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): September 30, 2015

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

001-35377
(Commission File Number)

 

20-1647837
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

700 Louisiana Street, Suite 2550

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(832) 519-2200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2):

 

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 September 30, 2015, in connection with the Merger (as defined below), Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Midstream ”), entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “ Credit Agreement ”) by and among Midstream, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent (“ Wells Fargo ”), and certain other agents party thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for a five year $1.5 billion revolving credit facility (the “ Revolving Credit Facility ”) for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the refinancing of indebtedness and other amounts owed under Midstream’s prior credit facility, the payment of fees and expenses relating to the Merger, distributions to Crestwood Equity Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ CEQP ”), in connection with the Merger to repay certain indebtedness of CEQP, and funding of acquisitions and investments. The Revolving Credit Facility has an accordion feature that will allow Midstream to increase the available borrowings under the facility by up to $350 million, subject to the lenders agreeing to satisfy the increased commitment amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility and the satisfaction of certain other conditions. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility includes a sub-limit of up to $25 million for same-day swing line advances and a sub-limit up to $350 million for letters of credit.

 

The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and restrictive provisions, including maintenance of (i) a consolidated total leverage ratio of not more than 5.50 to 1.00, (ii) an interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.50 to 1.00 and (iii) a senior secured leverage ratio of not more than 3.75 to 1.00.

 

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are generally secured by substantially all the assets of Midstream and its subsidiary guarantors, and loans thereunder (other than swing line loans) bear interest at Midstream’s option at either:

 

·                   the Alternate Base Rate, which is defined as the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% per annum; (ii) Wells Fargo’s prime rate; or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate adjusted for certain reserve requirements plus 1% per annum; plus a margin varying from 0.75% to 1.75% per annum depending on Midstream’s most recent consolidated total leverage ratio; or

 

·                   the Eurodollar Rate adjusted for certain reserve requirements plus a margin varying from 1.75% to 2.75% per annum depending on Midstream’s most recent consolidated total leverage ratio.

 

Swing line loans bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate as described above.  The unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.30% to 0.50% per annum according to Midstream’s most recent consolidated total leverage ratio. Interest on Alternate Base Rate loans is payable quarterly, or if the adjusted Eurodollar Rate applies, at certain intervals as selected by Midstream.

 

The Credit Agreement also provides for certain representations, warranties and affirmative covenants and negative covenants customary for transactions of this type.

 

The Credit Agreement provides that all obligations thereunder will, subject to certain terms and exceptions, be jointly and severally guaranteed by Midstream’s subsidiary guarantors described therein and by CEQP under an unsecured parent guaranty.

 

The Credit Agreement provides that all obligations thereunder and the guarantees (other than CEQP’s guaranty) will be secured by a lien on all assets and a pledge of all of the capital stock of Midstream’s material domestic restricted subsidiaries subject to certain terms and exceptions.

 

The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement and the Revolving Credit Facility is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

On September 30, 2015, Midstream and CEQP jointly announced the completion of CEQP’s acquisition of Midstream.  Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 5, 2015 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), by and among Midstream, Crestwood Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of Midstream (“ Midstream GP ”), CEQP, Crestwood Equity GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of CEQP, CEQP ST SUB LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of CEQP (“ MergerCo ”), MGP GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of CEQP (“ MGP GP ”), Crestwood Midstream Holdings LP, a Delaware limited

 

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partnership (“ Midstream Holdings ”), and Crestwood Gas Services GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Midstream GP (“ CGS GP ”), MergerCo, MGP GP and Midstream Holdings agreed to merge with and into Midstream with Midstream surviving the merger (the “ Merger ”).  CEQP completed the Merger following the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger by a majority of Midstream common unitholders and preferred unitholders (voting on an “as if converted” basis) entitled to vote and voting together as a single class on September 30, 2015.

 

At the effective time of the Merger (the “ Effective Time ”), Midstream merged with MergerCo, MGP GP and Midstream Holdings, with Midstream surviving the merger as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CEQP.  Following the Merger and the related transactions provided for in the Merger Agreement, Midstream GP is a wholly owned subsidiary of CEQP and continues to be the sole general partner of Midstream, and CEQP and CGS GP own a 99.9% limited partner interest and a 0.1% limited partner interest, respectively, in Midstream.  As a result of the Merger and pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each issued and outstanding common unit representing limited partner interests in Midstream (collectively, the “ Midstream Common Units ”), except for any Midstream Common Units owned by CEQP, CGS GP or their respective subsidiaries, was cancelled and converted into the right to receive 2.7500 common units representing limited partner interests in CEQP (the “ CEQP Common Units ”) and each issued and outstanding preferred unit representing limited partner interests in Midstream (the “ Midstream Preferred Units ”), except for any Midstream Preferred Units owned by CEQP or its subsidiaries, was cancelled and converted into the right to receive 2.7500 preferred units representing limited partner interests in CEQP (the “ CEQP Preferred Units ”). The Midstream Common Units owned by CEQP, CGS GP and their respective subsidiaries were canceled upon completion of the Merger.  No fractional CEQP Common Units or fractional CEQP Preferred Units will be issued in connection with the Merger, and holders of Midstream Common Units and Midstream Preferred Units will instead receive cash in lieu of fractional units, if any.

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to CEQP’s Form 8-K filed May 6, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.01  Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

Following the completion of the Merger, Midstream (i) notified the New York Stock Exchange (the “ NYSE ”) on September 30, 2015 that the Merger was effected and that all outstanding Midstream Common Units (except for any Midstream Common Units owned by CEQP, CGS GP or their respective subsidiaries) were cancelled and converted into the right to receive 2.7500 CEQP Common Units, and (ii) requested that the NYSE file a notification of removal from listing on Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to Midstream Common Units. The trading of Midstream Common Units on the NYSE will be suspended from trading before the opening of the market on October 1, 2015.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The information included under Item 2.01and Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03 in its entirety.

 

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

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Midstream

 

Following the closing of the Merger, on September 30, 2015, Midstream GP, CEQP and CGS GP entered into the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Midstream (the “ Second Amended LP Agreement ”) reflecting, among other things, the cancellation of incentive distribution rights of Midstream and the admission of CEQP and CGS GP as the sole limited partners of Midstream.

 

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

 

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Item 5.07  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

At the Special Meeting of Unitholders (the “ Special Meeting ”) of Midstream held on September 30, 2015, Midstream unitholders approved the Merger Agreement and the Merger. The vote tabulation is set forth below:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

133,563,357

 

15,291,871

 

105,105

 

98,832,190

 

In connection with the Special Meeting, Midstream also solicited proxies with respect to a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there were not sufficient votes to approve the Merger Agreement.  The proposal, which was unnecessary in light of the approval of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger by Midstream unitholders as indicated above, was not submitted to Midstream unitholders for approval at the Special Meeting.

 

Item 7.01  Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On September 30, 2015, Midstream and CEQP issued a joint press release with CEQP announcing the approval by Midstream unitholders of the Merger Agreement and the Merger and the subsequent completion of the Merger.

 

A copy of the joint press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, unless Midstream specifically states that the information is considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)                                  Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

 

The financial statements required by this Item 9.01(a) will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K within 71 calendar days after the date on which this Report is required to be filed.

 

(b)                                  Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The pro forma financial information required by this Item 9.01(b) will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K within 71 calendar days after the date on which this Report is required to be filed.

 

(d)                                  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 5, 2015, by and among Crestwood Equity Partners LP, Crestwood Equity GP LLC, CEQP ST SUB LLC, MGP GP, LLC, Crestwood Midstream Holdings LP, Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, Crestwood Midstream GP LLC and Crestwood Gas Services GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed May 6, 2015).

3.1#

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, dated as of September 30, 2015.

10.1#

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2015, by and among Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

99.1#

 

Joint Press Release dated September 30, 2015.

 

# Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By:

Crestwood Midstream GP LLC,

 

 

its General Partner

 

 

Date: September 30, 2015

By:

/s/ Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Name:

Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Title:

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

2.1

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 5, 2015, by and among Crestwood Equity Partners L.P., Crestwood Equity GP LLC, CEQP ST SUB LLC, MGP GP, LLC, Crestwood Midstream Holdings LP, Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, Crestwood Midstream GP LLC and Crestwood Gas Services GP LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed May 6, 2015).

3.1#

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, dated as of September 30, 2015.

10.1#

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2015, by and among Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

99.1#

 

Joint Press Release dated September 30, 2015.

 

# Filed herewith

 

6

Exhibit 3.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF

 

LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (this “ Agreement ”) of Crestwood Midstream Partners LP (the “ Partnership ”), dated as of September 30, 2015 and effective immediately following the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement (as defined herein)) (the “ Restatement Time ”) is entered into and executed by Crestwood Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Midstream GP ”), as “ General Partner ,” and Crestwood Equity Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ CEQP ”), and Crestwood Gas Services GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ CGS GP ”) as the “ Limited Partners ” and each a “ Limited Partner .”

