrower (which, as to certain matters as agreed by the Administrative Agent, may be internal counsel) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent stating that all Authorizations of

 

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federal regulators and of state regulators in Pennsylvania and West Virginia (and in any other state, if any, where the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to the PUC regulation) required in order to permit the Borrower to incur indebtedness hereunder in the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Commitments as increased pursuant to this Section 2.15 and with a maturity date of the Stated Maturity Date then in effect have been obtained and listing any such Authorizations obtained, or stating that no such Authorizations are required.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower shall prepay any Committed Loans outstanding on the Increase Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05 ) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Committed Loans ratable with any revised Pro Rata Shares arising from any nonratable increase in the Revolving Commitments under this Section.

 

(d)                                  This Section shall supersede any provisions in Sections 2.12 or 10.01 to the contrary.

 

2.16.                      Defaulting Lenders .

 

(a)                                  Defaulting Lender Adjustments .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender:

 

(i)                                      Waivers and Amendments .  Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definitions of Required Lenders, Required Revolving Lenders and Required Incremental Term Lenders.

 

(ii)                                   Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.09 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of any L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.14 ; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan or funded participation in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (A) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans and funded participations under this Agreement and (B) Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ and the Swing Line Lender’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.14 ; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender as a result of any final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under

 

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this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any final and non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (1) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (2) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) . Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii)  shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(iii)                              Certain Fees.

 

(A)                                No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any commitment fee payable under Section 2.09(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender except as set forth in clause (C) below).

 

(B)                                Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit fees pursuant to Section 2.03(h) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Pro Rata Share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.14 .

 

(C)                                With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.09 or Letter of Credit fee that would otherwise have been paid to any Defaulting Lender if it were not a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall (1) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (2) pay to each L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent that the Defaulting Lender’s Fronting Exposure has been reallocated to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (3) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv)                               Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure .  All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans

 

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shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares of the Revolving Commitments (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Committed Loans of any Revolving Lender, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Revolving Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment.  No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of the Borrower or a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

(v)                                  Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans .  If the reallocation described in clause (v) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under Law, within one Business Day following the Borrower’s receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent, (x) as to Swing Line Loans, repay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Fronting Exposure applicable to the Defaulting Lender or, if such Swing Line Loans cannot be repaid, Cash Collateralize the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to the Fronting Exposure applicable to the Defaulting Lender in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.14 and (y) as to Letters of Credit, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure with respect to the Defaulting Lender in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.14 .

 

(b)                                  Defaulting Lender Cure .  If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held by the Lenders in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares of their respective Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) ), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                                   New Swing Line Loans/Letters of Credit .  So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swing Line Lender shall not be required to fund any Swing Line Loans and no L/C Issuer shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swing Line Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable, is satisfied that the related Fronting Exposure and the then outstanding Fronting Exposure applicable to the Defaulting Lender (x) will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders and/or (y) Cash Collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.14 , and participating

 

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interests in any newly made Swing Line Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.16(a)(iv)  (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

2.17.                      Incremental Term Loans .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower shall have the right from time to time during the term of this Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.17 , to request in writing incremental term loans (the “ Incremental Term Loans ”) be made under this Agreement by Incremental Term Lenders pursuant to one or more Incremental Term Loan Agreements.  Such notice to the Administrative Agent shall set forth the date on which such Incremental Term Loans are requested to be made (which shall not be less than three (3) Business Days nor more than 60 days after the date of such notice (which time periods may be modified or waived at the discretion of the Administrative Agent)) and include the applicable completed Incremental Term Loan Agreement for such Incremental Term Loans as an attachment thereto; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Incremental Term Loan Agreement, such Incremental Term Loans shall mature on the Maturity Date, shall not require any mandatory prepayments thereof and shall not amortize.  In connection with any such request, the consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), but no consent of any Lender (other than any Lender providing an Incremental Term Loan pursuant to such request) is required to be obtained.

 

(b)                                  Any such Incremental Term Loans shall be made, at the option of the Borrower, by (x) one or more existing Lenders and/or (y) one or more financial institutions that is not an existing Lender (any such Lender or financial institution referred to in this Section 2.17(b)  being called an “ Incremental Term Lender ”); provided that any such non-existing Lender or financial institution (A) must be an Eligible Assignee, (B) must have an Incremental Term Loan of at least $5,000,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and (C) must become an Incremental Term Lender under this Agreement by execution and delivery of an Incremental Term Loan Agreement; provided , further, that no Lender shall be required to become an Incremental Term Lender and any Lender or financial institution approached to provide an Incremental Term Loan may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Incremental Term Loan.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower and each Incremental Term Lender that has agreed to provide an Incremental Term Loan pursuant to such request shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Term Loan Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably specify to provide for the requested Incremental Term Loans.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Incremental Term Loan Agreement shall become effective and no Incremental Term Loans shall be provided under this Section 2.17 unless:

 

(i)                                      no Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of the request or at the time of the making of the proposed Incremental Term Loans;

 

(ii)                                   all conditions precedent for a Borrowing set forth in Section 4.02 have been satisfied;

 

(iii)                                the Borrower shall have provided Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral as required pursuant to Section 6.10 hereof and the Administrative Agent shall

 

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have received copies of the Collateral Documents or any amendments thereto that the Administrative Agent shall deem reasonably necessary, signed, to the extent applicable, by each of the parties thereto (or, in the case of any party as to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received, receipt by the Administrative Agent of telegraphic, telecopy, electronic communication or other written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart thereof by such party), in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(iv)                               the Administrative Agent shall have received customary legal opinions, resolutions and closing certificates and other documentation as it shall reasonably request, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(v)                                  to the extent requested by any Incremental Term Lender making an Incremental Term Loan, the Borrower shall have executed and delivered Incremental Term Notes in favor of such Incremental Term Lenders evidencing such Incremental Term Loans.

 

ARTICLE III

 

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

3.01.                      Taxes .

 

(a)                                  L/C Issuer .  For purposes of this Section 3.01 , the term “Lender” includes any L/C Issuer.

 

(b)                                  Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of a Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Law.  If any Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01(b) ), the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding for Indemnified Tax been made.

 

(c)                                   Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

(d)                                  Indemnification by the Borrower .  The Borrower shall indemnify each Recipient, within twenty (20) days after receipt by the Borrower of demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01 ) payable or paid by such Recipient and required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that the Borrower

 

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shall not be required to indemnify a Recipient pursuant to this Section 3.01(d) for any Indemnified Taxes unless such Recipient notifies the Borrower of the indemnification claim for such Indemnified Taxes no later than 365 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which the relevant Governmental Authority makes written demand upon the Recipient for payment of such Indemnified Taxes and (ii) the date on which such Recipient has made payment of such Indemnified Taxes.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, accompanied by the calculations by which such determination was made by such Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(e)                                   Evidence of Payments .  As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 3.01 , the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(f)                                    Status of Lenders .  Any Lender (which solely for purposes of this Section 3.01(f) shall include the Administrative Agent) that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 3.01(f)(A) , (B)  and (D)  below) otherwise required as a result of a Change in Law, shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,

 

(A)                                any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)                                any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

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(i)                                      in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

(ii)                                   properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(iii)                                in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is neither a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, nor a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN;

 

(iv)                               properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8EXP claiming an exemption from withholding Tax; or

 

(v)                                  to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, properly completed and executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 or Exhibit G-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C)                                any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the

 

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Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)                                if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(g)                                   Treatment of Certain Refunds .  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes (including any application thereof to another amount owed to the refunding Governmental Authority) as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 3.01 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01 ), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such party will make such payment to the relevant indemnifying party within ten (10) days after the party has determined that it owes amounts to the indemnifying party pursuant to the first sentence of this subSection (g) .  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this subSection (g)  (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subSection (g) , in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this subSection (g)  the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.  This subSection (g)  shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

(h)                                  Indemnification of the Administrative Agent .  Each Lender and the L/C Issuer shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s

 

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failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.07(d)  relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this subSection (h) . The agreements in this subSection (h) shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent.

 

(i)                                      Survival .  Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

3.02.                      Illegality .  If any Lender determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.  Each Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.

 

3.03.                      Inability to Determine Rates .  If the Required Revolving Lenders or the Required Incremental Term Lenders, as applicable, determine that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or that the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender of the applicable Class.  Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders of the applicable Class to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Revolving Lenders or the Required Incremental Term Lenders, as applicable) revokes such notice.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

 

3.04.                      Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy .

 

(a)                                  If any Change in Law shall:

 

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(i)                                      impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Eurodollar Rate) or the L/C Issuer;

 

(ii)                                   subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes and (B) Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

 

(iii)                                impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)                                  If any Lender determines that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity, or compliance by such Lender (or its Lending Office) therewith, has the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender’s obligations hereunder (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity and such Lender’s desired return on capital), then from time to time upon demand of such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction.

 

(c)                                   Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section 3.04 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

3.05.                      Funding Losses .  Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(a)                                  any continuation, conversion, payment of principal or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan or Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last

 

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day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

(b)                                  any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan or Daily Floating Eurodollar Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower (even if permitted to revoke such notice); or

 

(c)                                   any assignment of a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.16 ;

 

including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan (excluding loss of anticipated profits) or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.  The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

 

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05 , each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

 

3.06.                      Mitigation Obligations; Designation of a Different Lending Office .  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04 , as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

3.07.                      Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation .  A certificate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender claiming compensation under this Article III and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder (including, if requested by the Borrower, an explanation in reasonable detail of the manner in which such amount or amounts was determined) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  In determining such amount, the Administrative Agent or such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

 

3.08.                      Survival .  All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING DATE AND TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

4.01.                      Conditions of Closing Date and Initial Credit Extension .  The obligation of each Lender to enter into this Agreement and make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or facsimiles or other electronic transmission (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party (or of the general partner, board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, of each Loan Party), each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i)                                      executed counterparts of this Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower;

 

(ii)                                   (A) a Revolving Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender and (B) a Swing Line Note executed by the Borrower in favor of the Swing Line Lender;

 

(iii)                                a certificate of a Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party (or of the general partner, board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, of each Loan Party) certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (A) the certificate or articles of limited partnership, formation or incorporation, as applicable, of such Loan Party and all amendments thereto, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of organization, (B) the limited partnership agreement, operating agreement, bylaws or other governing document, as applicable, of such Loan Party as in effect on the Closing Date and (C) resolutions duly adopted by the general partner, board of directors, or other governing body, as applicable, of such Loan Party authorizing and approving the transactions contemplated hereunder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;

 

(iv)                               certificates as of a recent date of the good standing of each Loan Party under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, each other jurisdiction where such Loan Party is qualified to do business;

 

(v)                                  (A) an opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel to the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender and (B) subject to agreement by the Administrative Agent as to the matters to be addressed, an opinion of internal counsel of the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in each case as to such customary matters regarding the transactions contemplated herein as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

 

(vi)                               a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, certifying (A) that the representations and warranties of the

 

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Borrower contained in Article V are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date hereof, (B) that no Default exists or would result from the execution of this Agreement, (C) since December 31, 2011, there has not occurred any event or condition that has had or would be reasonably expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect and (D) as of the date hereof and immediately after giving effect to the transactions contemplated herein, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are Solvent on a consolidated basis;

 

(vii)                            the financial statements set forth in the Form S-1 or a link thereto on the website of the SEC;

 

(viii)                         a certification by a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, that the Form S-1, including all amendments thereto, available at the link on the website to the SEC provided in such certificate are true and correct as of the Closing Date; and

 

(ix)                               such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or the Required Lenders reasonably may require.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, to the extent requested at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, (A) the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent and any Lender in order to comply with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, (B) the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent in order to comply with all “know your customer” requirements and (C) all anti-money laundering documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower shall have received all material governmental, partner and third party consents and approvals necessary (or any other material consents as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the IPO, and the other Loan Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(d)                                  No action, suit, investigation or other proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                                   Concurrently with the Closing Date, (i) the Borrower shall consummate the IPO on substantially the terms set forth in the Form S-1 and such IPO shall have generated gross cash proceeds in an amount not less than $200 million and (ii) all of the partnership interests of Equitrans, L.P. shall have been contributed, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower by EQT Corporation (the “ Initial Asset Acquisition ”).

 

(f)                                    Any fees required to be paid in connection with the Loan Documents on or before the Closing Date and for which invoices have been presented at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date shall have been paid.

 

Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all Attorney Costs of the Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior to the Closing Date.

 

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4.02.                      Conditions to all Credit Extensions .  The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than (i) a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, (ii) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, or (iii) a Swing Line Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Swing Line Loans to the other Type) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V (except, from and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch,  the representations and warranties in Sections 5.04(d) , 5.05 and 5.06 , as to any matter which has theretofore been disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Lenders by written notice given to the Administrative Agent) or in any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension (or, if such representation speaks as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date).

 

(b)                                  No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than (i) a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, (ii) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, or (iii) a Swing Line Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Swing Line Loans to the other Type) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

ARTICLE V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Loan Parties represent and warrant to the Lenders, as of the Closing Date and thereafter as of each date required by Section 4.02 and as of any other date as agreed by a Loan Party, that:

 

5.01.                      Corporate Existence and Power .  Each Loan Party is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company duly incorporated or formed, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable, and has all organizational powers and all material Authorizations required to carry on its business as now conducted.

 

5.02.                      Corporate and Governmental Authorization; No Contravention .  The Borrower’s incurrence of Debt hereunder, and the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party, (a) are within the corporate or other organizational powers of such Person, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, (c) require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority (except such as has been obtained and any reports required to be filed by such Person with the SEC), (d) do not contravene, or constitute a default under, (i) any provision of applicable law or regulation or of any Organization Documents of such Person or (ii) any material agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the such Person, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries that is not permitted hereunder.

 

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5.03.                      Binding Effect .  Each Loan Document constitutes a valid and binding agreement of each Loan Party that is party thereto, and each Note, when executed and delivered in accordance with this Agreement, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws of general application relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights.

 

5.04.                      Financial Information .

 

(a)                                  The balance sheets of EQT Midstream Partners Predecessor (as such term is described in the Form S-1) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related statements of operations, partners’ capital and cash flows of EQT Midstream Partners Predecessor for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 contained in the Form S-1 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP.  Such financial statements (i) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of EQT Midstream Partners Predecessor as of such dates and for such periods in conformity with GAAP and (ii) show, to the extent required by GAAP and together with all footnotes to such financial statements, all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Debt.

 

(b)                                  The unaudited pro forma balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 and the related statements of operations for the Borrower for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the quarter ended March 31, 2012 contained in the Form S-1 were prepared in good faith based on the assumptions that were believed to be reasonable in light of then-existing conditions (subject to the proviso that it is understood that such pro forma financial statements are based upon professional opinions, estimates and adjustments and that the Borrower does not warrant that such opinions, estimates and adjustments will ultimately prove to have been accurate).

 

(c)                                   Beginning with the initial delivery of the financial information required under Sections 6.01(a)  and (b) , the financial information delivered to the Lenders pursuant to such sections (i) fairly presents, in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows as of such date (subject, in the case of interim statements, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes), and (ii) show, to the extent required by GAAP and together with all footnotes to such financial statements, all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Debt.

 

(d)                                  Since December 31, 2011 there has been no material adverse change in the business, financial position or results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.

 

5.05.                      Litigation .  There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting, any Loan Party or any of their Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.06.                      No Default .  Neither any Loan Party nor any of their Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.07.                      Compliance with ERISA .  Each member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to each Plan and is in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to each Plan.  No member of the ERISA Group has (i) sought a waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules, (ii) failed to make any contribution or payment to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement, or made any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement, which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code, or (iii) incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA.

