UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):     May 2, 2014

 

Legacy Reserves LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-33249

 

1 6-1751069

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

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

 

303 W. Wall, Suite 1800

 

 

 

 

Midland, Texas

 

 

 

79701

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (432) 689-5200

 

NOT APPLICABLE

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

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 ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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

 

o                  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o                  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o                  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On May 2, 2014, Legacy Reserves LP (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Partnership”) entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) by and among WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC, a subsidiary of WPX Energy, Inc. (“WPX”), the Partnership, Legacy Reserves Operating LP and Legacy Reserves GP, LLC.  The Purchase Agreement relates to the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) by the Partnership of oil and natural gas properties in the Piceance Basin for $355.0 million in cash plus a number of incentive distribution units representing a new class of limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Incentive Distribution Units”).  The Incentive Distribution Units rights will include a right to incremental cash distributions of the Partnership after certain target levels of distributions are paid to unitholders, which targets are set above the current levels of the Partnership’s distributions to unitholders. The terms of the Incentive Distribution Units are discussed in more detail in Item 8.01 below.

 

Components of the Acquisition include:

 

·                   2,730 natural gas wells primarily producing from the Williams Fork formation and spanning 3 fields within the greater Grand Valley of Garfield County, Colorado;

 

·                   an initial approximate 29% working interest that increases to approximately 37% on January 1, 2015 and approximately 41% on January 1, 2016;

 

·                   operatorship to remain with seller, a well-known Rockies operator that currently owns an approximate 98% working interest in the subject properties; and

 

·                   internally estimated proved reserves of 276 Bcfe, 100% of which are proved developed producing, and of which 83% are natural gas, 15% are natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and 2% oil.

 

While the Partnership believes the anticipated reserve and production estimates and its assumptions underlying these estimates are reasonable based upon its evaluation of information provided in connection with the Acquisition, actual reserve and production information will be dependent on numerous factors, including but not limited to, well performance and realized commodity prices. The proved reserve estimates were prepared by the Partnership’s internal engineers for the purpose of evaluating the acquisition and are based on benchmark prices and certain future cost variability.  Benchmark prices are based on the twelve-month, unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of each month for the period from January through December 2013.  Any such estimates are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic, regulatory, environmental and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those the Partnership anticipates, as set forth in the paragraph below.

 

The closing of the Acquisition, which is expected before the end of June 2014, is subject to customary closing conditions and the finalization and adoption of  an amended and restated partnership agreement of the Partnership (the “Amended Partnership Agreement”) to, among other things, provide for the creation and issuance of the Incentive Distribution Units described in Item 8.01 below. The adoption of the Amended Partnership Agreement will not require the approval of unitholders.

 

This Item 1.01 of Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Partnership’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations and the Acquisition. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “schedules,” “estimated,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Partnership’s control and are difficult to predict. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: realized oil and natural gas prices; the ability to consummate the Acquisition, production volumes, lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and finding and development costs; future operating results and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Partnership’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 8-K. Unless legally required, the Partnership undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On May 6, 2014, the Partnership issued a press release, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated into this Item 2.02 by reference.

 

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, except as specifically identified therein as being incorporated by reference.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

Our Cash Distribution Policy Following the Issuance of Incentive Distribution Units

 

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition described in Item 1.01 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, the Partnership expects to create and issue Incentive Distribution Units under an amended and restated partnership agreement of the partnership (the “Amended Partnership Agreement”) as adopted by our general partner.  A portion of the Incentive Distribution Units will initially be issued out of treasury of the Partnership to WPX with the remaining Incentive Distribution Units remaining in treasury by the Partnership.  The Amended Partnership Agreement would also provide for the changes to our cash distribution policy set forth below.  The following description is based upon a detailed term sheet negotiated that is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated into this Item 8.01 by reference. Final terms incorporated in the Amended Partnership Agreement may differ as the Partnership and WPX may mutually agree.  As previously reported, on April 17, 2014, we issued 2,000,000 of our 8% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units (the “Series A Preferred Units”), which are senior to our units and Incentive Distribution Units in right of payment of cash distributions.  The below discussion of our cash distribution policy assumes that we have fully made all monthly distribution on our Series A Preferred Units.

 

Distributions of Available Cash

 

General

 

The Amended Partnership Agreement will require that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

 

Definition of Available Cash

 

The Amended Partnership Agreement generally defines available cash, for any quarter, as all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter, including cash resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of such quarter:

 

·                   less , the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner at the date of determination of available cash for the quarter to:

 

·                   provide for the proper conduct of our business, which could include, but is not limited to, amounts reserved for capital expenditures including drilling and acquisitions and for our anticipated future credit needs;

 

·                   comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or

 

·                   provide funds for distributions in respect of our 8% Series A Fixed-To-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units;

 

·                   provide funds for distributions to our unitholders (including our general partner) for any one or more of the next four quarters.

 

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Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus

 

Generally

 

All cash distributed to unitholders after the issuance of Incentive Distribution Units will be characterized as either from “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.”  The Amended Partnership Agreement will require that we distribute available cash from operating surplus differently than available cash from capital surplus.

 

Operating Surplus

 

Operating surplus will be defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement to generally mean, for any period:

 

·                   $140.0 million (as described below); plus

 

·                   all of the cash receipts of the Partnership and its subsidiaries (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Incentive Distribution Units are issued, excluding cash from interim capital transactions, which include the following:

 

·                   borrowings (including sales of debt securities), refinancings or refundings of indebtedness that are not working capital borrowings;

 

·                   sales of equity interests;

 

·                   sales and other dispositions of any assets outside the ordinary course of business (excluding dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and sales of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements);

 

·                   capital contributions received; and

 

·                   corporate reorganizations or restructurings;

 

provided that cash receipts from the termination of a commodity, currency, basis differential or interest rate hedge prior to its specified termination date shall be included in operating surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such commodity hedge or interest rate hedge; plus

 

·                   working capital borrowings made after the end of the period but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for the period; plus

 

·                   cash distributions paid on equity issued (including incremental distributions on Incentive Distribution Units), to fund all or a portion of an acquisition or a capital improvement or replacement of a capital asset (such as reserves or equipment) in respect of the period from the date we enter into a binding obligation to make an acquisition or a capital improvement or replacement of a capital asset until the earlier to occur of the date the capital improvement or acquisition begins producing in paying quantities or is placed into service, as applicable, and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of (including equity issued to fund interest payments and related fees on debt incurred to fund all or a portion of a capital improvement or acquisition); less

 

·                   all of our operating expenditures (as defined below) between the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Incentive Distribution Units are first issued and the end of the period; less

 

·                   the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less

 

·                   all working capital borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred, or repaid within such twelve-month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings; less

 

·                   any loss realized on disposition of an investment capital expenditure.

 

As described above, operating surplus does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders and is not limited to cash generated by our operations. For example, it includes a basket of $140.0 million that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. In addition, the effect of including (as described above) certain cash distributions on equity interests in operating surplus will be to increase operating surplus by the amount of any such cash

 

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distributions. As a result, we may also distribute as operating surplus up to the amount of any such cash that we receive from non-operating sources.

 

The proceeds of working capital borrowings increase operating surplus and repayments of working capital borrowings are generally operating expenditures (as described below) and thus reduce operating surplus when repayments are made. However, if a working capital borrowing is not repaid during the twelve-month period following the borrowing, it will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowing is in fact repaid, it will be excluded from operating expenditures because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.

 

Operating expenditures will be defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement, and it is expected to generally mean all of our cash expenditures (or our proportionate share of cash expenditures in the case of subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursement of expenses to our general partner and its affiliates, payments made in the ordinary course of business under commodity, currency, basis differential or interest rate hedge contracts (provided that (i) with respect to amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a commodity, currency, basis differential or interest rate hedge contract, such amounts will be amortized in accordance with the monthly allocations of fair value conducted at the time the applicable commodity, currency, basis differential or interest rate hedge contract is entered into and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date will be included in operating expenditures in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract), officer compensation, repayment of working capital borrowings, debt service payments (except as otherwise provided in the Amended Partnership Agreement) and estimated maintenance capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below), provided that operating expenditures will not include:

 

·                   repayment of working capital borrowings previously deducted from operating surplus pursuant to the provision described in the penultimate bullet point of the description of operating surplus above when such repayment actually occurs;

 

·                   payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness, other than working capital borrowings;

 

·                   growth capital expenditures;

 

·                   actual maintenance capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below);

 

·                   investment capital expenditures;

 

·                   payment of transaction expenses relating to interim capital transactions;

 

·                   distributions to our partners (including distributions in respect of the Incentive Distribution Units); or

 

·                   repurchases of equity interests except to fund obligations under employee benefit plans.

 

Capital Surplus

 

Capital surplus will be defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement, and it is expected to generally mean any distribution of available cash in excess of our cumulative operating surplus. Accordingly, capital surplus would generally be generated only by the following (which we refer to as “interim capital transactions”):

 

·                   borrowings (including sales of debt securities), 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;

 

·                   sales of our equity interests;

 

·                   sales or other dispositions of assets outside the ordinary course of business (other than dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and sales and other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements);

 

·                   capital contributions received; and

 

·                   corporate reorganizations and restructurings.

 

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Characterization of Cash Distributions

 

The Amended Partnership Agreement will require that we treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Incentive Distribution Units are first issued equals the operating surplus from the first day of the fiscal quarter in which the Incentive Distribution Units are first issued through the end of the quarter immediately preceding that distribution. Our partnership agreement requires that we treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. As described above, operating surplus includes up to $140.0 million, which does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders. Rather, it is a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to this amount of cash we receive in the future from interim capital transactions that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

The Amended Partnership Agreement is expected to provide that estimated maintenance capital expenditures reduce operating surplus, but growth capital expenditures, actual maintenance capital expenditures and investment capital expenditures do not. Maintenance capital expenditures are those capital expenditures made to maintain, over the long term, the production levels of our oil and natural gas properties or the operating capacity of our other capital assets existing on the date of such expenditure. We expect that a primary component of maintenance capital expenditures will be capital expenditures associated with the replacement of equipment and, to the extent required to maintain production, oil and natural gas reserves (including non-proved reserves attributable to undeveloped leasehold acreage), whether through the development, exploitation and production of existing oil and natural gas properties or the acquisition or development of a new oil or natural gas properties. Maintenance capital expenditures may also include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including incremental distributions on the Incentive Distribution Units) to finance all or any portion of any replacement asset that is paid in respect of the period from the date that we enter into a binding agreement to commence construction or development of a replacement asset until the earlier to occur of the date that any such replacement asset begins producing in paying quantities or is placed into service, as applicable, and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of. Plugging and abandonment costs are also expected to constitute maintenance capital expenditures. Capital expenditures made solely for investment purposes will not be considered maintenance capital expenditures.

 

Because our maintenance capital expenditures can be irregular, the amount of our actual maintenance capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus and cash available for distribution to our unitholders if we subtracted actual maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus. To address this issue, the Amended Partnership Agreement will require that an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance capital expenditures necessary to maintain, over the long term, production levels of our oil and natural gas properties or the operating capacity of our other assets be subtracted from operating surplus each quarter as opposed to the actual amounts spent. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by our general partner’s board of directors. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our maintenance capital expenditures, such as a major acquisition or the introduction of new governmental regulations that will impact our business. The Amended Partnership Agreement will not cap the amount of maintenance capital expenditures that our general partner may estimate. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate will be prospective only.

 

The use of estimated maintenance capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus has the following effects:

 

·                   it reduces the risk that maintenance capital expenditures in any one quarter will be large enough to render operating surplus insufficient to maintain our quarterly distribution rate; and

 

·                   in quarters where estimated maintenance capital expenditures exceed actual maintenance capital expenditures, it will be more difficult for us to raise our distribution above the then-current level and pay incentive distributions on the Incentive Distribution Units to the holders thereof because the amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures reduces the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders and the holders of Incentive Distribution Units, even in quarters where

 

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there are no corresponding actual capital expenditures; conversely, the use of estimated maintenance capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus will have the opposite effect for quarters in which actual maintenance capital expenditures exceed our estimated maintenance capital expenditures.

 

Growth capital expenditures will be defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement as those capital expenditures with respect to acquisitions or capital improvements that we expect will increase, over the long term, the production of our oil and natural gas properties or the operating capacity of our other capital assets existing on the date of such expenditure. Examples of growth capital expenditures include the acquisition of reserves or equipment, the acquisition of new leasehold interests, or the development, exploitation and production of an existing leasehold interest, to the extent such expenditures are incurred to increase, over the long term, the production of our oil and natural gas properties or the operating capacity of our other capital assets existing on the date of such expenditure. Growth capital expenditures also may include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including incremental distributions on the Incentive Distribution Units) to finance all or any portion of such capital improvement during the period from the date we enter into a binding obligation to acquire the related capital asset or commence the related capital improvement until the earlier to occur of the date any such capital asset or capital improvement begins producing in paying quantities or is placed into service, as applicable, or the date that it is abandoned or disposed of. Capital expenditures made solely for investment purposes are not considered growth capital expenditures.

 

Investment capital expenditures will be defined in the Amended Partnership Agreement as those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance capital expenditures nor growth capital expenditures. Investment capital expenditures largely consist of capital expenditures made for investment purposes. Examples of investment capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes or development of our undeveloped properties in excess of the maintenance of our current production levels of our oil and natural gas properties or the current operating capacity of our other capital assets, but which are not expected to increase the production of our oil and natural gas properties or the operating capacity of our other capital assets for more than the short term.

 

As described above, neither investment capital expenditures nor growth capital expenditures will be included in operating expenditures, and thus will not reduce operating surplus. Because growth capital expenditures may include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred to finance all or a portion of a growth capital expenditure during the period from the date we enter into a binding obligation to acquire the related capital asset or commence construction of the related capital improvement until the earlier to occur of the date any such capital asset or capital improvement begins producing in paying quantities or is placed into service, as applicable, and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of, such interest payments also may not reduce operating surplus. Losses on disposition of an investment capital expenditure reduce operating surplus when realized and cash receipts from an investment capital expenditure are treated as a cash receipt for purposes of calculating operating surplus only to the extent the cash receipt is a return on principal.

 

Capital expenditures that are made in part for maintenance capital purposes and in part for investment capital or growth capital purposes are allocated as maintenance capital expenditures, investment capital expenditures or growth capital expenditure by our general partner’s board of directors.

 

Adjusted Operating Surplus

 

Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net increases in working capital borrowings and net drawdowns of reserves of cash generated in prior periods. Adjusted operating surplus is calculated using estimated maintenance capital expenditures rather than actual maintenance capital expenditures and, to the extent the estimated amount is less than the actual amount, the cash generated from operations during that period would be less than the adjusted operating surplus for that period. Adjusted operating surplus for any period consists of:

 

·                   operating surplus generated with respect to that period (excluding any amounts attributable to the items described in the first bullet point under “—Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus—Operating Surplus”); less

 

·                   any net increase in working capital borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in working capital borrowings in the case of subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to that period; less

 

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·                   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 that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus

 

·                   any net decrease in working capital borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in working capital borrowings in the case of subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) with respect to that period; plus

 

·                   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 that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium; plus

 

·                   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 of adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to the third bullet point above.

 

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

 

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter in the following manner:

 

·                   first , 100.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata, until we distribute for each unit an amount equal to at least $0.5900; and

 

·                   thereafter , in the manner described below in “—Incentive Distribution Units.”

 

Incentive Distribution Units

 

Incentive Distribution Units will consist of a class of 1,000,000 units, which amount may not be increased except with the consent the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding Incentive Distribution Units. The distribution percentages referenced below with respect to the Incentive Distribution Units apply to the entirety of the class of Incentive Distribution Units with each unit thereof entitled to its proportionate share of such percentage.

 

Incentive Distribution Units represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13% and 23%) of the quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after certain target distribution levels have been paid.  If, for any quarter, the Partnership has distributed available cash from operating surplus to the unitholders and the general partner of the Partnership an amount equal to at least $0.5900 per unit, then the Partnership will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter in the following manner:

 

·                   first , 100.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata, and 0.00% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Units, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.6785 per unit for that quarter;

 

·                   second , 87.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata and 13.00% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Units, pro rata, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.7375 per unit for that quarter; and

 

·                   thereafter , 77.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata,  and 23.00% to the holders of Incentive Distribution Units, pro rata.

 

Initially, all Incentive Distribution Units will be deemed to be held in treasury by the Partnership.  Incentive Distribution Units held in treasury will receive their pro rata share of any distributions made in respect of the Incentive Distribution Units, and the additional cash to be received by the Partnership from these distributions may be redistributed to the unitholders and the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, pro rata, in the manner described above or may be included in the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner in connection with its determination of available cash.

 

General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels

 

The Amended Partnership Agreement will grant our general partner the right to elect to reset, at a higher level, the cash target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments to the holders of Incentive Distribution Units will be set.  The right to reset the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions

 

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are based may be exercised without the approval of our unitholders or the holders of Incentive Distribution Units or the conflicts committee, at any time when:

 

·                   the Partnership has paid four consecutive quarterly distributions in respect of each unit of an amount equal to at least $0.7375 for each such quarter; and

 

·                   the amount of all distributions during each quarter within such four-quarter period did not exceed the adjusted operating surplus for such quarter.

 

The reset target distribution levels will be higher than the target distribution levels prior to the reset such that there will be no incentive distributions paid under the reset target distribution levels until cash distributions per unit following this event increase as described below. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would otherwise not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per unit, taking into account the existing levels of incentive distribution payments being made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Units.

 

In connection with the resetting of the target distribution levels and the corresponding relinquishment of incentive distribution payments by the holders of Incentive Distribution Unit based on the target cash distributions prior to the reset, the holders of Incentive Distribution Units will be entitled to receive a number of newly issued units based on a predetermined formula described below that takes into account the “cash parity” value of the average cash distributions related to the Incentive Distribution Units received by the holders of Incentive Distribution Units for the two quarters prior to the reset event as compared to the average cash distributions per unit during that two-quarter period.

 

The number of units that the holders of Incentive Distribution Units would be entitled to receive from us in connection with a resetting of the target distribution levels then in effect would be equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions received in respect of the issued and outstanding Incentive Distribution Units during the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately prior to the date of such reset election by (y) the average of the amount of cash distributed per unit during each quarter in that two-quarter period.

 

Following a reset election, the target distribution amount of $0.5900 per unit will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (which amount we refer to as the “reset minimum target distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to be correspondingly higher such that we would distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus for each quarter thereafter as follows:

 

·                   first , 100.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata, and 0.00% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Units, until each unitholder receives an amount equal to 115% of the reset minimum target distribution for that quarter;

 

·                   second , 87.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata, and 13.00% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Units, pro rata, until each unitholder receives an amount equal to 125% of the reset minimum target distribution per unit for that quarter; and

 

·                   thereafter , 77.00% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata, and 23.00% to the holders of Incentive Distribution Units, pro rata;

 

provided that, if the target distribution levels have been reduced to zero in connection with the adjustments described below in the last paragraph of “Distributions from Capital Surplus,” the distribution of available cash that is deemed to be operating surplus with respect to any quarter will be made solely in accordance with the third bullet point above.

 

Distributions from Capital Surplus

 

We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

 

·                   first , 100% to the unitholders and our general partner, pro rata, until the initial target distribution amount of $0.5900 has been reduced to zero as described below; and

 

·                   thereafter , we will make all distributions of available cash from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus.

 

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In the event of a distribution of cash that is deemed to be from capital surplus, then the applicable target distribution amount (which will be either $0.5900 or the adjusted amount as described under “Distributions of Available Cash From Operating Surplus—General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels,” as adjusted pursuant to this paragraph) and the target distribution levels described above under “Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus—Incentive Distribution Units” will be reduced in the same proportion that the distribution of available cash from capital surplus had to the fair market value of our units immediately prior to the announcement of the distribution.  The fair market value of our units will be either the current market price of the units before the ex-dividend date with respect to the distribution or, if the units are not then admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the fair market value of the units as determined by the board of directors of our general partner.

 

General Partner’s Incentive Distribution Conversion Rights in Connection with a Change of Control

 

For 180 days following a change of control of the Partnership, our general partner will have the right to cause a conversion of all, but not less than all, of the vested and outstanding Incentive Distribution Units.  In the event that the general partner elects to convert the Incentive Distribution Units upon or following a change of control, the holders of Incentive Distribution Units will receive a number of units equal to:

 

·                   the greater of:

 

·                   the average aggregate amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two quarters immediately preceding the election in respect of the Incentive Distribution Units held by the holder thereof; and

 

·                   the average aggregate amount of cash distributions that would have been made by the Partnership for the two quarters immediately preceding the election in respect of the Incentive Distribution Units held by the holder thereof assuming that the Partnership had been distributing $0.7375 per unit over such period;

 

divided by

 

·                   the average amount of cash distributions actually made by the Partnership in respect of each unit for the two quarters immediately preceding the election.

 

If the holders of units receive cash or other equity interests from a third party in connection with a change of control prior to a conversion described above, the Incentive Distribution Units will be converted into an equivalent amount of cash or such other equity interests that would have been received if the conversion described above had occurred immediately prior to the issuance of cash or such other equity interests.

 

The foregoing description of the Incentive Distribution Units is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Legacy Reserves LP Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement Term Sheet, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Incentive Distribution Units Issued to WPX

 

In conjunction with the closing of the Acquisition, the Partnership expects to enter into an IDR Holders Agreement (the “IDR Agreement”) with WPX, which will govern the terms of the Incentive Distribution Units to be issued to WPX as consideration.  Upon the closing of the Acquisition, the Partnership will grant to WPX a total of 300,000 Incentive Distribution Units, which will be composed of (i) 100,000 fully vested Incentive Distribution Units and (ii) 200,000 unvested Incentive Distribution Units (the “Unvested IDUs”).

 

The Unvested IDUs will not participate in cash distributions of the Partnership until vested.  The Unvested IDUs will automatically be forfeited on each of the first two anniversaries of the closing date of the Acquisition in an amount per forfeiture equal to 66,666 Incentive Distribution Units and on the third anniversary of the closing date of the Acquisition in an amount equal to 66,668 Incentive Distribution Units.  Unvested IDUs that have not been forfeited will vest ratably at a rate of 10,000 Incentive Distribution Units per $35.5 million of additional cash consideration that is paid by the Partnership to WPX or to a third party (along with the fair market value of any non-cash consideration) in connection with the consummation of any transaction by which the Partnership acquires oil and natural gas properties (or rights therein or other assets related thereto) from WPX or jointly with WPX and such third party.

 

9



 

In addition, the IDR Agreement will provide the Partnership with conversion rights on all of the vested and outstanding Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX at any time when:

 

·                   the Partnership has made a distribution in respect of its units for each of the four full fiscal quarters prior to the Partnership’s delivery of its conversion notice, and the amount of the distribution in respect of the units for the full quarter immediately preceding the Partnership’s delivery of its conversion notice was equal to at least $0.90 per unit; and

 

·                   the amount of all distributions during each quarter within the four-quarter period immediately preceding the Partnership’s delivery of its conversion notice did not exceed the Adjusted Operating Surplus for such quarter.

 

In the event that our general partner elects to convert the vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX under these circumstances, each vested Incentive Distribution Unit held by WPX will convert into a number of units equal to the product of (i) a conversion factor, which will be 1.2 in the event the distribution described in the first bullet above is equal to at least $0.90, 1.1 in the event the distribution described in the first bullet above is equal to at least $1.00 or 1.0 in the event the distribution described in the first bullet above is equal to at least $1.10 and (ii) the quotient of (a) the aggregate amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the full quarter immediately preceding the delivery by the Partnership of the conversion notice in respect of the vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX and (b) the cash distribution per unit made by the Partnership for the full quarter immediately preceding delivery by the Partnership of the conversion notice.

 

In addition, the IDR Agreement will provide WPX the ability to convert any of its vested Incentive Distribution Units beginning three years after the date of the closing of the Acquisition.  If WPX elects to convert its vested Incentive Distribution Units, they will convert into a number of units equal to the quotient of:

 

·                   the average aggregate amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for each of the two full quarters immediately preceding the delivery by WPX of its notice of conversion in respect of the vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX prior to the conversion; over

 

·                   the average cash distribution per unit made by the Partnership for each of the two full quarters immediately preceding the delivery by WPX of its notice of conversion.

 

The IDR Agreement will also provide for the immediate forfeit of any vested and unvested Incentive Distribution Units transferred by WPX to any person that is not a controlled affiliate of WPX, unless our general partner consents to the transfer.  In addition, the IDR Agreement will provide WPX with certain registration rights in respect of units issued upon conversion of Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX and its controlled affiliates.

 

The foregoing description of the IDR Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of the IDR Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 2, 2014, by and between WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC, Legacy Reserves Operating LP, Legacy Reserves GP, LLC and Legacy Reserves LP (schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K).

99.1

 

Press release dated May 6, 2014.

99.2

 

Legacy Reserves LP Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement Term Sheet.

99.3

 

Form of Legacy Reserves LP IDR Holders Agreement.

 

10



 

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.

 

 

Legacy Reserves LP

 

 

 

By:

Legacy Reserves GP, LLC,

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

 

 

Date: May 6, 2014

By:

/s/ James Daniel Westcott

 

Name:

James Daniel Westcott

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

11



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 2, 2014, by and between WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC, Legacy Reserves Operating LP, Legacy Reserves GP, LLC and Legacy Reserves LP (schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K).

99.1

 

Press release dated May 6, 2014.

99.2

 

Legacy Reserves LP Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement Term Sheet.

99.3

 

Form of Legacy Reserves LP IDR Holders Agreement.