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , CEQP, CGS GP, the Partnership and certain other entities have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 5, 2015 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), which provides, among other things, for the merger of certain entities into the Partnership, for each outstanding common unit representing common limited partner interests of the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) other than Common Units held by CEQP, CGS GP and their Subsidiaries to be converted into the right to receive 2.7500 common units of CEQP, and for each outstanding preferred unit representing preferred limited partner interests of the Partnership to be converted into the right to receive 2.7500 preferred units of CEQP, all on the terms specified therein;

 

WHEREAS , the Merger Agreement provides that, immediately following the Effective Time the Existing Partnership Agreement (as defined herein) will be amended and restated as set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS , this Agreement, effective at the Restatement Time, amends and restates the Existing Partnership Agreement in its entirety, to reflect, among other things, the cancellation of the incentive distribution rights and admission of the Limited Partners as the sole limited partners of the Partnership;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , in consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the General Partner and the Limited Partners agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, apply to the terms used in this Agreement.

 

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

 

“ Agreement ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Allocation Regulations ” means Treas. Reg. §§ 1.704-1(b), 1.704-2 and 1.703-3 (including any temporary regulations) as such regulations may be amended and in effect from time to time and any corresponding provision of succeeding regulations.

 

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

 


 

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

 

“ Carrying Value ” means (a) with respect to property contributed to the Partnership, the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, depletion (computed as a separate item of deduction), amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ capital accounts, (b) with respect to any property whose value is adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, the adjusted value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation and cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ capital accounts and (c) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination.

 

“ CEQP ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Certificate of Limited Partnership ” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Inergy Midstream, L.P. dated November 14, 2011, as amended by the Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of Crestwood Midstream Partners LP (f/k/a Inergy Midstream, L.P.) dated October 7, 2013, as amended from time to time.

 

“ CGS GP ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Code ” has the meaning set forth for such term in Section 4.1.

 

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

 

“ Delaware Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor to such act.

 

“ Existing Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of December 21, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated September 27, 2013, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated as of October 7, 2013, as further amended by Amendment No. 3 thereto, dated as of June 17, 2014.

 

“ General Partner ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Group Member ” means a member of the Partnership Group.

 

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

 

“ Indemnitee ” means (a) the General Partner and any former general partner of the Partnership, (b) any Person who is an Affiliate of the General Partner or any former general partner of the Partnership, (c) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any former general partner of the Partnership or any

 

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Affiliate of the General Partner any former general partner of the Partnership as a member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of the General Partner or any subsidiary or other Affiliate controlled by the Partnership, and (d) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“ Law ” means any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code, law, regulation, rule ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision, declaration or interpretive or advisory opinion or letter of a governmental authority.

 

“ Limited Partner ” or “ Limited Partners ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Midstream GP ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Partner ” means the General Partner or the Limited Partners.

 

“ Partnership ” has the meaning set forth for such term in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

 

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

 

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

 

“ Percentage Interest ” means, with respect to any Partner, the percentage interest of such Partner in the Partnership as set forth in Section 2.6 of this Agreement.

 

“ Regulatory Allocation ” has the meaning set forth for such term in Section 4.2(b)(ix).

 

“ Required Interest ” means one or more Limited Partners having among them more than 50% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners in their capacities as such.

 

“ Special Approval ” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.

 

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

 

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

 

2.1                                Formation . The General Partner and the Limited Partners hereby continue the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. The General Partner and the Limited Partners hereby enter into this Agreement to set forth the rights and obligations of the Partnership and certain matters related thereto. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.

 

2.2                                Name . The name of the Partnership shall be, and the business of the Partnership shall be conducted under the name of, “Crestwood Midstream Partners LP”.

 

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2.3                                Principal Office; Registered Office .

 

(a)                                  The principal office of the Partnership shall be at 700 Louisiana Street, Suite 2550, Houston, Texas 77002 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate.

 

(b)                                  Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the address of the Partnership’s registered office in the State of Delaware shall be the Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the name of the Partnership’s registered agent for service of process at such address shall be The Corporation Trust Company.

 

2.4                                Term . The Partnership shall continue in existence until an election to dissolve the Partnership is made by the General Partner.

 

2.5                                Organizational Certificate . The Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act.

 

2.6                                Partnership Interests . Effective as of the Restatement Time, Midstream GP continues as the sole general partner of the Partnership, CGS GP and CEQP each continue as a limited partner of the Partnership, and the Partners shall have Percentage Interests as set forth below:

 

General Partner

 

Percentage Interest

Crestwood Midstream GP LLC

 

Non-economic (0.0%) general partner interest

 

 

 

Limited Partners

 

Percentage Interest

Crestwood Gas Services GP, LLC

 

0.1% limited partner interest

Crestwood Equity Partners LP

 

99.9% limited partner interest

 

ARTICLE III


PURPOSE

 

The purpose and business of the Partnership shall be to engage in any lawful activity for which limited partnerships may be organized under the Delaware Act.

 

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS

 

4.1                                Capital Accounts . The Partnership shall maintain a capital account for each of the Partners in accordance with the regulations issued pursuant to Section 704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and as determined by the General Partner as consistent therewith.

 

4.2                                Allocations .

 

(a)                                  General . After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 4.2(b), for purposes of maintaining the capital accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, all items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the Partnership shall be allocated and charged to the Partners’ capital accounts in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.

 

(b)                                  Special Allocations . Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2, the following special allocations shall be made prior to making any allocations provided for in Section 4.2(a) above:

 

(i)                                      Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Minimum Gain (as generally defined under Treas. Reg. §

 

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1.704-1 or § 1.704-2) for a taxable year (or if there was a net decrease in Minimum Gain for a prior taxable year and the Partnership did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior years to allocate among the Partners under this subSection 4.2(b)(i), then items of income and gain shall be allocated to each Partner in an amount equal to such Partner’s share of the net decrease in such Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(g)(2)). It is the intent of the Partners that any allocation pursuant to this subSection 4.2(b)(i) shall constitute a “minimum gain chargeback” under Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

 

(ii)                                   Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 4, except subSection 4.2(b)(i), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (as generally defined under Treas. Reg. § 1.704-1 or § 1.704-2), during any taxable year, any Partner who has a share of the Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall be allocated such amount of income and gain for such year (and subsequent years, if necessary) determined in the manner required by Treas. Reg. § 1.704-2(i)(4) as is necessary to meet the requirements for a chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain.

 

(iii)                                Priority Allocations . Items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners until the cumulative amount of such items allocated to each Partner pursuant to this Section 4.2(b)(iii) for the current and all previous taxable years equals the cumulative amount of distributions made to such Partner pursuant to Section 5.02(a) for the current and all previous taxable years.

 

(iv)                               Qualified Income Offset . Except as provided in subsections 4.2(b)(i) and (ii) hereof, in the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treas. Reg. Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(i)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be specifically allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Allocation Regulations, the deficit balance, if any, in its adjusted capital account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible.

 

(v)                                  Gross Income Allocations . In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its adjusted capital account at the end of any Partnership taxable period, such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided , that an allocation pursuant to this subSection 4.2(b)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its adjusted capital account after all other allocations provided in this Section 4.2 have been tentatively made as if subSection 4.2(b)(v) were not in the Agreement.

 

(vi)                               Partnership Nonrecourse Deductions . Partnership Nonrecourse Deductions (as determined under Treas. Reg. Section 1.704-2(c)) for any fiscal year shall be allocated among the Partners in proportion to their partnership interests.

 

(vii)                            Partner Nonrecourse Deductions . Any Partner Nonrecourse Deductions (as defined under Treas. Reg. Section 1.704-2(i)(2)) shall be allocated pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 1.704-2(i) to the Partner who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the partner nonrecourse debt to which it is attributable.

 

(viii)                         Code Section 754 Adjustment . To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, to be taken into account in determining capital accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the capital accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their capital accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations.

 

5


 

(ix)                               Curative Allocation . The special allocations set forth in subsections 4.2(b)(i), (ii) and (iv)-(vii) (the “ Regulatory Allocations ”) are intended to comply with the Allocation Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 4.2, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Partners such that, to the extent possible, the net amount of allocations of such items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Partner shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Partner if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred.

 

(c)                                   Tax Allocations . For federal income tax purposes, except as otherwise required by the Code, the Allocation Regulations or the following sentence, each item of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as corresponding items are allocated in Sections 4.2(a) and (b). Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, solely for federal income tax purposes, items of income, gain, depreciation, gain or loss with respect to property contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership by a Partner shall be allocated so as to take into account the variation between the Partnership’s tax basis in such contributed property and its Carrying Value in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code and Treas. Reg. § 1.704-3(d) (i.e. the “ remedial method ”).