 

5.08.                      Environmental Matters .  In the ordinary course of its business, the Borrower conducts an ongoing review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated liabilities and costs (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of properties presently or previously owned, any capital or operating expenditures required to achieve or maintain compliance with environmental protection standards imposed by law or as a condition of any license, permit or contract, any related constraints on operating activities, including any periodic or permanent shutdown of any facility or reduction in the level of or change in the nature of operations conducted thereat, any costs or liabilities in connection with off-site disposal of wastes or Hazardous Substances, and any actual or potential liabilities to third parties, including employees, and any related costs and expenses).  On the basis of this review, the Borrower has concluded that such associated liabilities and costs, including the costs of compliance with Environmental Laws, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.09.                      Taxes .  The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have filed all United States Federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which are required to have been filed by them, and have paid all taxes due and payable by them pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any material assessment received by the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries (other than those not yet delinquent and payable without premium or penalty, and except for those being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and in each case, for which adequate reserves and provisions for taxes have been made on the books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary).  The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in respect of taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate.

 

5.10.                      Subsidiaries .  Set forth on Schedule 5.10 is a complete and accurate list as of the Closing Date of each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, together with its jurisdiction of formation, the Borrower’s direct or indirect percentage ownership therein and whether it is a Material Subsidiary.  Each Subsidiary is duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has all corporate or other organizational powers and all material governmental authorizations required to carry on its business as now conducted, except where the absence of any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.11.                      Regulatory Restrictions on Borrowing; Margin Regulations .

 

(a)                                  None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is an “ investment company ” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning

 

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of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.  Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Debt and within the scope of Section 8.01(e)  will be margin stock.

 

5.12.                      Full Disclosure .  No statement, information, report, representation, or warranty (collectively, the “ Information ”) made by any Loan Party in any Loan Document or furnished to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party in connection with any Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other Information so furnished), taken as a whole, contains, as of the date such Information was furnished (or, if such Information expressly relates to a specific date, as of such specific date) any untrue statement of a material fact or omits, as of the date such Information was furnished (or, if such Information expressly related to a specific date, as of such specific date), any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, provided , that with respect to projected financial information, each Loan Party represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by it to be reasonable at the time.

 

5.13.                      Compliance with Laws . Each Loan Party and each of its respective Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and requirements of Governmental Authorities applicable to it or to its properties (including, without limitation, the Code), except where the necessity or fact of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or such failure to comply could not have or be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.14.                      Material Contracts .   Each Loan Party and each of its respective Subsidiaries is in compliance with all material contracts with EQT Corporation necessary for the ongoing operation and business of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.15.                      Anti-Terrorism Laws .   Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as amended.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of (a) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (b) any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto or (c) the Act (as defined in Section 10.20 ).  The Borrower (i) is not a blocked person described in section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order and (ii) to the best of its knowledge, does not engage in any dealings or transactions, and is not otherwise associated, with any such blocked person.

 

5.16.                      Compliance with OFAC Rules and Regulations .   No Loan Party nor any of its respective Subsidiaries (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has more than 10% of its assets in Sanctioned Countries, or (iii) derives more than 10% of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Countries.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used directly or indirectly to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country.

 

5.17.                      Compliance with FCPA .   Each Loan Party and each of its respective Subsidiaries is in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq., and any foreign counterpart thereto.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has made a payment, offering, or

 

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promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value (a) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official, foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (b) to a foreign official, foreign political party or party official or any candidate for foreign political office, and (c) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to direct business wrongfully to the Borrower or such Subsidiary or to any other Person, in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.

 

5.18.                      Perfection of Security Interests in Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral .   So long as any Incremental Term Loan is outstanding hereunder, the Incremental Term Loan Agreements and/or the Account Control Agreements create valid security interests in, and Liens on, the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral purported to be covered thereby, which security interests and Liens are, if applicable, perfected security interests and Liens, prior to all other Liens (other than inchoate Liens permitted under Section 7.01 ).

 

5.19.                      Solvency .   The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are and, after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will be Solvent on a consolidated basis.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower agrees that, so long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding (unless such Letter of Credit has been cash collateralized in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer or other arrangements with respect thereto have been made that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer) or any Obligation payable hereunder remains unpaid:

 

6.01.                      Information .  The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

 

(a)                                  as soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) five (5) days after such information is required to be filed with the SEC, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing selected by the Borrower, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

 

(b)                                  as soon as available, and in any event within the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower beginning with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012 and (ii) five (5) days after such information is required to be filed with the SEC, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year ended at the end of such quarter, setting forth in the case of such statements of income and cash flows, in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of the Borrower’s previous fiscal year, all certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes) as to fairness of presentation, conformity to GAAP and consistency by the

 

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chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower;

 

(c)                                   simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a)  and (b)  above, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, substantially in the form of the Compliance Certificate attached hereto, including a complete and accurate list, as of the last day of the period covered by such financial statements, of each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, together with its jurisdiction of formation, the Borrower’s direct or indirect percentage ownership therein and whether it is a Material Subsidiary;

 

(d)                                  within five days after any officer of the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any Default, if such Default is then continuing, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Borrower, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(e)                                   promptly upon the mailing thereof to the unitholders of the Borrower generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed;

 

(f)                                    promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent) and reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or their equivalents) which the Borrower shall have filed with the SEC;

 

(g)                                   if and when any member of the ERISA Group (i) gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization, is insolvent or has been terminated, a copy of such notice; (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv) applies for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under the Pension Funding Rules, a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to terminate any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such notice and other information filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of withdrawal from any Plan pursuant to Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of such notice; (vii) fails to make any payment or contribution to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement or makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security, a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of the Borrower setting forth details as to such occurrence and action, if any, which the Borrower or applicable member of the ERISA Group is required or proposes to take; or (viii) determines that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA, a certification of funding status from the enrolled actuary for the Pension Plan, which in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (viii) above, could cause one or more members of the ERISA Group to incur liability;

 

(h)                                  promptly upon any announcement by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch of any issuance of or change in a Public Debt Rating notice of such issuance or change; and

 

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(i)                                      from time to time, such additional information regarding the financial position or business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Lender, may reasonably request.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) , (b) , (e)  or (f)  (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) (A) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02 ; or (B) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent), and (ii) on which the Borrower notifies (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent and each Lender of the posting of any such documents; provided that the Borrower shall deliver paper copies or soft copies (by electronic mail) of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies or soft copies.  Information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 6.01 may also be delivered by facsimile or electronic mail pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent.  Except for Compliance Certificates required by Section 6.01(c) , the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any request for delivery of such documents, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “ Platform ”) and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders ( i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “ Public Lender ”).  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws ( provided , however , that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.08 ); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Investor.”

 

6.02.                      Payment of Taxes .  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to, pay or discharge its material tax liabilities before the same shall become delinquent except where the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and such Loan Party or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.

 

6.03.                      Maintenance of Property; Insurance .

 

(a)                                  Each Loan Party will keep, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to keep, all material property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

 

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(b)                                  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to, maintain (either in the name of such Loan Party or in such Subsidiary’s own name), or will cause to be maintained on its behalf through the insurance program of EQT Corporation and its Subsidiaries with financially sound and responsible insurance companies, insurance with respect to their respective properties and business in at least such amounts, against at least such risks and with such risk retention as are customarily maintained, insured against or retained, as the case may be, by companies of established repute engaged in the same or a similar business, to the extent available at the time in question on commercially reasonable terms; and will furnish to the Lenders, upon request from the Administrative Agent, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried.

 

6.04.                      Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence .  Each Loan Party will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect their respective legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and their respective rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of business; provided that nothing in this Section 6.04 shall prohibit (i) the merger of a Subsidiary into the Borrower or the merger or consolidation of a Subsidiary with or into another Person if (A) in the case of a Domestic Subsidiary, the entity surviving such consolidation or merger is a Domestic Subsidiary and (B) in the case of a foreign Subsidiary, the entity surviving such consolidation or merger is a Subsidiary, if, in each case covered by this clause (i), after giving effect thereto, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or (ii) the termination of the legal existence of any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party if the Borrower in good faith determines that such termination is in the best interest of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders.

 

6.05.                      Compliance with Laws .  Each of the Loan Parties will comply, and cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all applicable material Laws and requirements of Governmental Authorities (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, the Act (as defined in Section 10.20) and ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder) except where the necessity or fact of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

 

6.06.                      Inspection of Property, Books and Records .  Each Loan Party will keep, and will cause its respective Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct, in all material respects, entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities to the extent required by GAAP or applicable Law; and will permit, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to permit, representatives of any Lender at such Lender’s expense to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and records, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as may reasonably be desired; provided, however, that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any visit and inspection by a Lender shall be at the sole expense of the Borrower.

 

6.07.                      Use of Proceeds .  The proceeds of the Loans made under this Agreement will be used by the Loan Parties (i) to pay fees and expenses in connection with the IPO and related formation transactions, (ii) for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, unit repurchases, and other lawful corporate purposes, and (iii) to purchase assets from EQT Corporation and its Subsidiaries, and other future sellers, or to make dividends or other distributions to EQT Corporation and its Subsidiaries in connection with asset contributions from EQT Corporation and its Subsidiaries.

 

6.08.                      Governmental Approvals and Filings .  Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain in full force and effect all action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority necessary in connection with (a) the execution and delivery of this

 

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Agreement, or any Note issued hereunder by the Borrower, (b) the consummation by the Borrower of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, (c) the performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions hereof or thereof by the Loan Parties, or (d) any other actions required to ensure the legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof.

 

6.09.                      Material Contracts .

 

The Borrower will comply, and will cause its Subsidiaries to comply, with all material contracts with EQT Corporation necessary for the ongoing operation and business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the ordinary course, except where the failure to comply has not had, or would not reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.10.                      Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral.

 

(a)                                  The Borrower shall, prior to the initial borrowing of any Incremental Term Loans, establish one or more Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts and enter into one or more Account Control Agreements and shall thereafter maintain such Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts and keep the Account Control Agreements in full force and effect at all times that any portion of the Incremental Term Loans shall remain outstanding.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall, at all times when any Incremental Term Loans are outstanding, maintain Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral in the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts with a value greater than or equal to the following (the “ Required Collateral Amount ”): the greater of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Incremental Term Loans made under this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.17 and (ii) such other amount agreed to by the Incremental Term Lenders and the Borrower in any Incremental Term Loan Agreement.

 

(c)                                   If, at any time, the Required Collateral Amount for any Series of Incremental Term Loans exceeds the value of the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral for such Series of Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower shall immediately deposit additional Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral into the appropriate Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account to eliminate such excess.  In accordance with the terms of the applicable Account Control Agreements, the Borrower shall direct the investment of items deposited into the applicable Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account.  The Borrower shall treat all income, gains or losses from the investment of items in the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts as its own income or loss, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have no liability for any such gain or loss.

 

(d)                                  If, at the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower, the value of the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral exceeds the Required Collateral Amount, then, upon the request of the Borrower, provided no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall direct the applicable Intermediary to pay and transfer to the Borrower cash, to the extent available, from the appropriate Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account in an amount equal to such excess.

 

(e)                                   To secure the prompt payment in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration or otherwise, of the Incremental Term Loans made under this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.01(b)  and Section 2.17 , the Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Incremental Term Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans, a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of

 

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the Borrower in and to the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts and the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral and all other amounts maintained in the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts.

 

6.11.                      Additional Subsidiaries .

 

Within thirty (30) days after the acquisition or formation of any Material Subsidiary (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing), the Borrower shall cause such Person to (i) become a Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent (A) documents of the types referred to in Sections 4.01(a)(iii)  and (iv)  and (B) favorable opinions of counsel to such Person (which, as to certain matters as agreed to by the Administrative Agent, may be internal counsel and which shall cover, among other things, the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability of the documentation referred to in clause (i)), all in form, content and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower agrees that so long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding (unless such Letter of Credit has been cash collateralized in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer or other arrangements with respect thereto have been made that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer) or any Obligation payable hereunder remains unpaid:

 

7.01.                      Liens .  Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary shall, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

 

(a)                                  Liens (other than Liens imposed under ERISA) for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not past due for more than 60 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b)                                  Liens of landlords (other than to secure Debt) and Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Liens secure only amounts not past due for more than 60 days or, if delinquent, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been established;

 

(c)                                   pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

(d)                                  Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Debt), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(e)                                   easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which do not materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

 

(f)                                    Liens securing judgments for the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);

 

(g)                                   leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(h)                                  any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by this Agreement;

 

(i)                                      normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;

 

(j)                                     Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection;

 

(k)                                  Liens of sellers of goods to the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries arising under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code or similar provisions of applicable law in the ordinary course of business, covering only the goods sold and securing only the unpaid purchase price for such goods and related expenses;

 

(l)                                      Liens, if any, in favor of the Administrative Agent on Cash Collateral delivered pursuant to Section 2.14(a) ;

 

(m)                              Liens, if any, in connection with the Sunrise Pipeline Lease;

 

(n)                                  Liens on Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral securing only Incremental Term Loans;

 

(o)                                  Liens created pursuant to construction, operating and maintenance agreements, transportation agreements and other similar agreements and related documents entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(p)                                  rights of first refusal entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(q)                                  Liens consisting of any (i) rights reserved to or vested in any municipality or governmental, statutory or public authority to control or regulate any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or to use such property, (ii) obligations or duties to any municipality or public authority with respect to any franchise, grant, license, lease or permit and the rights reserved or vested in any Governmental Authority or public utility to terminate any such franchise, grant, license, lease or permit or to condemn or expropriate any property, or (iii) zoning laws, ordinances or municipal regulations;

 

(r)                                     Liens on deposits required by any Person with whom the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries enters into a Swap Contract, to the extent such Swap Contracts are entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(s)                                    any Lien in favor of a Loan Party;

 

(t)                                     Liens imposed by ERISA which do not constitute an Event of Default and which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided therefor; and

 

(u)                                  Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this Section securing Debt in an aggregate principal or face amount at any date not to exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that upon termination of the Sunrise Pipeline Lease, the Borrower shall be permitted to incur Liens under this clause (u) in an aggregate principal or face amount at any date not to exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

7.02.                      Financial Covenants .

 

(a)                                  Consolidated Leverage Ratio . The Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012), shall be less than or equal to 5.00 to 1.0; provided , that, from and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, subsequent to the consummation of a Qualified Acquisition, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as at the end of the three consecutive fiscal quarters following such Qualified Acquisition, shall be less than or equal to 5.50 to 1.0.

 

(b)                                  Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio . The Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, as at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012), shall be greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0; provided , that, from and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, the Borrower will have no further obligation to comply with the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio set forth in this Section 7.02(b) .

 

7.03.                      Transactions with Affiliates .  A Loan Party will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay any funds to or for the account of, make any investment in, lease, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any assets, tangible or intangible, to, or participate in, or effect, any transaction with, any officer, director, employee or Affiliate (other than another Loan Party) unless any such transactions between a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries on the one hand and any officer, director, employee or Affiliate (other than another Loan Party or Subsidiary) on the other hand, shall be on an arms length basis and on terms no less favorable to such Loan Party or such Subsidiary than could have been obtained from a third party who was not an officer, director, employee or Affiliate (other than another Loan Party or Subsidiary); provided, that the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not (a) prohibit a Loan Party and each Subsidiary from declaring or paying any lawful dividend or distribution otherwise permitted hereunder, (b) prohibit a Loan Party or a Subsidiary from providing credit support for its Subsidiaries as it deems appropriate in the ordinary course of business, (c) prohibit a Loan Party or a Subsidiary from engaging in a transaction or transactions that are not on an arms length basis or are not on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a third party, provided that such transaction or transactions occurs within a related series of transactions, which, in the aggregate, are on an arms length basis and are on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a third party, (d) prohibit a Loan Party or a Subsidiary from engaging in non-material transactions with any officer, director, employee or Affiliate that are not on an arms length basis or are not on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from a third party but are in the ordinary course of such Loan Party’s or such Subsidiary’s business, so long as, in each case, after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (e) prohibit a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries from entering into any of the agreements to be entered into by various Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in connection with the Initial Asset

 

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Acquisition, the IPO or any Drop-Down Acquisition with EQT Corporation or its Affiliates and the transactions related thereto, and shall not prohibit the performance by any Person party thereto of their obligations thereunder,  (f) prohibit any corporate sharing agreements with respect to tax sharing and general overhead and administrative matters, (g) prohibit a Loan Party from engaging in a transaction with an Affiliate if such transaction has been approved by the conflicts committee of the General Partner, (h) prohibit transactions among or between non-Loan Party Subsidiaries,  (i) prohibit transactions involving any employee benefit plans or related trusts and (j) prohibit the payment of reasonable compensation, fees and expenses (as determined by the applicable Loan Party) to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, the General Partner and directors, employees and officers of the General Partner, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

7.04.                      Restricted Payments .  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, during the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, or if a Default or Event of Default would be caused by the making of such Restricted Payment.