 

12


Exhibit 2.1

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

BY AND BETWEEN

 

WPX ENERGY ROCKY MOUNTAIN, LLC

 

(Seller)

 

LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING LP

 

(Buyer)

 

LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC

 

(General Partner)

 

AND

 

LEGACY RESERVES LP

 

(Partnership)

 

GARFIELD COUNTY, COLORADO

 

Dated May 2, 2014

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1 PURCHASE AND SALE

 

1

 

 

 

1.1

Purchase and Sale

 

1

1.2

Subject Interests

 

1

1.3

Retained Assets

 

2

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE PRICE

 

4

 

 

 

2.1

Purchase Price

 

4

2.2

Allocation of the Purchase Price

 

4

2.3

Adjustments to Purchase Price and Preliminary Settlement

 

4

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 BUYER’S INSPECTION

 

7

 

 

 

3.1

Due Diligence

 

7

3.2

Access to Records

 

7

3.3

On-Site Inspection

 

7

3.4

Disclaimer

 

7

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 TITLE MATTERS

 

7

 

 

 

4.1

Definitions

 

7

4.2

Seller’s Title

 

11

4.3

Title Defects and Notices

 

11

4.4

Remedies for Title Defects

 

12

4.5

Title Dispute Resolution

 

13

4.6

Consents and Preferential Purchase Rights

 

14

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 

15

 

 

 

5.1

Definitions

 

15

5.2

Environmental Representation and Warranty

 

16

5.3

Environmental Defect Notice

 

17

5.4

Remedies for Environmental Defects

 

17

5.5

Determination of Environmental Defects by Environmental Expert

 

17

5.6

Exclusive Remedies

 

19

5.7

Environmental Liabilities and Obligations

 

19

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 SELLER’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

19

 

 

 

6.1

Existence

 

19

6.2

Power

 

19

6.3

Authorization and Enforceability

 

20

6.4

Liability for Brokers’ Fees

 

20

6.5

No Bankruptcy

 

20

6.6

Litigation

 

20

6.7

Compliance with Law

 

20

6.8

Status and Operation of Subject Interests

 

20

6.9

Taxes

 

20

6.10

Material Agreements

 

20

6.11

Hydrocarbon Sales Contracts

 

20

6.12

Gathering, Compression, or Treating Agreements

 

21

6.13

Oil and Gas Operations

 

21

 

i



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

6.14

Inactive Wells

 

21

6.15

Affiliate Transactions

 

21

6.16

Accredited Investor

 

21

6.17

Certain Disclaimers

 

21

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7 BUYER’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

22

 

 

 

7.1

Existence

 

22

7.2

Power

 

22

7.3

Authorization and Enforceability

 

23

7.4

Liability for Brokers’ Fees

 

23

7.5

No Bankruptcy

 

23

7.6

Litigation

 

23

7.7

Financial Resources

 

23

7.8

Buyer’s Evaluation

 

23

7.9

Governmental Authorizations; Qualification

 

23

7.10

Accredited Investor

 

23

7.11

Disregarded Entity

 

24

7.12

Limitation

 

24

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE GENERAL PARTNER AND THE PARTNERSHIP

 

24

 

 

 

8.1

Definitions

 

24

8.2

Representations and Warranties

 

25

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9 COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

 

29

 

 

 

9.1

Covenants and Agreements of Seller

 

29

9.2

Covenants and Agreements of Buyer

 

30

9.3

Covenants of the General Partner and the Partnership

 

30

9.4

Covenants and Agreements of the Parties

 

31

9.5

Audit Rights

 

32

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10 TAX MATTERS

 

33

 

 

 

10.1

Taxes

 

33

10.2

Apportionment of Ad Valorem and Property Taxes

 

33

10.3

Other Taxes

 

33

10.4

Transfer Taxes

 

33

10.5

Escalating Working Interest Tax Treatment

 

33

10.6

Overall Tax Treatment

 

33

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

 

34

 

 

 

11.1

Seller’s Conditions

 

34

11.2

Buyer’s Conditions

 

34

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12 RIGHT OF TERMINATION

 

35

 

 

 

12.1

Termination

 

35

12.2

Liabilities Upon Termination

 

35

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 13 CLOSING

 

36

 

 

 

13.1

Date of Closing

 

36

13.2

Place of Closing

 

36

13.3

Closing Obligations

 

36

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 14 POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

 

37

 

 

 

14.1

Post-Closing Adjustments

 

37

14.2

Records

 

38

14.3

Further Assurances

 

38

14.4

Assumption of Plugging Liabilities and Reclamation Obligation

 

38

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 15 ASSUMPTION AND RETENTION OF OBLIGATIONS AND INDEMNIFICATION; DISCLAIMERS

 

38

 

 

 

15.1

Buyer’s Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations

 

38

15.2

Seller’s Retention of Liabilities and Obligations

 

38

15.3

Indemnification

 

38

15.4

Procedure

 

40

15.5

No Insurance; Subrogation

 

41

15.6

Reservation as to Non-Parties

 

41

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 16 MISCELLANEOUS

 

41

 

 

 

16.1

Schedules

 

41

16.2

Expenses

 

41

16.3

Notices

 

41

16.4

Amendments

 

42

16.5

Assignment

 

42

16.6

Headings

 

42

16.7

Counterparts/Electronic and Fax Signatures

 

42

16.8

References and Interpretation

 

43

16.9

Governing Law

 

43

16.10

Entire Agreement

 

43

16.11

Affiliate

 

43

16.12

Control

 

43

16.13

Knowledge

 

43

16.14

Binding Effect

 

44

16.15

Survival of Warranties, Representations and Covenants

 

44

16.16

No Third-Party Beneficiaries

 

44

16.17

Dispute Resolution by Senior Management

 

44

16.18

Binding Arbitration

 

44

16.19

Like-Kind Exchange

 

45

16.20

No Partnership

 

45

16.21

Other Opportunities

 

45

 

 

iii



 

Defined Terms

 

Affected Interest

 

4.1(a)

Affiliate

 

16.11

Aggregate Claim Deductible

 

15.3(a)(ii)

Agreement

 

Opening paragraph

Allocated Values

 

2.2

Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement

 

8.1(a)

Assets

 

Recital A

Assignment

 

13.3(a)

Assumed Liabilities

 

15.1

Business Day

 

16.8

Buyer

 

Opening paragraph

Buyer’s Auditor

 

9.5

Buyer’s Environmental Liabilities

 

5.7

Casualty Loss

 

9.4(c)

Claim

 

15.4(b)

Claim Notice

 

15.4(a)

Closing

 

13.1

Closing Amount

 

2.3

Closing Date

 

13.1

Code

 

16.19(a)

Condition

 

5.1(a)

Confidentiality Agreement

 

9.2(b)

Consent

 

8.2(j)

Contracts

 

1.2(e)

Control(s)

 

16.12

Controlled by

 

16.12

Conveyed Formations

 

1.2(a)

CPR

 

4.5(c)

Day

 

16.8

Defect Notice Date

 

3.1

Defects

 

4.1(c)

Defensible Title

 

4.1(d)

Delaware LLC Act

 

8.1(b)

Delaware LP Act

 

8.1(c)

Due Diligence Period

 

3.1

Due Diligence Review

 

3.1

Effective Time

 

1.1

Environmental Assessment

 

3.3

Environmental Defect

 

5.1(b)

Environmental Defect Amount

 

5.3

Environmental Defect Deductible

 

5.1(c)

Environmental Defect Notice

 

5.3

Environmental Defect Property

 

5.1(d)

Environmental Expert

 

5.5

Environmental Law(s)

 

5.1(e)

Equipment

 

1.2(d)

Escrow Agreement

 

4.1(e)

Exchange Act

 

8.1(d)

Execution Date

 

Opening paragraph

 

iv



 

Final Purchase Price

 

14.1(a)

Final Settlement Date

 

14.1(a)

Final Settlement Statement

 

14.1(a)

General Partner

 

Opening paragraph

General Partner Interest

 

8.1(e)

Governmental Entity

 

5.1(f)

Hazardous Substances

 

5.1(g)

Hydrocarbons

 

1.2(a)

IDR Holders Agreement

 

8.1(f)

IDR Units

 

8.1(g)

Indemnification Cap

 

15.3(a)(ii)

Indemnified Party

 

15.4(a)

Indemnifying Party

 

15.4(a)

Indemnity Agreement

 

4.1(f)

Individual Claim Threshold

 

15.3(a)(ii)

Individual Environmental Defect Threshold

 

5.1(b)

Individual Title Defect Threshold

 

4.1(g)

Knowledge

 

16.13

Lands

 

1.2(b)

Leases

 

1.2(b)

Litigation

 

6.6

Losses

 

15.3

Material Adverse Effect

 

8.2(a)

Material Agreements

 

6.10

Mineral Interests

 

1.2(c)

Net Casualty Loss

 

9.4(c)

Net Revenue Interest

 

4.1(h)

Notice of Defective Interest

 

4.1(i)

Obligations

 

15.1

Operating Agreement

 

9.4(d)(i)

Partnership

 

Opening paragraph

Partnership Agreement

 

8.1(h)

Party(ies)

 

Opening paragraph

Performance Deposit

 

2.1(a)

Permitted Encumbrances

 

4.1(j)

Person

 

16.8

Preliminary Settlement Statement

 

2.3

Production

 

1.2(a)

Property Expenses

 

2.3(a)

Property Taxes

 

10.2

Purchase Price

 

2.1

Records

 

1.2(f)

Records Period

 

9.5

Remediate; Remediation

 

5.1(h)

Repayment Event

 

8.1(i)

Required Consent

 

4.1(k)

Retained Assets

 

1.3

Retained Contracts

 

1.3(i)

Retained Liabilities

 

15.2

Retained Litigation

 

15.2

SEC

 

8.1(j)

 

v



 

SEC Reports

 

8.1(l)

Securities Act

 

8.1(k)

Seller

 

Opening paragraph

Series A Preferred Units

 

8.2(c)

Seller Units

 

2.1

Subject Interests

 

1.2

Subject Instruments

 

8.1(m)

Survival Period

 

16.15

Taxes

 

10.1

Title Defect

 

4.1(l)

Title Defect Adjustment

 

4.1(m)

Title Defect Amount

 

4.1(n)

Title Defect Deductible

 

4.1(b)

Title Defect Property

 

4.1(o)

Title Disputed Matters

 

4.1(p)

Title Expert

 

4.5(a)

Total Consideration

 

2.1

Transaction

 

Opening paragraph

Transfer Taxes

 

10.4

Units

 

8.1(n)

Wells

 

1.2(a)

Working Interest

 

4.1(q)

 

vi



 

List of Exhibits

 

Exhibit A

 

Wells

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Leases

 

 

 

Exhibit B-1

 

Mineral Interests

 

 

 

Exhibit C

 

Contracts

 

 

 

Exhibit D

 

Form of Assignment and Bill of Sale

 

 

 

Exhibit E

 

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit F

 

Form of Indemnity Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit G

 

Form of Escrow Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit H

 

Form of Operating Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit I

 

Intentionally Omitted

 

 

 

Exhibit J

 

Form of Production Election and Marketing Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit K

 

Term Sheet for the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit L

 

Form of IDR Holders Agreement

 

List of Schedules

 

Schedule 1.4(e)(iv)

 

Retained Contracts

 

 

 

Schedule 2.2

 

Allocated Values

 

 

 

Schedule 4.6(a)

 

Required Consents

 

 

 

Schedule 4.6(b)

 

Preferential Purchase Rights

 

 

 

Schedule 5.2(a)

 

Environmental Notices of Violation

 

 

 

Schedule 5.2(b)

 

Environmental Litigation

 

 

 

Schedule 6.6

 

Seller Litigation

 

 

 

Schedule 6.8

 

Seller Capital Expenditures

 

 

 

Schedule 6.10

 

Material Agreements

 

 

 

Schedule 6.12

 

Gathering, Compression, or Treating Agreements

 

 

 

Schedule 6.13

 

Oil and Gas Operations

 

 

 

Schedule 6.14

 

Inactive Wells

 

 

 

Schedule 6.15

 

Affiliate Contracts

 

 

 

Schedule 9.1(b)

 

Restriction on Operations

 

vii



 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

This Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “ Agreement ”), is dated May 2, 2014, (the “ Execution Date ”) by and among WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Seller ”), with an address of 3500 One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0135, and Legacy Reserves Operating LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Buyer ”), with an address of 303 W. Wall, Suite 1800, Midland, Texas 79701; Legacy Reserves GP, LLC, a Delaware limited  liability company (“ General Partner ”) with an address of 303 W. Wall, Suite 1800, Midland, Texas 79701 and Legacy Reserves LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Partnership ”), with an address of 303 W. Wall, Suite 1800, Midland, Texas 79701 (each a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”).  The transaction contemplated by this Agreement may be referred to as the “ Transaction .”

 

RECITALS

 

A.                                     Seller owns certain oil and gas leases and wells located in Garfield County, Colorado, and associated real and personal property as more fully described in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 (the “ Assets ”);

 

B.                                     Seller desires to sell and Buyer desires to purchase escalating interests in and to the Assets upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENT

 

In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Buyer and Seller agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE AND SALE

 

1.1                                Purchase and Sale .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and for the consideration specified in Article 2 , Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller and Seller agrees to sell, assign and deliver to Buyer, the Subject Interests defined in Section 1.2 effective as of 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time on January 1, 2014 (the “ Effective Time ”); provided, however, that the effective time of the transfer of the ownership of a percentage of the Subject Interests from Seller to Buyer will automatically occur as of 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time on January 1, 2015 and as of 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time on January 1, 2016, all as set forth as increases in the Working Interests and Net Revenue Interests shown on Exhibit A as of such dates.

 

1.2                                Subject Interests .  Subject to Section 1.3 the term “ Subject Interests ” shall mean the following property and assets:

 

(a)                                  the undivided Working Interests and Net Revenue Interests specified in the Columns entitled, “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein, in the wellbores of the oil and gas wells described in Exhibit A INSOFAR AND ONLY INSOFAR as such wellbores cover and relate to the Conveyed Formations  (collectively, the “ Wells ”), together with the undivided Working Interests and Net Revenue Interests specified in Columns entitled, “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein, in the oil, gas, casinghead gas, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons produced from the Wells and products refined and manufactured therefrom (“ Hydrocarbons ”), and the accounts and proceeds from the sale of all of the foregoing attributable to the Conveyed Formations ( the “ Production ”).  The “ Conveyed Formations ” shall

 

1



 

mean all depths of current open perforations for the Wells and all other depths held by Seller from the surface of the earth to the shallower of  (i) total depth drilled in the individual wellbore of a Well, or (ii)  the base of the Iles formation as found at 8,166 feet in the RMV 1-28 well located in Section 28, Township 6 South, Range 94 West, Garfield County, Colorado; provided that if a Well is currently producing from a depth below the base of the Iles formation, the Conveyed Formation for that specific well shall also include all depths below the base of the Iles at which there are open perforations for such applicable Well.

 

(b)                                  the undivided Working Interests and Net Revenue Interests specified in Columns entitled, “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein, in the leasehold estates created by the leases described on Exhibit B INSOFAR AND ONLY INSOFAR as they cover and relate to the lands included in the spacing units described in Exhibit A (the “ Lands ”), and INSOFAR AND ONLY INSOFAR as such leasehold rights are necessary to own, operate, maintain, produce and plug and abandon the Wells and drill or participate in the drilling of wells replacing any of the Wells (the leasehold estates, subject to the foregoing limitation, the “ Leases ”);

 

(c)                                   the Working Interests and Net Revenue Interests specified on Exhibit A in Columns entitled, “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” and “Tier 3” for the time periods set forth therein, in the mineral estate described on Exhibit B-1 INSOFAR AND ONLY INSOFAR as such mineral estates are necessary to own, operate, maintain, produce and plug and abandon the Wells and drill or participate in the drilling of wells replacing any of the Wells (the “ Mineral Interests ”);

 

(d)                                  the undivided interests equal to the Working Interests specified in the Columns entitled, “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein, in the personal property, fixtures and improvements appurtenant to the Wells or used in connection with the operation of the Wells appurtenant to or located upon the Leases and which are located upstream of the outlet flange of the wellhead measurement facilities of each Well (the “ Equipment ”);

 

(e)                                   the undivided interests equal to the Working Interests specified in the Columns entitled, “Tier 1,” “Tier 2,” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the periods set forth therein, in the rights, privileges, benefits and appurtenances in any way belonging, incidental to, or appertaining to the Wells, Production, Leases, and Equipment, to the extent transferable, in contracts and agreements, including without limitation those described on Exhibit C (the “ Contracts ”); and

 

(f)                                    a copy of all files, records, and data relating to the items described in Subsections 1.2(a)  through 1.2(e)  in control of or maintained by Seller including, without limitation, the following, if and to the extent that such files exist and to the extent Buyer requests a copy:   records of production and maintenance, revenue, sales, expenses, Lease files, land files, Well files, and Contract files (collectively, the “ Records ”), but excluding from the foregoing those files, records, and data subject to written unaffiliated third party contractual restrictions on disclosure or transfer for which no consent to disclose or transfer has been received, or to the extent such disclosure or transfer is subjected to payment of a fee or other consideration, for which Buyer has not agreed in writing to pay the fee or other consideration, as applicable.

 

1.3                                Retained Assets .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subject Interests shall not include, and there is excepted, reserved and excluded from the Transaction the following (collectively, the “ Retained Assets ”):

 

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(a)                                  All lands and all rights, title and interests covered by the leases described on Exhibit B , other than the Subject Interests, and all of Seller’s rights, title and interests in other leases and property in Garfield County, Colorado;

 

(b)                                  All of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to other wells owned or operated by Seller in Garfield County, Colorado not described on Exhibit A , including any wells located in the same spacing units as the Wells described on Exhibit A ;

 

(c)                                   An undivided interest in the Equipment, insofar as it relates to Seller’s remaining interest in the Wells and does not interfere with Buyer’s use and enjoyment of the Subject Interests, and any personal property, fixtures and improvements used in connection with the operation of the other wells appurtenant to or located upon the leases;

 

(d)                                  Seller’s right to operate each of the Wells under applicable operating agreements, including the Operating Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit H ;

 

(e)                                   All the property, rights, privileges, benefits and appurtenances in any way belonging to, incidental to, or pertaining to, including, to the extent transferable, all operating agreements, unit agreements and unit operating agreements, communitization agreements, pooling agreements, marketing agreements, development agreements, farmouts and farmins, options, participation agreements, exploration agreements, subsurface agreements and other agreements, whether described on Exhibit C or not, insofar as they pertain to rights other than the Subject Interests, and to Seller’s interests in other assets and property in Garfield County, Colorado;

 

(f)                                    All of Seller’s right, title and interest in and to any fee mineral interests (other than the Mineral Interests), royalty interests, overriding royalty interests, net profit interest, production payments and similar interests relating to the Leases, Lands and Wells that are pre-existing as of the Effective Time;

 

(g)                                   All gathering, road and power rights-of-way and all equipment, facilities and pipelines downstream of the wellhead measurement facilities of each Well;

 

(h)                                  All surface leases, surface use and damage agreements, permits, rights-of-way, easements  and all other surface rights and agreements relating to the surface use and access of a well site and that are traditionally held by the operator of oil and gas wells, except for Buyer’s interest in the Leases and the Contracts;

 

(i)                                      (A) all corporate, financial, income, tax and legal records of Seller that relate to the Retained Assets and Seller’s business generally; (B) all books, records and files that relate to the Retained Assets; (iii) all contracts that relate to the Retained Assets; and (C) those certain contracts shown on Schedule 1.4(e)(iv)  as “ Retained Contracts ”;

 

(j)                                     all rights to any refunds for taxes or other costs or expenses borne by Seller or Seller’s predecessors in interest and title attributable to the Assets for periods prior to the Effective Time or attributable to the Retained Assets;

 

(k)                                  Seller’s bonds, permits and licenses or other permits, licenses or authorizations used in the conduct of the Assets and Seller’s business generally;

 

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(l)                                      All proprietary or licensed geologic, geophysical and seismic data relating to the Lands, together will all rights incident thereto or derived therefrom;

 

(m)                              all trade credits, account receivables, note receivables, take or pay amounts receivable, and other receivables attributable to the Assets with respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Time and attributable to the Retained Assets with respect to any period of time at or after the Effective Time;

 

(n)                                  any refunds due Seller by a third party for any overpayment of rentals, royalties, excess royalty interests or production payments or Taxes, including severance tax refunds based on exemptions for high cost gas, attributable to the Assets with respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Time or attributable to the Retained Assets; and

 

(o)                                  any causes of action, claims, rights, indemnities or defenses with respect to the Subject Interests, whether arising before or after the Effective Time, that relate to the Retained Liabilities or with respect to any indemnification obligation of Seller hereunder as more fully described in Article 15 below.

 

ARTICLE 2
PURCHASE PRICE

 

2.1                                Purchase Price .  Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, the purchase price for the Subject Interests shall be Three Hundred Fifty-Five Million Dollars ($355,000,000.00) (the “ Purchase Price ”) plus 300,000 IDR Units issued to Seller (the “ Seller Units ”, and together with the Purchase Price, the “ Total Consideration ”).  The Total Consideration shall be payable as follows:

 

(a)                                  By 5 p.m. Central Time, one (1) Business Day after the Execution Date, Buyer shall pay seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price as a Performance Deposit (the “ Performance Deposit ”) to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available funds;

 

(b)                                  At Closing, Buyer shall pay to Seller the Closing Amount by wire transfer of immediately available funds and shall deliver to Seller the Seller Units; and

 

(c)                                   After Closing, final adjustments to the Purchase Price shall be made pursuant to the Final Settlement Statement to be delivered pursuant to Sub section 14.1(a)  and payments made by Buyer or Seller as provided in Subsection 14.1(a) , and upon final resolution of any Title Disputed Matters or any Environmental Disputed Matters in accordance with Article 4 and Article 5 , respectively.

 

2.2                                Allocation of the Purchase Price .  Solely for the purposes of Article 4 and Article 5 , Buyer and Seller have agreed to the allocation of the unadjusted Purchase Price among each of the Wells (the “ Allocated Values ”) and such allocation of value is set forth in Schedule 2.2 .

 

2.3                                Adjustments to Purchase Price and Preliminary Settlement .  The Purchase Price shall be adjusted according to this Section 2.3 without duplication.  Such adjustment shall be set out on a preliminary settlement statement (the “ Preliminary Settlement Statement ”) that shall be delivered by Seller to Buyer at least three (3) Business Days prior to Closing and shall be approved by Seller and Buyer on or before Closing.  The Preliminary Settlement Statement shall set forth the Purchase Price as adjusted as provided in this Section 2.3 using the best information available at the Closing Date, which amount shall be paid at Closing and is the “ Closing Amount .”

 

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(a)                                  Property Expenses .  The term “ Property Expenses ” means all capital expenses (including all capital expenditures authorized by Subsection 9.1(a) ) to the extent expended on the Subject Interests and operating expenses incurred in the ownership, development and operation of the Subject Interests in the ordinary course of business and, where applicable, in accordance with any relevant operating agreement, if any, and all Lease rental and maintenance costs, and other similar payments or burdens incurred in connection with the Leases or the production and sale of Hydrocarbons therefrom.  Property Expenses shall include overhead for the period between the Effective Time and the Closing Date based upon Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) per month for each Well that produces gas for any portion of such month.

 

(b)                                  Proration of Costs and Revenues .

 

(i)                                            Buyer shall be entitled to all production of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to the Subject Interests attributable to the period at and after the Effective Time (and all products and proceeds attributable thereto), and to all other income, proceeds, receipts and credits with respect to the Subject Interests attributable to the period at or after the Effective Time.  Buyer shall be responsible for (and entitled to any refunds with respect to) all Property Expenses attributable to the Subject Interests attributable to the period at and after the Effective Time.

 

(ii)                                         Seller shall be entitled to all Hydrocarbon production from or attributable to the Subject Interests attributable to the period prior to the Effective Time (and all products and proceeds attributable thereto), and to all other income, proceeds, receipts and credits earned with respect to the Subject Interests attributable to the period prior to the Effective Time, and shall be responsible for (and entitled to any refunds with respect to) all Property Expenses attributable to the Subject Interests attributable to the period prior to the Effective Time.

 

(iii)                                      For purposes of allocating production (and accounts receivable with respect thereto), under this Subsection 2.3(b) , (A) liquid Hydrocarbons shall be deemed to be “from or attributable to” Subject Interests when they pass through the pipeline connecting into the storage facilities into which they are run or into tanks connected to the Wells and (B) gaseous Hydrocarbons shall be deemed to be “from or attributable to” the Subject Interests when they pass through the wellhead measurement facilities.  Seller shall utilize reasonable interpolative procedures, consistent with industry practice, to arrive at an allocation of production when exact meter readings or gauging and strapping data are not available.

 

(c)                                   Upward Adjustments .  To calculate the Closing Amount, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted upward by the following:

 

(i)                                            An amount equal to (A) all proceeds from or attributable to the production of Hydrocarbons from the Subject Interests attributable to the period prior to the Effective Time if received by Buyer, net of Taxes (subject to Article 10 ), royalties, overriding royalties, net profit payments and similar burdens and (B) all other income, proceeds, receipts and credits with respect to the Subject Interests attributable to the period prior to the Effective Time received by Buyer;

 

(ii)                                         An amount equal to the Property Expenses attributable to the Subject Interests for the period from and after the Effective Time that were paid by Seller;

 

(iii)                                      An amount equal to the value of all oil in tanks above the pipeline sales connection (exclusive of any brine, sludge or water that may be present in the oil storage tanks)

 

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and of all gas in pipelines and flowlines upstream of the wellhead measurement facilities is credited to Seller’s interest in the Subject Interests at the Effective Time, each such value to be the contract price in effect as of the Effective Time or, in the absence of an applicable contract price, the average price per unit for sales of production for the respective production period attributable to the Subject Interests as of the Effective Time, less any Taxes and royalties, overriding royalties, net profit payments and similar burdens;

 

(iv)                                     The amount of all prepaid expenses (including pre-paid bonuses and rentals), scheduled payments, and Taxes, which in all cases are paid by Seller with respect to the ownership of the Subject Interests after the Effective Time; and

 

(v)                                        Any other amount provided for in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in writing by Buyer and Seller as an upward adjustment to the Purchase Price.

 

(d)                                  Downward Adjustments .  To calculate the Closing Amount, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by the following:

 

(i)                                            An amount equal to (A) all proceeds from or attributable to the production of Hydrocarbons from the Subject Interests attributable to the period at and after the Effective Time received by Seller, net of Taxes (subject to Article 10 ), royalties, overriding royalties, net profit payments and similar burdens and (B) all other income, proceeds, receipts and credits with respect to the Subject Interests attributable to the period at or after the Effective Time received by Seller;

 

(ii)                                         An amount equal to all Property Expenses attributable to the Subject Interests for the period prior to the Effective Time that are paid by Buyer;

 

(iii)                                      An amount equal to the total of all the Title Defect Adjustments, if any, pursuant to Subsection 4.4(b) ;

 

(iv)                                     An amount equal to the Allocated Value of the Subject Interests not conveyed at Closing due to the exercise of any preferential rights to purchase in accordance with Subsection 4.6(b)  or the failure to obtain a Required Consent to assign in accordance with Subsection 4.6(a) ;

 

(v)                                        The value of any Casualty Loss pursuant to Subsection 9.4(c) ;

 

(vi)                                     The amount deposited into escrow pursuant to Subsection 4.4(c)  for Title Disputed Matters;

 

(vii)                                  An amount equal to the Performance Deposit; and

 

(viii)                               Any other amount provided in this Agreement or otherwise agreed to in writing by Buyer and Seller as a downward adjustment to the Purchase Price.

 

(e)                                   Adjustments to Purchase Price .  All adjustments to the Purchase Price shall be made (A) in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and, to the extent consistent with this Agreement, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as consistently applied in the oil and gas industry for purposes of allocating revenues earned and expenses incurred immediately prior to and after the Effective Time; (B) without duplication (in this Agreement or otherwise); (C) with respect to adjustments pursuant to Sections 4.3 and 4.4 ,

 

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only as to matters for which notice is given on or before the Defect Notice Date; and (D) with respect to all adjustments provided for in Subsections 2.3(c) , and 2.3(d) , except adjustments pursuant to Sections 4.3 , and 4.4 , in accordance with Subsection 14.1(a)  and no later than the Final Settlement Date.

 

(f)                                    Final Settlement .  After Closing, final adjustments to the Purchase Price shall be made pursuant to the Final Settlement Statement to be delivered pursuant to Subsection 14.1(a)  and payments made by Buyer or Seller as provided in Subsection 14.1(a) .

 

ARTICLE 3
BUYER’S INSPECTION

 

3.1                                Due Diligence .  Subject to Section 3.3 , upon execution of this Agreement, Seller will make the Subject Interests available to Buyer and its representatives for inspection and review to permit Buyer to perform its due diligence (the “ Due Diligence Review ”) as hereinafter provided.  Buyer shall be entitled to conduct its Due Diligence Review until 5:00 p.m., Mountain Time, on May 30, 2014 (the “ Due Diligence Period ”).  All notices pertaining to the Due Diligence Review must be received by Seller no later than 5:00 p.m., Mountain Time, on May 30, 2014 (the “ Defect Notice Date ”).

 

3.2                                Access to Records .  The Records will be made available to Buyer for review and copying at the offices of Seller during Seller’s normal business hours or as otherwise reasonably requested by Buyer to complete its Due Diligence Review.

 

3.3                                On-Site Inspection .  Seller hereby consents to Buyer conducting, pursuant to the Temporary Access Agreement between Seller and Buyer, and this Agreement, prior to Closing and upon advance notice to Seller, at Buyer’s sole risk and expense, (a) on-site inspections and (b) an ASTM Phase One Environmental Assessment (an “ Environmental Assessment ”) of the Subject Interests, provided that Buyer shall not conduct any sampling activities and other environmental testing without prior written notice and consent of Seller, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or denied.  In connection with any Environmental Assessment, Buyer agrees not to interfere with the normal operation of the Subject Interests and agrees to comply with all requirements and safety policies of the operator.  If Buyer or its agents prepares an Environmental Assessment, Buyer will furnish a copy thereof to Seller at no cost to Seller.  In connection with the granting of such access, Buyer represents that it is adequately insured and, except to the extent caused by Seller’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, waives, releases and agrees to defend and indemnify Seller and Seller’s representatives against all claims for injury to, or death of, persons or for damage to property arising in any way from the access afforded to Buyer hereunder or the activities of Buyer hereunder.  This waiver, release and indemnity by Buyer shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

3.4                                Disclaimer .  Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, Seller makes no warranty or representation of any kind as to the Records or any information contained therein.  Buyer agrees that any conclusions drawn from the Records shall be the result of its own independent review and judgment.

 

ARTICLE 4
TITLE MATTERS

 

4.1                                Definitions .  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

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(a)                                  Affected Interest means the Subject Interests in which prior to Closing Seller (A) fails to obtain a Required Consent to assign that would invalidate the conveyance of the Subject Interests affected by the consent to assign or materially affect the value or use of the Subject Interests; or (B) is notified that a third party intends to exercise its preferential right to purchase.

 

(b)                                  Title Defect Deductible ” means an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price.

 

(c)                                   Defects ” means Title Defects and Environmental Defects.

 

(d)                                  Defensible Title ” means such ownership that, subject to and except for Permitted Encumbrances:

 

(i)                                            for each individual Well, entitles Seller to receive not less than the Net Revenue Interest shown in the Column entitled, “Tier 3” on Exhibit A for such Well;

 

(ii)                                         for each individual Well, obligates Seller to bear not greater than the Working Interest shown in the Column entitled, “Tier 3” on Exhibit A for such Well; and

 

(iii)                                      is free and clear of liens, encumbrances and other defects in title burdening the Wells as of the Closing Date.

 

(e)                                   Escrow Agreement ” means an Escrow Agreement dated as of the Closing Date, by and among Buyer, Seller, and the Bank of Oklahoma, in its capacity as escrow agent, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit G .

 

(f)                                    Indemnity Agreement ” means an Indemnity Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F .

 

(g)                                   Individual Title Defect Threshold means a Title Defect Amount of not less than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each individual Well.

 

(h)                                  Net Revenue Interest ” means with respect to the Wells, the share of the Hydrocarbons produced, saved and marketed from a Well throughout the duration of the productive life of such Well or specified zone(s) therein, after satisfaction of all royalties, overriding royalties, nonparticipating royalties, or other similar burdens on or measured by production of Hydrocarbons.

 

(i)                                      Notice of Defective Interest ” means a notice provided to Seller in writing of any matters that in Buyer’s reasonable opinion constitute a Title Defect with respect to Seller’s title to any individual Well.