 

4.3                                Distributions . From time to time, but not less often than quarterly, the General Partner shall review the Partnership’s accounts to determine whether distributions are appropriate. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to make such cash distribution as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may determine without being limited to current or accumulated income or gains from any Partnership funds, including, without limitation, Partnership revenues, capital contributions or borrowed funds; provided, however , that no such distribution shall be made if, after giving effect thereto, the liabilities of the Partnership exceed the fair market value of the assets of the Partnership. In its sole discretion, the General Partner may, subject to the foregoing proviso, also cause the Partnership to distribute to the Partners other Partnership property, or other securities of the Partnership or other entities. All distributions pursuant to this Section 4.3 shall be made in accordance with the Percentage Interests of the Partners.

 

ARTICLE V

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

 

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all powers to control and manage the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be vested exclusively in the General Partner; the Limited Partners shall not have any power to control or manage the Partnership.

 

ARTICLE VI

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

 

The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as provided for herein or in the Delaware Act.

 

ARTICLE VII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

 

7.1                                Dissolution . The Partnership shall be dissolved, and its affairs shall be wound up as provided in Section 2.4.

 

7.2                                Liquidation and Termination . On dissolution of the Partnership the General Partner shall act as liquidator or may appoint one or more other Persons as liquidator; provided, however , that if the Partnership dissolves on account of an event of the type described in Section 17-402(a)(4)-(12) of the Delaware Act with respect to the General Partner, the liquidator shall be one or more Persons selected in writing by a Required Interest. The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Partnership and make final distributions as provided in this Agreement. The costs of liquidation shall be borne as a Partnership expense. Until final distribution, the

 

6


 

liquidator shall continue to operate the Partnership properties with all of the power and authority of the General Partner. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:

 

(a)                                  as promptly as practicable after dissolution and again after final liquidation, the liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of the Partnership’s assets, liabilities, and operations through the last day of the calendar month in which the dissolution occurs or the final liquidation is completed, as applicable;

 

(b)                                  the liquidator shall pay from Partnership funds all of the debts and liabilities of the Partnership or otherwise make adequate provision for them (including, without limitation, the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine); and

 

(c)                                   all remaining assets of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Partners as follows:

 

(i)                                      the liquidator may sell any or all Partnership property, including to Partners, and any resulting gain or loss from each sale shall be computed and allocated to the capital accounts of the Partners;

 

(ii)                                   with respect to all Partnership property that has not been sold, the fair market value of that property shall be determined and the capital accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized income, gain, loss, and deduction inherent in property that has not been reflected in the capital accounts previously would be allocated among the Partners if there were a taxable disposition of that property for the fair market value of that property on the date of distribution; and

 

(iii)                                Partnership property shall be distributed among the Partners in accordance with the positive capital account balances of the Partners, as determined after taking into account all capital account adjustments for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (other than those made by reason of this clause (iii)); and those distributions shall be made by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (or, if later, 90 days after the date of the liquidation).

 

All distributions in kind to the Partners shall be made subject to the liability of each distributee for its allocable share of costs, expenses, and liabilities previously incurred or for which the Partnership has committed prior to the date of termination and those costs, expenses, and liabilities shall be allocated to the distributee under this Section 7.2. The distribution of cash and/or property to a Partner in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.2 constitutes a complete return to the Partner of its capital contributions and a complete distribution to the Partner of its partnership interest and all the Partnership’s property and constitutes a compromise to which all Partners have consented within the meaning of Section 17-502(b)(1) of the Delaware Act. To the extent that a Partner returns funds to the Partnership, it has no claim against any other Partner for those funds.

 

7.3                                Termination . On completion of the distribution of Partnership assets as provided in this Agreement, the Partnership is terminated, and the General Partner (or such other Person or Persons as the Delaware Act may require or permit) shall cause the cancellation of the Certificate and any filings made as provided in Section 2.5 and shall take such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership.

 

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

 

The General Partner may amend any provision of this Agreement without the consent of the Limited Partners and may execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith.

 

7


 

ARTICLE IX

INDEMNIFICATION; STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

 

9.1                                Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by law, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or omitting to act) in such capacity; provided , that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless pursuant to this Agreement if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.1, the Indemnitee knowingly acted in bad faith, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.1 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

 

(b)                                  To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 9.1(a) in appearing at, participating in or defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership (prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 9.1, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified) upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 9.1.

 

(c)                                   The indemnification provided by this Section 9.1 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of outstanding limited partner interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity.

 

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

 

(e)                                   For purposes of this Section 9.1, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 9.1(a); and action taken or omitted by an Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

 

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

 

(g)                                   An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 9.1 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 

8


 

(h)                                  The provisions of this Section 9.1 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

 

(i)                                      No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 9.1 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.1 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

(j)                                     THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 9.1 ARE INTENDED BY THE PARTIES TO APPLY EVEN IF SUCH PROVISIONS HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXCULPATING THE INDEMNITEE FROM LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PERSON’S NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR OTHER CONDUCT.

 

9.2                                Liability of Indemnitees .

 

(a)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Partners, any other Persons who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was criminal. The Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, each on their own behalf and on behalf of the Partnership, waives any and all rights to claim punitive damages or damages based upon the Federal or State income taxes paid or payable by any such Limited Partner or other Person.

 

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

 

(c)                                   To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, the Partners, any Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, any Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to the Partnership, to any Partner, to any other Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or to any other Person who is bound by this Agreement for its reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 9.2 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 9.2 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

 

9.3                                Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties .

 

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

 

9


 

criminal. The Limited Partners, any other Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, each on their own behalf and on behalf of the Partnership, waives any and all rights to claim punitive damages or damages based upon the Federal or State income taxes paid or payable by any such Limited Partner or other Person.

 

(b)                                  Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrases, “at the option of the General Partner,” “in its discretion” or some variation of those phrases, are used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the General Partner votes or transfers its partnership interests or refrains from voting or transferring its partnership interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity. The General Partner’s organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partner’s general partner, if the General Partner is a limited partnership.

 

(c)                                   Whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, any other Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement on the other hand, the General Partner may in its discretion submit any resolution or course of action with respect to such conflict of interest for Special Approval. If such course of action or resolution receives Special Approval, then such course of action or resolution shall be conclusively deemed approved by the Partnership, all the Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation of any type whatsoever.

 

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

 

(e)                                   The Limited Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a partnership interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement, hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a member or partner of a Group Member, to approve actions by the managing member or general partner of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 9.3.

 

ARTICLE X

TAX MATTERS

 

10.1                         Tax Returns . The General Partner shall cause to be prepared and filed all necessary federal and state income tax returns for the Partnership, including making the elections described in Section 10.2. Each Limited Partner shall furnish to the General Partner all pertinent information in its possession relating to Partnership operations that is necessary to enable the Partnership’s income tax returns to be prepared and filed.

 

10.2                         Tax Elections . The Partnership shall make the following elections on the appropriate tax returns:

 

10


 

(a)                                  to adopt a fiscal year ending on December 31 of each year;

 

(b)                                  to adopt the accrual method of accounting and to keep the Partnership’s books and records on the income-tax method;

 

(c)                                   pursuant to Section 754 of the Code, to adjust the basis of Partnership properties; and

 

(d)                                  any other election the General Partner may deem appropriate and in the best interests of the Partners.

 

Neither the Partnership nor any Partner may make an election for the Partnership to be excluded from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code or any similar provisions of applicable state law.

 

10.3                         Tax Matters Partner . The General Partner shall be the “tax matters partner” of the Partnership pursuant to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code. The General Partner shall take such action as may be necessary to cause each Limited Partner to become a “notice partner” within the meaning of Section 6223 of the Code. The General Partner shall inform each Limited Partner of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as tax matters partner by giving notice on or before the fifth Business Day after becoming aware of the matter and, within that time, shall forward to each Limited Partner copies of all significant written communications it may receive in that capacity.

 

ARTICLE XI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

11.1                         Addresses and Notices . Any notice to the Partnership, the General Partner or the Limited Partners shall be deemed given if received by it in writing at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3(a).

 

11.2                         Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns.

 

11.3                         Integration . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

 

11.4                         Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, or of such provision in other respects, shall not be affected thereby.

 

11.5                         Applicable Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

11.6                         Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed (by original or telecopied signature) in counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

11


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the General Partner and the Limited Partners as of the date set forth above.