 

7.05.                      Mergers and Fundamental Changes .  A Loan Party will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) enter into any transaction of merger or (b) consolidate, liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution); provided , that:  (i) a Person (including a Subsidiary of the Borrower but not the Borrower) may be merged or consolidated with or into the Borrower so long as (A) the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity, (B) no Default or Event of Default shall exist or be caused thereby, (C) the Borrower remains liable for its obligations under this Agreement and all the rights and remedies hereunder remain in full force and effect, (ii) a Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into another Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Person; provided that if one of such Subsidiaries is a Guarantor, the surviving entity must be a Guarantor and (iii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party may liquidate, wind up or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders.

 

7.06.                      Change in Nature of Business .  The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, engage in any material line of business other than the midstream oil and gas business or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.

 

7.07.                      Use of Proceeds .  The Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, for a purpose that entails a violation of Regulation U of the FRB.

 

7.08.                      Dispositions .

 

(a)                                  Prior to the time the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, a Loan Party will not make, nor permit its Subsidiaries to make any Disposition except:

 

(i)                                      Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ii)                                   Dispositions of machinery and equipment no longer used or useful in the conduct of business of a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries that are Disposed of in the ordinary course of business;

 

(iii)                                Dispositions of assets to a Subsidiary, provided that if the transferor of such assets is a Loan Party, the transferee thereof must be a Loan Party;

 

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(iv)                               Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

 

(v)                                  Dispositions of licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases not interfering in any material respect with the business of a Loan Party and its Subsidiaries;

 

(vi)                               Dispositions of cash or Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(vii)                            Dispositions in which: (i) the assets being disposed of are exchanged, within 180 days of such Disposition, for replacement assets or (ii) the net proceeds thereof are either (A) reinvested within 180 days from such Disposition in assets to be used in the ordinary course of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and/or (B) used to permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments on a dollar for dollar basis;

 

(viii)                         asset swaps with EQT Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(ix)                               Dispositions permitted by Sections 7.04 , 7.05 , and 7.10 ;

 

(x)                                  Dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary;

 

(xi)                               Dispositions of Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral for fair market value and in accordance with the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement; and

 

(xii)                            other Dispositions not exceeding in the aggregate for all Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (i) 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets in any fiscal year, measured as of the date of determination or (ii) 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets over the term of this Agreement, measured as of the date of determination.

 

(b)                                  From and after the time the Borrower receives an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, a Loan Party will not make, nor permit its Subsidiaries to make, any Disposition (whether in one transaction or a series of transactions) that constitutes all or substantially all of the assets of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

7.09.                      Debt .  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt except:

 

(a)                                  Debt pursuant to this Agreement or an Incremental Term Loan Agreement;

 

(b)                                  Investments permitted under Section 7.10 that would constitute Debt;

 

(c)                                   current liabilities of the Loan Parties or their respective Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business that is extended in connection with the normal purchases of goods and services;

 

(d)                                  Debt of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, to the extent such Debt is outstanding at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower and was not

 

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incurred in contemplation thereof, and Debt assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with its acquisition (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets or acquisition that results in the ownership of greater than fifty percent (50%) of the Capital Stock of a Person) of another Person and, in each case, Debt refinancing, extending, renewing or refunding such Debt; provided that (i) the principal amount of such Debt is not increased (other than to provide for the payment of any underwriting discounts and fees related to any refinancing Debt as well as any premiums owed on and accrued and unpaid interest related to the original Debt); and (ii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence or assumption of such Debt or refinancing Debt and the application of the proceeds thereof, as the case may be, the aggregate principal amount of all such Debt, and of all Debt previously incurred or assumed pursuant to this Section 7.09(d) , and then outstanding, shall not exceed 50% of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four full consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and such Person on a pro forma basis) then most recently ended;

 

(e)                                   Debt in the form of taxes, assessments, governmental charges or levies and claims for labor, materials and supplies to the extent that payment therefor shall not be past due;

 

(f)                                    Debt pursuant to the Sunrise Pipeline Lease;

 

(g)                                   all obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial); and

 

(h)                                  other Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

7.10.                      Investments .  No Loan Party will, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, make any Investments, except:

 

(a)                                  Investments held by a Loan Party or such Subsidiary in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral;

 

(b)                                  Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.10 ;

 

(c)                                   Investments in any Person that is a Loan Party prior to or contemporaneously with giving effect to such Investment;

 

(d)                                  Investments by any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party in any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party;

 

(e)                                   Acquisitions made in accordance with the Borrower’s Organization Documents;

 

(f)                                    Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

 

(g)                                   Investments by the Borrower in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party not exceeding $20,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;

 

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(h)                                  other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed, at any one time outstanding, $15,000,000.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon receiving an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, the Borrower shall not be required to comply with the restrictions set forth in this Section 7.10 .

 

7.11.                      Changes in Fiscal Year; Organization Documents .   No Loan Party shall make changes to its (i) fiscal year or (ii) Organization Documents, which, in either case, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01.                      Events of Default .  Any of the following events shall constitute an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(a)                                  Non-Payment .  Any Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) within five days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any facility or other fee due hereunder, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

(b)                                  Specific Covenants .  Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Sections 6.01(d) , 6.04 (with respect to the Borrower’s existence), 6.07 or 6.08 or Article VII ; or

 

(c)                                   Other Defaults .  Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subSection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or

 

(d)                                  Representations and Warranties .  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party, in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; provided that (except in the case of any representation, warranty or certification made with respect to any financial statement of the Borrower) if such lack of correctness is capable of being remedied or cured within a 30-day period, Borrower or such Loan Party shall have a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) written notice thereof has been given to Borrower by Administrative Agent (acting on the request of one or more Lenders) or (ii) a Responsible Officer of the General Partner or of such Loan Party (or the general partner, board of directors or other governing body, as applicable, of such Loan Party) has obtained knowledge thereof, within which to remedy or cure such lack of correctness; or

 

(e)                                   Cross-Payment Default .  (i) Any Loan Party (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Material Debt, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any Material Debt or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Material Debt to cause, with the giving of notice if required, the maturity of such Material Debt to be accelerated or to cause such Material Debt to

 

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be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Debt to be made, prior to its stated maturity or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $15,000,000; or

 

(f)                                    Insolvency Proceedings, Etc.   Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)                                   Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment .  (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or

 

(h)                                  Judgments .  There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount exceeding $15,000,000 (to the extent not (i) covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage and/or (ii) fully indemnified by(x) EQT Corporation or (y) a third party who has acknowledged liability for such judgment and has either provided credit support for such indemnity obligations that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent or otherwise has an Investment Grade corporate family rating from a Designated Rating Agency), and (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

 

(i)                                      ERISA .  (i) Any member of the ERISA Group shall fail to pay when due an amount or amounts aggregating in excess of $15,000,000 which it shall have become liable to pay under Title IV of ERISA; or (ii) notice of intent to terminate a Material Plan shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any member of the ERISA Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or (iii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate, to impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer, any Material Plan; or (iv) a condition shall exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any Material Plan must be terminated; or (v) there shall occur a complete or partial withdrawal from, or a default, within the meaning of Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA, with respect to, one or more Multiemployer Plans, which, in the case of each of clauses (ii) — (v) above, could cause one or more members of the ERISA Group to incur a current payment obligation in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate; or

 

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(j)                                     Invalidity of Loan Documents or Account Control Agreements .  (i) Any Loan Document at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document; or (ii) any Account Control Agreement at any time after its execution and delivery, and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder, or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations in respect of Incremental Term Loans, ceases to be in full force and effect; or the Borrower contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any Account Control Agreement; or the Borrower purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Account Control Agreement, in each case under this clause (ii), if the Required Incremental Term Lenders provide written notice that such event constitutes an “Event of Default”; or

 

(k)                                  Change of Control .  There occurs any Change of Control.

 

8.02.                      Remedies Upon Event of Default .  If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of:

 

(a)                                  the Required Revolving Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

 

(i)                                      declare the commitment of each Revolving Lender to make Revolving Loans and any obligations of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

 

(ii)                                   declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

 

(iii)                                require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and

 

(iv)                               exercise on behalf of itself and the Revolving Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Revolving Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable law; and

 

(b)                                  the Required Incremental Term Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

 

(i)                                      declare the commitment, if any, of each Incremental Term Lender to make Incremental Term Loans to be terminated, whereupon such commitments shall be terminated;

 

(ii)                                   declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Incremental Term Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to the Incremental Term Loans to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and

 

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(iii)                                exercise on behalf of itself and the Incremental Term Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Incremental Term Lenders under the Loan Documents or applicable law, including, without limitation, its rights with respect to any Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral;

 

provided , however , in each case, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

8.03.                      Application of Funds .  After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02 ), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including Attorney Costs and amounts payable under Article III ) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including Attorney Costs and amounts payable under Article III ), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit fees pursuant to Section 2.03(h) and interest on the Committed Loans, Swing Line Loans and the L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Revolving Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Committed Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Revolving Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

 

Fifth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Incremental Term Loans, ratably among the Incremental Term Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fifth payable to them;

 

Sixth , to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Incremental Term Loans, ratably among the Incremental Term Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Sixth held by them;

 

Seventh , to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.16 ; and

 

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Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law;

 

provided , that all amounts collected from the proceeds of Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral shall be used to repay the Incremental Term Loans.

 

Subject to Section 2.03(c) , amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Seventh above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur.  If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

9.01.                      Appointment and Authorization of Administrative Agent .  Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers hereby irrevocably appoints Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

 

9.02.                      Rights as a Lender .  The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

9.03.                      Exculpatory Provisions .  The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)                                  shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)                                  shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and

 

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(c)                                   shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders, the Required Revolving Lenders or the Required Incremental Term Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02 ) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

9.04.                      Reliance by Administrative Agent The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuers, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuers unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuers prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it.

 

9.05.                      Indemnification of Administrative Agent .  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, (a) the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand the Administrative Agent and each Agent-Related Person related to the Administrative Agent and (b) the Revolving Lenders shall indemnify upon demand each L/C Issuer and each Agent-Related Person related to such L/C Issuer (in each case, to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by it, provided that such unreimbursed Indemnified Liabilities were incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer in each case in its capacity as such or against any Agent-Related Persons acting for the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity; provided , however , that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities to the extent determined in a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent-Related Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct; and provided , further , that no action taken

 

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in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders, Required Revolving Lenders or Required Incremental Term Lenders, as applicable, shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section.  Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the Administrative Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower.  The obligations of the Lenders in this Section are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(e)  and shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, the payment of all other Obligations and the resignation of the Administrative Agent.

 

9.06.                      Delegation of Duties .  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

9.07.                      Resignation of Administrative Agent .  The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower (so long as no Event of Default exists), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States.  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the L/C Issuer directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

Any resignation by Wells Fargo as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s

 

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appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

9.08.                      Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders .  Each Lender and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender and the L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

9.09.                      No Other Duties, Etc .  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arrangers or Co-Syndication Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an L/C Issuer hereunder.

 

9.10.                      Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim .  In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise

 

(a)                                  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h)  and (i) , 2.09 , 10.04 and 10.05 ) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)                                  to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 , 10.04 and 10.05 .

 

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Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

 

ARTICLE X

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01.               Amendments, Etc .

 

(a)                                  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided , however , that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(i)                                      extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 ) without the written consent of such Lender;

 

(ii)                                   postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(iii)                                reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (E) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01(a) ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;

 

(iv)                               change Section 2.13 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or order of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(v)                                  change any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders”, “Required Revolving Lenders” or “Required Incremental Term Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(vi)                               release the Borrower or, except in connection with a merger or consolidation permitted under Section 7.05 or a Disposition permitted under Section 7.08 , all or substantially all of the Guarantors without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

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(vii)                            amend or modify Section 4.02 without the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders and to the extent any Series of an Incremental Term Loan Commitment is outstanding, the Required Incremental Term Lenders applicable to such Series; or

 

(viii)                         release any of the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral without the written consent of each Incremental Term Lender, except as permitted hereunder.

 

and, provided further , that (A) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuers in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuers under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit Application relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (B) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (C) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (D) the Fee Letters may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto; and (E) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.01(a) , this Agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated or otherwise modified pursuant to any Incremental Term Loan Agreement with the written consent of the Administrative Agent ( provided that only the acknowledgment of the Administrative Agent (and not the consent of the Administrative Agent) shall be required with respect to any Incremental Term Loan Agreement that is substantially in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto and makes no modifications to this Agreement except for the matters specified in the form of Exhibit F attached hereto), the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders providing the Incremental Term Loans made under this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.17 , but without the consent of any other Lender; provided that such amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement or other modification is not directly adverse to any other Lender and shall not result in any change to the obligations of the Revolving Lenders under Section 2.03(c)  to reimburse their Pro Rata Share of Unreimbursed Amounts or to the obligations of the Revolving Lenders under Section 2.04(c)  to fund their participations in respect of Swing Line Loans, in each case to the extent necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Term Loans evidenced thereby and to effect such other changes (including, without limitation, changes to the provisions of Article II , Section 10.01(a)  and the definition of “Required Lenders” to include appropriately the Incremental Term Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans and any other definitions or provisions of this Agreement specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights under this Agreement or make any determination or grant any consent under this Agreement) as the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans (and to the extent there are modifications to this Agreement beyond the scope of the form of Incremental Term Loan Agreement as set forth in Exhibit F attached hereto, the Administrative Agent) shall deem reasonably necessary in connection with any such Incremental Term Loan Agreement; provided , further , that no Incremental Term Loan Agreement shall:

 

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(i)                                      extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 ) without the written consent of such Lender;

 

(ii)                                   postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(iii)                                reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (E) of the second proviso to Section 10.01(a) ) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided , however , that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;

 

(iv)                               change Section 2.13 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or order of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby, except to clarify that, except to the extent paid from Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral, Incremental Term Loans shall be paid after all Revolving Loans have been paid in full and the aggregate L/C Obligations have been paid or Cash Collateralized in full;

 

(v)                                  release the Borrower or, except in connection with a merger or consolidation permitted under Section 7.05 or a Disposition permitted under Section 7.08 , all or substantially all of the Guarantors without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(vi)                               amend or modify Section 4.02 without the consent of the Required Revolving Lenders and to the extent any Series of an Incremental Term Loan Commitment is outstanding, the Required Incremental Term Lenders applicable to such Series; or

 

(vii)                            release any of the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral without the written consent of each Incremental Term Lender, except as permitted hereunder.

 

10.02.               Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication .

 

(a)                                  Notices Generally .  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subSection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i)                                      if to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02 ; and

 

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(ii)                                   if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).  Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subSection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subSection (b).

 

(b)                                  Electronic Communications .  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

(c)                                   The Platform .  THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”  THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS.  NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided , however , that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other

 

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Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

 

(d)                                  Change of Address, Etc .  Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender.  In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.

 

(e)                                   Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer and Lenders .   The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower.  All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

10.03.               No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies .  No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

10.04.               Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes .  The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment, waiver, consent or other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated), and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including all Attorney Costs, and (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and each Lender for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including all such costs and expenses incurred during any “workout” or restructuring in respect of the Obligations and during any legal proceeding, including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all Attorney Costs.  The foregoing costs and expenses shall include all search, filing, recording, title insurance and appraisal charges and fees and Other Taxes related thereto, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the cost of independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.  All amounts due under this Section 10.04 shall be payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations.