 

(j)                                     Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean:

 

(i)                                            the terms and conditions of the Leases and the lessors’ royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, production payments, reversionary interests and similar burdens if the net cumulative effect of such burdens does not operate to (A) reduce the Net Revenue Interests below those set forth in the Column entitled “Tier 1”, “Tier 2” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein; or (B) increase the Working Interest to greater than those set forth in the Columns entitled “Tier 1”, “Tier 2” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the

 

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time periods set forth therein (unless Seller’s Net Revenue Interest is increased in the same proportion);

 

(ii)                                         liens for Taxes or assessments not yet due and delinquent or if delinquent are being contested in good faith in the normal course of business;

 

(iii)                                      all rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by Governmental Entities, in connection with the conveyance of the applicable Subject Interests if the same are customarily sought after such conveyance;

 

(iv)                                     rights of reassignment contained in any Leases, or assignments thereof, providing for reassignment upon the surrender or expiration of any Leases;

 

(v)                                        easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases, grazing rights, canals, ditches, reservoirs, pipelines, utility lines, power lines, railways, streets, roads and other rights with respect to surface operations, on, over or in respect of any of the Subject Interests or any restriction on access thereto that do not materially interfere with the ownership or operation of the affected Subject Interest;

 

(vi)                                     materialmen’s, mechanic’s, operator’s, or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business (A) if such liens and charges have not been filed pursuant to law and the time for filing such liens and charges has expired; (B) if filed, such liens and charges have not yet become due and payable or payment is being withheld as provided by law; or (C) if their validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate action;

 

(vii)                                  matters based solely on lack of information in connection with documents filed of record not contained in Seller’s files;

 

(viii)                               the failure to recite marital status in a document, unless Buyer provides clear and convincing evidence that such failure or omission has resulted in another Person’s actual and superior claim of title to the relevant Subject Interest;

 

(ix)                                     defects arising out of lack of survey, unless a survey is expressly required by applicable laws or regulations;

 

(x)                                        a change in drilling and spacing units, tract allocation or other changes in pool or unit participation occurring after the Execution Date;

 

(xi)                                     lack of corporate or other entity authorization unless Buyer provides affirmative evidence that such corporate or other entity action may not be authorized;

 

(xii)                                  mortgages burdening the interest of the lessors of the Leases, so long as there is no evidence of default;

 

(xiii)                               all other liens, charges, encumbrances, contracts (including the Contracts), agreements, instruments, obligations, defects and irregularities affecting the Subject Interests that do not (or would not upon foreclosure or other enforcement) reduce the Net Revenue Interest set forth in the Columns entitled “Tier 1”, “Tier 2” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein, nor prevent the receipt of proceeds of production therefrom, nor increase the share of costs above the Working Interest set forth in the Columns entitled “Tier

 

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1”, “Tier 2” and “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , for the time periods set forth therein, nor are such as to materially interfere with or detract from the ownership, value or use of the Subject Interests; and

 

(xiv)                              such Title Defects as Buyer has waived.

 

(k)                                  Required Consent ” means all consents to assignment and any consents or waivers under any applicable operating agreement (including without limitation consents or waivers of the maintenance of uniform interests provisions therein) that are necessary for Seller to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and transfer the Subject Interests to Buyer.  A Required Consent does not include consents whereby the lessor, grantor, assignor or non-operator cannot unreasonably withhold, delay or condition a consent unless the failure to obtain such consent (i) makes the assignment void or voidable, (ii) results in liquidated damages, or (iii) results in the termination or reduction in the interest being assigned.

 

(l)                                      Title Defect ” means any lien, encumbrance, obligation or defect (including without limitation a discrepancy in Net Revenue Interest or Working Interest for any individual Well), excluding Permitted Encumbrances, that causes a breach of Seller’s representation and warranty in Section 4.2 .

 

(m)                              Title Defect Adjustment ” means an amount agreed upon by Buyer and Seller as being the value of such Title Defect; taking into consideration the Allocated Value of the Subject Interests subject to such Title Defect, the portion of the Subject Interests subject to such Title Defect and the legal effect of such Title Defect on the Subject Interests affected thereby.

 

(n)                                  Title Defect Amount ” means the amount by which the Allocated Value of the Title Defect Property affected by such Title Defect is reduced as a result of the existence of such Title Defect and shall be determined in accordance with the following methodology, terms and conditions:

 

(i)                                            if Buyer and Seller agree on the Title Defect Amount, that amount shall be the Title Defect Amount;

 

(ii)                                         if the Title Defect is a lien or encumbrance which is undisputed and liquidated in amount, then the Title Defect Amount shall be the amount of the payment necessary to remove the Title Defect from the Title Defect Property;

 

(iii)                                      if the Title Defect represents a decrease in the Net Revenue Interest from the interest stated for such Well in Column entitled “Tier 3” on Exhibit A , then the Title Defect Amount shall be the product of the Allocated Value of such Well, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Net Revenue Interest decrease and the denominator of which is the Net Revenue Interest stated in Column entitled “Tier 3” on Exhibit A ; provided that if the Title Defect is not effective or does not affect an individual Well throughout its entire term, the Title Defect Amount determined hereunder shall be reduced to take into account the applicable time period only (including utilizing the Net Revenue Interest for an individual Well shown in the Column entitled “Tier 3” on Exhibit A );

 

(iv)                                     if the Title Defect represents an obligation, encumbrance, burden or other defect in title to the Title Defect Property of a type not described in Subsections (n)(i)  through (n)(iii)  above, the Title Defect Amount shall be determined by taking into account the following factors:  (A) the Allocated Value of the Title Defect Property; (B) the portion of the Title Defect Property affected by the Title Defect; (C) the legal effect of the Title Defect; (D) the

 

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potential economic effect of a Title Defect over the life of the affected Well; (E) the values placed upon the Title Defect by Buyer and Seller; and (F) such other reasonable factors as are necessary to make a proper evaluation; and

 

(v)                                        if, in the opinion of Seller and Buyer, a Title Defect is reasonably susceptible of being cured, the Title Defect Amount shall not be greater than the lesser of (A) the reasonable cost and expense of curing and removing such Title Defect or (B) the share of such curative work and removal cost and expense which is allocable to the affected Well.

 

(o)                                  Title Defect Property means the individual Well affected by the Title Defect.

 

(p)                                  Title Disputed Matters ” means disputes concerning the (A) the existence and scope of a Title Defect; (B) the Title Defect Amount of that portion of the Subject Interests affected by a Title Defect; and (C) the adequacy of Seller’s Title Defect curative materials.

 

(q)                                  Working Interest ” means the percentage of the costs and expenses for the maintenance, development, operation and the production relating to an individual Well throughout the productive life of such Well.

 

4.2                                Seller’s Title .

 

(a)                                  Limited Defensible Title Representation .  Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that, as of the Execution Date and as of the Defect Notice Date, its title to the Subject Interests is Defensible Title.  Except as set forth in this Subsection 4.2(a)  and the special warranty of title set forth in the Assignment, Seller makes no warranty or representation, express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect to Seller’s title to the Subject Interests and Buyer hereby acknowledges and agrees that Buyer’s sole remedies for any defect of title, including any Title Defect with respect to an individual Well, shall be Buyer’s right to adjust the Purchase Price to the extent provided in this Article 4 .

 

(b)                                  Exclusive Remedy .  The representation and warranty in Subsection 4.2(a)  shall terminate as of the Defect Notice Date and shall have no further force and effect thereafter, and Section 4.4 and the special warranty of title set forth in the Assignment shall be the exclusive right and remedy of Buyer with respect to Seller’s failure to have Defensible Title with respect to the Subject Interests.  Notwithstanding anything herein provided to the contrary, if a Title Defect under this Article 4 results from any matter which could also result in the breach of any representation or warranty of Seller under Article 6 of this Agreement, then Buyer shall only be entitled to assert such matter as a Title Defect to the extent permitted by this Article 4 .  Buyer shall be precluded from also asserting such matter as the basis of the breach of any such representation or warranty under Article 6 .

 

4.3                                Title Defects and Notices .

 

(a)                                  Title Defects .  Except as otherwise provided in Subsection 4.3(b)  and except for the special warranty of title set forth in the Assignment, with respect to Title Defects, in no event shall there be any adjustments to the Purchase Price or other remedies provided by Seller for:

 

(i)                                            any individual Title Defect for which the Title Defect Amount does not exceed the Individual Title Defect Threshold; and

 

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(ii)                                         any Title Defect that exceeds the Individual Title Defect Threshold unless the Title Defect Amounts for all such Title Defects, in the aggregate (excluding any Title Defects cured by Seller), exceed the Title Defect Deductible, after which point Buyer shall be entitled to adjustments to the Purchase Price or other remedies provided herein only with respect to such Title Defects in excess of such Title Defect Deductible.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article 4 , the aggregate Title Defect Amounts attributable to the effects of all Title Defects upon any Title Defect Property shall not exceed the Allocated Value of the Title Defect Property.

 

(b)                                  Reduction in Seller’s Working Interest .  In the event a Title Defect would cause a reduction in Seller’s retained Working Interest to less than ten percent (10%) (on an 8/8 ths  basis) after conveyance of the Title Defect Property to Buyer (based upon the Working Interest in the Column entitled “Tier 3” on Exhibit A ), then in Seller’s sole discretion, Seller may retain the Title Defect Property and reduce the Purchase Price by the Allocated Value set forth on Schedule 2.2 .

 

(c)                                   Notice of Defective Interest .  On or before the Defect Notice Date, Buyer shall advise Seller of any Notice of Defective Interest.  Any Notice of Defective Interest shall be in writing and contain the following:

 

(i)                                            a description of the claimed Title Defect(s);

 

(ii)                                         the Title Defect Property;

 

(iii)                                      the Allocated Value of an individual Well subject to the Title Defect;

 

(iv)                                     supporting documents reasonably necessary for Seller (as well as any title attorney or examiner hired by Seller) to verify the existence of the alleged Title Defect(s); and

 

(v)                                        the amount by which Buyer reasonably believes the Allocated Value of each Title Defect Property is reduced by the alleged Title Defect(s) and the computations and information upon which Buyer’s belief is based.

 

To give Seller an opportunity to commence reviewing and curing Title Defects, Buyer agrees to give Seller, on or before the end of each calendar week prior to the Defect Notice Date, written notice of all Title Defects discovered by Buyer during the calendar week.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that such weekly notice is preliminary and may be supplemented and modified at any time prior to the Defect Notice Date, and that any failure to include a Title Defect on such weekly notice shall not in any way be a waiver of such Title Defect.

 

4.4                                Remedies for Title Defects .

 

(a)                                  Seller’s Right to Cure .  Seller shall have the right, but not the obligation, to attempt, at its sole cost, to cure or remove at any time on or before four (4) days after the Defect Notice Day, any Title Defects of which it has been advised by Buyer prior to or on the Defect Notice Date.

 

(b)                                  Remedies for Title Defects .  Subject to Seller’s continuing right to dispute the existence of a Title Defect or the Title Defect Amount asserted with respect thereto, in the event

 

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that any Title Defect timely asserted by Buyer in accordance with Subsection 4.3(c)  actually exists and is not waived by Buyer in writing or cured on or before four (4) days after the Defect Notice Day:

 

(i)                                            Seller may, at its sole election (subject to Individual Title Defect Threshold and the Title Defect Deductible), elect to assign the property and reduce the Purchase Price by the Title Defect Adjustment;

 

(ii)                                         Seller may, at its sole election, retain the property that is subject to such Title Defect, in which event the Purchase Price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of such Title Defect Property: or

 

(iii)                                      Seller may, with Buyer’s agreement, indemnify Buyer against all liability, loss, cost and expense resulting from such Title Defect pursuant to an Indemnity Agreement and assign the property.

 

(c)                                   Escrow of Disputed Amounts .  If Seller and Buyer are unable to reach agreement as to a disputed Title Defect or Title Defect Amount(s) on or before four (4) days after the Defect Notice Day, then the Parties shall submit the existence of such disputed Title Defect or Title Defect Amount(s) to binding expert determination pursuant to Section 4.5 and the Parties shall proceed with Closing, provided that at Closing Buyer shall pay an amount equal to the Allocated Values of the Title Defect Property to the Escrow Agent (in accordance with the terms of the Defect Escrow Agreement).

 

4.5                                Title Dispute Resolution .  If, pursuant to Subsection 4.4(c) , the existence of a Title Defect or a Title Defect Amount thereof is submitted to expert determination, then the determination shall be conducted pursuant to this Section 4.5 .

 

(a)                                  Title Expert .  The determination shall be conducted by a single title expert (the “ Title Expert ”).  The Title Expert shall be neutral, not an affiliate, employee or consultant of either Party and shall be a title attorney with at least ten (10) years of title experience who practices oil and gas law in the Rocky Mountain area.

 

(b)                                  Selection of Expert by Agreement of the Parties .  The Parties shall attempt to mutually agree on the Title Expert; provided if the Parties are not able to mutually agree on the Title Expert within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the other Party’s election to submit a matter to expert determination, then, within ten (10) Business Days after the end of such five (5) Business Day period, each Party shall submit to the other Party the name(s) of at least one, but not more than three, potential Title Experts having the qualifications outlined in Subsection 4.5(a) .  If there is one common name on the Parties’ lists, that Person shall be the Title Expert; but if there is more than one common name on the Parties’ lists, the Title Expert shall be selected from the common names on the Parties’ lists by the mutual agreement of the Parties, or in absence of such agreement, by drawing straws.

 

(c)                                   Selection of Expert if Parties Do Not Agree .  In the event there are no common names on the Parties’ lists, the lists of potential Title Experts submitted by the Parties shall be submitted to The International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (“ CPR ”) on or before five (5) Business Days after the submission of the Parties’ respective lists, and the CPR shall select the Title Expert from the Parties’ lists.  The Title Expert need not be on the CPR’s panel of neutrals.

 

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(d)                                  Information .  Within ten (10) Business Days after the selection of the Title Expert, the Parties shall provide to the Title Expert the applicable Title Defect Notices and all documentation provided therewith or referred to therein, and each Party shall provide such other evidence as it deems appropriate for the Title Expert to determine the existence and effect of the applicable Title Defect and the associated Title Defect Amount.  The Title Expert shall also be provided with Article 4 of this Agreement and the Allocated Values of the affected Subject Interests together with any definitions of terms used in such Article, but no other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   No Ex-Parte Communications .  The Title Expert, once appointed, shall have no ex-parte communications with any Party concerning the determination required hereunder.  All communications between any Party and the Title Expert shall be conducted in writing, with copies sent simultaneously to the other Party in the same manner.

 

(f)                                    Determination .  The Title Expert shall make his or her determination and provide to the Parties written findings within twenty (20) Business Days after he or she has received the materials under Subsection 4.5(d) .  The decision of the Title Expert shall be final, binding on the Parties and non-appealable.  The Title Expert shall make a separate determination with respect to each Title Defect submitted.

 

(g)                                   Fees and Costs .  Each Party shall be responsible for paying its own costs, including its attorneys’ and experts’ fees.  The costs of the Title Expert shall be paid one-half by Seller and one-half by Buyer.

 

(h)                                  Findings .  The written finding of the Title Expert need only set forth the Title Expert’s finding as to whether the subject Title Defect exists or has been cured and the Title Defect Amount, and not the Title Expert’s rationale for the award.

 

(i)                                      Not Arbitration .  The Title Expert shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specific matters disputed and shall not act as an arbitrator, and may not award damages, interest or penalties to either Party with respect to any matter.  The Parties intend that the procedures set forth in this Section 4.5 shall not constitute or be handled as arbitration proceedings under the Federal Arbitration Act or any applicable state arbitration act, and that the provisions of this Section 4.5 shall be specifically enforceable.

 

(j)                                     Execution of Documents .  The Parties agree to execute such agreements as may be reasonably required by the Title Expert, including such engagement letters, releases and indemnities as reasonably requested by the Title Expert.

 

4.6                                Consents and Preferential Purchase Rights .  The remedies set forth in this Section 4.6 are the exclusive remedies under this Agreement for consents to assign and preferential rights to purchase.

 

(a)                                  Consents .  To Seller’s Knowledge, all consents, including Required Consents are set forth on Schedule 4.6(a)  (or are contained in the instruments and agreements set forth in Exhibits B and C, provided that Seller shall make a good faith effort to list all Consents on Schedule 4.6(a) ).  Seller shall use reasonable efforts to obtain all consents prior to Closing (including consents discovered by Buyer prior to Closing which consents shall not be a breach of Seller’s representation and warranty set forth in this Subsection 4.6(a) ).  Consents and approvals which are customarily obtained post-Closing shall not be considered Required Consents, including consents and approvals by Governmental Entities.  If prior to Closing Seller fails to obtain a Required Consent to assign an Affected Interest, then Seller shall retain the Affected

 

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Interest and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the Allocated Value of the Affected Interest.  Seller, with Buyer’s assistance, shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain such Required Consent as promptly as possible following Closing.  If such Required Consent has been obtained as of the Final Settlement Date, Seller shall convey the Affected Interest to Buyer effective as of the Effective Time and Buyer shall pay Seller the Allocated Value of the Affected Interest, less any proceeds from the Affected Interest attributable to the period of time after the Effective Time received and retained by Seller (net of any Property Expenses paid by Seller attributable to such period).  If such Required Consent has not been obtained as of the Final Settlement Date, the Affected Interest shall be excluded from the Transaction.  Buyer shall cooperate with Seller in obtaining any Required Consent including providing assurances of reasonable financial conditions, but Buyer shall not be required to expend funds or make any other type of financial commitments a condition of obtaining such consent.

 

(b)                                  Preferential Purchase Rights .  To Seller’s Knowledge, all preferential rights to purchase are set forth on Schedule 4.6(b)  (or are contained in the instruments and agreements set forth in Exhibit C, provided that Seller shall make a good faith effort to list all the preferential rights to purchase on Schedule 4.6(b) ).  Seller shall use reasonable good faith efforts to give notices required in connection with all preferential rights contained in Schedule 4.6(b)  prior to Closing.  If prior to Closing Buyer discovers a preferential right to purchase, then Buyer shall notify Seller of such preferential right and Seller shall use reasonable good faith efforts to give notices required in connection with such preferential purchase rights (which preferential purchase right shall not be a breach of Seller’s representation and warranty set forth in this Subsection 4.6(b) ).  If any preferential right to purchase any portion of the Subject Interests is exercised prior to the Closing Date, then that portion of the Subject Interests affected by such preferential purchase right shall be excluded from the Subject Interests and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of such affected Subject Interests.  If by Closing, either (i) the time frame for the exercise of a preferential purchase right has not expired and Seller has not received notice of an intent not to exercise or a waiver of the preferential purchase right, or (ii) a third party exercises its preferential right to purchase, but fails to consummate the purchase prior to the Closing, then Seller shall retain the Affected Interest and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of such Affected Interest.  As to any Affected Interests retained by Seller hereunder, following Closing if a preferential right to purchase is not consummated within the time frame specified in the preferential purchase right, or if the time frame for exercise of the preferential purchase right expires without exercise after the Closing, Seller shall promptly convey the Affected Interest to Buyer effective as of the Effective Time, and Buyer shall pay the Allocated Value thereof pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 5
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 

5.1                                Definitions .  For the purposes of the Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)                                  Condition ” means any circumstance, status or defect that requires Remediation as of the Effective Time to comply with Environmental Laws.

 

(b)                                  Environmental Defect ” means a Condition in, on, under or relating to a particular Subject Interests (including, without limitation, air, land, soil, surface and subsurface strata, surface water, groundwater, or sediments) that causes a particular Well operated by Seller

 

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to be in violation of an Environmental Law and the cost of Remediation of the Condition exceeds Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) (the “ Individual Environmental Defect Threshold ”).

 

(c)                                   Environmental Defect Deductible ” means an amount equal to two percent (2%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price.

 

(d)                                  Environmental Defect Property means the individual Well affected by the Environmental Defect.

 

(e)                                   Environmental Law ” or “ Environmental Laws ” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance and any decree, license, permit, settlement agreement, judgment, or order issued by or entered into with a Governmental Entity pertaining or relating to pollution or pollution control; the general protection of human health or safety and the environment; or the management, presence, disposal or release of Hazardous Substances (as defined below).  “ Environmental Laws ” shall include, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq. , the Solid Waste Disposal Act (as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq. , the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq. , the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq. , the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq. , the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 300f-300, the Federal Air Pollution Control Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq. , and the Oil Pollution Act, 33 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq. , and the regulations and orders respectively promulgated thereunder.

 

(f)                                    Governmental Entity ” means any national, state or local government or any subdivision, agency, court, commission, department, board, bureau, regulatory authority or other division or instrumentality thereof.

 

(g)                                   Hazardous Substances ” means each substance designated as a hazardous waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, contaminant or toxic substance under any Environmental Law that has been released into the environment in concentrations or locations for which remedial action is required under any applicable Environmental Law (but excluding naturally occurring radioactive material or NORM).

 

(h)                                  Remediation ” or “ Remediate ” means investigation, assessment, characterization, delineation, monitoring, sampling, analysis, removal action, remedial action, response action, corrective action, mitigation, treatment or cleanup of Hazardous Substances or other similar actions as required by any applicable Environmental Laws from soil, land surface, groundwater, sediment, surface water, or subsurface strata or otherwise, and the general protection of human health or safety and the environment.

 

5.2                                Environmental Representation and Warranty .

 

(a)                                  Except as described on Schedule 5.2(a) , for the period of Seller’s ownership of the Subject Interests, Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that, to Seller’s Knowledge, (A) the Subject Interests have been operated in material compliance with all Environmental Laws; (B) Seller has not received a written notice of a material violation of an Environmental Law with respect to the Subject Interests; and (C) no notice or action alleging a material violation is pending or threatened against the Subject Interests.

 

(b)                                  Except as described on Schedule 5.2(b) , Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that there are no civil, criminal, or administrative actions, lawsuits, litigation, hearings, notices of

 

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violation, or proceedings pending against the Subject Interests  as a result of the violation or breach of any Environmental Law.

 

5.3                                Environmental Defect Notice .  On or before the Defect Notice Date, Buyer shall give Seller written notice of any Environmental Defect (an “ Environmental Defect Notice ”), which shall (a) name the affected Well; (b) describe the Condition in, on, under or relating to the Well that causes the Environmental Defect; and (c) set forth the estimated cost to Remediate such Environmental Defect (the “ Environmental Defect Amount ”).

 

5.4                                Remedies for Environmental Defects .  Subject to the Individual Environmental Defect Threshold as to each Environmental Defect and the Environmental Defect Deductible as to all Environmental Defects in the aggregate:

 

(a)                                  In the event that any Environmental Defect timely asserted by Buyer is not disputed by Seller or cured on or before the Closing Date, Seller shall, at its sole election, elect to:

 

(i)                                            assign the Environmental Defect Property to Buyer at Closing, and Seller shall indemnify Buyer against all liability, loss, cost and expense resulting from such Environmental Defect pursuant to an Indemnity Agreement, in excess of the Individual Environmental Defect Threshold to the extent the aggregate of all Environmental Defect Amounts is in excess of the Environmental Defect Deductible; or

 

(ii)                                   retain the property that is subject to such Environmental Defect, in which event the Purchase Price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of such Environmental Defect Property.

 

(b)                                  If Buyer and Seller have not agreed on the existence of an Environmental Defect, or the Environmental Defect Amount, timely asserted by Buyer, the Parties shall submit the existence of such Environmental Defect and/or the Environmental Defect Amount as determined by each Party to binding expert determination pursuant to Section 5.5 , the Parties shall proceed with Closing and Seller shall assign the Environmental Defect Property to Buyer at Closing.

 

Notwithstanding anything stated herein to the contrary, in the event the Environmental Defect Amount related to any Environmental Defect Property exceeds the Allocated Value of such Environmental Defect Property, Buyer may, at its sole election, elect to have Seller retain such property and reduce the Purchase Price by an amount equal to the Allocated Value of such Environmental Defect Property.

 

5.5                                Environmental Expert .  If, pursuant to Section 5.4 , the existence of an Environmental Defect or an Environmental Defect Amount thereof is submitted for expert review as to the validity and/or value of the Environmental Defect, then the determination shall be conducted pursuant to this Section 5.5 .  The determination shall be conducted by a single environmental expert (the “ Environmental Expert ”).  The Environmental Expert shall be neutral, not an affiliate, employee or consultant of either Party and shall be an attorney with at least 10 years of experience who practices environmental law as it relates to oil and gas matters in the Rocky Mountain area.

 

(a)                                  Selection of Expert by Agreement of the Parties .  The Parties shall attempt to mutually agree on the Environmental Expert; provided if the Parties are not able to mutually agree on the Environmental Expert within five (5) Business Days after a Seller’s receipt of the Buyer’s election to submit a matter to expert determination, then, within ten (10) Business Days

 

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after the end of such five (5) Business Day period, each Party shall submit to the other Party the name(s) of at least one, but not more than three, potential Environmental Experts having the qualifications outlined in this Section 5.5 .  If there is one common name on the Parties’ lists, that Person shall be the Environmental Expert; but if there is more than one common name on the Parties’ lists, the Environmental Expert shall be selected from the common names on the Parties’ lists by the mutual agreement of the Parties, or in absence of such agreement, by drawing straws.

 

(b)                                  Selection of Expert if Parties Do Not Agree .  In the event there are no common names on the Parties’ lists, the lists of potential Environmental Experts submitted by the Parties shall be submitted to the CPR on or before five (5) Business Days after the submission of the Parties’ respective lists, and the CPR shall select the Environmental Expert from the Parties’ lists.  The Environmental Expert need not be on the CPR’s panel of neutrals.

 

(c)                                   Information .  Within ten (10) Business Days after the selection of the Environmental Expert, the Parties shall provide to the Environmental Expert the applicable Environmental Defect Notices and all documentation provided therewith or referred to therein, and each Party shall provide such other evidence as it deems appropriate for the Environmental Expert to determine the existence and effect of the applicable Environmental Defect and the associated Environmental Defect Amount.  The Environmental Expert shall also be provided with Article 5 of this Agreement and the Allocated Values of the affected Subject Interests together with any definitions of terms used in such Article, but no other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  No Ex-Parte Communications .  The Environmental Expert, once appointed, shall have no ex-parte communications with any Party concerning the determination required hereunder.  All communications between any Party and the Environmental Expert shall be conducted in writing, with copies sent simultaneously to the other Party in the same manner.

 

(e)                                   Determination .  The Environmental Expert shall make his or her determination and provide to the Parties written findings within twenty (20) Business Days after he or she has received the materials under Subsection 5.5(c) .  The decision of the Environmental Expert shall be final, binding on the Parties and non-appealable.  The Environmental Expert shall make a separate determination with respect to each Environmental Defect submitted.

 

(f)                                    Remedy .  If the Environmental Expert determines there is an Environmental Defect, and the amount of such Defect exceeds the Individual Environmental Defect Threshold and the amount of all Environmental Defects exceeds the Environmental Defect Deductible, Seller shall indemnify Buyer against all liability, loss, cost and expense resulting from such Environmental Defect in excess of the Defect Threshold to the extent the aggregate of all Environmental Defect Amounts exceeds the Environmental Defect Deductible.  If the Environmental Expert determines there is no Environmental Defect, or the Environmental Defect Amount is less than the Individual Environmental Defect Threshold or the aggregate of all Environmental Defect Amounts does not exceed the Environmental Defect Deductible, Buyer shall be responsible for its working interest share of all costs and expenses to remove or cure the Environmental Defect(s).

 

(g)                                   Fees and Costs .  Each Party shall be responsible for paying its own costs, including its attorneys’ and experts’ fees.  The costs of the Environmental Expert shall be paid one-half by Seller and one-half by Buyer.

 

(h)                                  Findings .  The written finding of the Environmental Expert need only set forth the Environmental Expert’s finding as to whether the subject Environmental Defect exists or has

 

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been cured and the Environmental Defect Amount, and not the Environmental Expert’s rationale for the award.

 

(i)                                      Not Arbitration .  The Environmental Expert shall act as an expert for the limited purpose of determining the specific matters disputed and shall not act as an arbitrator, and may not award damages, interest or penalties to either Party with respect to any matter.  The Parties intend that the procedures set forth in this Section 5.5 shall not constitute or be handled as arbitration proceedings under the Federal Arbitration Act or any applicable state arbitration act, and that the provisions of this Section 5.5 shall be specifically enforceable.

 

(j)                                     Execution of Documents .  The Parties agree to execute such agreements as may be reasonably required by the Environmental Expert, including such engagement letters, releases and indemnities as reasonably requested by the Environmental Expert.

 

5.6                                Exclusive Remedies .  The representation and warranties set forth in Section 5.2 shall terminate as of the Defect Notice Date and shall have no further force and effect thereafter.  The rights and remedies granted Buyer in this Article 5 shall be the exclusive right and remedy of Buyer with respect to environmental matters with respect to the Subject Interests.  Notwithstanding anything herein provided to the contrary, if an Environmental Defect under this Article 5 results from any matter that could also result in the breach of any representation or warranty of Seller in this Agreement, then Buyer shall only be entitled to assert such matter before the Defect Notice Date as an Environmental Defect to the extent permitted by this Article 5 .  Buyer shall be precluded from also asserting such matter as the basis of the breach of any such representation or warranty.