 

 

GENERAL PARTNER:

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Name:

Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

LIMITED PARTNERS:

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD GAS SERVICES GP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Name:

Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD EQUITY PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By:

Crestwood Equity GP LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Name:

Robert T. Halpin

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crestwood Midstream Partner LP

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

$1,500,000,000

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of September 30, 2015

among

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP,

as Borrower,

 

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

as Co-Syndication Agents,

and

BARCLAYS BANK PLC,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

RBC CAPITAL MARKETS(1)

and

SUNTRUST BANK,

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

and

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and
as Joint Bookrunners

 

(1)  RBC Capital Markets is a marketing name for the investment banking activities of Royal Bank of Canada and its affiliates.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01

 

Defined Terms

1

Section 1.02

 

Terms Generally

41

Section 1.03

 

Effectuation of Transfers

42

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01

 

Commitments

42

Section 2.02

 

Loans and Borrowings

42

Section 2.03

 

Requests for Borrowings

43

Section 2.04

 

Swingline Loans

44

Section 2.05

 

Revolving Letters of Credit

45

Section 2.06

 

Funding of Borrowings

49

Section 2.07

 

Interest Elections

50

Section 2.08

 

Termination and Reduction of Commitments

51

Section 2.09

 

Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt

51

Section 2.10

 

Repayment of Loans

52

Section 2.11

 

Prepayment of Loans

53

Section 2.12

 

Fees

54

Section 2.13

 

Interest

55

Section 2.14

 

Alternate Rate of Interest

55

Section 2.15

 

Increased Costs

56

Section 2.16

 

Break Funding Payments

57

Section 2.17

 

Taxes

57

Section 2.18

 

Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

60

Section 2.19

 

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders

61

Section 2.20

 

Increase in Revolving Facility Commitments; Incremental Term Loan Commitments

63

Section 2.21

 

Illegality

65

Section 2.22

 

Defaulting Lenders

65

 

i


 

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01

 

Organization; Powers

67

Section 3.02

 

Authorization

67

Section 3.03

 

Enforceability

67

Section 3.04

 

Governmental Approvals

68

Section 3.05

 

Financial Statements

68

Section 3.06

 

No Material Adverse Effect

69

Section 3.07

 

Properties

69

Section 3.08

 

Litigation; Compliance with Laws

69

Section 3.09

 

Federal Reserve Regulations

70

Section 3.10

 

Investment Company Act

70

Section 3.11

 

Use of Proceeds

70

Section 3.12

 

Tax Returns

70

Section 3.13

 

No Material Misstatements

70

Section 3.14

 

Employee Benefit Plans

70

Section 3.15

 

Environmental Matters

71

Section 3.16

 

Mortgages

71

Section 3.17

 

Real Property

71

Section 3.18

 

Solvency

72

Section 3.19

 

Labor Matters

73

Section 3.20

 

Insurance

73

Section 3.21

 

[Reserved]

73

Section 3.22

 

Status as Senior Debt; Perfection of Security Interests

73

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EVENTS

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01

 

All Credit Events

73

Section 4.02

 

First Credit Event

74

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01

 

Existence; Businesses and Properties

76

Section 5.02

 

Insurance

77

Section 5.03

 

Taxes; Payment of Obligations

79

Section 5.04

 

Financial Statements, Reports, Etc.

79

Section 5.05

 

Litigation and Other Notices

80

 

ii


 

Section 5.06

 

Compliance with Laws

81

Section 5.07

 

Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintaining Midstream Assets

81

Section 5.08

 

Use of Proceeds

81

Section 5.09

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

81

Section 5.10

 

Further Assurances

82

Section 5.11

 

Fiscal Year

83

Section 5.12

 

Risk Management Policy

83

Section 5.13

 

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

83

Section 5.14

 

Post-Closing Undertakings

84

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01

 

Indebtedness

84

Section 6.02

 

Liens

86

Section 6.03

 

Sale and Lease-back Transactions

91

Section 6.04

 

Investments, Loans and Advances

91

Section 6.05

 

Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions

93

Section 6.06

 

Dividends and Distributions

95

Section 6.07

 

Transactions with Affiliates

96

Section 6.08

 

Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries

98

Section 6.09

 

Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.

98

Section 6.10

 

Total Leverage Ratio

100

Section 6.11

 

Interest Coverage Ratio

100

Section 6.12

 

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio

100

Section 6.13

 

Swap Agreements

100

Section 6.14

 

Negative Pledge

100

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01

 

Events of Default

101

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

THE AGENTS

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01

 

Appointment and Authority

103

Section 8.02

 

Rights as a Lender

104

Section 8.03

 

Exculpatory Provisions

104

 

iii


 

Section 8.04

 

Reliance by Agents

105

Section 8.05

 

Delegation of Duties

105

Section 8.06

 

Resignation of the Agents

105

Section 8.07

 

Non-Reliance on the Agents, Other Lenders and Other Issuing Banks

106

Section 8.08

 

No Other Duties, Etc.

106

Section 8.09

 

Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim

107

Section 8.10

 

Collateral and Guaranty Matters

107

Section 8.11

 

Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Swap Agreements

107

Section 8.12

 

Indemnification

108

Section 8.13

 

Appointment of Supplemental Collateral Agents

108

Section 8.14

 

Withholding

109

Section 8.15

 

Enforcement

109

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01

 

Notices

110

Section 9.02

 

Survival of Agreement

110

Section 9.03

 

Binding Effect

111

Section 9.04

 

Successors and Assigns

111

Section 9.05

 

Expenses; Indemnity

114

Section 9.06

 

Right of Set-off

116

Section 9.07

 

Applicable Law

116

Section 9.08

 

Waivers; Amendment

116

Section 9.09

 

Interest Rate Limitation

119

Section 9.10

 

Entire Agreement

119

Section 9.11

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

119

Section 9.12

 

Severability

119

Section 9.13

 

Counterparts

119

Section 9.14

 

Headings

120

Section 9.15

 

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process

120

Section 9.16

 

Confidentiality

120

Section 9.17

 

Communications

121

Section 9.18

 

Release of Liens and Guarantees

122

Section 9.19

 

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and Similar Legislation

123

Section 9.20

 

Judgment

123

Section 9.21

 

Pledge and Guarantee Restrictions

123

 

iv


 

Section 9.22

 

No Fiduciary Duty

124

Section 9.23

 

Application of Funds

124

 

v


 

Exhibits and Schedules

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Assignment and Acceptance

Exhibit B

 

Form of Prepayment Notice

Exhibit C-1

 

Form of Borrowing Request

Exhibit C-2

 

Form of Swingline Borrowing Request

Exhibit D

 

Form of Interest Election Request

Exhibit E

 

Form of Collateral Agreement

Exhibit F

 

Form of Solvency Certificate

Exhibit G-1

 

Form of Revolving Note

Exhibit G-2

 

Form of Incremental Term Loan Note

Exhibit H-1

 

Form of Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit H-2

 

Form of Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit H-3

 

Form of Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit H-4

 

Form of Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

Exhibit I

 

Form of Administrative Questionnaire

 

 

 

Schedule 1.01A

 

Closing Date Real Property

Schedule 1.01B

 

Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 2.01

 

Commitments

Schedule 3.04

 

Governmental Approvals

Schedule 3.08(a)

 

Litigation

Schedule 3.12

 

Taxes

Schedule 3.15

 

Environmental Matters

Schedule 3.20

 

Insurance

Schedule 5.14

 

Post-Closing Undertakings

Schedule 6.01

 

Indebtedness

Schedule 6.02(a)

 

Liens

Schedule 6.03

 

PILOT Programs

Schedule 6.04

 

Investments

Schedule 6.07

 

Transactions with Affiliates

 

vi


 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of September 30, 2015 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, this “ Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party hereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as administrative agent (together with any successor administrative agent appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, the “ Administrative Agent ”), WELLS FARGO, as collateral agent (together with any successor collateral agent appointed pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII, the “ Collateral Agent ”), CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as co-syndication agents (in such capacity, the “ Co-Syndication Agents ”), and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents (in such capacity, the “ Co-Documentation Agents ”).

 

This agreement amends and restates in its entirety that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 7, 2013 (the “ Original Closing Date ”), among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the lenders and other parties thereto (such agreement, as existing immediately prior to giving effect to this amendment and restatement, the “ Existing Credit Agreement ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H :

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 5, 2015 (the “ Merger Agreement ”), among the Borrower, Crestwood Equity GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Crestwood Equity GP ”), Crestwood Equity Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Crestwood Equity Partners ”), CEQP ST Sub LLC (“ Merger Sub ”), a Delaware limited liability company, MGP GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ MGP GP ”), Crestwood Midstream Holdings LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Midstream Holdings ”), Crestwood Gas Services GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Crestwood Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Crestwood GP ”), the Borrower intends to effect a business combination pursuant to which (i) Merger Sub, MGP GP and Midstream Holdings will merge into the Borrower, with the Borrower surviving the merger as a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Crestwood Equity Partners, and (ii) contemporaneously with or immediately following the merger, Crestwood Equity Partners will, directly or indirectly, contribute its CEQP Operating Subsidiaries to the Borrower in exchange for additional limited partner interests of the Borrower (collectively, the “ Merger ”);

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, (i) the Borrower will use the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans, in part, to repay in full all of the outstanding loans and other amounts, if any, owing under the Existing Credit Agreement (other than any Existing Letter of Credit) and to dividend or otherwise distribute to Crestwood Equity Partners the amounts necessary to repay in full all of the outstanding loans and other amounts, if any, owing under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2011, among Crestwood Equity Partners, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “ Existing CEQP Credit Agreement ”) and to repay in full certain other Indebtedness of Crestwood Equity Partners, including in each case the payment of any fees or expenses in connection therewith and (ii) Crestwood Equity Partners will terminate the Existing CEQP Credit Agreement and all commitments thereunder (the transactions in clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the “ Closing Date Refinancing ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders extend credit in the form of Revolving Facility Loans and Revolving Letters of Credit at any time and from time to time prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of $1,500.0 million.