 

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10.05.               Indemnification; Damage Waiver .

 

(a)                                  Indemnification by the Loan Parties .  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Loan Parties shall indemnify and hold harmless each Agent-Related Person, each Lender and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (collectively the “ Indemnitees ”) from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or in connection with (a) the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance or administration of any Loan Document or any other agreement, letter or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) any Commitment, Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (c) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Substances on or from any property currently or formerly owned or operated by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or any Subsidiary of a Loan Party, or (d) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the “ Indemnified Liabilities ”), in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee, (y) a claim brought by any Loan Party against an Indemnitee for material breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations under the Loan Documents or (z) a claim brought by one Lender against another Lender so long as such claim does not involve, or result from, an action or inaction by any Loan Party or any Affiliate of a Loan Party.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement.  All amounts due under this Section 10.05 shall be payable within ten Business Days after demand therefore.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.  Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01, this Section 10.05(a) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(b)                                  Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.   To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument entered into or delivered pursuant hereto, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.  No Indemnitee referred to in subSection (a)  above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through

 

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telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

10.06.               Payments Set Aside .  To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.

 

10.07.               Successors and Assigns .

 

(a)                                  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subSection (b)  of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subSection (d)  of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subSection (f)  or (j)  of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subSection (d)  of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subSection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)                                      Minimum Amounts .

 

(A)                                in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined in subSection (h)  of this Section), no minimum amount need be assigned, and

 

(B)                                in any case not described in subSection (b)(i)(A)  of this Section, the aggregate amount of (x) the Revolving Commitment (which for this purpose

 

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includes Loans outstanding thereunder) and (y) the Incremental Term Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitment or Incremental Term Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer (in the case of an assignment of Revolving Loans or a Revolving Commitment), and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided , however , that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single assignee (or to an assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met.

 

(ii)                                   Proportionate Amounts .  Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in respect of Swing Line Loans.

 

(iii)                                Required Consents .  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subSection (b)(i)(B)  of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)                                the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is (x) in the case of an assignment of Revolving Loans or a Revolving Commitment, to a Person that is not a Revolving Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Revolving Lender or (y) in the case of an assignment of Incremental Term Loans or an Incremental Term Commitment, to a Person that is not an Incremental Term Lender, an Affiliate of such Incremental Term Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Incremental Term Lender; provided , that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

 

(B)                                the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is (x) in the case of an assignment of Revolving Loans or a Revolving Commitment, to a Person that is not a Revolving Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Revolving Lender or (y) in the case of an assignment of Incremental Term Loans or an Incremental Term Commitment, to a Person that is not an Incremental Term Lender, an Affiliate of such Incremental Term Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Incremental Term Lender;

 

(C)                                the consent of each L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that

 

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increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding); and

 

(D)                                the consent of the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of Revolving Loans or a Revolving Commitment.

 

(iv)                               Assignment and Assumption .  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided , however , that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.  The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(v)                                  No Assignment to Certain Persons .  No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause B , or (C) to a natural person.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subSection (c)  of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided hereunder, and only to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 , 3.05 , 10.04 and 10.05 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment.  Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subSection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subSection (d)  of this Section.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)                                  Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the

 

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Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including for purposes of this subSection (d) , participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01(a)  that directly affects such Participant.  Subject to subSection (e)  of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 , 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subSection (b)  of this Section.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.09 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provide d that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(e)                                   A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent.  A Participant shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01 (including subSection 3.01(f) ), and be subject to Sections 3.06 and 10.16 as though it were a Lender.

 

(f)                                    Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

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(g)                                   Electronic Execution of Assignments .  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

(h)                                  As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.07(b)(iii)  and (b)(v)  (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.07(b)(iii) ).

 

Fund ” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

 

Approved Fund ” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

(i)                                      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender that is a Fund may create a security interest in all or any portion of the Loans owing to it and the Note, if any, held by it to the trustee for holders of obligations owed, or securities issued, by such Fund as security for such obligations or securities, provided that unless and until such trustee actually becomes a Lender in compliance with the other provisions of this Section 10.07 , (i) no such pledge shall release the pledging Lender from any of its obligations under the Loan Documents and (ii) such trustee shall not be entitled to exercise any of the rights of a Lender under the Loan Documents even though such trustee may have acquired ownership rights with respect to the pledged interest through foreclosure or otherwise.

 

(j)                                     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Wells Fargo or another L/C Issuer assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to subSection (b)  above, (i) Wells Fargo or such L/C Issuer may, upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as an L/C Issuer and/or (ii) Wells Fargo may, upon 30 days’ notice to the Company, resign as Swing Line Lender.  In the event of any such resignation as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders (only if such Lender accepts such appointment) a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided , however , that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of (x) Wells Fargo or such L/C Issuer as an L/C Issuer or (y) Wells Fargo as Swing Line Lender, as the case may be.  If Wells Fargo or another L/C Issuer resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c) ). If Wells Fargo resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Committed Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to

 

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Section 2.04(c) .  Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the resigning L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the resigning L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

10.08.               Confidentiality .  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it; (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party to this Agreement; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty’s or prospective counterparty’s professional advisor) to any credit derivative transaction relating to obligations of the Borrower; (g) with the consent of the Borrower; (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower; or (i) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization.  In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose, after the Closing Date, the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry, and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Commitments, and the Credit Extensions.  For purposes of this Section, “ Information ” means all information received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to such Loan Party or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by a Loan Party or any Subsidiary.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning a Loan Party or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including Federal and state securities Laws.

 

10.09.               Set-off .  In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Lender is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to the Borrower, any such notice being waived by the Borrower to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Lender to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether

 

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or not the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have made demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of the applicable deposit or indebtedness.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

10.10.               Interest Rate Limitation .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “ Maximum Rate ”).  If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

10.11.               Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of manually executed counterpart hereof and shall constitute an agreement to deliver an original executed counterpart if requested.

 

10.12.               Integration .  This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such subject matter.  In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement.  Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof.

 

10.13.               Survival of Representations and Warranties .  All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.  Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

 

10.14.               Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

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10.15.               Reserved .

 

10.16.               Replacement of Lenders If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 , if the Borrower is or will be required to pay any additional amount or Indemnified Tax to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01 , if any Lender suspends its obligations to make, maintain or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant to Section 3.02 , if any Lender refuses to consent to any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof that requires the unanimous approval of all Lenders, or the approval of each of the Lenders affected thereby (in each case in accordance with Section 10.01 ), and the consent of the Required Lenders shall have been obtained with respect to such amendment, modification, waiver or consent, if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.07 ), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which Eligible Assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(a)                                  the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.07(b) ;

 

(b)                                  such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05 ) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c)                                   in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01 , such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

 

(d)                                  such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.  Solely for purposes of effecting any assignment involving a Defaulting Lender under this Section 10.16 and to the extent permitted under applicable Laws, each Lender hereby agrees that any Assignment and Acceptance done in accordance with this Section 10.16 shall be effective against a Defaulting Lender five (5) Business Days after it has been given notice of the same, whether or not such Defaulting Lender has executed such Assignment and Acceptance, and such Defaulting Lender shall be bound thereby as fully and effectively as if such Defaulting Lender had personally executed, acknowledged and delivered the same.

 

10.17.               Governing Law .

 

(a)                                  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)                                  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN

 

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OR OF THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH LOAN PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.  EACH LOAN PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO.  EACH LOAN PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH LENDER WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.

 

10.18.               No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility .  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Loan Parties acknowledge and agree that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers, on the other hand, and the Loan Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers, each is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) none of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Arranger has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Loan Parties with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Arranger has advised or is currently advising any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates on other matters) and none of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Arranger has any obligation to any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, and none of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arranger(s) have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate.  The Loan Parties hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Arrangers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

 

10.19.               Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury .  EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES

 

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HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

10.20.               USA PATRIOT Act Notice .  Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “ Act ”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Act.

 

10.21.               Entire Agreement .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

10.22.               No General Partner’s Liability for Revolving Facility .  It is hereby understood and agreed that the General Partner shall have no personal liability, as general partner or otherwise, for the payment of any amount owing or to be owing hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders agree for themselves and their respective successors and assigns that no claim arising against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Loan Document with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit shall be asserted against the General Partner (in its individual capacity), any claim arising against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Loan Document with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit shall be made only against and shall be limited to the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and no judgment, order or execution entered in any suit, action or proceeding, whether legal or equitable, on this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit shall be obtained or enforced against the General Partner (in its individual capacity) or its assets for the purpose of obtaining satisfaction and payment of the Obligations with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit or any claims arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit, any right to proceed against the General Partner individually or its respective assets being hereby expressly waived by the Revolving Lenders for themselves and their respective successors and assigns.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Incremental Term Loans are refinanced with the proceeds of Committed Loans, this Section 10.22 shall not apply to the extent of the principal amount of those Committed Loans used for such refinancing.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

GUARANTY

 

11.01.               The Guaranty .  Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each Lender and the Administrative Agent as hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the

 

101



 

prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof.  The Guarantors hereby further agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension or renewal.

 

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in any other of the Loan Documents, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under Debtor Relief Laws or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

 

11.02.               Obligations Unconditional .  Except as provided under Section 11.08 , the obligations of the Guarantors under Section 11.01 are joint and several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, release, impairment or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 11.02 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances.  Each Guarantor agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or contribution against either the Borrower or any other Guarantor for amounts paid under this Article 11 until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full, the Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer have been made) and the Commitments have expired or terminated.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the liability of any Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and unconditional as described above:

 

(a)                                  at any time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance shall be waived;

 

(b)                                  any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Loan Documents, shall be done or omitted;

 

(c)                                   the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Loan Documents, or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Loan Documents, shall be waived or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with;

 

(d)                                  any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Obligations shall fail to attach or be perfected; or

 

102



 

(e)                                   any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of any Guarantor).

 

With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement or instrument referred to in Loan Documents, or against any other Person under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.

 

11.03.               Reinstatement .  The obligations of the Guarantors under this Article 11 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

 

11.04.               Certain Additional Waivers .  Each Guarantor further agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 11.02 and through the exercise of rights of contribution pursuant to Section 11.06 .

 

11.05.               Remedies .  The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lenders or the Incremental Term Lenders, as applicable, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due and payable as provided in Section 8.02 (and shall be deemed to have become automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Section 8.02 ) for purposes of Section 11.01 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for purposes of Section 11.01 .

 

11.06.               Rights of Contribution .  The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other Guarantors as permitted under applicable law.  Such contribution rights shall be subordinate and subject in right of payment to the obligations of such Guarantors under the Loan Documents and no Guarantor shall exercise such rights of contribution until all Obligations have been paid in full, the Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer have been made) and the Commitments have terminated.

 

11.07.               Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee .  The guarantee in this Article 11 is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations whenever arising.

 

11.08.               Termination or Release . The guarantees in this Article 11 shall terminate when the Obligations have been paid in full, the Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired (other than

 

103



 

Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer have been made) and the Commitments have expired or terminated. Furthermore, upon the consummation of a merger or consolidation permitted under Section 7.05 or a Disposition permitted under Section 7.08 , a Guarantor shall be automatically released from its guarantee in this Article 11; provided that the Borrower shall promptly provide notice to the Administrative Agent of such release.  Upon written request, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower or any Guarantor, at such Guarantor’s expense, all documents that such Guarantor shall reasonably request to evidence such release or termination.

 

11.09.               No General Partner’s Liability for Revolving Facility . For the avoidance of doubt, the guarantee in this Article 11 with respect to the Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit is subject to Section 10.22 of this Agreement.

 

104



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

BORROWER:

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

GUARANTORS:

EQUITRANS, L.P., a Pennsylvania limited partnership

 

 

 

 

By: Equitrans Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By: Equitrans Investments, LLC, its sole member, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Partners, LP,

 

 

 

its sole member, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

 

 

its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

EQUITRANS SERVICES, LLC

 

 

 

By: Equitrans Investments, LLC, its sole member, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Partners, LP, its sole member, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC,

 

 

 

 

its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITRANS INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Partners, LP, its sole member, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, 

 

 

 

its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Name:

Philip P. Conti

 

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as Administrative Agent and as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Oberreuter

 

Name:

Mark Oberreuter

 

Title:

Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

 

 

 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Tracy J. DeCock

 

Name:

Tracy J. DeCock

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

 

 

 

SUNTRUST BANK , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Yann Pirio

 

Name:

Yann Pirio

 

Title:

Director

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ronald E. McKaig

 

Name:

Ronald E. McKaig

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Mozer

 

Name:

Michael Mozer

 

Title:

Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

CITIBANK, N.A. , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lawrence Martin

 

Name:

Lawrence Martin

 

Title:

Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mikhail Faybusovich

 

Name:

Mikhail Faybusovich

 

Title:

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sanja Gazahi

 

Name:

Sanja Gazahi

 

Title:

Associate

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Philippe Sandmeier

 

Name:

Philippe Sandmeier

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Virginia Cosenza

 

Name:

Virginia Cosenza

 

Title:

Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mark Walton

 

Name:

Mark Walton

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Muhammad Hasan

 

Name:

Muhammad Hasan

 

Title:

Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Chris Benton

 

Name:

Chris Benton

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD. , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrew Oram

 

Name:

Andrew Oram

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK , as a Lender

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ W. Christopher Kohler

 

Name:

W. Christopher Kohler

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

 



 

SCHEDULE 2.01(a)

 

COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES

 

Lender

 

Commitment

 

Applicable
Percentage

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

$

29,090,909.10

 

8.311688314

%

PNC Bank, National Association

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

SunTrust Bank

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Bank of America, N.A.

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Barclays Bank PLC

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Citibank, N.A.

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

Royal Bank of Canada

 

29,090,909.09

 

8.311688311

%

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

 

15,000,000.00

 

4.285714286

%

The Huntington National Bank

 

15,000,000.00

 

4.285714286

%

TOTAL

 

$

350,000,000.00

 

100.00

%

 



 

SCHEDULE 5.10

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction of
Organization

 

Direct/Indirect
Ownership Percentage

 

Material Subsidiary
(Yes or No)

 

Equitrans, L.P.

 

Pennsylvania

 

100

%

Yes

 

Equitrans Services, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

No

 

Equitrans Investments, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

%

No

 

 



 

SCHEDULE 7.10

 

INVESTMENTS AS OF THE CLOSING DATE

 

None.

 



 

SCHEDULE 10.02

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OFFICE,
CERTAIN ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

 

LOAN PARTIES:

 

c/o EQT Midstream Partners, LP

625 Liberty Avenue

Suite 1700

Pittsburg, PA 15222

Attention: Assistant Treasurer

Telephone: (412) 553-7869

Facsimile: (412) 553-7781

Electronic Mail: treasury@eqt.com

Website: www.eqtmidstreampartners.com

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

 

Administrative Agent’s Office :

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

1525 W WT Harris Boulevard

Mail Code : D1109-019

Charlotte, NC 28262

Attention: Syndication Agency Services

Telephone: (704) 590-2706

Facsimile: (704) 590-2790

Electronic Mail : Agencyservices.requests@wellsfargo.com

 

L/C ISSUER (Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.):

 

1525 W WT Harris Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28262

Mail Code: NC0680

Telephone: (704) 590-2706

Facsimile: (704) 590-2790

 



 

L/C ISSUER (PNC Bank, National Association):

 

PNC Bank, National Association

249 Fifth Avenue

One PNC Plaza

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Attn: Milan Vrzic

Loan Support Analyst

Telephone: 440-546-7365

Facsimile: 877-718-7595

Electronic Mail: Milan.Vrzic@pnc.com

 

L/C ISSUER (SunTrust Bank):

 

SunTrust Bank

International Operations/Standby LC Dept.