 

5.7                                Environmental Liabilities and Obligations .  Subject to Section 5.4(a) , upon Closing, with respect to the Subject Interests, Buyer agrees to assume and pay, fulfill and discharge all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations accruing or relating to, and release Seller, its members, managers, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, and their respective successors and assigns (but no other third parties), from all losses including any civil fines, penalties, costs of assessment, clean-up, removal and Remediation, and expenses for the modification, repair or replacement of facilities on the Lands brought or assessed by any and all persons, including any Governmental Entity, as a result of any personal injury, illness or death, any damage to, destruction or loss of property, and any damage to natural resources (including soil, air, surface water or groundwater) to the extent any of the foregoing directly is caused by any Condition in or on the Subject Interests created or attributable to periods at and after the Effective Time, including, but not limited to, the presence, disposal or release of any Hazardous Substances of any kind in, on or under the Subject Interests, in each instance to the extent but only to the extent of the Subject Interests (collectively, “ Buyer’s Environmental Liabilities ”).

 

ARTICLE 6
SELLER’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Seller makes the following representations and warranties as of Execution Date and as of Closing except where otherwise indicated.  The term “ Knowledge ” has the meaning set forth in Section 16.13 .

 

6.1                                Existence .  Seller is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.  Seller is authorized to do business and is in good standing in the State of Colorado.

 

6.2                                Power .  Seller has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will not, as of Closing, violate, or be in conflict with, any material

 

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provision of Seller’s governing documents, or any material provision of any agreement or instrument to which Seller is a Party or by which it is bound.

 

6.3                                Authorization and Enforceability .  This Agreement constitutes Seller’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, however, to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws for the protection of creditors, as well as to general principles of equity, regardless whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

6.4                                Liability for Brokers’ Fees .  Seller has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees relating to the Transaction contemplated by this Agreement for which Buyer shall have any responsibility whatsoever.

 

6.5                                No Bankruptcy .  There are no bankruptcy proceedings pending, being contemplated by or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against Seller.

 

6.6                                Litigation .  Except as described on Schedules 5.2 (a) , 5.2(b) , and 6.6 , there are no actions, suits or proceedings filed and served on Seller in any court or notices of violation issued or to Seller’s Knowledge, investigations initiated by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental agency that would impair Seller’s ability to consummate the Transaction or to assume the liabilities to be assumed by Seller under this Agreement or would have a material adverse effect on the Subject Interests (the “ Litigation ”).

 

6.7                                Compliance with Law .  Except as described on Schedules 5.2 (a) , 5.2(b) , and 6.6 , to Seller’s Knowledge, the Subject Interests have been operated in compliance with laws in all material respects.

 

6.8                                Status and Operation of Subject Interests .  Except as set forth in Schedule 6.8 , there are no outstanding authorizations for expenditures or other capital commitments which are binding on the Subject Interests and which individually, would require the owner of the Subject Interests after the Effective Time to expend monies in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00).

 

6.9                                Taxes .  All material Property Taxes and production Taxes that have become due or payable for the Subject Interests before the Closing Date have been paid, other than Taxes which are being contested in good faith.  All material income taxes and obligations relating thereto that could result in a lien or other claim against any of the Leases and Wells have been paid, unless contested in good faith, in which case, Seller shall retain responsibility therefore.  With respect to the Subject Interests for periods after the Effective Time, there are no suits or proceedings pending, or to Seller’s Knowledge, any claims, investigations, audits, inquiries pending or threatened against Seller in respect of Taxes.

 

6.10                         Material Agreements Exhibit C and Schedule 6.10 contain the list of all agreements (including all exchange, operating agreement, balancing agreements,  participation and farmout and farmin agreements), that are applicable to the Subject Interests and can reasonably be expected to result in aggregate payments by Seller of more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) during the current or any subsequent calendar year (based solely on the terms thereof and without regard to any expected increase in volumes or revenues) (the “ Material Agreements ”).

 

6.11                         Hydrocarbon Sales Contracts .  Except for the Hydrocarbon sales contracts listed in Exhibit C and any such rights provided for in any of the Leases or Material Agreements, no Hydrocarbons are subject to a sales contract (other than spot sales agreements) and, to Seller’s Knowledge unless

 

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provided otherwise in a Lease, no person has any call upon, option to purchase or similar rights with respect to the production from the Subject Interests.

 

6.12                         Gathering, Compression, or Treating Agreements .  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.12 , none of the Subject Interests are dedicated or subject to any gathering, compression, treating, processing or transportation agreements.

 

6.13                         Oil and Gas Operations .  Except as set forth in Schedule 6.13 : (a) all of the Wells have been drilled and completed, operated, and produced in accordance with good oil and gas field practices and in compliance in all material respects with the applicable Leases and Contracts and permits; (b) proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from and attributable to the Subject Interests are being received by Seller in a timely manner and are not being held in suspense for any reason; (c) all of the Wells have been drilled and completed on Lands currently covered by the Leases or on Lands properly pooled or unitized therewith; and (d) Seller has a legal right of access to all of the Wells, and Buyer will have such right upon consummation of the Closing.

 

6.14                         Inactive Wells .  As of April 30, 2014, except for the Wells listed on Schedule 6.14 , there are no shut-in or inactive wells listed on Exhibit A .

 

6.15                         Affiliate Transactions .  Except as set forth on Schedule 6.15 , there are no transactions or Contracts affecting any of the Subject Interests between Seller and any affiliate of Seller that will continue beyond the Closing.

 

6.16                         Accredited Investor Seller is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Seller is acquiring the Seller Units for its own account and not with a view to, or for offer of resale in connection with, a distribution thereof, within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to the distribution of securities.

 

6.17                         Certain Disclaimers .

 

(a)                                  EXCEPT AS AND TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE CERTIFICATE OF SELLER TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION 11.2(a)  OR IN THE SPECIAL WARRANTY OF TITLE SET FORTH IN THE ASSIGNMENT, (A) SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, STATUTORY OR IMPLIED AND (B) SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY STATEMENT OR INFORMATION MADE OR COMMUNICATED (ORALLY OR IN WRITING) TO BUYER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, CONSULTANTS OR REPRESENTATIVES (INCLUDING ANY OPINION, INFORMATION OR ADVICE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO BUYER BY SELLER).

 

(b)                                  EXCEPT AS AND TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE CERTIFICATE OF SELLER TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION 11.2(a)  OR IN THE SPECIAL WARRANTY OF TITLE SET FORTH IN THE ASSIGNMENT, WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF SUBSECTION 6.17(a) , SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS, STATUTORY OR IMPLIED, ORAL OR WRITTEN, AS TO (A) TITLE TO ANY OF THE SUBJECT INTERESTS; (B) THE CONTENTS, CHARACTER OR NATURE OF ANY DESCRIPTIVE MEMORANDUM, OR ANY

 

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REPORT OF ANY PETROLEUM ENGINEERING CONSULTANT, OR ANY GEOLOGICAL OR SEISMIC DATA OR INTERPRETATION, RELATING TO THE SUBJECT INTERESTS; (C) THE QUANTITY, QUALITY OR RECOVERABILITY OF HYDROCARBONS IN OR FROM THE SUBJECT INTERESTS; (D) ANY ESTIMATES OF THE VALUE OF THE SUBJECT INTERESTS OR FUTURE REVENUES GENERATED BY THE SUBJECT INTERESTS; (E) THE PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM SUBSTANCES FROM THE SUBJECT INTERESTS, OR WHETHER PRODUCTION HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS OR IN PAYING QUANTITIES; (F) THE MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, CONDITION, QUALITY, SUITABILITY, DESIGN OR MARKETABILITY OF THE SUBJECT INTERESTS; OR (G) ANY OTHER MATERIALS OR INFORMATION THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE OR COMMUNICATED TO BUYER IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR ANY DISCUSSION OR PRESENTATION RELATING THERETO (INCLUDING ANY ITEMS PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH ARTICLE 3 ), AND FURTHER DISCLAIM ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR CONFORMITY TO MODELS OR SAMPLES, IT BEING EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED BY THE PARTIES THAT BUYER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE OBTAINING THE EQUIPMENT AND OTHER TANGIBLE SUBJECT INTERESTS IN ITS PRESENT STATUS, CONDITION AND STATE OF REPAIR, “AS IS” AND “WHERE IS” WITH ALL FAULTS, AND THAT BUYER HAS MADE OR CAUSED TO BE MADE SUCH INSPECTIONS AS BUYER DEEMS APPROPRIATE.

 

(c)                                   EXCEPT AS AND TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, SELLER SHALL NOT HAVE ANY LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBJECT INTERESTS AND SELLER HAS NOT AND WILL NOT MAKE (AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS) ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING ANY MATTER OR CIRCUMSTANCE RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES, HYDROCARBONS OR NORM INTO THE ENVIRONMENT OR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN HEALTH, SAFETY, NATURAL RESOURCES OR THE ENVIRONMENT, OR ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE SUBJECT INTERESTS, AND NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHERWISE SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, AND BUYER SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE TAKING THE SUBJECT INTERESTS “AS IS” AND “WHERE IS” FOR PURPOSES OF THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION.

 

ARTICLE 7
BUYER’S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Buyer makes the following representations and warranties as of Execution Date and as of Closing:

 

7.1                                Existence .  Buyer is a limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has full legal power, right and authority to carry on its business as such is now being conducted.  Buyer is, or will be on the Closing Date, authorized to do business and in good standing in the State of Colorado.

 

7.2                                Power .  Buyer has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement does not, and the fulfillment of and compliance

 

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with the terms and conditions hereof will not, as of Closing, violate, or be in conflict with, any material provision of Buyer’s governing documents, or any material provision of any agreement or instrument to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound.

 

7.3                                Authorization and Enforceability .  This Agreement constitutes Buyer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, however, to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws for the protection of creditors, as well as to general principles of equity, regardless whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

7.4                                Liability for Brokers’ Fees .  Buyer has not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’ fees relating to the Transaction for which Seller shall have any responsibility whatsoever.

 

7.5                                No Bankruptcy .  There are no bankruptcy proceedings pending, being contemplated by, or to the Buyer’s knowledge, threatened against Buyer.

 

7.6                                Litigation .  There is no action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation by any person, entity, administrative agency or governmental body pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against it before any governmental authority that impedes or is likely to impede its ability to consummate the Transaction and to assume the liabilities to be assumed by it under this Agreement.

 

7.7                                Financial Resources .  Buyer has the financial resources available to close the Transaction without financing that is subject to any material contingency.

 

7.8                                Buyer’s Evaluation .

 

(a)                                  Review .  Buyer is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the oil and gas business and the business of purchasing, owning and developing oil and gas properties such as the Subject Interests and is aware of its risks.  Buyer acknowledges that Seller has not made any representations or warranties as to the Records except as otherwise provided herein and that Buyer may not rely on any of Seller’s estimates with respect to reserves, the value of the Subject Interests, projections as to future events or other internal analyses or forward looking statements.

 

(b)                                  Independent Evaluation .  In entering into this Agreement, Buyer acknowledges and affirms that it has relied and will rely solely on the terms of this Agreement and upon its independent analysis, evaluation and investigation of, and judgment with respect to, the business, economic, legal, tax or other consequences of this Transaction including without limitation its own estimate and appraisal of the extent and value of the Hydrocarbon reserves associated with the Subject Interests.

 

7.9                                Governmental Authorizations; Qualification .  Buyer has or will have at Closing all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required for the ownership of the Subject Interests with the exception of governmental approvals customarily obtained post-closing.  Buyer is now or at Closing will be and thereafter will continue to be qualified to own and operate any federal, state and Indian oil and gas lease that constitutes part of the Subject Interests, including satisfaction of all bonding requirements.  Closing of the Transaction will not cause Buyer to be disqualified or to exceed any acreage limitation imposed by law, statute or regulation.

 

7.10                         Accredited Investor .  Buyer is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Buyer is acquiring the Subject Interests for

 

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its own account and not with a view to, or for offer of resale in connection with, a distribution thereof, within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to the distribution of securities.  Buyer has not sought or solicited, nor is Buyer participating with, investors, partners, or other third parties other than its lenders in order to fund the Purchase Price and to close this transaction, and all funds to be used by Buyer in connection with this transaction are Buyer’s own funds or those borrowed from its lenders.

 

7.11                         Disregarded Entity .  Buyer is an entity disregarded as separate from the Partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

7.12                         Limitation .  Buyer acknowledges the following:

 

THE SUBJECT INTERESTS HAVE BEEN USED FOR EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF HYDROCARBONS AND THERE MAY BE PETROLEUM, PRODUCED WATER, WASTE, OR OTHER SUBSTANCES OR MATERIALS LOCATED IN, ON OR UNDER THE PROPERTIES OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBJECT INTERESTS.  EQUIPMENT AND SITES INCLUDED IN THE SUBJECT INTERESTS MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS, NORM OR OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.  NORM MAY AFFIX OR ATTACH ITSELF TO THE INSIDE OF WELLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT AS SCALE, OR IN OTHER FORMS.  THE WELLS, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT INCLUDED IN THE SUBJECT INTERESTS MAY CONTAIN NORM AND OTHER WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.  NORM CONTAINING MATERIAL AND/OR OTHER WASTES OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA, INCLUDING WATER, SOILS OR SEDIMENT.  SPECIAL PROCEDURES MAY BE REQUIRED FOR THE ASSESSMENT, REMEDIATION, REMOVAL, TRANSPORTATION OR DISPOSAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA, WASTES, ASBESTOS, NORM AND OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES FROM THE SUBJECT INTERESTS.

 

ARTICLE 8
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
GENERAL PARTNER AND THE PARTNERSHIP

 

8.1                                Definitions .

 

(a)                                  Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement ” means the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, reflecting the terms set forth on the term sheet attached as Exhibit K to this Agreement, to be adopted and entered into by the General Partner on the Closing Date.

 

(b)                                  Delaware LLC Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

 

(c)                                   Delaware LP Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

 

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

 

(e)                                   General Partner Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

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(f)                                    IDR Holders Agreement ” means the IDR Holders Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit L to this Agreement, to be entered into by Seller and the Partnership on the Closing Date.

 

(g)                                   IDR Units ” means Incentive Distribution Units representing limited partnership interests in the Partnership having the rights and obligations specified in the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement.

 

(h)                                  Partnership Agreement ” means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, dated April 15, 2014, as amended.

 

(i)                                      Repayment Event ” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Partnership or any subsidiary of the Partnership.

 

(j)                                     SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(k)                                  Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(l)                                      SEC Reports ” means all reports and statements (including any amendments thereto) filed by the Partnership during the past twelve months pursuant to Sections 13 (a), 14(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

(m)                              Subject Instruments ” means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, by and among the Partnership, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, Compass Bank, as syndication agent, UBS Securities LLC and U.S. Bank National Association, as co-documentation agents, and the other lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended, and all other instruments, agreements and documents filed (or incorporated by reference) as an exhibit to the Partnership’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC; provided that if any instrument, agreement or other document filed (or incorporated by reference) as an exhibit thereto has been redacted or if any portion thereof has been deleted or is otherwise not included as part of such exhibit (whether pursuant to a request for confidential treatment or otherwise), the term “ Subject Instruments ” shall nonetheless mean such instrument, agreement or other document, as the case may be, in its entirety, including any portions thereof which shall have been so redacted, deleted or otherwise not filed.

 

(n)                                  Units ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

8.2                                Representations and Warranties . The General Partner and the Partnership make the following representations and warranties as of Execution Date and as of Closing:

 

(a)                                  Formation and Qualification .  Each of the General Partner and Partnership have been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, under the Delaware LLC Act or the Delaware LP Act, as applicable, with full limited liability company or limited partnership power, as applicable, and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Partnership’s SEC Reports.  Each of the General Partner and Partnership is qualified as a foreign limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, for the transaction of business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the business conducted by it or the nature or location

 

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of the properties owned or leased by it makes such registration or qualification necessary, except where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon the condition (financial or otherwise), business, prospects, properties or results of operations of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).

 

(b)                                  General Partner The General Partner has, and at the Closing Date will have, full limited liability company power and authority to serve as general partner of the Partnership.  The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership, with an approximate 0.3% general partner interest in the Partnership; and such general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and is owned by the General Partner free and clear of any liens, restrictions or encumbrances (other than transfer restrictions under the Partnership Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws).

 

(c)                                   Limited Partnership Interests .  As of the date hereof, the limited partners of the Partnership hold 57,564,767 Units and 2,000,000 8% Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Series A Preferred Units ”), and such Units and Series A Preferred Units are the only limited partner interests of the Partnership that are issued and outstanding; all of such Units and Series A Preferred Units, and the limited partner interests represented by each, have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required by applicable law and the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except to the extent such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17- 804 of the Delaware LP Act).  Other than such Units, such Series A Preferred Units, and any Units or Series A Preferred Units issuable under the Legacy Reserves, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan, pursuant to an underwritten public offering, pursuant to an at-the-market offering program or pursuant to a private placement in connection with any acquisition, the Seller Units will be the only limited partner interests of the Partnership issued or outstanding on the Closing Date.

 

(d)                                  Seller Units .  The Seller Units to be issued and sold by the Partnership hereunder, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, will be duly authorized in accordance with the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered to Seller against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued in accordance with the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, fully paid (to the extent required under the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act), free and clear of all liens, restrictions or encumbrances (other than any liens, restrictions or encumbrances effected by Seller or transfer restrictions under the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, the IDR Holders Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws). On the Closing Date, the IDR Units will have those rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions governing IDR Units, as set forth in the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the IDR Holders Agreement.

 

(e)                                   Units Issuable upon Conversion .  The Units issuable upon conversion of the Seller Units will be duly authorized in accordance with the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required by applicable law and 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), free and clear of all liens, restrictions or encumbrances (other than any liens, restrictions or encumbrances effected by Seller or transfer restrictions under the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws).

 

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(f)                                    Authorization, Execution and Enforceability of the Partnership Agreement .  The Partnership Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and is a valid and legally binding agreement of the parties thereto, enforceable against the parties thereto in accordance with its terms; provided, that, the enforceability thereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies 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 and applicable law relating to fiduciary duties, indemnification, contribution and exoneration and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

(g)                                   Authorization, Execution and Enforceability of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement .  On the Closing Date, the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement will have been duly authorized and will have been duly executed and delivered by the General Partner and will be a valid and legally binding agreement of the General Partner, enforceable against the General Partner in accordance with its terms; provided, that, the enforceability thereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies 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 and applicable law relating to fiduciary duties, indemnification, contribution and exoneration and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  No approval of Unitholders (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) is required in connection with the adoption, execution and delivery of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement.

 

(h)                                  Authorization, Execution and Enforceability of the IDR Holders Agreement .  On the Closing Date, the IDR Holders Agreement will have been duly authorized and will have been duly executed and delivered by the Partnership and will be a valid and legally binding agreement of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms; provided, that, the enforceability thereof may be limited by (A) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and remedies 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 and applicable law relating to fiduciary duties, indemnification, contribution and exoneration and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

(i)                                      No Conflicts .  None of (A) the issuance or sale of the Seller Units by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement; (B) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Partnership and the General Partner and the IDR Holders Agreement by the Partnership; (C) the execution, delivery and performance of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement by the General Partner; and (D) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the IDR Holders Agreement (i) conflicts with or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a violation of the provisions of the Partnership Agreement, the limited liability company agreement of the General Partner, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership or the certificate of formation of the General Partner; (ii) conflicts or will conflict with or constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default or Repayment Event (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such an event) under any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Partnership or the General Partner is a party or by which either of them or any of their respective properties may be bound; (iii) violates or will violate, in any material respect, any applicable statute, law, regulation,

 

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ruling or any order, judgment, decree or injunction of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Partnership or the General Partner or any of their properties in a proceeding to which any of them or their property is a party or is bound; or (iv) results or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, restriction or encumbrance upon any property or assets of any of the Partnership or the General Partner.

 

(j)                                     No Consents .  No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, filing or qualification (“ consent ”) of or with any court, governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Partnership or the General Partner or any of their properties is required in connection with (A) the issuance or sale of the Seller Units by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement; (B) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Partnership and the General Partner and the IDR Holders Agreement by the Partnership; (C) the execution, delivery and performance of the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement by the General Partner; and (D)the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and the IDR Holders Agreement, except for such consents (i) that have been, or prior to the Closing Date will be, obtained or made, or (ii) may be required under the federal and state securities or “Blue Sky” laws and applicable rules and regulations under such laws.

 

(k)                                  No Preemptive Rights .  Except as may arise under the Subject Instruments or in the Partnership Agreement, the holders of outstanding Units and Series A Preferred Units are not entitled to statutory, preemptive or other similar contractual rights to subscribe for Units or IDR Units or Units issuable on conversion of IDR Units; and, except with respect to the IDR Units or disclosed in SEC Reports, no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, agreements or other obligations to issue, or rights to convert any obligations into or exchange any securities for, partnership securities or ownership interests in the Partnership are outstanding.

 

(l)                                      No Registration Rights .  Except as contemplated by this Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, and under the Subject Instruments, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Partnership and any person granting such person the right to require the Partnership to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Partnership or to require the Partnership to include such securities in any securities registered or to be registered pursuant to any registration statement filed by or required to be filed by the Partnership under the Securities Act.

 

(m)                              No Registration .  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Seller contained in Section 6.16 , the issuance and sale of the Seller Units pursuant to this Agreement is exempt from registration requirements of the Securities Act, and none of the General Partner, the Partnership or, to the knowledge of the General Partner and the Partnership, any authorized representative acting on their behalf has taken or will take any action  hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemption.  Neither the Partnership nor any of its subsidiaries have, directly or indirectly through any agent, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of, any “security” (as defined in the Securities Act) that is or will be integrated with the issuance and sale of the Seller Units in a manner that would require registration under the Securities Act.

 

(n)                                  MLP Status .  The Partnership is properly treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and more than 90% of the Partnership’s gross income for the most recent taxable year was qualifying income under 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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(o)                                  Investment Company Status .  The Partnership is not, and after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Seller Units will not be, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(p)                                  SEC Reports .  The Partnership has filed with the SEC all reports and statements (including any amendments thereto) required to be so filed by it for the past twelve months pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  Each SEC Report (A) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and (B) did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except for such statements, if any, as have been modified by subsequent filings with the SEC prior to the date hereof.  Each of the consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by reference into such SEC Reports (including the related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Partnership and its subsidiaries as of the dates indicated, and each of the consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in unitholders’ equity included in or incorporated by reference into such SEC Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly presents in all material respects the results of operations, cash flows or changes in unitholders’ equity, as the case may be, of the Partnership and its subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein, in each case in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied during the periods involved.  Except as and to the extent set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership and its subsidiaries included in the most recent such SEC Report filed prior to the date hereof that includes such a balance sheet, including all notes thereto, neither the Partnership nor any of its subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) that would be required to be reflected on, or reserved against in, a balance sheet of the Partnership or in the notes thereto prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, other than liabilities or obligations arising in the ordinary course of business. Since the date of the most recent balance sheet contained in the Partnership’s SEC Reports, there has not been any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), business, prospects, properties or results of operations of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(q)                                  Disregarded Entity .  Buyer is an entity disregarded as separate from the Partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

ARTICLE 9
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

 

9.1                                Covenants and Agreements of Seller .  Seller covenants and agrees with Buyer as follows:

 

(a)                                  Operations Prior to Closing .  Except as otherwise consented to in writing by Buyer or provided in this Agreement, from the Effective Time to the Closing, Seller will use reasonable efforts to cause the Subject Interests to be operated in a good and workmanlike manner consistent with past practices.  From the Execution Date to the Closing Date, Seller shall pay or cause to be paid its proportionate share of all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such operations.  Seller will notify Buyer and obtain Buyer’s consent to major capital expenditures in excess of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) net to the interest to be conveyed to Buyer in the Subject Interests per activity, exclusive of the Seller Capital Expenditures listed on Schedule 6.8 .  All costs and expenses incurred by the Parties with respect to the Seller Capital Expenditures will be apportioned between the Parties as of the Effective Time, with Buyer assuming all post-Effective Time costs and expenses with respect to the

 

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Subject Interests and Seller retaining all pre-Effective Time costs and expenses in the Subject Interests.

 

(b)                                  Restriction on Operations Prior to Closing .  Except as set forth on Schedule 9.1(b) , and subject to Subsection 9.1(a) , from the Execution Date to the Closing, unless Seller obtains the prior written consent of Buyer to act otherwise, Seller will not (i) abandon any part of the Subject Interests (except in the ordinary course of business or the abandonment of leases upon the expiration of their respective primary terms); (ii) except for the Capital Expenditures listed on Schedule 6.8 , approve any operations on the Subject Interests anticipated in any instance to cost more than Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) net to the interest to be conveyed to Buyer in the Subject Interests per activity (excepting emergency operations and operations undertaken to avoid a monetary penalty or forfeiture provision of any applicable agreement or order all of which shall be deemed to be approved); (iii) encumber, convey or dispose of any part of the Subject Interests (other than replacement of equipment or sale of Hydrocarbons produced from the Subject Interests in the regular course of business); (iv) enter into any farmout, farmin or other contract affecting the Subject Interests; (v) consent to letting lapse any insurance now in force with respect to the Subject Interests; (vi) materially modify or terminate any contract material to the operation of the Subject Interests; or (vii) apply for or support any changes to any drilling or spacing units, tract allocations or other pool or unit participation related to or affecting the Subject Interests.

 

(c)                                   Consents .  For the purposes of obtaining the written consents required in this Section 9.1 , Buyer designates the following contact persons:  Paul T. Horne or Kyle A. McGraw.  Such consents may be obtained in writing by overnight courier or given by facsimile or electronic transmission.

 

(d)                                  Status .  Seller shall use all reasonable efforts to satisfy its closing conditions and assure that as of the Closing Date, Seller will not be under any material legal or contractual restriction that would prohibit or delay the timely consummation of the Transaction.

 

(e)                                   Notices of Claims .  Seller shall promptly notify Buyer, if, between the Execution Date and the Closing Date, Seller receives written notice of any claim, suit, action or other proceeding affecting the Subject Interests or written notice of any default under the Leases or any Contracts affecting the Subject Interests.

 

9.2                                Covenants and Agreements of Buyer .  Buyer covenants and agrees with Seller as follows:

 

(a)                                  Status .  Buyer shall use all reasonable efforts to satisfy its closing conditions and assure that as of the Closing Date it will not be under any material legal or contractual restriction that would prohibit or delay the timely consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.

 

(b)                                  Confidentiality .  Until completion of the Closing, except as required by law or as otherwise provided in Subsection 9.4(b)  below, Buyer and its officers, agents and representatives will hold in strict confidence the terms of this Agreement and all information in accordance with that certain Confidentiality Agreement dated effective as of December 23, 2013 (the “ Confidentiality Agreement ”), between Seller and Buyer.  Upon Closing, any obligation of confidentiality under the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate.  If Closing does not occur, the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive termination in accordance with its terms.

 

9.3                                Covenants of the General Partner and the Partnership .  The General Partner and the Partnership (and Buyer, where applicable) covenant and agree with Seller as follows:

 

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(a)                                  Additional Actions .  The General Partner shall cause the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement to be adopted immediately prior to the issuance of the Seller Units contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  Neither Buyer nor the Partnership will make any election, issue any equity or, in the case of the Partnership, transfer an interest in Buyer, if taking such action would cause the Partnership to be treated as other than a partnership for federal income tax purposes or Buyer to be treated as other than an entity disregarded as separate from the Partnership for federal income tax purposes.

 

9.4                                Covenants and Agreements of the Parties .

 

(a)                                  Communication Between the Parties Regarding Breach .  If Buyer or Seller develops information during its due diligence that leads either Party to believe that the other Party has breached a representation or warranty under this Agreement, the non-breaching Party shall inform the alleged breaching Party in writing of such potential breach as soon as possible, but in any event, at or prior to Closing.

 

(b)                                  Announcements .  Buyer and Seller shall consult with each other with regard to all press releases and other announcements concerning this Agreement or the Transaction, allowing a reasonable period of time for comment from the non-disclosing Party; provided, that a Party may take such action in this regard as may be required by law, rule or regulation of a governmental authority or stock exchange.  Neither Seller nor Buyer shall be named in any press release or announcement of the other Party without the first Party’s prior written consent.

 

(c)                                   Casualty Loss .  Prior to Closing, if a portion of the Subject Interests is destroyed by fire or other casualty or if a portion of the Subject Interests is taken or threatened to be taken in condemnation or under the right of eminent domain (“ Casualty Loss ”), Buyer shall not be obligated to purchase such Subject Interest.  If Buyer declines to purchase such Subject Interest, it will be considered an excluded Subject Interests and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the Allocated Value of such Subject Interest.  If Buyer elects to purchase such Subject Interest, the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the estimated cost to repair such Subject Interests (with equipment of similar utility), less all insurance proceeds which shall be payable to Buyer, up to the Allocated Value thereof (the reduction being the “ Net Casualty Loss ”).  Seller, at its sole option, may elect to cure such Casualty Loss and, in such event, Seller shall be entitled to all insurance proceeds.  If Seller elects to cure such Casualty Loss, Seller may replace any personal property that is the subject of a Casualty Loss with equipment of similar grade and utility, or replace any real property with real property of similar nature and kind.  If Seller elects to cure the Casualty Loss, and the Casualty Loss is cured, Buyer shall purchase the affected Subject Interests at Closing for the Allocated Value thereof.