 

1


 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.  Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01          Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:

 

“ ABR Borrowing ” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of ABR Loans.

 

“ ABR Loan ” shall mean any Loan (including any Swingline Loan) bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

 

“ Additional Real Property ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.”

 

“ Additional Term Loan Tranche ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Adjusted Eurodollar Rate ” shall mean for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1.00%) equal to (a) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserves.

 

“ Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Administrative Agent Fees ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(d).

 

“ Administrative Questionnaire ” shall mean an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit I or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“ Affiliate ” shall mean, when used with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

“ Agent Default Period ” shall mean, with respect to any Agent, any time when such Agent is a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role as such Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

 

“ Agent Parties ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(c).

 

“ Agents ” shall mean the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent.

 

“ Agreed Security Principles ” shall mean any grant of a Lien or provision of a guarantee by any Person that could:

 

(a)           (i) result in costs (tax, administrative or otherwise) to such Person that are materially disproportionate to the benefit obtained by the beneficiaries of such Lien and/or guarantee or (ii) result in any grant of a Lien (including any Mortgage) or provision of a guarantee that the Administrative Agent or its counsel reasonably determines would not provide

 

2


 

material credit support for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to a legally valid, binding and enforceable Security Document;

 

(b)           result in a Lien being granted over assets of such Person, the acquisition of which was financed from a subsidy or payments, which financing is permitted by this Agreement, and the terms of which prohibit any assets acquired with such subsidy or payment being used as collateral;

 

(c)           include any lease, license, contract or agreement to which such Person is a party, and any of its rights or interest thereunder, if and to the extent that a security interest is prohibited by or in violation of a term, provision or condition of any such lease, license, contract or agreement (unless such term, provision or condition would be rendered ineffective with respect to the creation of the security interest hereunder pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law (including the U.S. Bankruptcy Code) or principles of equity); provided however that Agreed Security Principles shall not prohibit the grant of a Lien or a provision of a guarantee at such time as the contractual prohibition shall no longer be applicable and, to the extent severable, which Lien shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract or agreement not subject to the prohibitions specified above; provided further that the Agreed Securities Principles shall not exclude any “proceeds” (as defined in the UCC) of any such lease, license, contract or agreement;

 

(d)           result in the contravention of applicable law, unless such applicable law would be rendered ineffective with respect to the creation of the security interest hereunder pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions); provided however that Agreed Security Principles shall not prohibit the grant of a Lien or a provision of a guarantee at such time as the legal prohibition shall no longer be applicable and to the extent severable (which Lien shall attach immediately to any portion not subject to the prohibitions specified above); or

 

(e)           result in a breach of a material agreement existing on the Closing Date and binding on such Person that may not be amended, supplemented, waived, restated or otherwise modified using commercially reasonable efforts to avoid such breach; provided that this clause (e) shall only apply to the granting of Liens and not to the provision of any guarantee.

 

“ Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Alternate Base Rate ” shall mean the greatest of (i) the rate of interest per annum determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time as its prime commercial lending rate for U.S. Dollar loans in the United States for such day (the “ Prime Rate ”), (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50% per annum , and (iii) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate as of such date for a one-month Interest Period plus 1.00% per annum .  The Prime Rate is not necessarily the lowest rate that the Administrative Agent is charging to any corporate customer.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, respectively.

 

“ Anti-Corruption Laws ” shall mean the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

3


 

“ Applicable Law ” shall mean all applicable provisions of constitutions, statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of all Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.

 

“ Applicable Rate ” shall mean for any day (a) for any Incremental Term Loan, the applicable margin per annum set forth in the joinder agreement with respect thereto, (b) for the Revolving Facility Loans, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, (x) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, a margin of 2.50% per annum and (y) with respect to any ABR Loan, a margin of 1.50% per annum and (ii) on and after the Trigger Date, the applicable margin per annum set forth below under the caption “ Revolving Facility Loans ABR Loan Spread ” and “ Revolving Facility Loans Eurodollar Loan Spread ”, as applicable, based upon the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last date of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower, (c) for Swingline Loans, prior to the Trigger Date, a margin of 1.50% per annum, and on or after the Trigger Date, the applicable margin per annum set forth below under the caption “ Swingline Loans ABR Loan Spread ” and (d) for the Commitment Fees, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, a rate per annum equal to 0.50% and (ii) on and after the Trigger Date, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “ Commitment Fee ” based upon the Total Leverage Ratio as of the last date of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower:

 

Total Leverage Ratio:

 

Revolving
Facility Loans
ABR Loan
Spread /
Swingline Loans
ABR Loan
Spread

 

Revolving
Facility Loans
Eurodollar
Loan Spread

 

Commitment
Fee

 

Category 1: Greater than 4.50 to 1.00

 

1.75

%

2.75

%

0.50

%

Category 2: Less than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 but greater than 4.00 to 1.00

 

1.50

%

2.50

%

0.50

%

Category 3: Less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 but greater than 3.50 to 1.00

 

1.25

%

2.25

%

0.375

%

Category 4: Less than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00 but greater than 3.00 to 1.00

 

1.00

%

2.00

%

0.375

%

Category 5: Less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00

 

0.75

%

1.75

%

0.30

%

 

For purposes of the foregoing, (1) the Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower’s fiscal year based upon the consolidated financial information of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b) and (2) each change in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Total Leverage Ratio shall be effective on the first Business Day after the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of such consolidated financial information indicating such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change; provided that the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be in Category 1 at the option of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, at any time during which the Borrower fails to deliver the consolidated financial information when required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04(a)

 

4


 

or (b), during the period from the expiration of the time for delivery thereof until such consolidated financial information is delivered.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above in this definition or elsewhere in this Agreement, if it is subsequently determined that the computation of the Total Leverage Ratio set forth in a certificate of Crestwood GP or a Financial Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent is inaccurate for any reason and the result thereof is that the Lenders received interest or fees for any period based on an Applicable Rate that is less than that which would have been applicable had the Total Leverage Ratio been accurately determined, then, for all purposes of this Agreement, the “Applicable Rate” for any day occurring within the period covered by such certificate of Crestwood GP or a Financial Officer of the Borrower shall retroactively be deemed to be the relevant percentage as based upon the accurately determined Total Leverage Ratio for such period, and any shortfall in the interest or fees theretofor paid by the Borrower for the relevant period pursuant to Section 2.12 and Section 2.13 as a result of the miscalculation of the Total Leverage Ratio shall be deemed to be (and shall be) due and payable under the relevant provisions of Section 2.12 or Section 2.13, as applicable, at the time the interest or fees for such period were required to be paid pursuant to said Section (and shall remain due and payable until paid in full), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement); provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(h) or (i) has not occurred with respect to the Borrower, such shortfall shall be due and payable five (5) Business Days following the determination described above.

 

“ Approved Fund ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

 

“ Asset Acquisition ” shall mean any acquisition by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of all or a portion of the assets of, or all or a portion of the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) in a Person or division or line of business of a Person.

 

“ Asset Disposition ” shall mean any sale, transfer or other disposition by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person other than the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder of any asset or group of related assets (other than inventory or other assets sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business) in one or a series of related transactions.

 

“ Assignment and Acceptance ” shall mean an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (if required pursuant to Section 9.04(b)), in substantially the form of Exhibit A or such other form as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“ Availability Period ” shall mean the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

“ Available Cash ” shall mean, for any period, “Available Cash” as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date.

 

“ Available Unused Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to a Revolving Facility Lender, at any time of determination, an amount equal to the amount by which (a) the Revolving Facility Commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time exceeds (b) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of such Revolving Facility Lender at such time.

 

5


 

“ Board ” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

“ Borrower ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

“ Borrower Materials ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

 

“ Borrowing ” shall mean a group of Loans of a single Type under a single Facility made on a single date to the Borrower and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

 

“ Borrowing Minimum ” shall mean (a) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans, $500,000, (b) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of ABR Loans, $500,000 and (c) in the case of a Swingline Borrowing, $100,000.

 

“ Borrowing Multiple ” shall mean (a) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of Eurodollar Loans, $500,000, (b) in the case of a Revolving Facility Borrowing comprised entirely of ABR Loans, $100,000 and (c) in the case of a Swingline Borrowing, $100,000.

 

“ Borrowing Request ” shall mean a request by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03 and substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 .

 

“ Business Day ” shall mean any day of the year, other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized to close in New York, New York, and, where used in the context of Eurodollar Loans, is also a day on which dealings are carried on in the London interbank market.