GA-ATL-3707

245 Peachtree Center Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30303

Electronic Mail: international.operations@suntrust.com

Telephone: 1-800-951-7847

Facsimile: 404-588-8129

 



 

EXHIBIT A-1

 

FORM OF LOAN NOTICE

 

Date:                                    

 

To:                              Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

A.                                     o     A Borrowing of Committed Loans comprised of (select one):

 

o   Base Rate Loans

o   Eurodollar Rate Loans

 

B.                                     o     A Borrowing of Incremental Term Loans comprised of (select one):

 

o   Base Rate Loans

o   Eurodollar Rate Loans

 

C.                                     o     A conversion of Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans

 

D.                                     o     A conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans, with a current Interest Period ending on                            ,                , to Base Rate Loans

 

E.                                      o     A continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, with a current Interest Period ending on                                        

 

1.                                       On                                                                                   (a Business Day) (the “ Credit Extension Date ”).(1)

 

2.                                       In the amount of $                                                              .(2)

 


(1)  If requesting (i) a new Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan, (ii) converting a Loan or (iii) continuing a Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Loan, must be at least 3 Business Days after the date of this Loan Notice. If requesting a new Base Rate Loan, may be same day as date of this Loan Notice.

 

(2)  Each borrowing/conversion/continuation must be at least $2,000,000 (or in integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof) or, in the case of an Incremental Term Loan, as otherwise provided by the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

and, if applicable:

 

3.                                       For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of                    months.

 

4.                                       For Incremental Term Loans:                                                    .

[applicable Series]

 

If and only if either ‘A’ or ‘B’ is selected above (and not ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘E’), the undersigned hereby certifies:

 

(a)                                  the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V of the Agreement (except, from and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, the representations and warranties in Sections 5.04(d) , 5.05 and 5.06 of the Agreement, as to any matter which has heretofore been disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Lenders by written notice given to the Administrative Agent, which such prior disclosure, if any, is summarized on Schedule 1 attached hereto) or in any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection therewith, are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date of the Credit Extension contemplated herein (or, if such representation speaks as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date); and

 

(b)                                  no Default exists, or would result immediately after giving effect to the Credit Extension contemplated herein.

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Schedule 1 to Loan Notice

 

[N/A][Describe any exceptions to the representations and warranties in Sections 5.04(d) , 5.05 and 5.06 that have been previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent and identify when such disclosure was made and in what document].

 



 

EXHIBIT A-2

 

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE

 

Date:                                   

 

To:                              Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Swing Line Lender

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

o     A Borrowing of Swing Line Loans comprised of (select one):

 

o    Base Rate Loans

o    Eurodollar Rate Loans

 

o     A conversion of Swing Line Loans, as follows (select one):

 

o    Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans

o    Eurodollar Loans Rate to Base Rate Loans

 

1.                                       On                                                                                  (a Business Day).(3)

 

2.                                       In the amount of $                                                              .(4)

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 


(3)  May be same day as date of this Swing Line Notice, if received by 1:00 p.m. on such date.

 

(4)  Each new borrowing of a Swing Line Loan must be at least $100,000.

 



 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 



 

EXHIBIT B-1

 

FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE

 

                            [Date]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to                                            or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Committed Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Committed Loan from the date of such Committed Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement.  All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office.  If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Revolving Note is one of the Revolving Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Revolving Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement.  Committed Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Revolving Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Committed Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

This Revolving Note is a Loan Document and is subject to Section 10.10 of the Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference the same as if set forth herein verbatim.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Revolving Note.

 

THIS REVOLVING NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 



 

Committed Loans and Payments with Respect Thereto

 

Date

 

Type of Loan
Made

 

Amount of
Loan Made

 

End of
Interest
Period

 

Amount of
Principal or
Interest Paid
This Date

 

Outstanding
Principal
Balance This
Date

 

Notation
Made By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT B-2

 

FORM OF INCREMENTAL TERM NOTE

 

                            [Date]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to                                            or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of $[AMOUNT OF THE LENDER’S SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM LOAN IN FIGURES] or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Series [    ] Incremental Term Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, including by each Incremental Term Loan Agreement to which the Borrower and the Lender (as an Incremental Term Lender) are party, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of such Series of Incremental Term Loan outstanding from the date of the Series of Incremental Term Loan evidenced hereby until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the applicable Incremental Term Loan Agreement.  All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office.  If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Incremental Term Note is one of the Incremental Term Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Incremental Term Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement.  Incremental Term Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Incremental Term Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its applicable Series of Incremental Term Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

This Incremental Term Note is a Loan Document and is subject to Section 10.10 of the Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference the same as if set forth herein verbatim.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Incremental Term Note.

 

THIS INCREMENTAL TERM NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Series [   ] Incremental Term Loans and Payments with Respect Thereto

 

Date

 

Type of Loan
Made

 

Amount of
Loan Made

 

End of
Interest
Period

 

Amount of
Principal or
Interest Paid
This Date

 

Outstanding
Principal
Balance This
Date

 

Notation
Made By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT B-3

 

FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE

 

                             [Date]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “ Borrower ”), hereby promises to pay to                                            or registered assigns (the “ Lender ”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Swing Line Loan from time to time made by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan from the date of such Swing Line Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement.  All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office.  If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Swing Line Note is one of the Swing Line Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Swing Line Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement.  Loans made by the Swing Line Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Swing Line Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Swing Line Lender may also attach schedules to this Swing Line Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Swing Line Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

This Swing Line Note is a Loan Document and is subject to Section 10.10 of the Agreement, which is incorporated herein by reference the same as if set forth herein verbatim.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Swing Line Note.

 

THIS SWING LINE NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Swing Line Loans and Payments with Respect Thereto

 

Date

 

Type of Loan
Made

 

Amount of
Loan Made

 

End of
Interest
Period

 

Amount of
Principal or
Interest Paid
This Date

 

Outstanding
Principal
Balance This
Date

 

Notation
Made By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Financial Statement Date:                                            

 

To:                              Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Agreement ”; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he/she is the                                                                         (5) of the General Partner, and that, as such, he/she is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to the Administrative Agent on the behalf of the General Partner, acting on behalf of the Borrower, and that:

 

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal year-end financial statements]

 

1.                                       The year-end audited financial statements required by Section 6.01(a)  of the Agreement for the fiscal year of the Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section, are:

 

[select one]:

 

[attached hereto as Schedule 1]

 

— or —

 

[available in electronic format and have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Agreement].

 

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

 

1.                                       The unaudited financial statements required by Section 6.01(b)  of the Agreement for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended as of the above date , are:

 

[select one]:

 

[attached hereto as Schedule 1]

 


(5)  If this is a quarterly compliance certificate, it must be signed by the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer.

 



 

— or —

 

[available in electronic format and have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Agreement].

 

Such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP consistently applied as at such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

2.                                       The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by the financial statements referenced in paragraph 1 above.

 

3.                                       A review of the activities of the Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period the Borrower performed and observed all its obligations under the Loan Documents, and

 

[select one]:

 

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned during such fiscal period, (a) the Borrower performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it, and (b) no Default exists.]

 

—or—

 

[the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed [or: the following Default exists] and the following is a list of each such Default and its nature and status:]

 

4.                                       The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V of the Agreement (except, from and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, the representations and warranties in Sections 5.04(d) , 5.05 and 5.06 of the Agreement to the extent disclosed herein) or in any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection therewith, are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date hereof (or, if such representation speaks as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date).

 

[The following is a description of the nature and status of each event or circumstance which causes the representations and warranties in Section[s] [5.04(d)][5.05][ and] [5.06], to be untrue on the date hereof:                                                       .]

 

5.                                       The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule 2 attached hereto are true and accurate on and as of the date of this Certificate.

 

6.                                       Attached hereto as Schedule 3 is a complete and accurate list as of the last day of the fiscal period referenced above of each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, together with its jurisdiction of formation, the Borrower’s direct or indirect percentage ownership therein and whether it is a Material Subsidiary. As of the date hereof, each such Subsidiary is duly incorporated or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has all corporate or other organizational powers and all material governmental authorizations required to carry on its

 



 

business as now conducted, except where the absence of any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of                               ,           .

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Schedule 1

to the Compliance Certificate

 

Financial Statements

 

[select one]:

 

[See attached]

 

— or —

 

[Available in electronic format and have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Agreement]

 



 

Schedule 2

to the Compliance Certificate
($ in 000’s)

 

For the Quarter/Year ended

 

                                       (“ Statement Date ”)

 

Section 7.02(a) — Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

 

I.

Consolidated Debt for fiscal quarter ended the Statement Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Debt in respect of the Sunrise Pipeline Lease) on a consolidated basis at Statement Date:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral that secures Incremental Term Loans at Statement Date (in an amount not to exceed the outstanding principal amount of such Incremental Term Loans):

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.

Consolidated Debt on the Statement Date (Lines 1.A. - 1.B.):

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

II.

Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the Statement Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.

Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, taxes based on or measured by income:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.

to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, Consolidated Interest Charges:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.

to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, transaction expenses related to the IPO and execution and delivery of the Agreement (including, without limitation, financing fees and expenses) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1 million:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.

to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, depreciation and amortization expense:

 

$

 



 

 

F.

the amount of cash dividends actually received during such period by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis from unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Borrower or other Persons:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

G.

the amount collected during the period from capital lease arrangements with affiliates to the extent not already recognized in Consolidated Net Income:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.

non-cash long term compensation expenses:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.

to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period, other income and equity in earnings from unconsolidated subsidiaries of the Borrower:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.

the amount paid during the period as lease payments pursuant to the Sunrise Pipeline Lease:

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

K.

any amounts previously added to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (H) above during a prior period to the extent they are paid in cash during the current period:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.

Consolidated EBITDA at Statement Date (Lines II.A. + II.B. + II.C. + II.D. + II. E. + II.F + II.G + II.H - II.I — II.J.- II.K.)(6):

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

III.

Consolidated Debt to Consolidated EBITDA for fiscal quarter ended the Statement Date:
(Line I.C.
¸ Line II.L.) (cannot exceed 5.00 to 1.00)(7)

 

 

 

Section 7.02(b) — Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. (8)

 

I.

Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the Statement Date:
(Line II.L. above)

 

$

 


(6)  For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to be: $16.6 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011, $16.6 million for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011 and $20.1 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2012.

 

(7)  From and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, subsequent to the consummation of a Qualified Acquisition, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as at the end of the three consecutive fiscal quarters following such Qualified Acquisition, this line III cannot exceed 5.50 to1.00.

 

(8)  From and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch, the Borrower will have no further obligation to comply with the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio set forth in Section 7.02(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 



 

II.

Consolidated Interest Charges(9) for period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the Statement Date:

 

$

 

 

 

 

III.

the amount of any interest income earned on the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral during the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on the Statement Date:

 

$

 

 

 

 

IV.

Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Charges at Statement Date:
(Line I.
¸ (Line II. - Line III)) (cannot be less than 3.00 to 1.00)

 

 

 


(9)  For purposes of calculating the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Interest Charges shall be deemed to be: $1.25 million for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2011, $1.25 million for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2011 and $1.5 million for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2012.

 



 

Schedule 3

 

Name of Subsidiary

 

Jurisdiction of
Organization

 

Direct/Indirect
Ownership Percentage

 

Material Subsidiary
(Yes or No)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (this “ Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the] [each](10) Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “ Assignor ”) and [the][each](11) Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each], an] “ Assignee ”).  [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees](12) hereunder are several and not joint.](13) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee] [the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s] [the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor] [the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans if included in such facility) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)] [the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “ Assigned Interest ”).  Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any]Assignor.

 

1.

 

Assignor[s]:                                                   

 

 

 

2.

 

Assignee[s]:                                                     [for each Assignee, indicate [Revolving Lender and/or Incremental Term Lender, as applicable] or [Affiliate] [Approved Fund] of [identify Revolving Lender and/or Incremental Term Lender, as applicable]]

 


(10)        For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language.  If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

 

(11)        For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language.  If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

 

(12)        Select as appropriate.

 

(13)        Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.

 



 

3.

 

Borrower:

 

EQT Midstream Partners, LP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

Administrative Agent:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Credit Agreement:

 

The Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.

 

Assigned Interest:

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Facility

 

Assignor[s]

 

Assignee[s]

 

Aggregate
Amount of
Revolving
Commitment/
Revolving Loans
for all Lenders

 

Amount of
Revolving
Commitment/
Revolving Loans
Assigned

 

Percentage
Assigned of
Revolving
Commitment/
Revolving Loans(14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

Series [    ] Incremental Term Loan Facility

 

Assignor[s]

 

Assignee[s]

 

Aggregate
Amount of
Incremental Term
Commitment/
Incremental Term
Loans of the
Applicable Series
for all Lenders

 

Amount of
Incremental Term
Commitment/
Incremental Term
Loans of the
Applicable Series
Assigned

 

Percentage
Assigned of
Incremental Term
Commitment/
Incremental Term
Loans of the
Applicable Series (15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

%

 

[7.

 

Trade Date:

 

](16)

 

 

 

Effective Date:                                      , 20      [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 


(14)        Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Revolving Commitment of all Revolving Lenders thereunder.

 

(15)        Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Incremental Term Commitment of all Incremental Term Lenders thereunder.

 

(16)        To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

 



 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNEE

 

 

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 



 

[Consented to and](17) Accepted:

 

[NAME OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT],

as Administrative Agent

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

 

[Consented to:](18)

 

[

                                                    

],

 

as [

 

]

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 


(17)  To be included if required pursuant to Section 10.07(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement.

 

(18)  To be included if required pursuant to Section 10.07(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement.

 



 

Annex 1
to Assignment and Assumption

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1.                                       Representations and Warranties .

 

1.1.                             Assignor .  [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the [relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2.                             Assignee .  [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.07(b)(iiii) and (v) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.07(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such]  Assigned Interest, and (vii) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the][any] the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

2.                                       Payments .  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and

 



 

other amounts) to the [relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the [relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3.                                       General Provisions .  This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 



 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF GUARANTOR JOINDER

 

THIS GUARANTOR JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of                     , 201    is by and between                     , a                      (the “ New Subsidiary ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as Administrative Agent under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Borrower is required by Section 6.11 of the Credit Agreement to cause the New Subsidiary to become a “Guarantor” thereunder.  Accordingly, the New Subsidiary hereby agrees as follows with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Lender and the Administrative Agent:

 

1 .                                       The New Subsidiary hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Subsidiary will be deemed to be a party to the Credit Agreement and a “Guarantor” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Credit Agreement.  The New Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to the Guarantors contained in the Credit Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this paragraph 1, the New Subsidiary hereby jointly and severally together with the other Guarantors, guarantees to each Lender and the Administrative Agent, as provided in Article XI of the Credit Agreement, the prompt payment of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise) strictly in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

2.                                       The New Subsidiary hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that the New Subsidiary’s exact legal name and jurisdiction of formation are as set forth on the signature pages hereto.

 

3.                                       The address of the New Subsidiary for purposes of all notices and other communications is the address designated for all Loan Parties on Schedule 10.02 to the Credit Agreement or such other address as the New Subsidiary may from time to time notify the Administrative Agent in writing.

 

4.                                       The New Subsidiary hereby waives acceptance by each Lender and the Administrative Agent of the guaranty by the New Subsidiary under Article XI of the Credit Agreement upon the execution of this Agreement by the New Subsidiary.

 

5.                                       This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic mail shall be effective as delivery of manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

6.                                       THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officer, and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, has caused the same to be accepted by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

[NEW SUBSIDIARY]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Acknowledged and accepted:

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 



 

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF

 

SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of [    ], 201[   ]

 

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012 ( as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the Credit Agreement ”, the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

Section 1                                               Amendments to Credit Agreement .

 

The Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders party hereto are willing to amend the Credit Agreement, in accordance with Sections 2.17 and 10.01(b)  thereof, to evidence the agreement of each Incremental Term Lender party hereto to provide Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower’s obligation to repay such Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans and provide Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral therefor, on the following terms and subject to the following conditions:

 

I. Incremental Term Loan Commitments:

 

Each Incremental Term Lender party hereto severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Credit Agreement, to make Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans to the Borrower, at any time and from time to time during the period from [                  ] (19) to sixty (60) days following such date, in the aggregate principal amount set forth opposite such Incremental Term Lender’s name on the signature pages hereof under the caption “Series  [    ] Incremental Term Commitment”, which amount shall be such Incremental Term Lender’s Incremental Term Commitment with respect to the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans; provided , however , that the Borrower may not request more than two (2) draws with respect to the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans, one of which must be on the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loan Effective Date (as defined in Section 3 below).