 

(d)                                  Operating Agreement .

 

(i)                                            From and after the Closing (but effective as of the Effective Time) all operations on the Subject Interests between the Parties shall be conducted pursuant to a joint operating agreement in the form of Exhibit H (the “Operating Agreement ”).  Seller shall be designated as the initial Operator for all Wells.

 

(ii)                                         The Parties acknowledge that there may be existing operating agreements covering certain portions of the Subject Interests.  If any Well is subject to an existing operating agreement with a third party as of the Effective Time of this Agreement, such existing

 

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operating agreement shall control as to such third party, and the Assignment shall be subject to such existing operating agreement as to such third party.  However, as between Seller and Buyer, the Operating Agreement shall control.

 

(e)                                   Marketing Agreement .  Seller shall market Buyer’s share of the Hydrocarbons produced from the Subject Interests pursuant to the terms and conditions of a Production Election and Marketing Agreement in the form of Exhibit J to be executed and delivered at Closing.

 

(f)                                    Updated Exhibits and Schedules .

 

(i)                                            The Parties agree that Exhibit A is intended to list all of the Wells and Exhibit B and Exhibit B-1 are intended to list all of the Leases, Lands and Mineral Interests subject to the conveyance of the Subject Interests.  In the event that between the date of the execution of this Agreement and Closing it is determined that there are Wells or Leases, Lands or Mineral Interests that have been inadvertently omitted from or incorrectly described on Exhibit A , B , or B-1 , Seller, with the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, shall be permitted to supplement the applicable Exhibit until three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date to include those Wells or Leases and Lands which have been inadvertently omitted or incorrectly described.

 

(ii)                                         Buyer agrees that, with respect to the representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement, Seller shall have the continuing right until three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date to add, supplement or amend the Schedules to its representations and warranties with respect to any matter hereafter arising or discovered which, if existing or known at the date hereof or thereafter, would have been required to be set forth or described in such Schedules, provided that such addition, supplement or amendment does not have the effect of materially increasing any liabilities of the Buyer or materially decreasing the value of the Subject Interests.  The Schedules to Seller’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to include only that information contained therein on the date of this Agreement and shall be deemed to exclude all information contained in any addition, supplement or amendment thereto; provided , however , that if Closing shall occur, then all matters disclosed pursuant to any such addition, supplement or amendment shall be waived and Buyer shall not be entitled to make a claim with respect thereto pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise.

 

9.5                                Audit Rights .  Seller agrees to make available to Buyer during normal business hours prior to and for a period of twelve (12) months following Closing (the “ Records Period ”)  any and all existing information and documents in the possession of Seller that Buyer may reasonably require to comply with Buyer’s or Buyer’s Affiliates tax and financial reporting requirements and audits, including, without limitation, filings with governmental authorities and filings that may be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts during the Records Period to cooperate with the independent auditors chosen by Buyer (“ Buyer’s Auditor ”) in connection with their audit or review of any revenue and expense statements of the Assets that Buyer or any of its Affiliates requires to comply with their tax, financial and other reporting requirements, and their review of any interim quarterly revenue and expense statements of the Assets that Buyer requires to comply with such reporting requirements. Seller’s cooperation will include (i) such reasonable access during normal business hours to Seller’s employees, representatives and agents who were responsible for preparing the revenue and expense statements and work papers and other supporting documents used in the preparation of such financial statements as may be required by Buyer’s Auditor to perform an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards or to otherwise verify such financial statements,

 

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and (ii) delivery of one or more customary representation letters from Seller to Buyer’s Auditor that are requested by Buyer to allow such auditors to complete an audit (or review of any interim quarterly financials), and to issue an opinion that in Buyer’s experience is acceptable with respect to its audit or review. By making available existing information and documents in the possession of Seller during the Records Period, Seller in no way represents or warrants the accuracy or completeness of such information.  If Buyer discovers there is information missing, Seller agrees to cooperate reasonably with Buyer to request such information from third parties.  Seller is under no obligation to update or correct such historical information or to assemble, create or produce additional financial, reserve or other information or analysis.  Buyer will reimburse Seller, within ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor, for any reasonable out-of-pocket and overhead costs with respect to any costs incurred by Seller in complying with the provisions of this Section 9.5 .

 

ARTICLE 10
TAX MATTERS

 

10.1                         Taxes .  “ Taxes ” means Property Taxes, Transfer Taxes and the other taxes described in Section 10.3 .

 

10.2                         Apportionment of Ad Valorem and Property Taxes .  Buyer shall be responsible for Buyer’s share of all ad valorem (including ad valorem on oil and gas) or real property taxes and personal property taxes, including interest and penalties (the “ Property Taxes ), for the Subject Interests assessed in the calendar year during which the Effective Time occurs.

 

10.3                         Other Taxes .  With the exception of income taxes, ad valorem or Property Taxes, all other federal, state and local taxes, specifically including severance and conservation taxes (including interest and penalties attributable thereto) on the ownership or operations of the Subject Interests which are imposed with respect to periods or portions of periods prior to the Effective Time shall be paid by Seller and all taxes imposed with respect to periods or portions of periods beginning on or after the Effective Time shall be paid by Buyer.

 

10.4                         Transfer Taxes .  The Purchase Price excludes, and Buyer shall be responsible for, any Transfer Taxes required to be paid in connection with the sale or transfer of the Subject Interests pursuant to this Agreement.  “ Transfer Taxes ” mean any sales, use, stock, stamp, documentary, transfer, filing, licensing, processing, recording authorization and similar taxes, fees and charges.

 

10.5                         Escalating Working Interest Tax Treatment .  Each Party agrees that for Federal income tax purposes, the escalating Working Interest will be treated as a Purchase Money Mortgage Loan in accordance with Sec. 636 of the Code, related Code sections and underlying Treasury regulations .   Further, the Parties will not take a position inconsistent therewith, and the Parties will reasonably cooperate with each other with respect to the reporting of interest on the Purchase Money Mortgage Loan using the method of Treasury Reg. Sec. 1-1275-4(c).

 

10.6                         Overall Tax Treatment .  Each Party agrees that for Federal income tax purposes, this purchase and sale will be treated as a Code Sec. 721 contribution of property, and no services, by the Seller in exchange for the cash consideration and IDR’s which, accordingly, will be subject to applicable Sec. 707 disguised sale provisions and reporting .

 

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ARTICLE 11
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

 

11.1                         Seller’s Conditions .  The obligations of Seller at the Closing are subject, at the option of Seller, to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  All representations and warranties of Buyer, the General Partner and the Partnership contained in this Agreement are true in all material respects ( provided, however , that any such representation or warranty of the Buyer contained in Article 7 or the General Partner and/or the Partnership contained in Article 8 that is qualified by a materiality standard shall not be further qualified by materiality for purposes of this Subsection 11.1(a) ) at and as of the Closing Date in accordance with their terms as if such representations and warranties were remade at and as of the Closing Date, and Buyer, the General Partner and the Partnership have performed and satisfied all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied by Buyer, the General Partner and/or the Partnership or by Buyer, the General Partner and the Partnership and/or Seller at or prior to the Closing in all material respects and Buyer, the General Partner and the Partnership shall deliver a certificate to Seller confirming the foregoing;

 

(b)                                  No order has been entered by any court or governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Parties or the subject matter of this Agreement that restrains or prohibits the purchase and sale contemplated by this Agreement and that remains in effect at Closing;

 

(c)                                   The Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement shall have been duly adopted by the General Partner and be in full force and effect; and

 

(d)                                  The IDR Holders Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit L to this Agreement, shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Partnership and be in full force and effect.

 

11.2                         Buyer’s Conditions .  The obligations of Buyer at the Closing are subject, at the option of Buyer, to the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  All representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement are true in all material respects ( provided, however , that any such representation or warranty of the Seller contained in Article 6 that is qualified by a materiality standard shall not be further qualified by materiality for purposes of this Subsection 11.2(a) ) at and as of the Closing Date in accordance with their terms as if such representations were remade at and as of the Closing Date and Seller has performed and satisfied all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed and satisfied by Seller or jointly by Buyer or Seller at or prior to the Closing in all material respects and Seller shall deliver a certificate to Buyer confirming the foregoing;

 

(b)                                  No order has been entered by any court or governmental agency having jurisdiction over the Parties or the subject matter of this Agreement that restrains or prohibits the purchase and sale contemplated by this Agreement and that remains in effect at the time of Closing; and

 

(c)                                   The IDR Holders Agreement , substantially in the form attached as Exhibit L to this Agreement, shall have been duly executed and delivered by Seller and be in full force and effect.

 

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ARTICLE 12
RIGHT OF TERMINATION

 

12.1                         Termination .  This Agreement may be terminated in accordance with the following provisions:

 

(a)                                  by mutual consent of Seller and Buyer;

 

(b)                                  by Seller, if Seller’s conditions set forth in Section 11.1 are not satisfied through no fault of Seller, or are not waived by Seller, as of the Closing Date;

 

(c)                                   by Buyer, if Buyer’s conditions set forth in Section 11.2 are not satisfied through no fault of Buyer, or are not waived by Buyer, as of the Closing Date;

 

(d)                                  by Seller, if, through no fault of Seller, the Closing does not occur on or before July 1, 2014; provided , however , that Seller shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement under this Subsection 12.1(d)  if the Closing has failed to occur because Seller negligently or willfully failed to perform or observe in any material respect its covenants or agreements hereunder;

 

(e)                                   by Buyer, if, through no fault of Buyer, the Closing does not occur on or before July 1, 2014; provided , however , that Buyer shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement under this Subsection 12.1(e)  if the Closing has failed to occur because Buyer negligently or willfully failed to perform or observe in any material respect its covenants or agreements hereunder; and

 

(f)                                    by Buyer, or Seller, as the case may be, in the event that the aggregate reduction to the Purchase Price due to Title Defect Adjustments and Net Casualty Losses exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price.

 

If Buyer or Seller terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12.1 and asserts that a breach of this Agreement has occurred, the notice of termination shall include a statement describing the nature of the alleged breach together with supporting documentation.

 

12.2                         Liabilities Upon Termination .

 

(a)                                  Buyer’s Default .  If Closing does not occur because (i) Seller terminates this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 12.1(b)  based upon Buyer wrongfully failing to tender performance at Closing or otherwise breaching this Agreement prior to Closing and all of the conditions to Closing under Section 11.2 have been satisfied or waived; or (ii) Seller terminates this Agreement pursuant to Subsection 12.1(d)  and at the time of such assertion of termination Buyer has no existing right to assert termination under Subsections 12.1(c) , 12.1(e)  or 12.1(f) , and in each case, Seller is willing and able to close, Seller shall be entitled to receive the Performance Deposit as liquidated damages, as Seller’s sole remedy at law and in equity.  The Parties agree that the damages that would be suffered by Seller as a result of Buyer’s breach would be difficult to estimate and that the liquidated damages described herein represent a reasonable estimation of such damages and do not constitute a penalty.  Buyer’s failure to close shall not be considered wrongful if (i) Buyer’s conditions under Section 11.2 are not satisfied through no fault of Buyer and are not waived or (ii) Buyer has the right to terminate or has terminated this Agreement as of right under Section 12.1 .

 

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(b)                                  Seller’s Default; Other Termination .  If Closing does not occur because Seller wrongfully fails to tender performance at Closing or otherwise breaches this Agreement prior to Closing, and Buyer is ready to close, then Buyer shall be entitled, as Buyer’s sole remedy at law and in equity, to (i) a return of the Performance Deposit and (ii) Seller shall promptly pay to Buyer an amount equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price, as liquidated damages.  The Parties agree that the damages that would be suffered by Buyer as a result of Seller’s breach would be difficult to estimate and that the liquidated damages described herein represent a reasonable estimation of such damages and do not constitute a penalty.  Seller’s failure to close shall not be considered wrongful if (i) Seller’s conditions under Section 11.1 are not satisfied through no fault of Seller and are not waived or (ii) Seller has terminated this Agreement as of right under Section 12.1 .

 

ARTICLE 13
CLOSING

 

13.1                         Date of Closing .  The “ Closing ” of the Transaction shall be held on June 4, 2014, or such other date as the Parties may agree.  The date the Closing actually occurs is called the “ Closing Date .”

 

13.2                         Place of Closing .  The Closing shall be held at Seller’s offices in Denver, Colorado or at such place as Seller and Buyer may agree in writing.

 

13.3                         Closing Obligations .  At Closing, the following events shall occur, each being a condition precedent to the others and each being deemed to have occurred simultaneously with the others:

 

(a)                                  Seller shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to Buyer (i) an Assignment and Bill of Sale of the Subject Interests (the “ Assignment ”), effective as of the Effective Time, substantially in the form of Exhibit D with a special warranty of title by, through and under Seller but not otherwise and with no warranties, express or implied, as to the personal property, fixtures or condition of  the Subject Interests which are conveyed “as is, where is”; and (ii) such other assignments or bills of sale necessary to transfer the Subject Interests to Buyer including federal and state forms of assignment; and (iii) an Assignment and Assumption Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit E under which Seller assigns and Buyer assumes a portion of Seller’s interest in the Contracts in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(b)                                  Seller and Buyer shall deliver the certificates required in Subsections 11.2(a)  and 11.1(a) , respectively;

 

(c)                                   Seller and Buyer shall execute and deliver the Preliminary Settlement Statement;

 

(d)                                  Seller and Buyer shall execute and deliver the Operating Agreement, which will govern all joint operations between Buyer and Seller with respect to the Subject Interests;

 

(e)                                   Intentionally Omitted (previously Exhibit I );

 

(f)                                    Seller and Buyer shall execute and deliver that certain Production Election and Marketing Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J , and concurrently therewith, Buyer shall initially elect to market with Seller for the first year;

 

(g)                                   The Partnership shall deliver the Seller Units, free and clear of any liens, restrictions or encumbrances (other than any encumbrances (other than any liens, restrictions or

 

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encumbrances effected by Seller or transfer restrictions under the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws);

 

(h)                                  The General Partner shall execute and deliver the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement;

 

(i)                                      The Partnership and Seller shall execute and deliver the IDR Holders Agreement;

 

(j)                                     Seller shall execute and deliver to Buyer non-foreign entity affidavits whereby Seller certifies that it is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

(k)                                  Buyer shall cause the Closing Amount to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account(s) designated by Seller in writing, and shall cause any amounts so required by any provision of this Agreement to be paid to the Escrow Agent; and

 

(l)                                      Seller and Buyer shall take such other actions and deliver such other documents as are contemplated by this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE 14
POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

 

14.1                         Post-Closing Adjustments .

 

(a)                                  Final Settlement Statement .  As soon as practicable after the Closing, but in no event later than one hundred twenty (120) days after Closing, Seller will cause to be prepared and delivered to Buyer, in accordance with customary industry accounting practices, a final settlement statement (the “ Final Settlement Statement ”) setting forth each adjustment to the Purchase Price in final form in accordance with Section 2.3 and showing the calculation of such adjustments and the resulting final purchase price (the “ Final Purchase Price ”).  As soon as practicable after receipt of the Final Settlement Statement but in no event later than on or before thirty (30) days after receipt of such statement, Buyer shall deliver to Seller a written report containing any changes that Buyer proposes to make to the Final Settlement Statement.  Buyer’s failure to deliver to Seller a written report detailing proposed changes to the Final Settlement Statement by that date shall be deemed an acceptance by Buyer of the Final Settlement Statement as submitted by Seller.  The Parties shall agree with respect to the changes proposed by Buyer, if any, no later than sixty (60) days after Buyer’s receipt of Seller’s proposed Final Settlement Statement.  The date upon which such agreement is reached or upon which the Final Purchase Price is established is the “ Final Settlement Date .”  If the Final Purchase Price is more than the Closing Amount, Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount of such difference by wire transfer in immediately available funds no later than five (5) Business Days after the Final Settlement Date.  If the Final Purchase Price is less than the Closing Amount, Seller shall pay the amount of such difference to Buyer by wire transfer in immediately available funds no later than five (5) Business Days after the Final Settlement Date.

 

(b)                                  Dispute Resolution .  If the Parties are unable to resolve any dispute concerning the Final Settlement Statement or Final Purchase Price (other than disputes covered by Section 4.5 or Section 5.5 ) on or before sixty (60) days after the Final Settlement Statement is received by Buyer, such dispute shall be finally determined by binding expert resolution in Denver, Colorado, with the Denver, Colorado office of a mutually agreeable accounting firm acting as a single accounting expert, and the accounting expert’s determination shall be final and

 

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binding upon Seller and Buyer.  The fees charged by the accounting expert for making a determination under this Subsection 14.1(b)  shall be paid one-half by Buyer and one-half by Seller.

 

14.2                         Records .  Seller shall provide to Buyer electronic Records, if any, within ten (10) Business Days after Closing, and within sixty (60) days after Closing shall deliver physical copies of such Records to Buyer.  Seller shall retain all original Records.  Buyer shall be responsible for all costs and expenses associated with making copies and delivering the Records to Buyer.

 

14.3                         Further Assurances .  From time to time after Closing, the Parties shall each execute, acknowledge and deliver to the other such further instruments and take such other action as may be reasonably requested in order to accomplish more effectively the purposes of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including assurances that the Parties are financially capable of performing any indemnification required hereunder.

 

14.4                         Assumption of Plugging Liabilities and Reclamation Obligation .    Upon Closing, Buyer assumes hereby any of its applicable share of plugging and abandonment obligations associated with the Wells.

 

ARTICLE 15
ASSUMPTION AND RETENTION OF OBLIGATIONS AND INDEMNIFICATION; DISCLAIMERS

 

15.1                         Buyer’s Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations .  Upon Closing, and except for Retained Liabilities, Buyer shall assume and pay, perform, fulfill and discharge to the extent and only to the extent of the Subject Interests all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations (“ Obligations ”), relating to (a) the ownership of the Subject Interests on and after the Effective Time including the owning, developing, or maintaining the Subject Interests or the producing, and marketing of Hydrocarbons from the Subject Interests, including the payment of Property Expenses; (b) the obligation to pay for its applicable share to plug and abandon all Wells and reclaim all Well sites; (c) the obligation to restore, remove and/or reclaim all Equipment  included in the Subject Interests; and (d) the Buyer’s Environmental Liabilities (collectively, the “ Assumed Liabilities ”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, there shall be no duplication among the Assumed Liabilities, increases to the Purchase Price and Buyer’s obligation to indemnify Seller.

 

15.2                         Seller’s Retention of Liabilities and Obligations .  Upon Closing, with respect to the Subject Interests, Seller shall retain and pay, perform, fulfill and discharge all Obligations relating to (a) the ownership of the Subject Interests before the Effective Time including the owning, operating, developing, or maintaining the Subject Interests or the producing, and marketing of Hydrocarbons from the Subject Interests, the payment of Property Expenses, payment of royalty and similar obligations, satisfaction of personal injury and property damage claims, and the holding and payment of funds held in suspense; (b) Taxes apportioned to Seller pursuant to Article 10 ; (c) all Litigation arising prior to the Closing Date, (the “ Retained Litigation ”); and (d) any production imbalance or payout balance related to the Subject Interests prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the “ Retained Liabilities ”).  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, there shall be no duplication among the Retained Liabilities, reductions to the Purchase Price and Seller’s obligations to indemnify Buyer.  Seller also retains all Obligations relating to the Retained Assets.

 

15.3                         Indemnification .  “ Losses ” shall mean any actual losses, costs, expenses (including court costs, reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, technical experts and expert witnesses and the cost of investigation), liabilities, damages, demands, suits, claims, awards, judgments and sanctions of every kind and character (including civil fines) arising from, related to or reasonably incident to matters indemnified

 

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against; excluding however any special, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, diminution of value of a Subject Interest, loss of profits incurred by a Party hereto or Loss incurred as a result of the indemnified Party indemnifying a third party.

 

After the Closing, Buyer and Seller shall indemnify each other as follows:

 

(a)                                  Seller’s Indemnification of Buyer .  Seller assumes all risk, liability, obligation and Losses in connection with, and shall defend, indemnify, and save and hold harmless, severally and not jointly, Buyer, its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against all Losses which arise directly or indirectly from or in connection with (i) the Retained Liabilities; (ii) the Retained Assets; (iii) any matter for which Seller has agreed to indemnify Buyer under this Agreement; (iv) any breach by Seller of any of Seller’s representations, warranties hereunder; and (v) any failure of Seller to perform Seller’s covenants hereunder.

 

(i)                                            The indemnities in this Section 15.3 shall terminate as of the termination date of each respective representation, warranty, covenant or agreement that is subject to indemnification thereunder, except in each case as to matters for which a specific written claim for indemnity has been delivered to the Indemnifying Party on or before such termination date.

 

(ii)                                         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in no event shall Seller have any liability for indemnification under Subsection 15.3(a) , (A) for any individual Claims (defined in Subsection 15.4(b) ) that do not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) in Losses (the “ Individual Claim Threshold ”) and (B) until and unless the aggregate amount of the liability for Losses related to Claims that meet or exceed the Individual Claim Threshold exceeds two percent (2%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price, and then only to the extent such Losses exceed Two percent (2%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price (the “ Aggregate Claim Deductible ”).  The maximum liability of Seller for indemnification pursuant to Subsection 15.3(a)  with respect to Losses suffered by the Buyer shall not exceed Twelve percent (12%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price (the “ Indemnification Cap ”).

 

(iii)                                      The amount of any Losses for which an Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnity under this Article 15 shall be reduced by (A) the amount of insurance proceeds realized by the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates with respect to such Losses (net of any collection costs, and excluding the proceeds of any insurance policy issued or underwritten by the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates) and (B) an amount equal to the amount of any tax benefit reasonably expected to be received by the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates in connection with such Losses or any of the circumstances giving rise thereto.

 

(iv)                                     In no event shall (A) any Indemnified Party be entitled to duplicate compensation with respect to the same Loss, liability, damage, cost, expense, claim, under more than one provision of this Agreement and the various documents delivered in connection with the Closing, or for which an Indemnified Party received the benefits of an adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement and (B) any Person be entitled to indemnification hereunder with respect to a breach by an Indemnifying Party of any of the representations, warranties or covenants made or agreed to by such Indemnifying Party hereunder of which such Person had actual knowledge prior to the Closing Date.

 

(b)                                  Buyer’s Indemnification of Seller .  Buyer assumes all risk, liability, obligation and Losses in connection with, and shall defend, indemnify, and save and hold harmless Seller, its officers, directors, employees and agents, from and against all Losses which arise directly or

 

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indirectly from or in connection with (i) the Assumed Liabilities; (ii) any matter for which Buyer has agreed to indemnify Seller under this Agreement; (iii) any breach by Buyer of any of Buyer’s representations or warranties hereunder; and (iv) any failure of Buyer to perform Buyer’s covenants hereunder.

 

15.4                         Procedure .  The indemnifications contained in Section 15.3 shall be implemented as follows:

 

(a)                                  Claim Notice .  The Party seeking indemnification under the terms of this Agreement (“ Indemnified Party ”) shall submit a written “ Claim Notice ” to the other Party (“ Indemnifying Party ”) which, to be effective, must be delivered prior to the end of the Survival Period and must state:  (A) to the extent reasonably possible the amount of each payment claimed by an Indemnified Party to be owing; (B) to the extent reasonably possible the basis for such claim, with supporting documentation; and (C) a list identifying to the extent reasonably possible each separate item of Loss for which payment is so claimed.  The amount claimed shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party to the extent required herein within thirty (30) days after receipt of the Claim Notice, or after the amount of such payment has been finally established as provided in Subsection 15.4(c) , whichever last occurs.

 

(b)                                  Information .  Within thirty (30) days after the Indemnified Party receives notice of a claim or legal action by a third party that may result in a Loss for which indemnification may be sought under this Article 15 (a “ Claim ”), the Indemnified Party shall give written notice of such Claim to the Indemnifying Party.  If the Indemnifying Party or its counsel so requests, the Indemnified Party shall furnish the Indemnifying Party with copies of all pleadings and other information with respect to such Claim.  At the election of the Indemnifying Party, which must be made within sixty (60) days after receipt of such notice and not thereafter, the Indemnified Party shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume control of such Claim (to the extent only that such Claim, legal action or other matter relates to a Loss for which the Indemnifying Party is liable), including the determination of all appropriate actions, the negotiation of settlements on behalf of the Indemnified Party, and the conduct of litigation through attorneys of the Indemnifying Party’s choice; provided, however, that no such settlement can result in any liability or cost to the Indemnified Party for which it is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder or impose any remedy other than damages without its prior written consent.  If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume control, (i) all reasonable expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the investigation or defense of the Claim, legal action or other matter prior to the time the Indemnifying Party assumes control shall be reimbursed and paid by the Indemnifying Party; (ii) any expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party thereafter for investigation or defense of the matter shall be borne by the Indemnified Party except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with providing information or assistance to the Indemnifying Party as required by Subsection 15.4(b) , and (iii) the Indemnified Party shall give all reasonable information and assistance, other than pecuniary, that the Indemnifying Party shall deem necessary to the proper defense of such Claim, legal action, or other matter but shall be reimbursed and paid for such expenses as provided for in Subsection 15.4(b) .  Before such election is made or in the absence of such an election, the Indemnified Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to defend any claim, legal action or other matter and shall be reimbursed and paid by the Indemnifying Party for all reasonable expenses incurred in such defense.  Before such election is made or in the absence of such election, the Indemnified Party may settle any Claim, legal action or other matter for which notice has been provided as required by Subsection 15.4(a) , but only with the consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.  If such a Claim requires immediate action, both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party will cooperate in good

 

40



 

faith to take appropriate action so as not to jeopardize defense of such Claim or either Party’s position with respect to such Claim.

 

(c)                                   Dispute .  If the existence of a valid Claim or amount to be paid by an Indemnifying Party is in dispute, the Parties agree to submit determination of the existence of a valid Claim or the amount to be paid pursuant to the Claim Notice to binding arbitration pursuant to the provisions of Section 16.18 except as otherwise provided in this Section.  Any payment due pursuant to the arbitration shall be made within fifteen (15) days of the arbitrator’s decision.

 

15.5                         No Insurance; Subrogation .  The indemnifications provided in this Article 15 shall not be construed as a form of insurance.  Buyer and Seller hereby waive for themselves, their successors or assigns, including any insurers, any rights to subrogation for Losses for which each of them is respectively liable or against which each respectively indemnifies the other, and, if required by applicable policies, Buyer and Seller shall obtain waiver of such subrogation from its respective insurers.

 

15.6                         Reservation as to Non-Parties .  Nothing herein is intended to limit or otherwise waive any recourse Buyer or Seller may have against any non-party for any obligations or liabilities that may be incurred with respect to the Subject Interests.

 

ARTICLE 16
MISCELLANEOUS

 

16.1                         Schedules .  The Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference and constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

16.2                         Expenses .  Except as otherwise specifically provided, all fees, costs and expenses incurred by Buyer or Seller in negotiating this Agreement or in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring the same, including, without limitation, engineering, land, title, legal and accounting fees, costs and expenses.

 

16.3                         Notices .  All notices and communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and addressed as set forth below.  Any communication or delivery hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly made when received by the receiving Party.  All notices shall be addressed as follows:

 

If to Seller:

 

WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC

3500 One Williams Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0135

Attn:  Vice President of Acquisitions and Divestitures

Telephone:  (539) 573-3148

Facsimile:  (539) 573-0576

 

with a copy to:

 

WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC

1001 17 th  Street, Suite 1200

Denver, CO  80202

Attn:  Legal Counsel

Telephone:  (303) 629-8450

 

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Facsimile:  (303) 629-8250

 

If to Buyer:

 

Legacy Reserves Operating LP

303 W. Wall, Suite 1800

Midland, Texas 79701

Attn:  Dan G. LeRoy

Telephone:  (432) 221-6331

Facsimile:  (432) 689-5299

 

If to General Partner:

 

Legacy Reserves GP, LLC

303 W. Wall, Suite 1800

Midland, Texas 79701

Attn:  Dan G. LeRoy

Telephone:  (432) 221-6331

Facsimile:  (432) 689-5299

 

If to Partnership:

 

Legacy Reserves LP

303 W. Wall, Suite 1800

Midland, Texas 79701

Attn:  Dan G. LeRoy

Telephone:  (432) 221-6331

Facsimile:  (432) 689-5299

 

Any Party may, by written notice so delivered to the other parties, change the address or individual to which delivery shall thereafter be made.

 

16.4                         Amendments .  Except for waivers specifically provided for in this Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended nor any rights hereunder waived except by an instrument in writing signed by the Party to be charged with such amendment or waiver and delivered by such Party to the Party claiming the benefit of such amendment or waiver.