 

“ Calculation Period ” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such date or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended prior to such date.

 

“ Capital Lease Obligations ” of any Person shall mean the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for purposes hereof, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“ Cash Interest Expense ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Interest Expense for such period, less, for each of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (e) below, to the extent included in the calculation of such Interest Expense, the sum of (a) pay-in-kind Interest Expense or other noncash Interest Expense (including as a result of the effects of purchase accounting), (b) the amortization of any financing fees or breakage costs paid by, or on behalf of, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including such fees paid in connection with the Transactions or any amendments, waivers or other modifications of this Agreement, (c) the amortization of debt discounts, if any, or fees in respect of Swap Agreements, (d) cash interest income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period and (e) all non-recurring cash Interest Expense consisting of liquidated damages for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations and financing fees, all as calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that Cash Interest Expense shall exclude, without duplication of any exclusion set forth in clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above, annual

 

6


 

agency fees paid to the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent and one-time financing fees or breakage costs paid in connection with the Transactions or any amendments, waivers or other modifications of this Agreement.

 

“ Cash Management Agreement ” shall mean any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer, automated clearinghouse transfers of funds and other cash management arrangements.

 

“ Cash Management Bank ” shall mean any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement, is a Lender, an Agent, or a Joint Lead Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, an Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger or (b) on the Closing Date is a Lender, an Agent, or a Joint Lead Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, an Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger and is a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party.

 

“ CEQP Operating Subsidiaries ” shall means Crestwood Operations LLC and its Subsidiaries.

 

A “ Change in Control ” shall be deemed to occur upon the occurrence of any of the following: means (i) Crestwood Equity Partners ceases to own and control 100% of the outstanding Equity Interests of Crestwood GP; (ii) any Person or group of Persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the Closing Date), other than any combination of Permitted Holders (or a single Permitted Holder), shall acquire, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate Equity Interests representing 35% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower and any combination of the Permitted Holders (including a single Permitted Holder) own beneficially (as defined above) directly or indirectly, a smaller percentage of such ordinary voting power at such time than the Equity Interests owned by such other Person or group; (iii) a “Change in Control” or similar event shall occur under the Existing Notes Indentures or any other Permitted Junior Debt that is Material Indebtedness; (iv) any Person or group of Persons (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), other than Permitted Holders, shall acquire, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of Crestwood Equity GP; (v) Crestwood GP ceases to be the general partner of the Borrower or Crestwood Equity GP ceases to be the general partner of Crestwood Equity Partners; (vi) a majority of the seats on the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of Crestwood GP shall at any time after the Closing Date be occupied by Persons who were not nominated by Crestwood GP or Crestwood Equity Partners, by a Permitted Holder, by a majority of the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of Crestwood GP or Crestwood Equity Partners or by Persons so nominated; or (vii) a majority of the seats on the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of Crestwood Equity GP shall at any time after the Closing Date be nominated by Persons who were not nominated by Crestwood Equity GP, by a Permitted Holder, by a majority of the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of Crestwood Equity GP or by Persons so nominated.  Notwithstanding the foregoing definition, in no event shall a Change in Control occur as a result of the repurchase of general partnership interests in Crestwood Equity Partners or any of its direct or indirect Parent Companies by Crestwood Equity Partners or its Subsidiaries for the purposes of effecting a general partner “buyback”.

 

“ Change in Law ” shall mean (a) the adoption or implementation of any treaty, law, rule or regulation after the Closing Date, (b) any change in law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Closing Date or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or Issuing Bank or by such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any written request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, then

 

7


 

being one with which the relevant party would customarily comply) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Closing Date; provided , that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or United States or foreign regulatory agencies, in each case, pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued; provided , further , that any increased costs associated with a Change in Law based on the foregoing clauses (i) and/or (ii) may only be imposed to the extent the applicable Lender imposes the same charges or additional amounts on other similarly situated borrowers under comparable facilities.

 

“ Charges ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

 

“ Closing Date ” shall mean September 30, 2015, and “ Closing ” shall mean the making of the initial Loans hereunder on the Closing Date.

 

“ Closing Date Distribution ” shall mean a distribution or dividend on or about the Closing Date by the Borrower in an amount not to exceed the amount necessary to facilitate Crestwood Equity Partners’ repayment of its existing Indebtedness (and any accrued interest, fees and expenses thereon) and any fees or expenses incurred by Crestwood Equity Partners or its Affiliates in connection with the Transactions.

 

“ Closing Date Real Property ” shall mean all of the Real Property set forth on Schedule 1.01A .

 

“ Closing Date Refinancing ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (except as otherwise provided herein).

 

“ Co-Documentation Agents ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Collateral ” shall mean all the “Collateral” as defined in any Security Document and shall also include the Mortgaged Properties.

 

“ Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Collateral Agreement ” shall mean the Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, substantially in the form of Exhibit E , among the Borrower, each Subsidiary Loan Party and the Collateral Agent, and any other guarantee and collateral agreement that may be executed after the Closing Date in favor of, and in form and substance acceptable to, the Collateral Agent.

 

“ Collateral and Guarantee Requirement ” shall mean the requirement that:

 

(a)           on the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received from each Loan Party a counterpart of the Collateral Agreement, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Loan Party;

 

8


 

(b)           on the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall be the beneficiary of a pledge of all the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Material Subsidiary (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) and all other outstanding Equity Interests directly owned by a Loan Party (except, in each case, to the extent that a pledge of such Equity Interests is not permitted under Section 9.21), and the Collateral Agent shall have received all certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank, or shall have otherwise received a security interest over such Equity Interests satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(c)           in the case of any Person that becomes a Loan Party after the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received a supplement to the Collateral Agreement, in the form specified therein, duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Loan Party;

 

(d)           with respect to any Equity Interests acquired by any Loan Party after the Closing Date, all such outstanding Equity Interests directly owned by a Loan Party or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party after the Closing Date, shall have been pledged in accordance with the Collateral Agreement to the extent permitted under Section 9.21, and the Collateral Agent shall have received all certificates or other instruments (if any) representing such Equity Interests, together with stock powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank, or shall have otherwise received a security interest over such Equity Interests satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

(e)           (i) all Indebtedness of the Borrower and each Subsidiary (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) that is owing to any Loan Party shall have been pledged in accordance with the Collateral Agreement, (ii) all Indebtedness of the Borrower and each Subsidiary (other than Excluded Subsidiaries) having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $20.0 million that is owing to any Loan Party shall be evidenced by a promissory note or an instrument and (iii) the Collateral Agent shall have, in respect of all such Indebtedness of the Borrower and each such Subsidiary having an aggregate principal amount in excess of $20.0 million (other than intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries)), received originals of all such promissory notes or instruments, together with note powers or other instruments of transfer with respect thereto endorsed in blank;

 

(f)            all documents and instruments, required by law or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to be executed, filed, registered or recorded to create the Liens intended to be created by the Security Documents (in each case, including any supplements thereto) and perfect such Liens, including UCC financing statements, to the extent required by, and with the priority required by, the Security Documents or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, shall have been filed, registered or recorded or delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing, registration or recording concurrently with, or promptly following, the execution and delivery of each such Security Document;

 

(g)           each Loan Party shall have (x) delivered to the Collateral Agent all policies or certificates of insurance of the type required by Section 5.02 (or shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver, to the extent expressly contemplated by Section 5.02) and (y) obtained all consents and approvals required to be obtained by it in connection with the execution and delivery of all Security Documents (or supplements thereto) to which it is a party and the granting by it of the Liens thereunder and the performance of its obligations thereunder;

 

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(h)           the Collateral Agent shall receive from the applicable Loan Parties with respect to each Closing Date Real Property that is covered by a Mortgage pursuant to the Original Credit Agreement, within 90 days following the Closing Date (or such later date as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) an amendment to the Mortgage covering each such Closing Date Real Property, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, each duly executed and delivered by an authorized officer of each party thereto and in form suitable for filing and recording in all filing or recording offices that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable;

 

(i)            the Collateral Agent shall receive from the applicable Loan Parties with respect to each Closing Date Real Property that must be mortgaged to meet the Mortgage Requirement, within 90 days following the Closing Date (or such later date as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion):

 

(i)            a Mortgage duly authorized and executed, in form for recording in the recording office of each jurisdiction where such Closing Date Real Property to be encumbered thereby is situated, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties, together with such other instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate (in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent) to create a Lien under applicable law, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, which Mortgage and other instruments shall be effective to create and/or maintain a first priority Lien on such Closing Date Real Property, subject to no Liens other than Prior Liens and Permitted Encumbrances applicable to such Closing Date Real Property;

 

(ii)           policies or certificates of insurance of the type required by Section 5.02 (or the Borrower shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such policies or certificates, to the extent expressly contemplated by Section 5.02);

 

(iii)          evidence of flood insurance required by Section 5.02(c), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and

 