 

 

 

 

 

Each Incremental Term Lender party hereto agrees that it is an Incremental Term Lender with respect to the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans for all purposes under the Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

II. Prepayment:

 

Once repaid or prepaid, the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans may not be reborrowed; provided that this Part II of Section 1 shall not limit the Borrower’s right to request additional Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement.

 


(19) Insert effective date of Incremental Term Loan Agreement.

 



 

III. Termination or Reduction of Commitments and Mandatory Payments:

 

The unutilized Series  [    ] Incremental Term Commitments shall terminate on [                  ] . (20) The Borrower may, from time to time, permanently reduce the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Commitments in an integral multiple of $ [                    ] ; provided that each such reduction shall apply proportionately to permanently reduce the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Commitments of the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Lenders.

 

 

 

 

 

On the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall repay to the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Lenders the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans, together will accrued interest thereon to the date of payment.

 

 

 

IV. Applicable Margin:

 

The Applicable Margin is as set forth in the Credit Agreement. ] [ As of any date, the “ Applicable Margin ” with respect to (i) any Fixed Period Eurodollar Rate Series  [      ] Incremental Term Loa, shall be [      ] % per annum, and (ii) any Base Rate Series  [      ] Incremental Term Loans shall be [      ] % per annum. ](21)

 

 

 

V. Cash Collateral:

 

The Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account [s] that serve as collateral for the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans [is/are] [                                                                            ] .

 

 

 

 

 

The “ Intermediar [y/ies] ” with respect to such Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Account [s] [is/are] [                                                                            ] .

 

 

 

 

 

[ For purposes of the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans, the Required Collateral Amount shall be [                                  ] . ]  

 

 

 

 

 

[ For purposes of the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1 Cash Collateral ” means Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral with maturities of not more than [    ] days from the date of acquisition with the exception of auction rate securities which may have a re-set date of [    ] days or less.

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 2 Cash Collateral ” means Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral with maturities more than [    ] days from the date of acquisition but not more than [    ] days from the date of acquisition.

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 3 Cash Collateral ” means Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral with maturities more than [    ] days from the date of acquisition but not more than [    ] days from the date of acquisition.

 

 

 

 

 

The Borrower shall, at all times, maintain Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral in the Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral Accounts set

 


(20) Insert effective date of Incremental Term Loan Agreement or other date within 40 days following such date.

 

(21)  To be included if the Applicable Margin for the applicable Series of Incremental Term Loans is different than the “Applicable Margin” set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 



 

 

 

forth above with a value greater than or equal to the following: (i) if all Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral is comprised entirely of Tier 1 Cash Collateral, [        ] % of the principal amount of all outstanding Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans, (ii) if Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral is not comprised entirely of Tier 1 Cash Collateral but is not composed of any Tier 3 Cash Collateral, [        ] % of the principal amount of all outstanding Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans or (iii) if any Incremental Term Loan Cash Collateral is comprised of any Tier 3 Cash Collateral, [        ] % of the principal amount of all outstanding Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans. ] (22)

 

Section 2                                               Representations and Warranties .

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Incremental Term Lenders that: (a) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V of the Credit Agreement (except, from and after the time that the Borrower obtains an Investment Grade Rating from two of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, the representations and warranties in Sections 5.04(d) , 5.05 and 5.06 of the Credit Agreement, as to any matter which has theretofore been disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the Lenders by written notice given to the Administrative Agent) or in any other Loan Document, are true and correct in all material respects (or, if qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in all respects) on and as of the date hereof (or, if such representation speaks as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date), both before and immediately after giving effect to the amendments to the Credit Agreement effected by this Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loan Agreement (this “ Agreement ”), as though made on and as of the date hereof, and as if each reference therein to “this Agreement” or “the Credit Agreement” therein (or words of similar import) included reference to this Agreement; and (b) no Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of the request or at the time of the making of the proposed Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans.

 

Section 3                                               Conditions Precedent .

 

This Agreement shall become effective on and as of the first date (the “ Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loan Effective Date ”) on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.17(d)  of the Credit Agreement, as well as the following conditions precedent have been satisfied:

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received, on or before the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loan Effective Date, dated such day, counterparts hereof signed by each of the parties hereto and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of any such Person as to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received, receipt by the Administrative Agent of telegraphic, telecopy, electronic communication or other written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart hereof by such Person).

 

(b)                                  The Series  [    ] Incremental Term Lenders shall have received, to the extent requested, all documentation and other information reasonably requested by the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Lenders under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

 


(22)  To be included, if applicable, with the brackets in this Part V of Section 1 to be filled in as agreed upon by the Borrower and the applicable Series of Incremental Term Lenders.

 



 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loan Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.  On the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loan Effective Date, the Credit Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect the existence and terms of the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Loans evidenced hereby, as set forth herein.

 

Section 4                                               Ratification .

 

Except as provided in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect, and the Borrower (a) ratifies and confirms all provisions of the Credit Agreement as amended by this Agreement, (b) ratifies and confirms that all obligations of the Borrower under the Notes and the Credit Agreement as amended by this Agreement are not released, reduced, or otherwise adversely affected by this Agreement, and (c) agrees to perform such acts and duly authorize, execute, acknowledge and deliver such additional documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with this Agreement.

 

Section 5                                               Expenses .

 

The Borrower agrees to pay on demand all reasonable and invoiced out-of-pocket fees, charges and expenses of a single counsel for the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement, the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Notes and the other documents to be delivered hereunder.

 

Section 6                                               Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM NOTE (IF ANY) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM NOTE (IF ANY) MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM NOTE (IF ANY) OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO.  EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.

 

Section 7                                               Execution in Counterparts; Integration .

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Agreement by telecopier or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Credit Agreement, the Series  [    ] Incremental Term Notes and any fee letter executed by any Incremental Term Lender and the Borrower in connection herewith, together constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

 



 

Section 8                                               WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL .

 

EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR THE SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM NOTES OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT OR THE SERIES [    ] INCREMENTAL TERM NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature pages follow.]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

EQT MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

By: EQT Midstream Services, LLC, its general partner, a Delaware limited liability company

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Series  [    ] Incremental

Term Commitment :

 

 

$

 

 

 

,

 

as an Incremental Term Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 



 

 

 

 

[Consented to and](23) Acknowledged:

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as the Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 


(23)  To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 



 

EXHIBIT G-1

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 



 

EXHIBIT G-2

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 



 

EXHIBIT G-3

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect to such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 



 

EXHIBIT G-4

 

FORM OF

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 2, 2012 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among EQT Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Borrower ”), the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender, and an L/C Issuer, and the other L/C Issuers therein named.

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

 

[NAME OF LENDER]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Date:                      , 20[  ]

 


Exhibit 10.5

 

EQT MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC
2012 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

( As established effective July 2, 2012)

 

SECTION 1.                       PURPOSES

 

1.01                         The purpose of the 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of EQT Midstream Services, LLC (the “Company”), the general partner of EQT Midstream Partners, LP (the “Partnership), is to assist the Company and the Partnership in attracting, retaining and motivating Employees and Non-Employee Directors of outstanding ability and to align their interests with those of the unitholders of the Partnership.

 

SECTION 2.                       DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

 

2.01                         Definitions .  In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in the Plan, the following terms as used in the Plan shall have the following meanings when used with initial capital letters:

 

2.01.1                             “Affiliate” means (i) any Subsidiary or Parent, or (ii) an entity that directly or through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.

 

2.01.2                             “Award” means any Option, Unit Appreciation Right, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit, Performance Award or Other Unit-Based Award, or any other right or interest relating to Units or cash granted under the Plan.

 

2.01.3                             “Award Agreement” means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award.

 

2.01.4                             “Board” means the Company’s Board of Managers. Members of the Board are referred to herein as “directors.”

 

2.01.5                             “Cause,” unless otherwise determined by the Committee, when used with respect to the termination of employment or service of a Participant includes:

 

(a)                                  the conviction of a felony, a crime of moral turpitude or fraud or having committed fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement in connection with the performance of his duties;

 

(b)                                  willful and repeated failures to substantially perform his assigned duties; or

 

(c)                                   a violation of any express significant policies of the Company or an Affiliate.

 

For purposes of this Section 2.01.5, no act, or failure to act, on the Participant’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in

 



 

bad faith and without reasonable belief that such action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

 

2.01.6                             “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with rules, regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.  References to particular sections of the Code shall include any successor provisions.

 

2.01.7                             “Change of Control” has the meaning provided in Section 9.03.

 

2.01.8                             “Committee” means the Board or any committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan, provided however, that any member of a committee participating in the taking of any action under the Plan shall qualify as (1) a “non-employee director” as then defined under Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule and (2) an “independent” director under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

2.01.9                             “DER” or “Distribution Equivalent Right” means a right to receive an amount in cash or additional Awards equal to the cash distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during a specified period.

 

2.01.10                      “Disability” of a Participant has the meaning set forth in Section 409A of the Code and, as of the effective date of the Plan, means that the Participant (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participant’s employer.

 

2.01.11                      “Employee” means an employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

2.01.12                      “EQT” means EQT Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation.

 

2.01.13                      “EQT Long-Term Incentive Plan” means the EQT Corporation 2009 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, or any successor plan.

 

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

 

2.01.15                      “Fair Market Value” of Units or any shares of stock or other securities shall be the closing price per unit for the date as of which Fair Market Value is to be determined in the principal market in which such Units or other securities are traded, as quoted in the printed or the electronic version of The Wall Street Journal (or in such other reliable printed or electronic publication as the Committee, in its discretion, may determine to rely upon).  If the Fair Market Value of Units on any date cannot be determined on the basis set forth in the preceding sentence, or if a determination is

 

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required as to the Fair Market Value on any date of property other than units, the Committee shall determine the Fair Market Value of such Units or other property on such date by such method as the Committee determines in good faith to be reasonable and in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  Fair Market Value shall be determined without regard to any restriction other than a restriction that, by its terms, will never lapse.

 

2.01.16                      “Non-Employee Director” means a non-employee director of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

2.01.17                      “Omnibus Agreement” means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2012, by and among the Company, the Partnership and EQT, as may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

2.01.18                      “Option” means a right, granted under Section 6.02 hereof, to purchase Units at a specified price during specified time periods.

 

2.01.19                      “Other Unit-Based Award” means an Award, granted under Section 6.07 hereof, that is denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Units.

 

2.01.20                      “Parent” means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity that, directly or indirectly, owns or beneficially owns a majority of the voting power of the Company.

 

2.01.21                      “Participant” means an Employee or a Non-Employee Director who is granted an Award under the Plan.

 

2.01.22                      “Performance Award,” “Performance Goal” and “Performance Period” shall have the meanings provided in Section 6.06.

 

2.01.23                      “Phantom Unit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.05.

 

2.01.24                      “Qualified Business Criteria” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.06(iii).

 

2.01.25                      “Restricted Units” means Units, granted under Section 6.04 hereof, that are subject to certain restrictions.

 

2.01.26                      “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as amended from time to time, or any successor to such Rule promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

2.01.27                      “Unit” or “Common Unit” means a common Unit of the Partnership, and such other securities of the Partnership or other entity as may be substituted for Units pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof.

 

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2.01.28                      “Unit Appreciation Right” means an award granted under Section 6.03 hereof.

 

2.01.29                      “Subsidiary” means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company or the Partnership, if each of the entities other than the last entity in the chain owns stock or other ownership interests possessing at least 50% of the total combined voting power in one of the other entities in the chain.

 

2.02                         Construction .  For purposes of the Plan, the following rules of construction shall apply:

 

2.02.1                             The word “or” is disjunctive but not necessarily exclusive.

 

2.02.2                             Words in the singular include the plural; words in the plural include the singular; words in the neuter gender include the masculine and feminine genders, and words in the masculine or feminine gender include the other and neuter genders.

 

SECTION 3.                       ADMINISTRATION

 

3.01                         The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.

 

The Committee shall have full and final authority to take the following actions, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan:

 

(i)                                      to designate Participants;

 

(ii)                                   to determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant;

 

(iii)                                to determine the number of Awards to be granted, the number of Units or amount of cash or other property to which an Award will relate, the terms and conditions of any Award (including, but not limited to, any exercise price, grant price or purchase price, any limitation or restriction, any schedule for lapse of limitations, forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on exercisability or transferability, and accelerations or waivers thereof, based in each case on such considerations as the Committee shall determine), and all other matters to be determined in connection with an Award;

 

(iv)                               to determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Units, other Awards or other property, or an Award may be accelerated, vested, canceled, forfeited, exchanged or surrendered;

 

(v)                                  to interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan;

 

(vi)                               to prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Participant;

 

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(vii)                            to adopt, amend, suspend, waive and rescind such rules and regulations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

 

(viii)                         to correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency, and to construe and interpret the Plan, the rules and regulations, any Award Agreement or other instrument entered into or Award made under the Plan;

 

(ix)                               to make all other decisions and determinations as may be required under the terms of the Plan or as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;

 

(x)                                  to make such filings and take such actions as may be required from time to time by appropriate state, regulatory and governmental agencies; and

 

(xi)                               adopt such modifications, procedures, and subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with provisions of the laws of non-U.S. jurisdictions in which the Company or any Affiliate may operate, in order to assure the viability of the benefits of Awards granted to participants located in such other jurisdictions and to meet the objectives of the Plan.

 

Any action of the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, the Partnership, Affiliates, Participants, any person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant, Employees, Non-Employee Directors and unitholders.  The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee.  The Committee may delegate, within limits and subject to the terms it may establish from time to time, the authority to perform administrative functions under the Plan and, with respect to Participants who are not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, to grant Awards and take such actions and perform such functions under the Plan as the Committee may specify.  Specifically, and without limiting the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of EQT all of the powers of the Committee hereunder with respect to Awards granted hereunder to employees of EQT or its subsidiaries.  Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him by an Employee, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company and/or the Committee to assist in the administration of the Plan.

 

SECTION 4.                       UNITS SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

4.01                         The maximum net number of Units that may be issued and in respect of which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall be 2,000,000 Units, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.01, which may be used for all forms of Awards.  Each Unit issued under the Plan pursuant to an Award other than (i) an Option or other purchase right for which the Participant pays the Fair Market Value for such Unit measured as of the grant date, or (ii) a Unit Appreciation Right having a Base Price equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the grant date, shall reduce the number of available Units by two (2).

 

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For purposes of this Section 4.01, the number of Units to which an Award relates shall be counted against the number of Units available under the Plan at the time of grant of the Award, unless such number of Units cannot be determined at that time, in which case the number of Units actually distributed pursuant to the Award shall be counted against the number of Units available under the Plan at the time of distribution; provided, however, that Awards related to or retroactively added to, or granted in tandem with, substituted for or converted into, other Awards shall be counted or not counted against the number of Units reserved and available under the Plan in accordance with procedures adopted by the Committee so as to ensure appropriate counting but avoid double counting.

 

If any Units to which an Award relates are forfeited, or payment is made to the Participant in the form of cash, cash equivalents or other property other than Units, or the Award otherwise terminates without payment being made to the Participant in the form of Units, any Units counted against the number of Units available under the Plan with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, alternative payment or termination, again be available for Awards under the Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Units shall not become available for purposes of the Plan:  (1) Units previously owned or acquired by the Participant that are delivered to the Company, or withheld from an Award, to pay the exercise price, or (2) Units that are delivered or withheld for purposes of satisfying a tax withholding obligation.  Any Units distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or part, of authorized and unissued Units, including Units repurchased by the Company for purposes of the Plan.

 

SECTION 5.                       ELIGIBILITY

 

5.01                         Awards may be granted only to individuals who are active Employees (including, without limitation, Employees who also are directors or officers) or Non-Employee Directors.