 

16.5                         Assignment .  Neither Seller nor Buyer shall assign all or any portion of its respective rights or delegate all or any portion of its respective duties under this Agreement without the written consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

16.6                         Headings .  The headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for guidance and convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

 

16.7                         Counterparts/Electronic and Fax Signatures .  This Agreement may be executed by Buyer and Seller in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original instrument, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  Electronic and fax signatures shall be considered binding.

 

42



 

16.8                         References and Interpretation .  References made in this Agreement, including use of a pronoun, shall be deemed to include where applicable, masculine, feminine, singular or plural, individuals or entities.  As used in this Agreement, “ person ” shall mean any natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, court, agency, government, board, commission, estate or other entity or authority.  All references in this Agreement to Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, Subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, Subsections and other subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.  The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.  The phrases “this Section” and “the Subsection” and similar phrases refer only to the Sections or Subsections hereof in which the phrase occurs.  The word “or” is not exclusive, and “including” (and its various derivatives), means “including without limitation.”  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation of this Agreement arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring a Party as a result of authorship or drafting of any provision of this Agreement.  “ Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which national banks are allowed by the Federal Reserve System to be closed; and “ day ” without further qualification shall mean a calendar day.

 

16.9                         Governing Law .  This Agreement and the Transaction and any arbitration or dispute resolution conducted pursuant hereto shall be construed in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Colorado.  In the event a Party seeks to enforce an arbitration award made under Section 16.18 , each of the Parties hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any United States federal or Colorado state court sitting in Denver, Colorado.  EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT ANY OF THEM MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN SUCH A COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.  TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH COURTS REFUSE TO EXERCISE JURISDICTION HEREUNDER, THE PARTIES AGREE THAT JURISDICTION SHALL BE PROPER IN ANY COURT IN WHICH JURISDICTION MAY BE OBTAINED.  EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO HAVE A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

16.10                  Entire Agreement .  This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding among the Parties, their respective partners, members, trustees, shareholders, officers, directors and employees with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all negotiations, prior discussions and prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter.

 

16.11                  Affiliate .  “ Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any Person that directly or indirectly Controls, is Controlled by or is under common control with such Person.

 

16.12                  Control .  “ Control ” means the ability to direct the management and policies of a Person through ownership of voting shares or other equity rights, pursuant to a written agreement, or otherwise.  The terms “ Controls ” and “ Controlled by ” and other derivatives shall be construed accordingly.

 

16.13                  Knowledge .  “ Knowledge ” with respect to Seller means the actual knowledge (after reasonable inquiry of the management level personnel who report to the named person) of Joe Barrett with respect to land matters; Roxanne Roberts with respect to environmental matters; Bob Rock with respect to income tax matters; Kevin Vann with respect to financial, accounting, Property Tax and

 

43



 

Production Tax matters; Alan Killion with respect to hydrocarbon sales contracts; Dennis Cameron with respect to bankruptcy and Ann Lane and Lisa Decker with respect to compliance with laws.

 

16.14                  Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns.

 

16.15                  Survival of Warranties, Representations and Covenants .  The representations and warranties contained in Subsection 4.2(a)  and Section 5.2 shall terminate on the Defect Notice Date; the representations and warranties contained in Sections 6.1 through 6.6 , 6.9 , 6.15 , and Sections 7.1 through 7.12 , and Subsections 8.2(a) , 8.2(b) , 8.2(d) , through 8.2(h) , and 8.2(k)  through 8.2(m)  shall survive indefinitely, subject to applicable statutes of limitation.  All other representations and warranties contained in the Agreement shall terminate nine (9) months after the Closing Date.  Each applicable survival period may be referred to as a “ Survival Period .”  Except as otherwise provided herein, the covenants, indemnities and agreements contained in the Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in accordance with their respective terms.

 

16.16                  No Third-Party Beneficiaries .  This Agreement is intended only to benefit the Parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

16.17                  Dispute Resolution by Senior Management .  If a dispute arises out of or relates to this Agreement, members of the senior management of Seller and Buyer shall attempt to resolve the dispute by discussion and negotiation prior to submittal of the dispute to binding arbitration under Section 16.18 .

 

16.18                  Binding Arbitration .  All disputes between the Parties relating to this Agreement shall be submitted to binding arbitration by notice in writing to the other Party, which notice shall describe the disputed matter.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply to any arbitrations conducted pursuant to this Agreement:

 

(a)                                  Within ten (10) days after written demand by either Party for arbitration, the Parties shall select a single, independent arbitrator from a list of arbitrators provided by the CPR Institute.  If the Parties cannot agree on the selection of such arbitrator, then an arbitrator shall be selected by the CPR Institute.

 

(b)                                  The arbitration shall be governed by Colorado law but the specific procedure to be followed shall be determined by the arbitrator in accordance with the CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration.  It is the intent of the Parties that the arbitration be conducted as efficiently and inexpensively as possible, with only limited discovery as determined by the arbitrator without regard to the discovery permitted under the Colorado or Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

 

(c)                                   The arbitration proceeding shall be held in Denver, Colorado and a hearing shall be held no later than sixty (60) days after submission of the matter to arbitration, and a written decision shall be rendered by the arbitrator within thirty (30) days of the hearing.

 

(d)                                  At the hearing, the Parties shall present such evidence and witnesses as they may choose, with or without counsel.  Adherence to formal rules of evidence shall not be required but the arbitrator shall consider any evidence and testimony that he or she determines to be relevant, in accordance with procedures that it determines to be appropriate.

 

44



 

(e)                                   Any award entered in the arbitration shall be made by a written opinion stating the reasons and basis for the award made, and the prevailing Party, as determined by the arbitrator, shall be awarded its reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees and other costs.

 

(f)                                    The costs incurred in employing the arbitrator, including the arbitrator’s retention of any independent qualified experts, shall be borne fifty percent (50%) by the Seller and fifty percent (50%) by Buyer.

 

(g)                                   The arbitrator’s award may be filed in any court of competent jurisdiction and may be enforced by any Party as a final judgment of such court.

 

16.19                  Like-Kind Exchange .

 

(a)                                  Seller may assign or transfer any or all of its rights under this Agreement to any qualified intermediary in order to complete an exchange of like-kind property under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and, at the request of Seller, Buyer shall execute such agreements and other documents, and take such actions, as Seller may reasonably request that are necessary to complete and otherwise effectuate Seller’s exchange of properties in accordance with said Section 1031 and the regulations thereunder.  Any agreements or documents required to be executed on or before Closing to effectuate a like-kind exchange shall be provided by Seller to Buyer on or before three (3) Business Days prior to Closing.

 

(b)                                  Buyer shall not be obligated to pay any additional costs or incur any additional obligations under this Agreement resulting from Seller’s assignment (including any of Seller’s costs or expenses related thereto) and Seller shall hold harmless and indemnify Buyer from and against all claims, losses and liabilities (and reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and other related fees and expenses), if any, resulting from such assignment.

 

16.20                  No Partnership .  Each Party agrees there is no intent to form a partnership for federal income tax purposes.  However, if, for federal income tax purposes, this agreement and the operations conducted by each Party hereunder are regarded as a partnership, each Party elects to be excluded from the application of all of the provisions of Subchapter “K,” Chapter 1, Subtitle “A,” of the Code, as permitted and authorized by Section 761 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.  Any Party may request each other Party to execute such evidence of this election as may be required by the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States or the Federal Internal Revenue Service, including specifically, but not by way of limitation, all of the returns, statements, and the data required by Treasury Regulation §1.761.  Should there be any requirement that any Party give further evidence of this election, each such Party shall execute such documents and furnish such other evidence as may be required by the Federal Internal Revenue Service or as may be necessary to evidence this election.  No such Party shall give any notices or take any other action inconsistent with the election made hereby.  If any present or future income tax laws of the state or states in which the Wells are located or any future income tax laws of the United States contain provisions similar to those in Subchapter “K,” Chapter 1, Subtitle “A,” of the Code, under which an election similar to that provided by Section 761 of the Code is permitted, any Party shall make such similar election as may be permitted or required by such laws.  In making the foregoing election, each Party states that the income derived by such Party from operations hereunder can be adequately determined without the computation of partnership taxable income.

 

16.21                  Other Opportunities .  Each Party shall have the right to engage in and receive full benefits from any independent business activities or operations, whether or not competitive with operations under this Agreement, without consulting with, or obligation to, the other Party.  The doctrines of “corporate opportunity” or “business opportunity” shall not be applied to this Agreement nor to any

 

45



 

other activity or operation of any Party.  No Party shall have any obligation to the other Party with respect to any opportunity to acquire any property or conduct any activities in the Piceance Basin at any time.

 

***********************

 

46



 

 

SELLER:

 

WPX ENERGY ROCKY MOUNTAIN, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffrey L. Schmuhl

 

Name:

Jeffrey L. Schmuhl

 

Title:

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

BUYER:

 

LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING LP

 

BY: LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING GP LLC,

 

 

ITS GENERAL PARTNER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McGraw

 

Name:

Kyle A. McGraw

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Development Officer

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McGraw

 

Name:

Kyle A. McGraw

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Development Officer

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERSHIP:

 

LEGACY RESERVES LP

 

BY: LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC,

 

 

ITS GENERAL PARTNER

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kyle A. McGraw

 

Name:

Kyle A. McGraw

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Development Officer

 



 

Schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.  Legacy Reserves, LP hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

Legacy Reserves LP Announces Strategic Alliance with WPX Energy and First Quarter 2014 Results

 

MIDLAND, Texas, May 6, 2014— (GLOBENEWSWIRE) — Legacy Reserves LP (“Legacy”) (NASDAQ:LGCY) today announced it has formed a strategic alliance with WPX Energy, Inc. (“WPX”) (NYSE: WPX) through a pending Piceance Basin acquisition for $355 million in cash consideration plus a portion of Legacy’s newly-created Incentive Distribution Units (“IDRs”) (the “Pending Acquisition”).  An investor presentation providing descriptive information has been posted to Legacy’s website at www.LegacyLP.com under the Investor Relations tab.

 

Key characteristics of the Pending Acquisition include:

 

·                   Assets: 2,730 natural gas wells producing primarily from the Williams Fork formation spanning 3 fields within the greater Grand Valley of Garfield County, Colorado

 

·                   Escalating working interest:   approximately 29% working interest at closing increases to approximately 37% on January 1, 2015 and approximately 41% on January 1, 2016

 

·                   Operatorship: to remain with WPX, a world-class Rockies operator that currently owns an approximate 98% working interest in the subject properties

 

·                   Internally estimated proved reserves:   276 Bcfe, 100% of which are proved developed producing, and of which 83% are natural gas, 15% are natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and 2% are oil(1)

 

·                   Estimated Q3 2014 production:   63 Mmcfe/d yielding a 12.0 R/P ratio

 

·                   Financial Impact:   upon closing, expect significant short-term and long-term accretion to unitholders

 

The Pending Acquisition has a January 1, 2014 effective date, is subject to customary closing conditions, purchase price adjustments, and the finalization and adoption of an amended and restated partnership agreement(2), and is expected to close before the end of June 2014.  WPX will be issued and immediately vest in 10% of the authorized IDRs and have the ability to vest in up to an additional 20% of the authorized IDRs contingent upon future drop-downs to Legacy.  The remaining 70% of the authorized IDRs will remain at Legacy in treasury for the benefit of all limited partners until such time as Legacy may make future issuances to other parties.

 

Legacy’s new IDRs are based on a typical construct for master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) whereby the IDRs receive an increasing percentage of distributions above defined marginal distribution levels which are provided in the posted investor presentation.  Unlike typical MLP incentive distribution rights, the IDRs will not be held at the general partner level.  Any distribution allocable to unvested IDRs (90% of the authorized IDRs at closing) shall remain at Legacy for general partnership purposes, including future distributions.

 


(1)          As of 12/31/13 based on SEC pricing as of 12/31/13.

(2)          The amended and restated partnership agreement which is necessary to issue the IDRs does not require Legacy unitholder approval.

 

1



 

Legacy today also announced first quarter results for 2014.  Financial results contained herein are preliminary and subject to the final, unaudited financial statements included in Legacy’s 10-Q to be filed on or about May 6, 2014.  Q1 2014 and subsequent highlights include:

 

·                   19,478 Boe/d of Production

 

·                   $125.9 million of Revenue

 

·                   $65.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA

 

·                   $34.3 million of Distributable Cash Flow, covering our quarterly distribution by 1.0 times

 

·                   Previously announced acquisitions totaling $112 million in Chaves County, NM and Sheridan County, MT which are expected to add 9.0 MMBoe (95% oil) of internally estimated proved reserves and 890 Boe/d of production. These acquisitions are expected to close in mid-May.

 

·                   On April 10, 2014, priced a $50 million Series A Preferred Unit issuance at 8.0% which now trades on NASDAQ as LGCYP.

 

Cary D. Brown, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Reserves GP, LLC, the general partner of Legacy, commented:  “We are excited to announce our new strategic alliance with WPX, a world-class Rockies operator with a deep inventory of MLP-friendly assets.  These mature Piceance Basin assets, with an average age of over 9 years, offer long-lived, predictable production and attractive economics due to WPX’s unmatched experience and infrastructure.  The escalating working interest construct holds production roughly flat over the next few years and provides a stable base for a significant increase to our year-end proved reserves and current production.  This transaction delivers on our previously-stated goal of adding gas-weighted properties to our portfolio.  Our 143 MMBoe of internally estimated pro forma proved reserves will be comprised of 54% liquids which increases our portfolio diversification and expands our optionality in varying commodity price environments.

 

“We took great care in negotiating the IDRs with WPX.  This newly-created interest will provide a long-term economic incentive for future transactions between the parties.  It also allows us to create future alliances with other parties using the remaining 70% of unissued IDRs.  Since the creation of Legacy, our management team and Board have been focused on aligning interests with our unitholders.  We believe this new IDR interest provides great incentives to its holders while protecting our limited partners with strong, unchanged voting provisions and triggers that are designed to mitigate the dilution that certain other MLPs have experienced when in the highest distribution “splits.”  Overall, we think this is a great day for Legacy and its unitholders and look forward to closing this transaction and working with WPX in the future to increase value to all involved.”

 

Dan Westcott, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, commented, “We believe the WPX transaction is a great win for all parties as the established structure incentivizes both parties to profitably and sustainably grow Legacy’s distribution.  At 4.8 Tcfe of estimated

 

2



 

1P reserves and 16.9 Tcfe of estimated 3P reserves(3), WPX has an enormous inventory of future prospects that either are, or are expected to be, attractive MLP’able assets. The escalating working interest in the Pending Acquisition provides a stable asset base and minimizes our provision for future maintenance capital expenditures thereby providing both immediate and long-term accretion to our unitholders.  With our 2014 announced acquisitions, we have meaningfully increased our size and scale, regional footprint and long-term commodity price exposure which should improve our credit profile and future earnings potential.  Consistent with our past practice, we plan on hedging a significant portion of our projected production to help ensure our future cash flow.  As shown in our newly-updated 2014 Financial Guidance, with the closing of the Pending Acquisition, we are projecting meaningful growth this year.  Our Series A Preferred Equity offers us a new instrument to fund our business and, when combined with our to-be-increased borrowing base, we look forward to closing these transactions and increasing unitholder value.”

 

Legacy intends to fund its pending acquisitions with borrowings under its April 2014 $1.5 billion credit facility.  Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, has committed to, and is seeking lender approval of, a $950 million borrowing base.  Such redetermination is contingent upon approval of all of the banks which is expected to be obtained on or prior to May 22, 2014.  In addition to the redetermination, Legacy has already obtained consents from the majority lenders to increase its Debt / EBITDA covenant from 4.0x to 4.5x through June 30, 2015.

 

Wells Fargo Securities is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Legacy in conjunction with the Pending Acquisition.

 


(3)          As of December 31, 2013, per WPX investor presentation, which excludes the contribution from WPX’s international operations and does not give effect to the Pending Acquisition.

 

3



 

Updated 2014 Guidance

 

The following table sets forth certain assumptions being used by Legacy to estimate its anticipated results of operations for 2014. These estimates do not include any acquisitions of additional oil or natural gas properties. In addition, these estimates are based on, among other things, assumptions of capital expenditure levels, current indications of supply and demand for oil and natural gas and current operating and labor costs. The guidance set forth below does not constitute any form of guarantee, assurance or promise that the matters indicated will actually be achieved. The guidance below sets forth management’s best estimate based on current and anticipated market conditions and other factors. While we believe that these estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and are subject to, among other things, significant business, economic, regulatory, environmental and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we anticipate, as set forth under “Cautionary Statement Relevant to Forward-Looking Information.”

 

($ in thousands unless otherwise noted)

 

FY 2014E Revised Range

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

4,820

 

-

4,940

 

Natural gas liquids (MGal)

 

24,700

 

-

25,300

 

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

22,650

 

-

23,200

 

Total (MBoe)

 

9,183

 

-

9,409

 

Average daily production (Boe/d)

 

25,159

 

-

25,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average NYMEX Differentials:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil ($ per Bbl)

 

($7.00)

 

-

($8.25)

 

NGL realization (1)

 

0.75%

 

-

0.85%

 

Natural gas ($ per Mcf)

 

$0.27

 

-

$0.32

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas production expenses ($/Boe)

 

$18.70

 

-

$19.60

 

Ad valorem and production taxes (% of revenue)

 

9.00%

 

-

9.50%

 

G&A excluding LTIP (2)

 

$29,350

 

-

$30,350

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total development capital expenditures

 

$112,000

 

-

$118,000

 

Estimated maintenance capital expenditures

 

$75,300

 

-

$75,300

 

 


(1) Represents the projected percentage of WTI crude oil prices divided by 42, as we report NGLs in gallons.

 

(2) Excludes Long-Term Incentive Compensation and transaction expenses related to acquisitions.

 

4



 

Financial and Operating Results — First Quarter 2014 Compared to First Quarter 2013

 

·                        Production decreased 1% to 19,478 Boe/d from 19,711 Boe/d primarily due to the natural decline in our Lower Abo assets of approximately 575 Boe/d as well as downtime related to inclement weather. The Lower Abo assets were acquired in our December 2012 acquisition from Concho Resources, Inc. The majority of these wells were drilled in the last three years and thus have a higher natural decline than our more mature properties. These decreases were partially offset by production from our recent acquisitions and development activity throughout the Permian.

 

·                        Average realized price, excluding net cash settlements from commodity derivatives, increased 17% to $71.82 per Boe in 2014 from $61.37 per Boe in 2013. Average realized oil price increased 11% to $89.92 per Bbl in 2014 from $81.11 per Bbl in 2013. This increase of $8.81 per Bbl was attributable to both an increase in the average West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil price of $4.35 per Bbl as well as lower realized regional differentials. Average realized natural gas price increased 44% to $6.16 per Mcf in 2014 from $4.28 per Mcf in 2013 reflecting a $1.59 increase in the average Henry Hub natural gas index price. Finally, our average realized NGL price increased 2% to $1.18 per gallon in 2014 from $1.16 per gallon in 2013. The large majority of our separately reported NGL production is from our Mid-Continent region.

 

·                        Production expenses, excluding ad valorem taxes, increased 22% to $39.6 million in 2014 from $32.4 million in 2013. Production expenses increased primarily due to additional properties added in the second half of 2013, remedial workovers and other one-time well failure expenses. To a lesser extent, expenses associated with Legacy’s development activities also contributed to the increase in production expenses.

 

·                        Legacy’s general and administrative expenses excluding unit-based/Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) compensation expense totaled $7.0 million in 2014 compared to $5.3 million in 2013. This increase was mostly attributable to an increase in salary and benefit expenses related to the hiring of additional personnel to manage our larger asset base.

 

·                        Cash settlements paid on our commodity derivatives were $3.6 million during 2014 compared to cash receipts of $2.6 million in 2013, a $6.2 million change between the periods.

 

·                        Total development capital expenditures were $21.8 million in 2014 and were heavily weighted towards our Permian Wolfberry drilling. Non-operated capital expenditures comprised 32% of our total capital expenditures in 2014 with activity primarily in the Permian and Mid-Continent.

 

5



 

Commodity Derivatives Contracts

 

We enter into oil and natural gas derivatives contracts to help mitigate the risk of changing commodity prices. As of April 30, 2014, we had entered into derivatives agreements to receive average NYMEX WTI crude oil prices and NYMEX Henry Hub, Waha, ANR-Oklahoma, and CIG-Rockies natural gas prices as summarized below:

 

WTI Crude Oil Swaps:

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Price

 

Time Period

 

Volumes (Bbls)

 

Price per Bbl

 

Range per Bbl

 

April-December 2014

 

2,400,220

 

$

93.66

 

$87.50 - $101.50

 

2015

 

680,351

 

$

92.48

 

$88.50 - $100.20

 

2016

 

228,600

 

$

87.94

 

$86.30 - $99.85

 

2017

 

182,500

 

$

84.75

 

$84.75

 

 

WTI Crude Oil 3-Way Collars:

 

 

 

 

 

Average Short

 

Average Long

 

Average Short

 

Time Period

 

Volumes (Bbls)

 

Put Price per Bbl

 

Put Price per Bbl

 

Call Price per Bbl

 

April-December 2014

 

605,000

 

$

71.59

 

$

96.59

 

$

110.56

 

2015

 

1,308,500

 

$

64.67

 

$

89.67

 

$

112.21

 

2016

 

621,300

 

$

63.37

 

$

88.37

 

$

106.40

 

2017

 

72,400

 

$

60.00

 

$

85.00

 

$

104.20

 

 

WTI Crude Oil Enhanced Swaps:

 

Time Period

 

Volumes (Bbls)

 

Average Long
Put Price per Bbl

 

Average Short
Put Price per Bbl

 

Average Swap
Price per Bbl

 

2015

 

365,000

 

$

60.00

 

$

80.00

 

$

92.35

 

2016

 

183,000

 

$

57.00

 

$

82.00

 

$

91.70

 

2017

 

182,500

 

$

57.00

 

$

82.00

 

$

90.85

 

2018

 

127,750

 

$

57.00

 

$

82.00

 

$

90.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Short

 

Average Swap

 

Time Period

 

Volumes (Bbls) 

 

Put Price per Bbl

 

Price per Bbl

 

2015

 

365,000

 

$

70.00

 

$

92.03

 

 

Natural Gas Swaps (Henry Hub, WAHA, ANR-Oklahoma and CIG-Rockies):

 

Time Period

 

Volumes (MMBtu)

 

Average
Price per MMBtu

 

Price
Range per MMBtu

 

April-December 2014

 

7,178,903

 

$

4.39

 

$3.61 - $6.47

 

2015

 

7,819,300

 

$

4.51

 

$4.15 - $5.82

 

2016

 

1,419,200

 

$

4.30

 

$4.12 - $5.30

 

 

Natural Gas 3-Way Collars (Henry Hub):

 

 

 

 

 

Average Short Put

 

Average Long Put

 

Average Short Call

 

Time Period

 

Volumes (MMBtu)

 

Price per MMBtu

 

Price per MMBtu

 

Price per MMBtu

 

April-December 2014

 

320,000

 

$

4.00

 

$

4.65

 

$

5.03

 

2015

 

1,440,000

 

$

3.25

 

$

4.05

 

$

4.49

 

 

6



 

Location and quality differentials attributable to our properties are not reflected in the above prices. The agreements provide for monthly settlement based on the difference between the agreement fixed price and the actual reference oil and natural gas index prices.

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

Our consolidated financial statements and related footnotes will be available in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, which we plan to file on or about May 6, 2014.

 

Conference Call

 

As announced on April 22, 2014, Legacy will host an investor conference call to discuss Legacy’s results on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. (Central Time). Those wishing to participate in the conference call should dial 877-266-0479. A replay of the call will be available through Wednesday, May 14, 2014, by dialing 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 and entering replay code 34572156. Those wishing to listen to the live or archived web cast via the Internet should go to the Investor Relations tab of our website at www.LegacyLP.com. Following our prepared remarks, we will be pleased to answer questions from securities analysts and institutional portfolio managers and analysts; the complete call is open to all other interested parties on a listen-only basis.

 

About Legacy Reserves LP

 

Legacy Reserves LP is a master limited partnership headquartered in Midland, Texas, focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties primarily located in the Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. Additional information is available at www.LegacyLP.com.

 

Cautionary Statement Relevant to Forward-Looking Information

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to our operations that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections about its operations. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “targets,” “projects,” “believes,” “seeks,” “schedules,” “estimated,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and are difficult to predict. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are: realized oil and natural gas prices; production volumes, lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and finding and development costs; future operating results and the factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in our annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Unless legally required, Legacy undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

7



 

LEGACY RESERVES LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per unit data)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil sales

 

$

102,055

 

$

90,357

 

Natural gas liquids (NGL) sales

 

3,965

 

3,342

 

Natural gas sales

 

19,883

 

15,180

 

Total revenues

 

125,903

 

108,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas production

 

42,534

 

35,351

 

Production and other taxes

 

7,955

 

6,927

 

General and administrative

 

7,647

 

6,281

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

33,697

 

41,652

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

1,412

 

1,743

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

2,301

 

(219

)

Total expenses

 

95,546

 

91,735

 

Operating income

 

30,357

 

17,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

223

 

8

 

Interest expense

 

(13,939

)

(10,692

)

Equity in income (loss) of equity method investees

 

(8

)

44

 

Net losses on commodity derivatives

 

(15,886

)

(13,005

)

Other

 

93

 

7

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

840

 

(6,494

)

Income tax expense

 

(314

)

(211

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

526

 

$

(6,705

)

Income (loss) per unit - basic and diluted

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.12

)

Weighted average number of units used in computing net income (loss) per unit -

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

57,309

 

57,077

 

Diluted

 

57,367

 

57,077

 

 

8



 

LEGACY RESERVES LP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,
2014

 

December 31,
2013

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

2,972

 

$

2,584

 

Accounts receivable, net:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas

 

59,614

 

47,429

 

Joint interest owners

 

15,957

 

16,532

 

Other

 

529

 

626

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

2,266

 

3,801

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

4,100

 

3,727

 

Total current assets

 

85,438

 

74,699

 

Oil and natural gas properties using the successful efforts method, at cost:

 

 

 

 

 

Proved properties

 

2,287,952

 

2,265,788

 

Unproved properties

 

58,611

 

58,392

 

Accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment

 

(821,762

)

(788,751

)

 

 

1,524,801

 

1,535,429

 

Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $6,368 and $6,053, respectively

 

3,604

 

3,688

 

Deposits on pending acquisitions

 

11,200

 

 

Operating rights, net of amortization of $4,145 and $4,024, respectively

 

2,871

 

2,992

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

15,925

 

21,292

 

Other assets, net of amortization of $10,652 and $10,097, respectively

 

16,811

 

17,641

 

Investments in equity method investees

 

3,880

 

4,092

 

Total assets

 

$

1,664,530

 

$

1,659,833

 

LIABILITIES AND UNITHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

8,147

 

$

6,016

 

Accrued oil and natural gas liabilities

 

73,872

 

63,161

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

15,403

 

10,060

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

2,610

 

2,610

 

Other

 

19,010

 

12,043

 

Total current liabilities

 

119,042

 

93,890

 

Long-term debt

 

891,149

 

878,693

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

174,345

 

173,176

 

Fair value of derivatives

 

1,438

 

2,119

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

1,528

 

1,559

 

Total liabilities

 

1,187,502

 

1,149,437

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

Unitholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Limited partners’ equity - 57,340,928 and 57,280,049 units issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

 

476,954

 

510,322

 

General partner’s equity (approximately 0.03%)

 

74

 

74

 

Total unitholders’ equity

 

477,028

 

510,396

 

Total liabilities and unitholders’ equity

 

$

1,664,530

 

$

1,659,833

 

 

9



 

LEGACY RESERVES LP
SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per unit data)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil sales

 

$

102,055

 

$

90,357

 

Natural gas liquids (NGL) sales

 

3,965

 

3,342

 

Natural gas sales

 

19,883

 

15,180

 

Total revenues

 

$

125,903

 

$

108,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas production

 

$

39,638

 

$

32,385

 

Ad valorem taxes

 

2,896

 

2,966

 

Total oil and natural gas production including ad valorem taxes

 

$

42,534

 

$

35,351

 

Production and other taxes

 

$

7,955

 

$

6,927

 

General and administrative excluding LTIP

 

$

6,957

 

$

5,295

 

LTIP expense

 

690

 

986

 

Total general and administrative

 

$

7,647

 

$

6,281

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

$

33,697

 

$

41,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash settlements on commodity derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash settlements (paid) received on oil derivatives

 

$

(2,556

)

$

229

 

Net cash settlements (paid) received on natural gas derivatives

 

$

(1,054

)

$

2,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

1,135

 

1,114

 

Natural gas liquids (MGal)

 

3,362

 

2,893

 

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

3,226

 

3,546

 

Total (MBoe)

 

1,753

 

1,774

 

Average daily production (Boe/d)

 

19,478

 

19,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average sales price per unit (excluding net cash settlements on commodity derivatives):

 

 

 

 

 

Oil price (per Bbl)

 

$

89.92

 

$

81.11

 

Natural gas liquids price (per Gal)

 

$

1.18

 

$

1.16

 

Natural gas price (per Mcf)

 

$

6.16

 

$

4.28

 

Combined (per Boe)

 

$

71.82

 

$

61.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average sales price per unit (including net cash settlements on commodity derivatives):

 

 

 

 

 

Oil price (per Bbl)

 

$

87.66

 

$

81.32

 

Natural gas liquids price (per Gal)

 

$

1.18

 

$

1.16

 

Natural gas price (per Mcf)

 

$

5.84

 

$

4.96

 

Combined (per Boe)

 

$

69.76

 

$

62.86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX oil index prices per Bbl:

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

$

98.68

 

$

94.33

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX natural gas index prices per Mcf:

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

$

4.93

 

$

3.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average unit costs per Boe:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas production

 

$

22.61

 

$

18.26

 

Ad valorem taxes

 

$

1.65

 

$

1.67

 

Production and other taxes

 

$

4.54

 

$

3.90

 

General and administrative excluding LTIP

 

$

3.97

 

$

2.98

 

Total general and administrative

 

$

4.36

 

$

3.54

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

$

19.22

 

$

23.48

 

 

10



 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

This press release, the financial tables and other supplemental information include “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Distributable Cash Flow”, both of which are non-generally accepted accounting principles (“non-GAAP”) measures which may be used periodically by management when discussing our financial results with investors and analysts. The following presents a reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to their nearest comparable generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) measure.