(iv)          all such other items as shall be reasonably necessary in the opinion of counsel to the Lenders to create a valid and perfected first priority mortgage Lien on such Closing Date Real Property, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances and Prior Liens.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, and each Issuing Bank, opinions of local counsel for the Loan Parties in states in which the Mortgaged Properties are located, with respect to the enforceability and validity of the Mortgages and any related fixture filings in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

(j)            the Collateral Agent shall receive from the applicable Loan Parties with respect to any Real Property acquired after the Closing Date and required to be subject to a Mortgage pursuant to Section 5.10(b) (collectively, the “ Additional Real Property ”) prior to the date required pursuant to Sections 5.10(b) and (c), the following documents and instruments:

 

(i)            a Mortgage duly authorized and executed, in form for recording in the recording office of each jurisdiction where such Additional Real Property to be encumbered thereby is situated, in favor of the Collateral Agent, for its benefit and the

 

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benefit of the Secured Parties, together with such other instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate (in the reasonable judgment of the Collateral Agent) to create a Lien under applicable law, all of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, which Mortgage and other instruments shall be effective to create and/or maintain a first priority Lien on such Additional Real Property, subject to no Liens other than Prior Liens and Permitted Encumbrances applicable to such Additional Real Property;

 

(ii)           policies or certificates of insurance of the type required by Section 5.02 (or the Borrower shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such policies or certificates, to the extent expressly contemplated by Section 5.02);

 

(iii)          evidence of flood insurance required by Section 5.02(c), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, it being understood that, in any event, the items required pursuant to this clause (iii) shall be required to be delivered prior to or on the day on which Mortgages are delivered pursuant to clause (i) above with respect to such Mortgaged Property; and

 

(iv)          all such other items as shall be reasonably necessary in the opinion of counsel to the Lenders to create a valid and perfected first priority mortgage Lien on such Additional Real Property, subject only to Permitted Encumbrances and Prior Liens.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders, and each Issuing Bank, opinions of local counsel for the Loan Parties in states in which the Mortgaged Properties are located, with respect to the enforceability and validity of the Mortgages and any related fixture filings in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;] and

 

(k)           with respect to each of the items identified in this definition of “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” that are required to be delivered on a date after the Closing Date, the Administrative Agent, in each case, may (in its sole discretion) extend such date.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition or anything in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, (a)  Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to the term “Collateral and Guarantee Requirement” (i) shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents and (ii) shall not contravene the Agreed Security Principles or Section 9.21, (b) in no event shall control agreements or other control or similar arrangements be required with respect to deposit accounts or securities accounts, (c) in no event shall the Collateral include any Excluded Assets and (d) the security interests and Liens required in this definition shall not apply during the continuation of a Collateral Release Event that has not been followed by the Collateral Regrant Event.

 

“ Collateral Regrant Event ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.10(g).

 

“ Collateral Release Event ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.10(g).

 

“ COLT Interconnect ” shall mean the pipeline interconnect between the COLT Terminal and a crude oil storage facility that interconnects with certain interstate pipelines near Tioga, North Dakota.

 

“ COLT Terminal ” means that certain oil loading terminal and storage facility and related facilities located in Williams County, North Dakota.

 

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“ Commercial Operation Date ” means the date on which a Material Project is substantially complete and commercially operable.

 

“ Commitment Fee ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(a).

 

“ Commitments ” shall mean (a) with respect to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment and Incremental Commitment, (b) with respect to any Lender that is a Swingline Lender, its Swingline Commitment, and (c) with respect to any Issuing Bank, its Revolving L/C Commitment.

 

“ Commodity Exchange Act ” shall mean the Commodity Exchange Act (7. U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

“ Communications ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17.

 

“ Consolidated Debt ” at any date shall mean (without duplication) all Indebtedness consisting of Capital Lease Obligations, Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than letters of credit and performance bonds to the extent undrawn) and Indebtedness in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis on such date.

 

“ Consolidated Net Debt ” at any date shall mean Consolidated Debt on such date minus cash and Permitted Investments of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties on such date in an amount not to exceed $25.0 million, to the extent the same (w) is not being held as cash collateral (other than as Collateral for the Facilities), (x) does not constitute escrowed funds for any purpose, (y) does not represent a minimum balance requirement and (z) is not subject to other restrictions on withdrawal.

 

“ Consolidated Net Income ” shall mean, for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis; provided, however , that

 

(a)           any net after-tax extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring gains or losses (less all fees and expenses related thereto) or income or expenses or charges (including, without limitation, any pension expense, casualty losses, severance expenses, facility closure expenses, system establishment costs, mobilization expenses that are not reimbursed and other restructuring expenses, benefit plan curtailment expenses, bankruptcy reorganization claims, settlement and related expenses and fees, expenses or charges related to any offering of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any Investment, acquisition or Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder (in each case, whether or not successful), including all fees, expenses, charges and payments related to the Transaction), in each case, shall be excluded; provided that, with respect to each nonrecurring item, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers’ certificate or certificate of Crestwood GP specifying and quantifying such item and stating that such item is a nonrecurring item,

 

(b)           any net after-tax income or loss from discontinued operations and any net after-tax gain or loss on disposal of discontinued operations shall be excluded,

 

(c)           any net after-tax gain or loss (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Borrower) shall be excluded,

 

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(d)           any net after-tax income or loss (including the effect of all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the refinancing, modification of or early extinguishment of indebtedness (including any net after-tax income or loss attributable to the repayment of amounts under the Existing Credit Agreement and obligations under Swap Agreements) shall be excluded,

 

(e)           the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period,

 

(f)            (x) the Net Income for such period of any Subsidiary (that is not a Loan Party) of the Borrower and (y) any amount of Net Income of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary that would otherwise be included pursuant to clause (e) of this definition shall, in each case, be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary (or such other Person) of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its organizational documents or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary (or that other Person) or its stockholders or members, unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or in similar distributions has been legally waived or complied with ( provided that, in the case of clause (x), the net loss of any such Subsidiary shall be included to the extent funds are disbursed by such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person in respect of such loss and that Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) by such Subsidiary to the Borrower or one of its other Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such period to the extent not already included therein),

 

(g)           Consolidated Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period,

 

(h)           any non-cash charges from the application of the purchase method of accounting in connection with the Transactions or any future acquisition, to the extent such charges are deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income, shall be excluded,

 

(i)            accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the Closing Date and that are so required to be established in accordance with GAAP shall be excluded,

 

(j)            any non-cash expenses (including, without limitation, write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and intangibles and other long-lived assets), any non-cash gains or losses on interest rate and foreign currency derivatives and any foreign currency transaction gains or losses and any foreign currency exchange translation gains or losses that arise on consolidation of integrated operations shall be excluded, and

 

(k)           (i) any long-term incentive plan accruals and any non-cash compensation expense realized from grants of stock or unit appreciation or similar rights, stock or unit options, any restricted stock or unit plan or other rights to officers, directors, and employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be excluded and (ii) any long-term incentive plan accruals and non-cash compensation expenses directly attributable to services rendered on behalf of, and directly or indirectly paid for by, the Loan Parties, realized from grants of stock or unit

 

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appreciation or similar rights, stock or unit options, any restricted stock or unit plan or other rights to any employees of a Parent Company, shall be excluded.

 

“ Consolidated Total Assets ” shall mean, as of any date, the total assets of the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP, in each case as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of such date.

 

“ Control ” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and “ Controlling ” and “ Controlled ” shall have meanings correlative thereto.

 

“ Co-Syndication Agents ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“ Credit Event ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article IV.

 

“ Crestwood Equity GP ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Crestwood Equity Partners ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Crestwood GP ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Default ” shall mean any event or condition that upon notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“ Defaulting Lender ” shall mean any Lender that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations under this Agreement, including with respect to Loans and participations in Revolving Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s reasonable determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to such effect with respect to its funding obligations under this Agreement (and such notice or public statement has not been withdrawn), unless the subject of a good faith dispute or unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s reasonable determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)), to confirm in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, unless the subject of a good faith dispute ( provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), (d) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, or (e) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, become the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or has had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or

 

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liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided, that a Lender shall not become a Defaulting Lender solely as the result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or its direct or indirect parent company or the exercise of control over a Lender or its direct or indirect parent company by a Governmental Authority or an instrumentality thereof.

 

“ Domestic Subsidiary ” shall mean each Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

“ Drop-Down Acquisition ” shall mean (i) any acquisition by the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries of property or assets (including Equity Interests of any Person but excluding capital expenditures or acquisitions of inventory or supplies in the ordinary course of business) from Crestwood Holdings or any its subsidiaries or Affiliates (other than Crestwood Equity Partners or any of its Subsidiaries) or (ii) any Group Acquisition.