 

SECTION 6.                       SPECIFIC TERMS OF AWARDS

 

6.01                         General .  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, Awards may be granted as set forth in this Section 6.  In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to the terms of Section 10.01), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including separate escrow provisions and terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment by the Participant.  Except as required by applicable law, Awards may be granted for no consideration other than prior and/or future services.  Awards may be granted in conjunction with, or in satisfaction of, awards under the EQT Long-Term Incentive Plan.

 

6.02                         Options .  The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Exercise Price .  The exercise price per Unit of an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the date of grant of such Option.

 

(ii)                                   Option Term .  The term of each Option shall be determined by the Committee, except that no Option (other than nonstatutory Options granted to Participants outside the United States) shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten

 

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years from the date of grant.  The Option shall be evidenced by a form of written Award Agreement, and subject to the terms thereof.

 

(iii)                                Times and Methods of Exercise .  The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, the methods by which the exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, and the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Units, or other property or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price, provided, however, that (1) in the case of a Participant who is at the time of exercise subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, any portion of the exercise price representing a fraction of a Unit shall in any event be paid in cash or in property other than any equity security (as defined by the Exchange Act) of the Company and (2) Units delivered or withheld may be subject to terms and conditions imposed by the Committee.

 

Units may be withheld from the exercise or delivered in payment of the exercise price of an Option, if authorized by the Committee, which in the case of delivery may be accomplished through the effective transfer to the Company of Units held by a broker or other agent.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company will also cooperate with any person exercising an Option who participates in a cashless exercise program of a broker or other agent under which all or part of the Units received upon exercise of the Option are sold through the broker or other agent, for the purpose of paying the exercise price of an Option.  In such case, the date of exercise shall be deemed to be the date on which an irrevocable notice of exercise is received by the Company, legal ownership of the option Units shall pass to the optionee on such exercise date, and the exercise price shall be delivered to the Company by the settlement date.

 

(iv)                               Termination of Employment .  In the case of Participants who are Employees, unless otherwise determined by the Committee and reflected in the Award Agreement:

 

(A)                                If a Participant shall die while employed by the Company or an Affiliate or during a period following termination of employment during which an Option otherwise remains exercisable under this Section 6.02(iv) or terminate employment due to Disability, Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the time of the Participant’s death or termination of employment due to Disability, may be exercised within one year after the date of the Participant’s death or termination due to Disability, but not later than the expiration date of the Option, by the Participant, or executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by the person or persons to whom the Participant shall have transferred such right by will, by the laws of descent and distribution or, if permitted by the Committee, by inter vivos transfer.

 

(B)                                If the employment of a Participant with the Company or an Affiliate shall be involuntarily terminated under circumstances that would qualify the Participant for benefits under any Company severance plan or arrangement, Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the date of the Participant’s termination of employment, may be exercised within 90 days after

 

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the date of termination of employment, but not later than the expiration date of the Option.

 

(C)                                Subject to Section 9.02, if the Participant voluntarily terminates employment with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason, including retirement, Options granted to the Participant, whether exercisable or not, shall terminate immediately upon the termination of employment of the Participant.

 

(D)                                Except to the extent an Option remains exercisable under paragraph (A) or (B) above or under Section 9.02, any Option granted to a Participant shall terminate immediately upon the termination of employment of the Participant with the Company and/or an Affiliate.

 

(v)                                  Termination of Service .  In the case of Participants who are Non-Employee Directors, unless otherwise determined by the Committee and reflected in the Award Agreement:

 

(A)                                If a Participant shall die while in service as a director of the Company or an Affiliate or during a period following termination of service during which an Option otherwise remains exercisable under this Section 6.02(v), Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the time of the Participant’s death, may be exercised within three years after the date of the Participant’s death, but not later than the expiration date of the Option, by the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate or by the person or persons to whom the Participant shall have transferred such right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, if permitted by the Committee, by inter vivos transfer.

 

(B)                                If the service of a Participant as a director of the Company or an Affiliate shall be terminated for reasons other than removal for cause by the Board or a court pursuant to applicable law, Options granted to the Participant, to the extent exercisable at the date of the Participant’s termination of service, may be exercised within three years after the date of termination of service, but not later than the expiration date of the Option.

 

(C)                                Except to the extent an Option remains exercisable under paragraph (A) or (B) above or under Section 9.02, any Option granted to a Participant shall terminate immediately upon the termination of service of the Participant as a director of the Company and/or an Affiliate.

 

(vi)                               Individual Limit on Options and Unit Appreciation Rights .  The aggregate number of Units for which Options and Unit Appreciation Rights may be granted under the Plan to any single Participant in any calendar year shall not exceed 150,000 Units.

 

(vii)                            Prohibition on Repricing .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 8, the exercise price of an Option may not be reduced, directly or indirectly by cancellation and regrant or otherwise, without the prior approval of the unitholders of the Partnership. In addition, the Company may not, without the prior approval of unitholders of the Partnership,

 

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repurchase an Option for value from a Participant if the current Fair Market Value of the Units is lower than the exercise price per Unit of the Option

 

(viii)                         Section 409A Limits .  Notwithstanding anything in this Plan or any Award Agreement, no Option shall provide for DERs or have any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the exercise or disposition of the Option.

 

(ix)                               Reload Rights .  No Option shall be granted with reload rights.

 

6.03                         Unit Appreciation Rights .  The Committee is authorized to grant Unit Appreciation Rights on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Price of Unit Appreciation Rights .  The base price for Unit Appreciation Rights (the “Base Price”) shall be such price as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine but shall not be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Unit covered by the Unit Appreciation Right on the date of grant.

 

(ii)                                   Payment of Unit Appreciation Rights .  Unit Appreciation Rights shall entitle the Participant upon exercise to receive the amount by which the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the date of exercise exceeds the Base Price of a Unit Appreciation Right, multiplied by the number of units in respect of which the Unit Appreciation Right shall have been exercised.  In the sole discretion of the Committee, the Company may pay all or any part of its obligation arising out of a Unit Appreciation Right exercise in cash, Units or any combination thereof.  Payment shall be made by the Company upon the date of exercise.

 

(iii)                                Term and Exercise of Unit Appreciation Rights .  The term of any Unit Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be for such period as the Committee shall determine, but for not more than ten years from the date of grant thereof.  Each Unit Appreciation Right shall be subject to earlier termination under the rules applicable to Options as provided in Section 6.02(iv) and (v) hereof.  Each Unit Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall be exercisable on such date or dates during the term thereof and for such number of Units as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

 

(iv)                               Prohibition on Repricing .  Except as otherwise provided in Section 8, the base price of a Unit Appreciation Right may not be reduced, directly or indirectly by cancellation and regrant or otherwise, without the prior approval of the unitholders of the Partnership. In addition, the Company may not, without the prior approval of unitholders of the Partnership, repurchase a Unit Appreciation Right for value from a Participant if the current Fair Market Value of the Units is lower than the Base Price per Unit of the Unit Appreciation Right.

 

(v)                                  Section 409A Limits .  Notwithstanding anything in this Plan or any Award Agreement, no Unit Appreciation Right shall provide for DERs or have any feature for the deferral of compensation other than the deferral of recognition of income until the exercise or disposition of the Unit Appreciation Right.

 

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6.04                         Restricted Units .  The Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Units to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      Issuance and Restrictions .  Restricted Units shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, limitations on the right to vote Restricted Units or the right to receive distributions thereon), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant or thereafter.  The restriction period applicable to Restricted Units (other than Restricted Units granted to Non-Employee Directors) shall, in the case of a time based restriction period, be not less than three years, with no more frequent than annual ratable vesting over such period or, in the case of a performance based restriction period, be not less than one year; provided, however, that up to 50,000 Units may be granted as Restricted Units or Phantom Units, in either case with no minimum vesting period.

 

(ii)                                   Forfeiture .  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Units that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company for no consideration; provided, however, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award Agreement, that restrictions on Restricted Units shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.

 

(iii)                                Certificates for Units .  Restricted Units granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, issuance of certificates representing Units, which may be held in escrow or recordation in book entry form.  Certificates representing Restricted Units shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Units.

 

6.05                         Phantom Units .  The Committee may, subject to the provisions of the Plan and such other terms and conditions as it may prescribe, grant Phantom Units to Participants.

 

(i)                                      Issuance and Restrictions .  The restricted period applicable to Phantom Units (other than Phantom Units granted to Non-Employee Directors) shall, in the case of a time based restriction, be not less than three years, with no more frequent than annual ratable vesting over such period or, in the case of a performance based restriction, be not less than one year; provided, however, that up to 50,000 Units may be granted as Phantom Units or Restricted Units, in either case with no minimum vesting period.  The Committee may also provide the right to receive DERs on Phantom Units, on a current, reinvested and/or restricted basis.

 

(ii)                                   Forfeiture .  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant or thereafter, upon termination of employment or service during the applicable restriction period, Phantom Units that at that time are subject to restrictions shall be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in

 

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any Award Agreement, that restrictions on Phantom Units shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes.

 

(iii)                                Payment .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and provided in an Award Agreement, during the two and one-half months following the end of the calendar year in which vesting occurs, the Company shall pay to the Participant in cash an amount equal to the number of Phantom Units vested multiplied by the Fair Market Value of a Unit on such date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Committee shall have the authority, in its discretion, to determine that the obligation of the Company shall be paid in Units or part in cash and part in Units.

 

6.06                         Performance Awards .  The Committee is authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                      General .  A Performance Award shall represent a right to receive Units, cash, other property or any combination thereof based on the achievement, or the level of achievement, during a specified Performance Period of one or more Performance Goals established by the Committee at the time of the Award.  Performance Periods for Performance Awards shall be no less than one year in duration.

 

(ii)                                   Terms .  At or prior to the time a Performance Award is granted, the Committee shall cause to be set forth in the Award Agreement or otherwise in writing (1) the Performance Goals applicable to the Award and the Performance Period during which the achievement of the Performance Goals shall be measured, (2) the number of Units or amount that may vest or be earned by the Participant based on the achievement, or the level of achievement, of the Performance Goals or the formula by which such number of Units or amount shall be determined and (3) such other terms and conditions applicable to the Award as the Committee may, in its discretion, determine to include therein. The terms for such Award so established by the Committee shall be objective such that a third party having knowledge of the relevant facts could determine whether or not any Performance Goal has been achieved, or the extent of such achievement, and the amount, if any, that has been earned by the Participant based on such performance.  The Committee may retain the discretion to reduce (but not to increase) the amount of a Performance Award or a number of Units that will be earned based on the achievement of Performance Goals.  When the Performance Goals are established, the Committee shall also specify the manner in which the level of achievement of such Performance Goals shall be calculated and the weighting assigned to such Performance Goals.  The Committee may determine and specify within the first 90 days of the Performance Period that unusual items or certain specified events or occurrences, including changes in accounting standards or tax laws and the effects of non-operational items or extraordinary items as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards as specified by the Committee, shall be excluded from the calculation.

 

(iii)                                Performance Goals .  “Performance Goals” shall mean one or more preestablished, objective measures of performance during a specified Performance Period, selected by the Committee in its discretion.  Such Performance Goals may be

 

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based upon one or more of the following objective performance measures (“Qualified Business Criteria”):  earnings per unit, earnings per unit growth, revenue growth, revenues, expenses, return on equity, return on total capital, return on assets, earnings (such as net income, EBIT and similar measures), earnings growth, cash flow (such as EBITDA, cash available for distributions and similar measures), unit price, economic value added, gross margin, operating income, volumes metrics (such as volumes transported or gathered and similar measures), operating efficiency metrics (such as unit operating expense measures, general & administrative expenses (“G&A”) per mcf, G&A per customer and other G&A metrics, unit gathering and compression expenses and other midstream efficiency measures, lost and unaccounted for gas metrics, compressor, pipeline or processing downtime and similar measures), construction efficiency metrics (such as timely completion, cost within budget and similar measures), gas storage metrics (such as lease acquisitions and divestures), customer services measures (such as wait time, on-time service, calls answered and similar measures) or total unitholder return.  Performance Goals based on such Qualified Business Criteria may be based either on the performance of the Company, one or more Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, any branch, department, business unit or other portion thereof under such measure for the Performance Period and/or upon a comparison of such performance with the performance of a peer group of corporations, prior Company performance or other measure selected or defined by the Committee at the time of grant.  Performance Goals with respect to Qualified Business Criteria may be specified in absolute terms, in percentages, or in terms of growth from period to period or growth rates over time, as well as measured relative to the performance of a group of comparator companies, or a published or special index, or a stock market index, that the Committee deems appropriate.  Performance Goals need not be based upon an increase or positive result under a business criterion and could include, for example, the maintenance of the status quo or the limitation of economic losses (measured, in each case, by reference to a specific business criterion).

 

(iv)                               Committee Certification .  Following completion of the applicable Performance Period, and prior to any payment of or release of Units pursuant to a Performance Award to the Participant, the Committee (or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of EQT with respect to Performance Awards granted hereunder to employees of EQT or its subsidiaries) shall determine in accordance with the terms of the Award and shall certify in writing whether the applicable Performance Goal or Goals were achieved, or the level of such achievement, and the amount, if any, earned by the Participant based upon such performance.  For this purpose, approved minutes of the meeting of the Committee at which certification is made shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirement of a written certification.  Performance Awards are not intended to provide for the deferral of compensation, such that payment for earned Performance Awards shall be paid within two and one-half months following the end of the calendar year in which the Performance Period ends or upon vesting, as may be required to avoid characterization of such Awards as deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(v)                                  Maximum Individual Performance Award Payments .  In any one calendar year, the maximum amount that may be earned by any single Participant for Performance Awards shall be the sum of (a) $2,000,000 for Performance Awards granted under the

 

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Plan and payable in cash or property (other than Units) and (b) 100,000 Units for Performance Awards granted under the Plan and payable in Units.  For purposes of applying these limits in the case of multi-year Performance Periods, the amount or number of Units deemed earned in any one calendar year is the total amount paid or Units earned for the Performance Period divided by the number of calendar years in the Performance Period.  In applying this limit, the amount of any cash or the Fair Market Value or number of any Units or other property earned by a Participant shall be measured as of the close of the final year of the Performance Period regardless of the fact that certification by the Committee and actual payment or release of restrictions to the Participant may occur in a subsequent calendar year or years.

 

6.07                         Other Unit-Based Awards .  The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Units, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation, purchase rights, Units awarded that are not subject to any restrictions or conditions, convertible securities, exchangeable securities or other rights convertible or exchangeable into Units, as the Committee in its discretion may determine.  In the discretion of the Committee, such Other Unit Based Awards, including Units, or other types of Awards authorized under the Plan, may be used in connection with, or to satisfy obligations of the Company or an Affiliate under, other compensation or incentive plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or any Affiliate for eligible Participants.

 

The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Other Unit-Based Awards.  Units or securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6.07 shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for by such methods and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Units delivered or withheld, or other property or any combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine, but the value of such consideration shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of such Units or other securities on the date of grant of such purchase right.  Delivery of Units or other securities in payment of a purchase right, if authorized by the Committee, may be accomplished through the effective transfer to the Company of Units or other securities held by a broker or other agent.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company will also cooperate with any person exercising a purchase right who participates in a cashless exercise program of a broker or other agent under which all or part of the Units or securities received upon exercise of a purchase right are sold through the broker or other agent, or under which the broker or other agent makes a loan to such person, for the purpose of paying the exercise price of a purchase right.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, unless the Committee, in its discretion, shall otherwise determine, the exercise of the purchase right shall not be deemed to occur, and no Units or other securities will be issued by the Company upon exercise of a purchase right, until the Company has received payment in full of the exercise price.  Units, securities, cash or other payments made with respect to particular Other Unit-Based Awards that may constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code may only be payable upon a permissible payment event under Section 409A of the Code and the terms and conditions of such awards shall be in compliance with such, and all related, requirements.