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow are presented as management believes they provide additional information concerning the performance of our business and are used by investors and financial analysts to analyze and compare our current operating and financial performance relative to past performance and such performances relative to that of other publicly traded partnerships in the industry. Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other publicly traded limited partnerships or limited liability companies because all companies may not calculate such measures in the same manner.

 

Distributable Cash Flow is one of the factors used by the board of directors of our general partner (the “Board”) to help determine the amount of Available Cash as defined in our partnership agreement, which is the amount to be distributed to unitholders for such period. Under our partnership agreement, Available Cash is defined generally to mean, cash on hand at the end of each quarter, plus working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter, less cash reserves determined by our general partner. The Board determines whether to increase, maintain or decrease the current level of distributions in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement based on a variety of factors, including without limitation, Distributable Cash Flow, cash reserves established in prior periods, reserves established for future periods, borrowing capacity for working capital, temporary, one-time or uncharacteristic historical results, and forecasts of future period results including the impact of pending acquisitions. Management and the Board consider the long-term view of expected results in determining the amount of its distributions. Certain factors impacting Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow may be viewed as temporary, one-time in nature, or being offset by reserves from past performance or near-term future performance. Financial results are also driven by various factors that do not typically occur evenly throughout the year that are difficult to predict, including rig availability, weather, well performance, the timing of drilling and completions and near-term commodity price changes. Consistent with practices common to publicly traded partnerships, the Board historically has not varied the distribution it declares based on such timing effects.

 

11



 

“Adjusted EBITDA” and “Distributable Cash Flow” should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities, or any other GAAP measure of financial performance.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) plus:

·       Interest expense;

·       Income taxes;

·       Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion;

·       Impairment of long-lived assets;

·       (Gain) loss on sale of partnership investment;

·       (Gain) loss on disposal of assets;

·       Equity in (income) loss of equity method investees;

·                   Unit-based compensation expense (benefit) related to LTIP unit awards accounted for under the equity or liability methods;

·                   Minimum payments received in excess of overriding royalty interest earned;

·                   Equity in EBITDA of equity method investee;

·                   Net (gains) losses on commodity derivatives;

·                   Net cash settlements received (paid) on commodity derivatives; and

·                   Transaction expenses related to acquisitions.

 

Distributable Cash Flow is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less:

·                   Cash interest expense including the accrual of interest expense related to our senior notes which is paid on a semi-annual basis;

·                   Cash income taxes;

·                   Cash settlements of LTIP unit awards; and

·                   Estimated maintenance capital expenditures.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of our consolidated net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow:

 

12



 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

526

 

$

(6,705

)

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

13,939

 

10,692

 

Income tax expense

 

314

 

211

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion

 

33,697

 

41,652

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

1,412

 

1,743

 

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

 

2,301

 

(219

)

Equity in (income) loss of equity method investees

 

8

 

(44

)

Unit-based compensation expense

 

690

 

986

 

Minimum payments earned in excess of overriding royalty interest (1)

 

333

 

400

 

EBITDA applicable to equity method investee (2)

 

258

 

 

Net losses on commodity derivatives

 

15,886

 

13,005

 

Net cash settlements received (paid) received on commodity derivatives

 

(3,610

)

2,635

 

Transaction expenses related to acquisitions

 

55

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

65,809

 

$

64,356

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash interest expense

 

13,594

 

11,329

 

Cash settlements of LTIP unit awards

 

125

 

858

 

Estimated maintenance capital expenditures (3)

 

17,800

 

17,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributable Cash Flow (3)

 

$

34,290

 

$

35,169

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions Attributable to Each Period (4)

 

$

34,251

 

$

33,019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Coverage Ratio (3)(5)

 

1.00x

 

0.94x

 

 


(1) Minimum payments received in excess of overriding royalties earned under a contractual agreement expiring December 31, 2019. The remaining amount of the minimum payments are recognized in net income.

(2) EBITDA applicable to equity method investee is defined as the equity method investee’s net income or loss plus interest expense and depreciation.

(3) Estimated maintenance capital expenditures are intended to represent the amount of capital required to fully offset declines in production, but do not target specific levels of proved reserves to be achieved. Estimated maintenance capital expenditures do not include the cost of new oil and natural gas reserve acquisitions, but rather the costs associated with converting proved developed non-producing, proved undeveloped and unproved reserves to proved developed producing reserves. These costs, which are incorporated in our annual capital budget as approved by the Board, include development drilling, recompletions, workovers and various other procedures to generate new or improve existing production on both operated and non-operated properties. Estimated maintenance capital expenditures are based on management’s judgment of various factors including the long-term (generally 5-10 years) decline rate of our current production and the projected productivity of our total development capital expenditures. Actual production decline rates and capital efficiency may materially differ from our projections and such estimated maintenance capital expenditures may not maintain our production. Further, because estimated maintenance capital expenditures are not intended to target specific levels of reserves, if we do not acquire new proved or unproved reserves, our total reserves will decrease over time and we would be unable to sustain production at current levels, which could adversely affect our ability to pay a distribution at the current level or at all.

(4) Represents the aggregate cash distributions declared for the respective period and paid by Legacy within 45 days after the end of each quarter within such period.

(5) We refer to the ratio of Distributable Cash Flow over Distributions Attributable to Each Period (“Available Cash” per our partnership agreement) as “Distribution Coverage Ratio.” If the Distribution Coverage Ratio is equal to or greater than 1.0x, then our cash flows are sufficient to cover our quarterly distributions with respect to such period. If the Distribution Coverage Ratio is less than 1.0x, then our cash flows with respect to such period were not sufficient to cover our quarterly distributions and we must borrow funds or use cash reserves established in prior periods to cover our quarterly distributions. The Board uses its discretion in determining if such shortfalls are temporary or if distributions should be adjusted downward.

 

Contact:

Legacy Reserves LP

Dan Westcott

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(432) 689-5200

 

Source: Legacy Reserves LP

 

13


Exhibit 99.2

 

LEGACY RESERVES LP

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

TERM SHEET

 

Transaction

 

In connection with the disposition by WPX Energy, Inc. (“ WPX ”) of certain oil and gas assets to Legacy Reserves LP (“ LGCY ”), Legacy Reserves GP, LLC (the “ General Partner ”) will amend and restate the LGCY partnership agreement (the “ Amended Partnership Agreement ”) to provide for unitized incentive distribution rights (“ IDR units ”), and WPX and LGCY will enter into an IDR Rights Agreement providing for certain rights and obligations of WPX and LGCY with respect to the IDR Units held by WPX (“ WPX IDRs ”).

 

 

 

Authorized Units; Issuance of Units to WPX; Capital Accounts

 

There will be a total of 1,000,000 IDR units authorized for issuance.  Any forfeited IDR units shall be subject to reissuance.  Upon effectiveness of the Amended Partnership Agreement (the “ Effective Date ”), WPX will be issued 300,000 IDR units (“ WPX IDRs ”).

 

For tax purposes and for purposes of establishing the initial capital account related to the WPX IDRs, the WPX IDRs shall be treated as having been issued by LGCY at the time of vesting in exchange for assets with a value of zero.

 

 

 

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent Interest

 

 

 

 

Quarterly Distribution per Unit

 

Units and GP
Interest

 

IDR
Units

 

 

 

MQD:

 

Up to $0.5900

 

 

 

100

%

0.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Target Distribution:

 

Above $0.5900

 

up to $0.6785

 

100

%

0.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Target Distribution:

 

Above $0.6785

 

up to $0.7375

 

87

%

13.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thereafter:

 

Above $0.7375

 

 

 

77

%

23.00

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus with respect to any quarter will be made in the following manner:

 

(a)                            first , 100% to the unitholders and General Partner, pro rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each unit an amount equal to $0.5900 for such quarter;

 

(b)                            second , 100% to the unitholders and General Partner, pro rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each unit an amount equal to $0.6785 for such quarter;

 

(c)                             third , 87% to the unitholders and General Partner, pro rata, and 13% to the IDR units, pro rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each unit an amount equal to $0.7375 for such quarter provided that, to the extent any IDR units are not vested and outstanding as of the record date for such distribution, the distributable amount with respect thereto may be retained by LGCY or distributed in accordance with these provisions; and

 

(d)                            thereafter , 77% to the unitholders and General Partner, pro rata, and 23% to the IDR units, pro rata, provided that, to the extent any IDR units are not vested and outstanding as of the record date for such distribution, the distributable amount with respect thereto may be retained by LGCY

 



 

 

 

or distributed in accordance with these provisions.

 

provided that, if the MQD and target distribution levels have been reduced to zero in connection with distributions from Capital Surplus the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with the highest distribution tier.

 

Should LGCY change to a monthly distribution policy for units, all reference figures based on quarterly distribution amounts shall be automatically adjusted to a monthly equivalent.

 

 

 

Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus

 

Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus shall be distributed as follows:

 

(a)                                  first , 100% to the General Partner and the unitholders, pro rata, until the MQD has been reduced to zero as provided below;

 

(b)                                  thereafter , 100% shall be distributed as if it were a distribution of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.

 

In the event of a distribution of cash or cash equivalents that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable MQD and target distributions shall be reduced in the same proportion that the distribution had to the fair market value of the Units immediately prior to the announcement of the distribution. If the Units are then publicly traded on a National Securities Exchange, the fair market value will be the Current Market Price before the ex-dividend date. If the Units are not then publicly traded, the fair market value will be determined by the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

Tax Allocations

 

Standard MLP provisions (modified as necessary to take into account unique aspects of LGCY’s IDRs) will be added that will to the extent possible minimize allocations of net taxable income to an IDR unitholder for any tax period in excess of amounts distributed to the holder with respect to that period and allocate unrealized gain upon book up events to prevent overstatement of the IDR capital account.

 

 

 

IDR Unitholder Conversion Rights

 

Vested IDR units held by an IDR unitholder will be convertible (in whole or in part) into units at the request of the IDR unitholder with the consent of the General Partner; provided, however that such consent is not required in connection with a change of control of LGCY (including for the avoidance of doubt, prior to the occurrence thereof). Upon conversion, the IDR unitholder will receive a number of units equal to (i) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions made by LGCY for the immediately preceding two quarters in respect of the applicable IDR units, divided by (ii) the average amount of cash distributions made by LGCY in respect of each unit for the immediately preceding two quarters (the “ LP Unit Equivalent ”).

 

 

 

General Partner’s Conversion Rights Upon a Change of Control

 

For 180 days after a change of control of LGCY, the General Partner will have the right to cause a conversion of all, but not less than all, of the vested and outstanding IDR units, with the IDR unitholders receiving a number of units equal to (i) the greater of (A) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions made by LGCY for the immediately preceding two quarters in respect of the applicable IDR units and (B) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions that would have been made by LGCY for the immediately

 

2



 

 

 

preceding two quarters in respect of the applicable IDR units assuming that the LGCY had been distributing $0.7375 per unit in respect of each unit for the immediately preceding two quarters, divided by (ii) the average amount of the cash distributions actually made by LGCY in respect of each unit for the immediately preceding two quarters.

 

In the event units receive cash or other equity interests from a third party in connection with a change of control prior to such conversion, IDR units will be converted into an equivalent amount of such cash or other equity interests.

 

 

 

Reset

 

If (i) LGCY has made four consecutive quarterly distributions in respect of each unit of an amount equal to at least $0.7375 for each such quarter and (ii) each distribution on units during each quarter within such period did not exceed the Adjusted Operating Surplus for such quarter, the General Partner may elect to reset incentive distribution levels, in which case (a) the MQD will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per unit for the two quarters immediately preceding the reset election, and the target distribution levels will be reset to correspondingly higher levels based on percentage increases in proportion to the original MQD and target distribution levels, and (b) each IDR unitholder will receive the LP Unit Equivalent.

 

 

 

Voting

 

IDR units will not be entitled to vote in the election of directors or any other matters on which the unitholders may vote.

 

 

 

Transfer

 

Units issued to IDR unitholders upon a conversion or a reset of the MQD and target distribution levels will be freely transferable at any time, subject to applicable securities laws and achieving capital account fungibility for the transferred units.

 

Upon an issuance of units to an IDR unitholder in a conversion or MQD reset, in order to achieve capital account fungibility for any transferred units, the following steps shall be applied in the following order: (i) allocate unrecognized gain to the transferring IDR unitholder (treating the issuance of units to the IDR unitholder as a rebooking event), (ii) allocate the transferring IDR unitholder’s entire capital account to any transferred units, and (iii) allocate taxable income to the transferring unitholder to the extent clause (ii) does not cause any transferred units to be fungible.

 

 

 

Amendments

 

The number of authorized IDR units may not be increased, and securities or other rights having terms substantially similar to the IDR units may not be issued by LGCY, without the consent of the holders of no less than 75% of the outstanding IDR units. Any amendment to the LGCY partnership agreement which would adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or obligations of any IDR unitholder, in its capacity as an IDR unitholder in a manner disproportionate to the effect of such amendment on the IDR unitholders as a whole, shall require the prior written consent of each affected IDR unitholder.

 

The existing LGCY partnership agreement approval rights with respect to amendments having a material adverse effect on a class of partnership interests will apply to IDR units.

 

For purposes of approval of any such amendments, (i) outstanding IDR units include both vested and unvested IDR Units and (ii) IDR units held by the General Partner, any Group Member and their respective controlled affiliates

 

3



 

 

 

shall not be considered outstanding.

 

 

 

Definition of “Acquisition”

 

As the context requires, (a) any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing, over the long term, the production of the oil and natural gas properties owned by the Partnership Group or the operating capacity of other assets owned by the Partnership Group, in each case from the production or operating capacity of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction or (b) the assets acquired in any transaction described by clause (a) hereof.

 

 

 

Definition of “Adjusted Operating Surplus”

 

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

 

 

 

Definition of “Available Cash”

 

With respect to any Applicable Period:

 

(a)                                  the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Applicable Period and (ii) all 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 Applicable Period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Applicable Period, 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 including drilling and acquisitions and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group), (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan

 

4



 

 

 

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, (iii) provide funds for Series A Payments or (iv) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.3 with respect to any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided, however, that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Applicable Period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Applicable Period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Applicable Period if the General Partner so determines.

 

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

 

 

 

Definition of “Capital Improvement”

 

Any (a) development of, or addition or improvement to, capital assets owned by any Group Member, (b) construction of new, or acquisition or replacement of existing, capital assets by any Group Member or (c) capital contribution by any Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which such Group Member has, or after such capital contribution will have, an equity interest to fund such Group Member’s pro rata share of the cost of the development of, or addition or improvement to, capital assets owned by such Person, or the construction of new, or acquisition or replacement of existing, capital assets by such Person, in each case if such development, addition, improvement, construction acquisition or replacement is made to increase, over the long term, the production levels of the oil and natural gas properties of the Partnership Group or such Person or the operating capacity of the other assets of the Partnership Group or such Person, in each case from the production or operating capacity of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, development, replacement, acquisition or construction.

 

 

 

Definition of “Capital Surplus”

 

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

 

 

 

Definition of “Commences Commercial Service”

 

The date on which a Capital Improvement or an Acquisition begins producing in paying quantities or is first placed into commercial service by a Group Member following completion of the addition, improvement, development, replacement, acquisition or construction of such Capital Improvement or Acquisition, as applicable.

 

 

 

Definition of “Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures”

 

With respect to any period, an estimate made by the Board of Directors of the General Partner of the average Maintenance Capital Expenditures for such period (including the Partnership’s proportionate share of the average Maintenance Capital Expenditures of its Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned for such period) that the Partnership will need to incur to maintain, over the long term, the production levels of the oil and natural gas properties of the Partnership Group or the operating capacity of the other assets of the Partnership Group, in each case existing at the time the estimate is made.  The Board of Directors of the General Partner will be permitted to make such estimate in any manner it determines reasonable.  The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of future Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures.  The Partnership shall disclose to its Partners any change in the

 

5



 

 

 

amount of Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures in its reports made in accordance with Section 8.3 to the extent not previously disclosed.  Any adjustments to Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall be prospective only.

 

 

 

Definition of “Growth Capital Expenditures”

 

Cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements, and shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures.  Growth Capital Expenditures may include interest (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on debt incurred to fund all or a portion of an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence or acquire an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Acquisition or Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that the Group Member abandons or disposes of such Acquisition or Capital Improvement.  Debt incurred to fund such interest payments and related fees or to fund distributions in respect of equity issued (including incremental Incentive Distributions related thereto) to fund all or a portion of an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement as described in clause (a)(iv) of the definition of Operating Surplus may also be deemed to be debt incurred to fund all or a portion of an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement.  Where capital expenditures are made in part for Growth Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.

 

 

 

Definition of “Hedge Contract”

 

Any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of any 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.

 

 

 

Definition of “Interim Capital Transactions”

 

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; (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; (d) capital contributions received; and (e) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.

 

 

 

Definition of “Investment Capital Expenditures”

 

Capital expenditures other than Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Growth Capital Expenditures.

 

 

 

Definition of “Maintenance Capital Expenditures”

 

Cash expenditures (including expenditures for the development of, or addition or improvement to, capital assets owned by any Group Member or the construction of new, or acquisition or replacement of existing, capital assets by any Group Member) if such expenditures are made to maintain, over the long term, the production levels of the oil and natural gas properties of the Partnership Group or the operating capacity of the other assets of the Partnership Group, in each case existing at the time of such expenditure.  Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall not include (a) Growth Capital

 

6



 

 

 

Expenditures or (b) Investment Capital Expenditures.  Maintenance Capital Expenditures may include interest (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including distributions on IDR units) in each case to fund all or a portion of the construction or development of a replacement asset and paid during the period beginning on the date that a Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence constructing or developing a replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such replacement asset Commences Commercial Service and the date that such Group Member abandons or disposes of such replacement asset.  Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund construction or development period interest payments, or such construction or development period distributions on equity, shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction or development of a replacement asset and the incremental Incentive Distributions paid relating to newly issued equity may be deemed to be distributions paid on equity issued to finance the construction or development of a replacement asset.

 

 

 

Definition of “Operating Expenditures”

 

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, reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner and its Affiliates, payments made in the ordinary course of business under any Hedge Contracts, officer compensation, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments and Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures, subject to the following:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(d) (i) payments made in connection with the initial purchase of a Hedge Contract shall be amortized in accordance with the monthly allocations of fair value conducted at the time such contract is entered into and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be amortized in monthly installments over the what would have been the remaining life of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated.

 

7



 

Definition of “Operating Surplus”

 

With respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

 

(a) the sum of (i) $140.0 million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the first day of the Quarter in which Incentive Distribution Units are first issued and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and provided that cash receipts from the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date shall be included in monthly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings, and (iv) the amount of cash distributions paid (including incremental Incentive Distributions) on equity issued to fund all or a portion of an Acquisition or a Capital Improvement in respect of the period beginning on the date that the Group Member enters into a binding obligation to commence or acquire a Capital Improvement or an Acquisition and ending on the earlier to occur of the date such Capital Improvement or Acquisition Commences Commercial Service and the date that the Group Member abandons or disposes of such Capital Improvement or Acquisition (including equity issued to fund interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on debt incurred to fund all or a portion of a Capital Improvement or an Acquisition); less

 

(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the first day of the Quarter in which Incentive Distribution Units are first issued and ending on the last day of such period, (ii) the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures, (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred or repaid within such twelve months with the proceeds of additional Working Capital Borrowings and (iv) any cash loss realized on the disposition of an Investment Capital Expenditure.

 

provided, however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

 

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

 

 

 

Definition of “Working

 

Borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to

 

8



 

Capital Borrowings”

 

Partners, made pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or other similar financing arrangement; provided that when incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from sources other than additional Working Capital Borrowings.

 

9


Exhibit 99.3

 

FORM OF IDR HOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

LEGACY RESERVES LP

 

IDR HOLDERS AGREEMENT

 

DATED AS OF [ · ], 2014

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

2

1.1

Definitions

 

2

1.2

Rules of Construction

 

6

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II VESTING

 

7

2.1

Vesting and Forfeiture

 

7

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE III CONVERSION RIGHTS

 

7

3.1

Partnership Conversion Rights Outside of a Change of Control

 

7

3.2

WPX Conversion Rights Outside of a Change of Control

 

9

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV TRANSFER

 

9

4.1

Transfer Restrictions

 

9

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

10

5.1

Required Registration

 

10

5.2

Preparation and Filing

 

12

5.3

Expenses

 

14

5.4

Indemnification

 

14

5.5

Information by Holder

 

17

5.6

Exchange Act Compliance

 

17

5.7

Suspension

 

17

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI LEGEND

 

17

6.1

Legend

 

17

6.2

Removal of Legend

 

18

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

 

18

7.1

Amendment

 

18

7.2

Successors and Assigns

 

19

7.3

Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights

 

19

7.4

Severability

 

19

7.5

Entire Agreement

 

19

7.6

Independence of Agreements and Covenants

 

19

7.7

Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures; Validity

 

20

7.8

Remedies

 

20

7.9

Notices

 

20

7.10

Governing Law

 

21

7.11

Waiver of Jury Trial

 

22

7.12

Further Assurances

 

22

7.13

Third Party Reliance

 

22

 

i



 

THIS IDR HOLDERS AGREEMENT dated as of [ · ], 2014 (as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), among LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ General Partner ”), LEGACY RESERVES LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and [ WPX ENERGY, INC., a Delaware corporation ] (“ WPX ”), and any other Persons signatory hereto from time to time (together with WPX, the “ Unitholders ”).

 

WHEREAS , WPX and the Partnership have entered into the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) pursuant to which a subsidiary of the Partnership will purchase certain working and net revenue interests in oil and natural gas properties in the Piceance Basin of Colorado from WPX in exchange for, among other things, Incentive Distribution Units (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS , in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the General Partner executed the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “ Partnership Agreement ”) providing for the preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges of the Incentive Distribution Units.

 

WHEREAS , the parties hereto desire to provide for limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges of the Incentive Distribution Units acquired by WPX in connection with Purchase Agreement (the “ WPX Incentive Distribution Units ”) in addition to those provided in the Partnership Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as set forth below.

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

1.1                                Definitions.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below.

 

Acquisition Value ” means the cash consideration paid by the Partnership or any Group Member to WPX or, if applicable, to a third party, plus the fair market value of any non-cash consideration paid by the Partnership or any Group Member in connection with the consummation of any transaction by which the Partnership or any Group Member acquires oil and natural gas properties or rights therein or other properties or assets related thereto from, or jointly with, WPX or its controlled affiliates (through an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger, joint venture, joint acquisition or other form of investment).  For the avoidance of doubt, Acquisition Value shall not include value attributable to the vesting of any Incentive Distribution Units pursuant to this Agreement as a result of the consummation of any such transaction.

 

Adjusted Operating Surplus ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

2



 

Annual Forfeiture Amount ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).

 

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement ” means a registration statement filed on Form S-3 (or successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act) by a WKSI pursuant to General Instruction I.D. (or other successor instruction) of such forms, respectively, which becomes effective automatically upon filing with the Commission.

 

Board ” means the board of directors of the General Partner.

 

Business Day ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Change of Control ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Control ,” including the correlative terms “ Controlling ,” “ Controlled By ” and “ Under Common Control with ” means possession, directly or indirectly (through one or more intermediaries), of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies, whether through ownership of equity interests, by contract or otherwise of a Person.

 

Conversion Factor ” means (i) for a First Tier Conversion, 1.2; (ii) for a Second Tier Conversion, 1.1; and (iii) for a Third Tier Conversion, 1.0.

 

Conversion Units ” means (a) any Units issued and outstanding as a result of any conversion of or on account of the WPX Incentive Distribution Units or (b) any Units issued or issuable directly or indirectly with respect to the Units referred to in clause (a) above by way of unit distribution or unit split or in connection with a combination of units, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.

 

Demand Exercise Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).

 

Demand Registration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).

 

Director ” means a member of the Board.

 

Disclosure Package ” means, with respect to any offering of Securities, (i) the preliminary prospectus, (ii) each Free Writing Prospectus and (iii) all other information, in each case, that is deemed, under Rule 159 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, to have been conveyed to purchasers of Securities at the time of sale of such Securities (including a contract of sale).

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

First Tier Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

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Free Writing Prospectus ” means “free writing prospectus” as defined Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act.

 

General Partner ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Group Member ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Holder ” means WPX and each IDR Holder or Unitholder to whom WPX or such other IDR Holder or Unitholder has validly assigned its rights under the Partnership Agreement and this Agreement in connection with a transfer of Incentive Distribution Units or Conversion Units, so long as such transferee holds such Incentive Distribution Units or Conversion Units.

 

Holders’ Counsel ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b).

 

IDR Holder ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Incentive Distribution Units ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Initial Unvested Incentive Distribution Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

 

Initiating Holder(s) ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a).

 

Law ” means any federal, state, county, local or foreign statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, order or rule of common law.

 

National Securities Exchange ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Outstanding ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble

 

Partnership Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

Partnership Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

Partnership Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Participating Holders ” means all Holders of Registrable Securities that are proposed to be included in any registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

Permitted Transferee ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.

 

Person ” shall be construed as broadly as possible and shall include an individual person, a partnership (including a limited liability partnership), a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a limited liability company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental authority.

 

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Prospectus ” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement, including any amendment or prospectus subject to completion, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities and, in each case, by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and in each case including all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Purchase Agreement ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated [ · ], 2014 by and among WPX, WPX Energy Rocky Mountain, LLC, the General Partner, the Partnership and Legacy Reserves Operating LP.

 

Quarter ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Registrable Securities ” means any Conversion Units; provided that any Registrable Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities with respect to a Holder when (i) they have been effectively registered under the Securities Act and they have been disposed of in accordance with the Registration Statement covering them, (ii) they are eligible to be sold or distributed by such Holder pursuant to Rule 144 in a single transaction without limitation, or (iii) they have ceased to be outstanding.

 

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.

 

Registration Statement ” means any registration statement of the Partnership that covers an offering of any Registrable Securities, and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Representative ” of a Person shall be construed broadly and shall include such Person’s partners, members, officers, directors, managers, investment advisors, employees, agents, advisors, counsel, accountants and other representatives.

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 (including Rule 144(b)(1) and all other subdivisions thereof) promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar or successor rule then in force.

 

Second Tier Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

Securities ” means “securities” as defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the Securities Act and includes, with respect to any Person, the capital stock, limited partner interest, or other equity interests in such Person or any options, warrants or other securities that are directly or indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, the capital stock, limited partner interest or other equity or equity-linked interests in such Person, including phantom units and unit appreciation rights. Whenever a reference herein to Securities is referring to any derivative Securities, the rights of a Holder shall apply to such derivative Securities and all underlying Securities directly or indirectly issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of such derivative securities.

 

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Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.

 

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall mean a registration statement of the Partnership filed with the Commission on Form S-3 (or any successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act) for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission) covering the Registrable Securities, as applicable.

 

Third Tier Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(a).

 

Unit ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Unitholder ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Vested Incentive Distribution Unit ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

Vesting Period ” has the periods between (i) the date hereof and the first anniversary of the date hereof, (ii) the first anniversary of the date hereof and second anniversary of the date hereof, and (iii) second anniversary of the date hereof and third anniversary of the date hereof, as the case may be, will each be referred to as a “ Vesting Period ”.

 

WKSI ” means a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act and which (i) is a “well-known seasoned issuer” under paragraph (1)(i)(A) of such definition or (ii) is a “well-known seasoned issuer” under paragraph (1)(i)(B) of such definition and is also eligible to register a primary offering of its securities relying on General Instruction I.B.1 of Form S-3 or Form F-3 under the Securities Act.

 

WPX ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

WPX Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2(a).

 

WPX Incentive Distribution Units ” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

1.2                                Rules of Construction.

 

The use in this Agreement of the term “including” means “including, without limitation.” The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole, including the schedules and exhibits, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, and not to any particular Section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph or clause contained in this Agreement. All references to Sections, schedules and exhibits mean the Sections of this Agreement and the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement, except where otherwise stated. The title of and the Section and paragraph headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not govern or affect the interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement. The use herein of the masculine, feminine or neuter forms shall also denote the other forms, as in each case the

 

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context may require. Where specific language is used to clarify by example a general statement contained herein, such specific language shall not be deemed to modify, limit or restrict in any manner the construction of the general statement to which it relates. The language used in this Agreement has been chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

 

ARTICLE II
VESTING

 

2.1                                Vesting and Forfeiture.

 

(a)                                  On the date hereof, 100,000 of the WPX Incentive Distribution Units will fully vest and become entitled to distributions and all other rights and privileges of Vested Incentive Distribution Units set forth herein and the Partnership Agreement.  The remaining 200,000 of the WPX Incentive Distribution Units (the “ Initial Unvested Incentive Distribution Units ”) will remain unvested until such Incentive Distribution Units vest or are forfeited, each as provided herein.  Any Initial Unvested Incentive Distribution Units which have not been forfeited as provided under Section 2.1(b) shall vest ratably at a rate of 10,000 Incentive Distribution Units per $35.5 million of additional Acquisition Value paid by the Partnership or any Group Member. Upon such vesting, such Incentive Distribution Units will become entitled to distributions and all other rights and privileges of Vested Incentive Distribution Units set forth herein and the Partnership Agreement

 

(b)                                  Except to the extent Incentive Distribution Units have previously vested pursuant to Section 2.1(a), and subject to Section 2.1(c), upon each of the next three anniversary dates of the date hereof, 66,666 (or on the third anniversary of date hereof, 66,668) of the Initial Unvested Incentive Distribution Units will be forfeited by WPX (the “ Annual Forfeiture Amount ”).

 

(c)                                   To the extent Initial Unvested Incentive Distribution Units vest during a Vesting Period in accordance with Section 2.1(a) in an amount in excess of the Annual Forfeiture Amount with respect to such Vesting Period, such excess will first be applied to reduce the Annual Forfeiture Amount with respect to the next Vesting Period by the amount of such excess and then, to the extent applicable, to reduce the Annual Forfeiture Amount with respect to the last Vesting Period.

 

(d)                                  All fractional Incentive Distribution Units resulting from vesting or forfeiture pursuant to Sections 2.1(a) and 2.1(b) shall be rounded to the nearest whole number to the extent available.

 

ARTICLE III
CONVERSION RIGHTS

 

3.1                                Partnership Conversion Rights Outside of a Change of Control.

 

(a)                                  Other than in connection with a Change of Control, in which case the conversion rights shall be governed by the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership may cause the conversion of all, but not less than all, of the Vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX and its Permitted Transferees by providing written notice to WPX (a “ Partnership Conversion Notice ”)

 

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at any time after (i) the Partnership has made a distribution for each of the four full Quarters immediately preceding the delivery by the Partnership of the Partnership Conversion Notice with respect to each Unit, and the amount of the distribution with respect to each Unit for the full Quarter immediately preceding the delivery by the Partnership of the Partnership Conversion Notice is equal to at least $0.90 (a “ First Tier Conversion ”), $1.00 (a “ Second Tier Conversion ”), or $1.10 (a “ Third Tier Conversion ”), as applicable, and (ii) the amount of all distributions during each of the four full Quarters immediately preceding the delivery by the Partnership of the Partnership Conversion Notice did not exceed the Adjusted Operating Surplus for such Quarter.

 

(b)                                  Within 15 Business Days after delivery by the Partnership of a Partnership Conversion Notice, the Partnership shall issue to WPX and its Permitted Transferees, as applicable, a number of Units equal to the product of (i) the Conversion Factor and (ii) the quotient of (A) the aggregate amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the full Quarter immediately preceding delivery by the Partnership of the Partnership Conversion Notice in respect of the Vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX and its Permitted Transferees, as applicable, over (B) the cash distribution per Unit made by the Partnership for the full Quarter immediately preceding delivery by the Partnership of the Partnership Conversion Notice.

 

(c)                                   If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Units issuable pursuant to Section 3.1(b) on or before the 30th calendar day following the Partnership’s delivery of the Partnership Conversion Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the Partnership shall have the right to either rescind its election or elect to deliver other Partnership Interests having such terms as the General Partner and WPX may agree that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Units that would have otherwise been issued pursuant to Section 3.1(b) would have had at the time of the Partnership’s delivery of the Partnership Conversion Notice, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion (on terms acceptable to the National Securities Exchange upon which the Units are then traded) of such Partnership Interests into Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnership’s delivery of the Partnership Conversion Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Partnership amends the Partnership Agreement to provide for monthly distributions for the Units, all reference figures based on quarterly distribution amounts shall be automatically adjusted to a monthly equivalent, and, if the Partnership makes a pro rata distribution of Units to all record holders of Units or makes a subdivision or combination of Units, any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis herein shall be proportionately adjusted.

 

(e)                                   Upon conversion of the Incentive Distribution Units in accordance with the terms hereof, such converted Incentive Distribution Units shall be deemed to be transferred to the Partnership in exchange for the Conversion Units and shall cease to be outstanding.

 

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3.2                                WPX Conversion Rights Outside of a Change of Control.

 

(a)                                  Other than in connection with a Change of Control, in which case the conversion rights shall be governed by the Partnership Agreement, WPX shall have the right to elect to cause the conversion of all or a part of the Vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX and its Permitted Transferees by providing written notice to the Partnership (a “ WPX Conversion Notice ”) at any time, and from time to time, after the third anniversary of the date hereof.

 

(b)                                  Within 15 Business Days after delivery by WPX of a WPX Conversion Notice, the Partnership shall issue to WPX and its Permitted Transferees, as applicable, a number of Units equal to the quotient of (i) the average of the aggregate amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for each of the two full Quarters immediately preceding delivery by WPX of the WPX Conversion Notice in respect of the applicable Vested Incentive Distribution Units held by WPX and its Permitted Transferees, over (ii) the average cash distribution per Unit made by the Partnership for each of the two full Quarters immediately preceding delivery by WPX of the WPX Conversion Notice.

 

(c)                                   If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Units are then traded has not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Units issuable pursuant to Section 3.2(b) on or before the 30th calendar day following WPX’s delivery of the WPX Conversion Notice and such approval is required by the rules and regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then WPX shall have the right either to rescind its election or to notify the Partnership that it has elected to receive other Partnership Interests, which Partnership Interests the General Partner shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Partnership to issue, having such terms as the Partnership and WPX may agree that will provide (i) the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Units that would have otherwise been issued pursuant to Section 3.2(b) would have had at the time of WPX’s delivery of the WPX Conversion Notice, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion (on terms acceptable to the National Securities Exchange upon which the Units are then traded) of such Partnership Interests into Units within not more than 12 months following WPX’s delivery of the WPX Conversion Notice upon the satisfaction of one or more conditions.

 

(d)                                  Upon conversion of the Incentive Distribution Units in accordance with the terms hereof, such converted Incentive Distribution Units shall be deemed to be transferred to the Partnership in exchange for the Conversion Units and shall cease to be Outstanding.

 

ARTICLE IV
TRANSFER

 

4.1                                Transfer Restrictions.

 

Unless otherwise approved by the General Partner, vested and unvested WPX Incentive Distribution Units will only be transferable to, and may only be held by, controlled affiliates of WPX (a “ Permitted Transferee ”).  If any other person has or acquires any ownership interest in any WPX Incentive Distribution Units, such Incentive Distribution Units shall automatically be forfeited. Unless otherwise approved by the General Partner, upon any Permitted Transferee ceasing to be a Permitted Transferee, the WPX Incentive Distribution Units held by such person

 

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shall be automatically forfeited unless transferred to WPX or another Permitted Transferee.  For the avoidance of doubt, Conversion Units will be freely transferable at any time, subject to applicable securities laws and any transfer restrictions set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V
REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

5.1                                Required Registration.

 

(a)                                  If the Partnership shall receive from a Holder of Registrable Securities (the “ Initiating Holder(s) ”) a written request that the Partnership file a registration statement with respect to the Holders’ Registrable Securities (“ Demand Registration ”), then the Partnership shall, within five (5) days of the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all other Unitholders (a “ Demand Exercise Notice ”) if any, and subject to the limitations of this Section 5.1, use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect, as soon as reasonably practicable, the registration under the Securities Act of the sale of all Registrable Securities that the Holders request to be registered. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Initiating Holders may request that the Partnership register the sale of such Registrable Securities on an appropriate form, including a Shelf Registration Statement (so long as the Partnership is eligible to use Form S-3) and, if the Partnership is a WKSI, an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement. The Partnership shall not be obligated to take any action to effect any such registration:

 

(i)                                      after it has effected two (2) such registrations pursuant to this Section 5.1, and such registrations have been declared or ordered effective;

 

(ii)                                   within three (3) months of a registration pursuant to this Section 5.1 that has been declared or ordered effective;

 

(iii)                                during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to its good faith estimate of the date of filing of, and ending on a date one hundred eighty (180) days after the effective date of, a Partnership-initiated registration (other than a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to employees of the General Partner pursuant to a unit option, unit purchase or similar plan or to a Commission Rule 145 transaction), provided that the Partnership is actively employing in good faith all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective; or

 

(iv)                               if the General Partner shall furnish to the Initiating Holders a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of the General Partner it would be seriously detrimental to the Partnership and its equity holders for such registration statement to be filed at the time filing would be required and it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such registration statement, the General Partner shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders, provided that the General Partner shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any twelve (12) month period.

 

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(b)                                  The Partnership shall include in a Demand Registration (x) the Registrable Securities of the Initiating Holders and (y) the Registrable Securities of any other Holder of Registrable Securities, in each case that have made a written request to the Partnership for inclusion in such registration pursuant to Section 5.1 (which request shall specify the maximum number of Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Participating Holder) within thirty (30) days after the receipt of the Demand Exercise Notice (or fifteen (15) days if, at the request of the Initiating Holders, the Partnership states in such written notice or gives telephonic notice to all Holders, with written confirmation to follow promptly thereafter, that such registration will be on a Form S-3).

 

(c)                                   At any time before the registration statement covering such Registrable Securities becomes effective, WPX may request the Partnership to withdraw or not to file the registration statement. In that event, unless such request of withdrawal was caused by, or made in response to, in each case as determined by WPX, as the case may be, in good faith (i) a material adverse effect or a similar event related to the business, properties, condition, or operations of the Partnership not known (without imputing the knowledge of any other Person to such holders) by WPX at the time its request was made, or other material facts not known to WPX at the time its request was made, or (ii) a material adverse change in the financial markets, WPX shall be deemed to have used one of its registration rights under Section 5.1(a); provided, however, that such withdrawn registration shall not count as a requested registration pursuant to Section 5.1(a) if the Partnership shall have been reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Partnership in connection with such withdrawn registration.

 

(d)                                  To the extent an automatic shelf registration statement has been filed under Section 5.1, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to remain a WKSI and not become an ineligible issuer with respect to a sale of the Units by a Holder (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) during the period during which such automatic shelf registration statement is required to remain effective. If the automatic shelf registration statement has been outstanding for at least three years, at the end of the third year the Partnership shall refile a new automatic shelf registration statement covering the Registrable Securities that remain unsold. If at any time when the Partnership is required to re-evaluate its WKSI status, the Partnership determines that it is not a WKSI, the Partnership shall use commercially reasonable efforts to refile the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and, if such form is not available, Form S-1 and keep such registration statement effective during the period during which such registration statement is required to be kept effective.

 

(e)                                   If, after it has become effective, (i) such registration statement has not been kept continuously effective for a period of at least 180 days (or such shorter period which will terminate when all the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold pursuant thereto), or (ii) such registration requested pursuant to Section 5.1(a) becomes subject to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other governmental agency or court for any reason, such registration shall not count as a requested registration pursuant to Section 5.1(a).

 

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5.2                                Preparation and Filing.

 

If and whenever the Partnership is under an obligation pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement to effect the registration of an offering and sale of any Registrable Securities, the Partnership shall, as expeditiously as practicable:

 

(a)                                  use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause a Registration Statement that registers such offering of Registrable Securities to contain a “Plan of Distribution” that permits the distribution of Securities pursuant to all means in compliance with Law, and to cause such Registration Statement to become and remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Agreement for a period of 180 days or until all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of (if earlier);

 

(b)                                  furnish, at least five (5) Business Days before filing a Registration Statement that registers such Registrable Securities, a Prospectus relating thereto, or, with respect to an effective Shelf Registration Statement, a prospectus supplement to the Prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement, and any amendments or supplements relating to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, other than any annual, quarterly or current reports filed by the Partnership pursuant to  Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Act, to one counsel selected by WPX for the benefit of the Holders whose Registrable Securities are to be covered by such Registration Statement (the “ Holders’ Counsel ”), copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (it being understood that such 5 Business Day period need not apply to successive drafts of the same document proposed to be filed so long as such successive drafts are supplied to such counsel in advance of the proposed filing by a period of time that is customary and reasonable under the circumstances), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as the Holders whose Registrable Securities are to be covered by such Registration Statement may reasonably propose;

 

(c)                                   prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for a period of at least 180 days or until all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of (if earlier) and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the offering and sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(d)                                  notify the Holders’ Counsel promptly in writing of (i) any comments by the Commission with respect to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing thereof or for additional information with respect thereto; (ii) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; and (iii) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of such Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purposes;

 

(e)                                   use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any seller of

 

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Registrable Securities reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things that may reasonably be necessary or advisable to enable such seller of Registrable Securities to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such seller pursuant to the Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 5.2(e), (ii) subject itself to general taxation in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be so subject but for this Section 5.2(e), or (iii) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction;

 

(f)                                    use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such offering and sale of Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Partnership to enable the seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement;

 

(g)                                   notify on a timely basis each seller of such Registrable Securities at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits 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, at the request of such seller, prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such Prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the offerees of such shares, such Prospectus shall 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;

 

(h)                                  provide a transfer agent and registrar (which may be the same Person and which may be the Partnership) for such Registrable Securities;

 

(i)                                      list such Registrable Securities on any national securities exchange on which any Units are then listed;

 

(j)                                     use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable but not later than eighteen (18) months after the effective date, earnings statements (which need not be audited) covering a period of twelve (12) months beginning within three (3) months after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which earnings statements shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder;

 

(k)                                  not take any direct or indirect action prohibited by Regulation M under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that to the extent that any prohibition is applicable to the Partnership, the Partnership will take such action as is necessary to make any such prohibition inapplicable; and

 

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(l)                                      use its commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

 

5.3                                Expenses.

 

Except as expressly provided otherwise, all expenses incident to the Partnership’s performance of or compliance with Section 5.1 including, without limitation, (a) all registration and filing fees, and any other fees and expenses associated with filings required to be made with any stock exchange, the Commission and FINRA; (b) all fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws (including fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters or Holders in connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the Registrable Securities and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the managing underwriters may designate); (c) all printing and related messenger and delivery expenses (including expenses of printing certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses), all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Partnership and of all independent certified public accountants of the issuer; (d) Securities Act liability insurance if the Partnership so desires; (e) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange; (f) all fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by the issuer or sellers of securities, excluding underwriting fees, commissions, discounts and allowances, if any, and fees and disbursements of counsel to underwriters (other than such fees and disbursements incurred in connection with any registration or qualification of Registrable Securities under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state); and (g) fees and expenses of other Persons retained by the Partnership (all such expenses being herein called “ Registration Expenses ”), will be borne by the Partnership, regardless of whether the Registration Statement becomes effective. In addition, the Partnership will, in any event, pay its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Partnership.

 

5.4                                Indemnification.

 

(a)                                  In connection with any registration of any offering and sale of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Partnership shall indemnify and hold harmless the seller of such Registrable Securities, each underwriter, broker or any other Person acting on behalf of such seller, each other Person, if any, who controls any of the foregoing Persons within the meaning of the Securities Act and each Representative of any of the foregoing Persons, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which any of the foregoing Persons may become subject, whether commenced or threatened, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, any offering circular, offering memorandum or Disclosure Package, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incident to registration or qualification of any offering and sale of any Registrable Securities, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein

 

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not misleading or, with respect to any Prospectus, necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, and the Partnership shall promptly reimburse such seller, underwriter, broker, controlling Person or Representative for any legal or other expenses incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that neither the Partnership shall be liable to any such Person to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in said Registration Statement, preliminary Prospectus, amendment thereto, or any document incident to registration or qualification of any Registrable Securities in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished in writing to the Partnership by such Person, or a Person duly acting on their behalf, specifically for use in the preparation thereof; provided, further, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement is subject to the condition that, insofar as it relates to any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement in, or omission or alleged omission made in any Prospectus but eliminated or remedied in the final Prospectus (filed pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act) or any amendment or supplement thereof, such indemnity agreement shall not inure to the benefit of any indemnified party from whom the Person asserting any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense purchased the Registrable Securities which are the subject thereof, if a copy of such final Prospectus, amendment or supplement had been timely made available to such indemnified person and such final Prospectus, amendment or supplement was not delivered to such Person with or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Registrable Securities to such Person.

 

(b)                                  In connection with any registration of an offering and sale of Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, each seller of Registrable Securities severally, and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 5.4(a)) the Partnership, their Directors and officers, each underwriter or broker involved in such offering, each other seller of Registrable Securities under such Registration Statement, each Person who controls any of the foregoing Persons within the meaning of the Securities Act and any Representative of the foregoing Persons with respect to any untrue statement or allegedly untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from such Registration Statement, any preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus contained therein, any amendment or supplement thereto or any document incident to registration or qualification of any such offering and sale of Registrable Securities, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership, or such underwriter by such seller or a Person duly acting on such seller’s behalf specifically for use in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement, preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement; provided, however, that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such indemnification shall be limited, in the case of each seller of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the proceeds (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) actually received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to such registration.

 

(c)                                   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of any action involving a claim referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 5.4, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is not made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the commencement of such action (provided, however, that an indemnified party’s failure to give such notice in a timely manner shall only relieve the

 

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indemnification obligations of an indemnifying party to the extent such indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure). In case any such action is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the defense thereof, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be responsible for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that if any indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded (based upon the written advice of counsel) that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to such indemnified party which are in addition to or in conflict with those available to the indemnifying party, or that such claim or litigation involves or could have an effect upon matters beyond the scope of the indemnity agreement provided in this Section 5.4, the indemnifying party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party and such indemnifying party shall reimburse such indemnified party and any Person controlling such indemnified party for that portion of the fees and expenses of any one lead counsel (plus appropriate special and local counsel) retained by the indemnified party that are reasonably related to the matters covered by the indemnity agreement provided in this Section 5.4; provided, further, that, if there is more than one indemnified party, then the indemnifying party shall only be required to reimburse the expenses for the lead counsel (plus appropriate special and local counsel) approved in writing by the indemnified party or parties (as applicable) holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all indemnified parties.

 

(d)                                  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5.4 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any loss, claim, damage or liability referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amounts paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such contribution shall be limited, in the case of each seller of Registrable Securities, to an amount equal to the net proceeds actually received by such seller from the sale of Registrable Securities effected pursuant to such registration. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. No Person guilty of fraud shall be entitled to indemnification or contribution hereunder.

 

(e)                                   The indemnification and contribution provided for under this Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party and will survive the transfer of Registrable Securities.

 

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5.5                                Information by Holder.

 

Each Holder of Registrable Securities to be included in any registration shall furnish to the Partnership such written information regarding such holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as the Partnership may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement.  Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall as expeditiously as possible, notify the Partnership of the occurrence of any event concerning such Holder as a result of which the Prospectus relating to such registration contains an untrue statement of material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

5.6                                Exchange Act Compliance.

 

From and after the date a registration statement is filed by the Partnership pursuant to the Exchange Act relating to the Partnership’s Securities and shall have become effective, the Partnership shall comply with all of the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act (whether or not it shall be required to do so) and shall comply with all other public information reporting requirements of the Commission that are conditions to the availability of Rule 144 for the sale of the Conversion Units. The Partnership shall cooperate with each Holder in supplying such information as may be necessary for such Holder to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of Rule 144.

 

5.7                                Suspension.

 

Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if after any Registration Statement to which rights hereunder apply becomes effective (and prior to completion of any sales thereunder), the Board determines in good faith that the failure of the Partnership to (i) suspend sales of Securities under the Registration Statement or (ii) amend or supplement the Registration Statement, would have a material adverse effect on the Partnership, the Partnership shall so notify each Holder participating in such registration and each Holder shall suspend any further sales under such Registration Statement until the Partnership advises the Holder that the Registration Statement has been amended or that conditions no longer exit that would require such suspension, provided that the Partnership may impose any such suspension for no more than 90 days and no more than two times during any twelve-month period. The Partnership may (but shall not be obligated to) withdraw the effectiveness of any registration statement subject to this provision.

 

ARTICLE VI
LEGEND

 

6.1                                Legend

 

Each certificate or instrument representing the WPX Incentive Distribution Units shall  be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend that imposes the vesting and transfer restrictions set forth in ARTICLE II and ARTICLE IV herein, respectively, in addition to any legend required by the Partnership Agreement.

 

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6.2                                Removal of Legend.

 

In connection with a sale of the Conversion Units by a Holder in reliance on Rule 144, the Holder or its broker shall deliver to the transfer agent and the Partnership a broker representation letter providing to the transfer agent and the Partnership any information the Partnership reasonably deems necessary to determine that the sale of the Conversion Units is made in compliance with Rule 144, including, as may be appropriate, a certification that the Holder is not an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144) of the Partnership and regarding the length of time the Conversion Units have been held as determined under Rule 144 (including any “tacking” with respect to periods of ownership of the related Incentive Distribution Units). Upon receipt of such representation letter, the Partnership shall promptly direct its transfer agent to credit such units to book-entry accounts maintained by the transfer agent without a restrictive legend, other than the legend set forth in Exhibit A to the Partnership Agreement, and the Partnership shall bear all costs associated therewith. After WPX or its Permitted Transferee have held the Conversion Units for six months as determined under Rule 144 (including any “tacking” with respect to periods of ownership of the related Incentive Distribution Units), the Partnership agrees, upon request of WPX or Permitted Transferee, to take all steps necessary to promptly effect the removal of any restrictive legend, other than the legend set forth in Exhibit A to the Partnership Agreement, and the Partnership shall bear all costs associated therewith, regardless of whether the request is made in connection with a sale or otherwise, so long as WPX or its Permitted Transferee provide to the Partnership any information the Partnership reasonably deems necessary to determine that a restrictive legend is no longer required under the Securities Act or applicable state laws, including a certification that the Holder is not, and has not been for the preceding 90 days, an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144) of the Partnership (and a covenant to inform the Partnership if it should thereafter become an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144) and to consent to exchange its units for units bearing an appropriate restrictive legend) and regarding the length of time the Conversion Units have been held (including any “tacking” with respect to periods of ownership of the related Incentive Distribution Units).

 

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1                                Amendment.

 

Any provision of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of (a) the Partnership and (b) WPX, for so long as it holds WPX Incentive Distribution Units or Conversion Units. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 7.1 shall be binding upon each party. Any waiver of any breach or default by any other party of any of the terms of this Agreement effected in accordance with this Section 7.1 shall not operate as a waiver of any other breach or default, whether similar to or different from the breach or default waived. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be implied from any course of dealing between the parties hereto or from any failure by any party to assert its or his or her rights hereunder on any occasion or series of occasions.

 

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7.2                                Successors and Assigns.

 

WPX may assign its rights in this Agreement to its Permitted Transferees without the General Partner’s consent. Any assignment shall be conditioned upon prior written notice to the Partnership or identifying the name and address of such assignee and any other material information as to the identity of such Assignee as may be reasonably requested, and Annex A hereto shall be updated to reflect such assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 7.2, any Holder may elect to transfer all or a portion of its Conversion Units to any third party (to the extent such transfer is otherwise permissible) without assigning its rights hereunder with respect thereto, provided that in any such event all rights under this Agreement with respect to the Conversion Units so transferred shall cease and terminate and Annex A hereto shall be updated to reflect any appropriate update thereto.

 

7.3                                Limitations on Subsequent Registration Rights.

 

The Partnership may, without the prior written consent of the Holders, enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Partnership which provides such holder or prospective holder of securities of the Partnership registration rights that do not conflict with the rights granted to the Holders hereby.

 

7.4                                Severability.

 

It is the desire and intent of the parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

7.5                                Entire Agreement.

 

This Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the Partnership Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede and preempt any and all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, arrangements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may relate to the subject matter hereof or thereof in any way.

 

7.6                                Independence of Agreements and Covenants.

 

All agreements and covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a certain action or condition constitutes a default under a certain agreement or covenant, the fact that such action or condition is permitted by another agreement or covenant shall not affect the

 

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occurrence of such default, unless expressly permitted under an exception to such initial agreement or covenant.

 

7.7                                Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures; Validity.

 

This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered (by facsimile or otherwise) to the other party, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Any counterpart or other signature hereupon delivered by facsimile shall be deemed for all purposes as constituting good and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement by such party.

 

7.8                                Remedies.

 

(a)                                  Each Holder shall have all rights and remedies reserved for such Holder pursuant to this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such Holder has been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such Holder has under any law or equity. Any Person having any rights under any provision of this Agreement will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law or equity.

 

(b)                                  It is acknowledged that it will be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be suffered by any party hereto if any other party hereto fails to comply with any of the obligations imposed on it upon them in this Agreement and that in the event of any such failure, the aggrieved party will be irreparably damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at law. Any such aggrieved party shall, therefore, be entitled to equitable relief, including specific performance, to enforce such obligations, and if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is an adequate remedy at law.

 

7.9                                Notices.

 

All notices or other communications pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered, telecopied, sent by nationally recognized overnight courier or mailed by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the parties hereto at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

(a)                                  if to the Partnership:

 

Legacy Reserves LP

303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1800

Midland, TX, 79701

Attention: Dan G. Leroy

Fax: 432-689-5299

 

with a copy to:

 

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Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis St. Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention:  George J. Vlahakos

Fax: 713-238-7121

 

(b)                                  if to WPX:

 

[WPX Energy, Inc.]

One Williams Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0172

Attention: [ · ]

Fax: [ · ]

 

with a copy to:

 

Baker Botts L.L.P.

910 Louisiana St.

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: [ · ]

Fax: [ · ]

 

(c)                                   if to any Holder, to it at its address set forth on Annex A attached hereto; or to such other address as the party to whom notice is to be given may have furnished to each other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given and received (a) when delivered, if personally delivered; (b) when sent, if sent by telecopy on a Business Day (or, if not sent on a Business Day, on the next Business Day after the date sent by telecopy); (c) on the next Business Day after dispatch, if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier guaranteeing next Business Day delivery; and (d) on the fifth Business Day following the date on which the piece of mail containing such communication is posted, if sent by mail.

 

7.10                         Governing Law.

 

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICTING PROVISION OR RULE (WHETHER OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. EACH PARTY AGREES AND CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE, TO THE EXTENT SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION EXISTS THEREFOR, FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND HEREBY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT, AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING RELATING HERETO, THAT IT IS NOT SUBJECT TO SUCH JURISDICTION OR THAT SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR

 

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PROCEEDING MAY NOT BE BROUGHT OR IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN SUCH COURTS. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, SERVICE AND VENUE IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

7.11                         Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ALSO WAIVES ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY UPON SUCH BOND THAT MIGHT, BUT FOR THIS WAIVER, BE REQUIRED OF THE OTHER PARTY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED OR HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS WAIVER WITH ITS RESPECTIVE LEGAL COUNSEL, AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH SUCH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

7.12                         Further Assurances.

 

Each party hereto shall do and perform or cause to be done and performed all such further acts and things and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments, and documents as any other party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

7.13                         Third Party Reliance.

 

(a)                                  Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the covenants of the Partnership contained in this Agreement (a) are being given by the Partnership as an inducement to WPX to enter into this Agreement (and the Partnership acknowledges that WPX has expressly relied thereon) and (b) are solely for the benefit of the Holders. Accordingly, no third party (including, without limitation, any holder of capital stock of the Partnership) or anyone acting on behalf of any thereof other than the Holders, shall be a third party or other beneficiary of such covenants and no such third party shall have any rights of contribution against the Holders or the Partnership with respect to such covenants or any matter subject to or resulting in indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

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(b)                                  None of the provisions hereof shall create, or be construed or deemed to create, any right to employment in favor of any Person by the Partnership.

 

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this IDR Holders Agreement as of the date set forth above.

 

 

LEGACY RESERVES LP

 

 

 

By:

Legacy Reserves GP, LLC,
its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

James D. Westcott

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solely for the purpose of agreeing to be bound by the terms of Section 3.2(c) and those other Sections of this Agreement necessary to interpret and enforce Section 3.2(c):

 

 

 

LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

James D. Westcott

 

Title:

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to IDR Holders Agreement

 



 

 

[WPX ENERGY, INC.]

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Signature Page to IDR Holders Agreement

 



 

Annex A

 

Permitted Assignees

 

Name

 

Address