 

6.08                         DERs .  The Committee is authorized to grant DERs with respect to any Awards granted hereunder (other than Options or Unit Appreciation Rights), subject to such terms and

 

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conditions as may be selected by the Committee; provided that, subject to Section 12.04 hereof, no distributions shall be paid or distributed in advance of the vesting of the underlying Award.  DERs shall entitle the Participant to receive payments equal to distributions with respect to all or a portion of the number of Units subject to the Award, as determined by the Committee.  The Committee may provide that DERs will be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Units, or otherwise reinvested.  To the extent that DERs are deemed to be reinvested in additional Units with respect to an Award, such additional Units shall, as the time of such deemed reinvestment, be included in the number of Units as to which the host Award relates for purposes of the unit limits of Section 4.01 of the Plan.

 

SECTION 7.                     GENERAL TERMS OF AWARDS

 

7.01                         Stand-Alone, Tandem and Substitute Awards .  Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan, program or arrangement of the Company or any Affiliate (subject to the terms of Section 10.01) or any business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate.  Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

 

7.02                         Decisions Required to be Made by the Committee .  Other provisions of the Plan and any Award Agreement notwithstanding, if any decision regarding an Award or the exercise of any right by a Participant, at any time such Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, is required to be made or approved by the Committee in order that a transaction by such Participant will be exempt under Rule 16b-3, then the Committee shall retain full and exclusive power and authority to make such decision or to approve or disapprove any such decision by the Participant.

 

7.03                         Term of Awards .  The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that in no event shall the term of any Option (other than a nonstatutory Option granted to a Participant outside the United States) exceed a period of ten years from the date of its grant.

 

7.04                         Form of Payment of Awards .  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, payments or substitutions to be made by the Company upon the grant, exercise or other payment or distribution of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant or thereafter (subject to the terms of Section 10.01), including, without limitation, cash, Units, or other property or any combination thereof, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established, or as otherwise determined, by the Committee.

 

7.05                         Limits on Transfer of Awards; Beneficiaries .  No right or interest of a Participant in any Award shall be pledged, encumbered or hypothecated to or in favor of any person other than the Company or an Affiliate, or shall be subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any person other than the Company or an Affiliate.  Except to the extent otherwise determined by the Committee with respect to Awards, no Award and no rights or interests therein shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or

 

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the laws of descent and distribution, and any Option or other right to purchase or acquire Units granted to a Participant under the Plan shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by such Participant.  A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant as well as any additional restrictions or limitations deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

 

7.06                         Registration and Listing Compliance .  No Award shall be paid and no Units or other securities shall be distributed with respect to any Award in a transaction subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities law or subject to a listing requirement under any listing agreement between the Company and any national securities exchange, and no Award shall confer upon any Participant rights to such payment or distribution until such laws and contractual obligations of the Company have been complied with in all material respects.  Except to the extent required by the terms of an Award Agreement or another contract between the Company and the Participant, neither the grant of any Award nor anything else contained herein shall obligate the Company to take any action to comply with any requirements of any such securities laws or contractual obligations relating to the registration (or exemption therefrom) or listing of any Units or other securities, whether or not necessary in order to permit any such payment or distribution.

 

7.07                         Evidence of Ownership; Trading Restrictions .  Units delivered under the terms of the Plan may be recorded in book entry or electronic form or issued in the form of certificates.  Units delivered under the terms of the Plan shall be subject to such stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under federal or state securities laws, rules and regulations thereunder, and the rules of any national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which Units are listed or quoted.  The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such certificates or issue instructions to the transfer agent to make appropriate reference to such restrictions or any other restrictions or limitations that may be applicable to Units.  In addition, during any period in which Awards or Units are subject to restrictions or limitations under the terms of the Plan or any Award Agreement, the Committee may require any Participant to enter into an agreement providing that certificates representing Units issuable or issued pursuant to an Award shall remain in the physical custody of the Company or such other person as the Committee may designate.

 

SECTION 8.                       ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS

 

8.01                         If a distribution shall be declared upon the Units payable in Units, the number of Units then subject to any outstanding Options, Unit Appreciation Rights, Phantom Units, Performance Awards or Other Unit-Based Awards, the number of Units that may be issued under the Plan but are not then subject to outstanding Options, Unit Appreciation Rights, Phantom Units, Performance Awards or Other Unit Based Awards and the maximum number of Units as to which Options, Unit Appreciation Rights, Phantom Units, Performance Awards or Other Unit-Based Awards may be granted and as to which Units may be awarded under Sections 6.02(vi) and 6.06(v), shall be adjusted by adding thereto the number of Units that would have been distributable thereon if such Units had been outstanding on the date fixed for determining the unitholders entitled to receive such Unit distribution.  Units so distributed with respect to any Restricted Units or Phantom Units, held in escrow shall also be held by the Company in escrow

 

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and shall be subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to the Restricted Units or Phantom Units on which they were distributed.

 

If the outstanding Units shall be changed into or exchangeable for a different number or kind of units or other securities of the Company or another corporation, or cash or other property, whether through reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, unit split-up, combination of units, merger or consolidation, then there shall be substituted for each Unit subject to any then outstanding Option, Unit Appreciation Right, Phantom Unit, Performance Award or Other Unit-Based Award, and for each Unit that may be issued under the Plan but that is not then subject to any outstanding Option, Unit Appreciation Right, Phantom Unit, Performance Award or Other Unit-Based Award, the number and kind of units or other securities (and in the case of outstanding Options, Unit Appreciation Rights, Phantom Units, Performance Awards or Other Unit-Based Awards, the cash or other property) into which each outstanding Unit shall be so changed or for which each such unit shall be exchangeable.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, any such units or securities, as well as any cash or other property, into or for which any Restricted Units or Phantom Units held in escrow shall be changed or exchangeable in any such transaction shall also be held by the Company in escrow and shall be subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to the Restricted Units or Phantom Units in respect of which such units, securities, cash or other property was issued or distributed.

 

In case of any adjustment or substitution as provided for in this Section 8.01, the aggregate exercise price for all Units subject to each then outstanding Option, Unit Appreciation Right, or other purchase right, prior to such adjustment or substitution shall be the aggregate exercise price for all units or other securities (including any fraction), cash or other property to which such Units shall have been adjusted or which shall have been substituted for such Units.  Any new exercise price per unit shall be carried to at least three decimal places with the last decimal place rounded upwards to the nearest whole number.

 

If the outstanding Units shall be changed in value by reason of any spin off, split off or split up, or distribution in partial liquidation, distribution in property other than cash, or extraordinary distribution to unitholders, (a) the Committee shall make any adjustments to any then outstanding Option, Unit Appreciation Rights, Phantom Units, Performance Award or Other Unit-Based Award, that it determines are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of optionees and awardees that would otherwise result from any such transaction, and (b) unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, any units, securities, cash or other property distributed with respect to any Restricted Units or Phantom Units held in escrow or for which any Restricted Units or Phantom Units held in escrow shall be exchanged in any such transaction shall also be held by the Company in escrow and shall be subject to the same restrictions as are applicable to the Restricted Units or Phantom Units in respect of which such units, securities, cash or other property was distributed or exchanged.

 

No adjustment or substitution provided for in this Section 8.01 shall require the Partnership to issue or sell a fraction of a Unit or other security.  Accordingly, all fractional Units or other securities that result from any such adjustment or substitution shall be eliminated and not carried forward to any subsequent adjustment or substitution.  Owners of Restricted Units or Phantom Units held in escrow shall be treated in the same manner as owners of Units not held in escrow with respect to fractional Units created by an adjustment or substitution of Units, except

 

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that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee in its discretion, any cash or other property paid in lieu of a fractional Unit shall be subject to restrictions similar to those applicable to the Restricted Units or Phantom Units exchanged therefor.

 

All adjustments shall be made in a manner compliant with Section 409A of the Code.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee shall not make any adjustments to outstanding Options or Unit Appreciation Rights that would constitute a modification or substitution of the stock right under Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(5)(v) that would be treated as the grant of a new stock right or change in the form of payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

 

SECTION 9.                       CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS

 

9.01                         Acceleration of Exercisability and Lapse of Restrictions .  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at the time of grant of an Award or unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, if any Change of Control shall occur:

 

(i)                                      all outstanding Awards pursuant to which the Participant may have exercise rights, the exercise of which is restricted or limited, shall become fully exercisable;

 

(ii)                                   all restrictions or limitations, including risks of forfeiture but excluding performance based restrictions, on outstanding Awards subject to restrictions or limitations under the Plan shall lapse; and

 

(iii)                                all performance criteria and other conditions to payment of Awards under which payments of cash, Units or other property are subject to performance conditions shall be deemed to be achieved or fulfilled, measured at the actual performance level achieved as of the end of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the date of the Change of Control, and payment of such Awards on that basis shall be made or otherwise settled at the time of the Change of Control; provided, however, that, if such Awards constitute deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, the Awards shall vest on the basis described above but shall remain payable on the date(s) provided in the underlying Award Agreements.

 

9.02                         Termination of Employment Following Change of Control .  If within three years following the date of any Change of Control the employment or service of a Participant shall be terminated voluntarily or involuntarily for any reason other than for Cause, then unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, and in addition to any other rights of post termination exercise that the Participant (or other holder of the Award) may have under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, any Option, Unit Appreciation Right or other Award granted to the Participant and outstanding on the date of the Change of Control, the payment or receipt of which is dependent upon exercise by the Participant (or other holder of the Award) shall be exercisable for a period of 90 days following the date of such termination of employment or service but not later than the expiration date of the Award.

 

9.03                         Definition of Change of Control .  For purposes of this Section 9, a “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following events:  (i) a “Change of Control” as defined in the Omnibus Agreement, (ii) a transaction resulting in the general partner of the Partnership ceasing

 

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to be an Affiliate of EQT, or (iii) a “Change of Control” of EQT as defined in the EQT Long-Term Incentive Plan.  Anything in this definition to the contrary notwithstanding, with respect to any Award that is not exempt from but is intended to be compliant with Section 409A of the Code, no Change of Control shall accelerate payment of such Award unless such event constitutes an event specified in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

SECTION 10.                AMENDMENTS TO AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

10.01                  The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan without the consent of unitholders or Participants, except that, without the approval of the unitholders of the Partnership, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made if unitholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or by the rules of any exchange on which the Units may then be listed, or if the amendment, alteration or other change materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants, increases the number of Units available under the Plan or modifies the requirements for participation under the Plan, or if the Board in its discretion determines that obtaining such unitholder approval is for any reason advisable; provided, however, that, without the consent of the Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of the Plan may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Award theretofore granted to him.  The Committee may, consistent with the terms of the Plan, waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate, any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retrospectively; provided, however, that, without the consent of a Participant, no amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination of any Award may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any Award theretofore granted to him.

 

SECTION 11.                GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

11.01                  No Right to Awards; No Unitholder Rights .  No Participant, Employee or Non-Employee Director shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants, Employees and Non-Employee Directors, except as provided in any other compensation, fee or other arrangement with the Participant, Employee or Non-Employee Director.  No Award shall confer on any Participant any of the rights of a unitholder of the Partnership unless and until Units are in fact issued to such Participant in connection with such Award.

 

11.02                  Withholding .  To the extent required by applicable Federal, state, local or foreign law, the Participant or his successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company, in its discretion, for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with an Award.  The Company shall not be required to issue any Units or make any cash or other payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

 

The Company is authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due under the Plan, including from a distribution of Units, amounts of withholding taxes due with respect to an Award, its exercise or any payment thereunder, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company and Participants to satisfy obligations for the payment of such taxes.  This authority shall include authority to withhold or

 

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receive Units, Awards or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of such tax obligations.

 

11.03                  No Right to Employment or Continuation of Service .  Nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall confer, and no grant of an Award shall be construed as conferring, upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Affiliate or to interfere in any way with the right of the Company or unitholders to terminate a Participant’s employment or service at any time or increase or decrease his compensation, fees or other payments from the rate in existence at the time of granting of an Award, except as provided in any Award Agreement or other compensation, fee or other arrangement with the Participant.

 

11.04                  Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts .  The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation.  With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or make other arrangements to meet the Company’s obligations under the Plan to deliver cash, Units or other property pursuant to any Award, which trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines.

 

11.05                  No Limit on Other Compensatory Arrangements .  Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements (which may include, without limitation, employment agreements with executives and arrangements that relate to Awards under the Plan), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the terms of each Award shall be construed so as to be consistent with such other arrangements in effect at the time of the Award.

 

11.06                  No Fractional Units .  No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award.  The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

 

11.07                  Governing Law .  The validity, interpretation, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (without regard to the conflicts of laws thereof), and applicable Federal law.

 

11.08                  Severability .  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, 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 applicable laws or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or Award, it shall be deleted and the remainder of the Plan or Award shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, that, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the provision

 

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shall not be construed or deemed amended or deleted with respect to any Participant whose rights and obligations under the Plan are not subject to the law of such jurisdiction or the law deemed applicable by the Committee.

 

SECTION 12.                SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO SECTION 409A OF THE CODE.

 

12.01                  It is intended that the payments and benefits provided under the Plan and any Award shall either be exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  The Plan and all Award Agreements shall be construed in a manner that effects such intent.  Nevertheless, the tax treatment of the benefits provided under the Plan or any Award is not warranted or guaranteed.  Neither the Company, its Affiliates nor their respective directors, officers, employees or advisers shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary amounts owed by any Participant or other taxpayer as a result of the Plan or any Award.

 

12.02                  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code would otherwise be payable or distributable, or a different form of payment (e.g., lump sum or installment) would be effected, under the Plan or any Award Agreement by reason of the occurrence of a Change of Control, or the Participant’s Disability or separation from service, such amount or benefit will not be payable or distributable to the Participant, and/or such different form of payment will not be effected, by reason of such circumstance unless the circumstances giving rise to such Change of Control, Disability or separation from service meet any description or definition of “change in control event”, “disability” or “separation from service”, as the case may be, in Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations (without giving effect to any elective provisions that may be available under such definition).  This provision does not prohibit the vesting of any Award upon a change of control, disability or separation from service, however defined.  If this provision prevents the payment or distribution of any amount or benefit, such payment or distribution shall be made on the next earliest payment or distribution date or event specified in the Award Agreement that is permissible under Section 409A.  If this provision prevents the application of a different form of payment of any amount or benefit, such payment shall be made in the same form as would have applied absent such designated event or circumstance.

 

12.03                  Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, if any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code would otherwise be payable or distributable under this Plan or any Award Agreement by reason of a Participant’s separation from service during a period in which the Participant is a Specified Employee (as defined below), then, subject to any permissible acceleration of payment by the Committee under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ii) (domestic relations order), (j)(4)(iii) (conflicts of interest), or (j)(4)(vi) (payment of employment taxes): (i) the amount of such non-exempt deferred compensation that would otherwise be payable during the six-month period immediately following the Participant’s separation from service will be accumulated through and paid or provided on the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service (or, if the Participant dies during such period, within 30 days after the Participant’s death) (in either case, the “Required Delay Period”); and

 

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(ii) the normal payment or distribution schedule for any remaining payments or distributions will resume at the end of the Required Delay Period.

 

For purposes of this Plan, the term “Specified Employee” has the meaning given such term in Code Section 409A and the final regulations thereunder, provided, however, that, as permitted in such final regulations, the Company’s Specified Employees and its application of the six-month delay rule of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) shall be determined in accordance with rules adopted by the Board or any committee of the Board, which shall be applied consistently with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements of the Company, including this Plan.

 

12.04                  Timing of Distribution of DERs .  Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, any DERs granted with respect to an Award hereunder will be paid or distributed no later than the 15th day of the 3rd month following the later of (i) the calendar year in which the corresponding distributions were paid to unitholders, or (ii) the first calendar year in which the Participant’s right to such DERs is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.

 

SECTION 13.                EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

 

13.01                  The Plan has been approved by the limited partners of the Partnership and shall become effective on the later of the date of its approval by the Board or the initial public offering of Units and shall terminate on, and no Awards may be granted after, the earliest of the date established by the Board or the Committee, the 10th anniversary of the date the Plan was approved by the limited partners of the Partnership (or such earlier anniversary, if any, required by the rules of the exchange on which Units are traded) or the date Units are no longer available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of 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.

 

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