 

“ EBITDA ” shall mean, with respect to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) the sum of (in each case without duplication and to the extent the respective amounts described in subclauses (i) through (xii) of this clause (a) reduced such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined (but excluding any non-cash item to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for a potential cash charge in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period)):

 

(i)            provision for Taxes (whether or not paid, estimated or accrued) based on income, profits, losses or capital of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (adjusted for the tax effect of all adjustments made to Consolidated Net Income),

 

(ii)           Interest Expense of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties for such period (net of interest income of the Borrower and such Restricted Subsidiaries for such period) and to the extent not reflected in Interest Expense, costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities,

 

(iii)          depreciation, amortization (including, without limitation, amortization of intangibles and deferred financing fees) and other non-cash expenses (including, without limitation write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and intangibles and other long-lived assets and the impact of purchase accounting on the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period),

 

(iv)          the amount of any restructuring charges (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include retention, severance, systems establishment cost or excess pension, other post-employment benefits, curtailment or other excess charges); provided that with respect to each such restructuring charge, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers’ certificate or certificate of Crestwood GP specifying and quantifying such expense or charge and stating that such expense or charge is a restructuring charge,

 

(v)           any other non-cash charges,

 

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(vi)          equity earnings or losses in Affiliates unless funds have been disbursed to such Affiliates by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary,

 

(vii)         other non-operating expenses,

 

(viii)        the minority interest expense consisting of subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Loan Party in such period or any prior period, except to the extent of dividends declared or paid on Equity Interests held by third parties,

 

(ix)          costs of reporting and compliance requirements pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and under similar legislation of any other jurisdiction;

 

(x)           accretion of asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations and under similar requirements for any other jurisdiction;

 

(xi)          extraordinary losses and unusual or non-recurring cash charges, severance, relocation costs and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, and

 

(xii)         restructuring costs related to (A) acquisitions after the Original Closing Date permitted under the terms hereof and (B) closure or consolidation of facilities;

 

minus (b)  to the extent such amounts increased such Consolidated Net Income for the respective period for which EBITDA is being determined, non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (but excluding any such items which represent the reversal in such period of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges in any prior period where such accrual or reserve is no longer required).

 

In addition, EBITDA may include, at the Borrower’s option, any New Project EBITDA Adjustments, and for the avoidance of doubt, EBITDA shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis giving effect to the Merger.  Furthermore, in the event the Borrower or any of its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries undertakes a Material Project, a Material Project EBITDA Adjustment may be added to EBITDA at the Borrower’s option.  Finally, EBITDA shall be increased for the applicable period, without duplication, to reflect the collection in cash of any deficiency payment received during such period pursuant to the Rangeland Contracts and Other Contracts (in each case, to the extent increasing deferred revenue of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary) or the delivery of services in excess of contracted requirements thereunder, after deducting the amount of any cash payment previously collected and required to be credited to the applicable customers under the Rangeland Contracts and Other Contracts, as applicable, as a result of previous deficiency payments made under the Rangeland Contracts or Other Contracts, as applicable.

 

“ Environment ” shall mean ambient and indoor air, surface water and groundwater (including potable water, navigable water and wetlands), the land surface or subsurface strata or sediment, natural resources such as flora and fauna or as otherwise similarly defined in any Environmental Law.

 

“ Environmental Claim ” shall mean any and all actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of non-compliance or violation, notices of liability or potential liability, investigations,

 

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proceedings, consent orders or consent agreements relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Law or any Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Material.

 

“ Environmental Event ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01(m).

 

“ Environmental Law ” shall mean, collectively, all federal, state, provincial, local or foreign laws, including common law, ordinances, regulations, rules, codes, orders, judgments or other requirements or rules of law that relate to (a) the prevention, abatement or elimination of pollution, or the protection of the Environment, natural resources or human health, or natural resource damages, and (b) the use, generation, handling, treatment, storage, disposal, Release, transportation or regulation of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq. , the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531 et seq. , the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq. , the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 7401 et seq. , the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq. , the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2601 et seq. , the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 et seq. , and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 11001 et seq. , each as amended, and their foreign, state, provincial or local counterparts or equivalents.

 

“ Equity Interests ” of any Person shall mean any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participation or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, any limited or general partnership interest, any limited liability company membership interest and any unlimited liability company membership interests.

 

“ ERISA ” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, the regulations promulgated thereunder and any successor thereto.

 

“ ERISA Affiliate ” shall mean any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“ ERISA Event ” shall mean: (a) a Reportable Event; (b) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Sections 412 or 430 of the Code or Sections 302 or 303 of ERISA with respect to any Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (c) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (as defined in Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (d) the incurrence by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA; (e) the receipt by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan, or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition which could be reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan; (f) a determination that any Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, in “critical” or “endangered” status under Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (g) the incurrence by  the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (h) the receipt by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower, a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent

 

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within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; or (i) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

“ Eurodollar Borrowing ” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Loans.

 

“ Eurodollar Loan ” shall mean any Eurodollar Term Loan or Eurodollar Revolving Loan.

 

“ Eurodollar Rate ” shall mean for any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan:

 

(a)           the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the page of the Reuters LIBOR 01 screen (or any successor thereto) that displays the London interbank offered rate as administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for deposits in U.S. Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of clause (iii) of the definition of Alternate Base Rate, approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date referenced in such clause (iii)); or

 

(b)           if the rate referenced in the preceding subsection (a) does not appear on such page or service or such page or service shall cease to be available, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service that displays the London interbank offered rate as administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for deposits in U.S. Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of clause (iii) of the definition of Alternate Base Rate, approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date referenced in such clause (iii)); or

 

(c)           if the rates referenced in the preceding subsections (a) and (b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate of interest (rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%) at which deposits in U.S. Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Borrowing being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by the Administrative Agent’s London branch to major banks in the offshore U.S. Dollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of clause (iii) of the definition of Alternate Base Rate, approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date referenced in such clause (iii)).

 

“ Eurodollar Revolving Facility Borrowing ” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Revolving Loans.

 

“ Eurodollar Revolving Loan ” shall mean any Revolving Facility Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

 

“ Eurodollar Term Loan ” shall mean any Incremental Term Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in accordance with the provisions of Article II.

 

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“ Event of Default ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.

 

“ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“ Excluded Assets ” shall mean (a) Equity Interests in any Person that is a joint venture with a third party that is not a Controlled Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the extent such Person’s organizational or joint venture documents prohibit such Equity Interests from being pledged under the Security Documents, (b) Equity Interests constituting an amount greater than 65% of the voting Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or any Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of which Subsidiary’s assets consist of the Equity Interest in “controlled foreign corporations” under Section 957 of the Code, (c) Equity Interests or other assets that are held directly by a Foreign Subsidiary, (d) any “intent to use” applications for trademark or service mark registrations filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, unless and until an “Amendment to Allege Use” or a “Statement of Use” under Section 1(c) or Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act has been filed, solely to the extent that such a grant of a security interest therein prior to such filing would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such “intent-to-use” application, (e) motor vehicles and (f) Equity Interests in Crestwood Pipeline East LLC until such time as the appropriate approvals from the New York Public Service Commission are obtained permitting (i) the Equity Interests of Crestwood Pipeline East LLC to be pledged, (ii) Crestwood Pipeline East LLC to guaranty the Obligations and (iii) the assets and properties of Crestwood Pipeline East LLC to become Collateral.

 

“ Excluded Indebtedness ” shall mean all Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01.

 

“ Excluded Real Property ” shall mean (i) any Real Property of the Loan Parties located in the State of New York and (ii) any leased Real Property of the Loan Parties.

 

“ Excluded Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) any Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) any Subsidiary other than a Relevant Subsidiary, (c) any Subsidiary that is a joint venture with a third party that is not a Controlled Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, to the extent such Subsidiary’s organizational or joint venture documents prohibit its Equity Interests from being pledged under the Security Documents and (d) Crestwood Pipeline East LLC until such time as the appropriate approvals from the New York Public Service Commission are obtained permitting (i) the Equity Interests of Crestwood Pipeline East LLC to be pledged, (ii) Crestwood Pipeline East LLC to guaranty the Obligations and (iii) the assets and properties of Crestwood Pipeline East LLC to become Collateral.

 

“ Excluded Swap Obligation ” shall mean with respect to any guarantor, (a) any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that all or a portion of the guarantee of such guarantor of, or the grant by such guarantor of a security interest to secure, as applicable, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) or (b) any other Swap Obligation designated as an “Excluded Swap Obligation” of such Guarantor as specified in any agreement between the relevant Loan Parties and hedge counterparty applicable to such Swap Obligations, and agreed by the Administrative Agent.  If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one Swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

“ Excluded Taxes ” shall mean, with respect to any Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder, (a) income and franchise taxes, in each case imposed on (or measured by) net income or net

 

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profits by the United States of America  (or any State or other subdivision thereof) or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or any jurisdiction in which such recipient has a present or former connection (other than any such connection arising from the Loan Documents and the transactions herein) or, in the case of any Lender or Issuing Bank, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits tax that is imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a) above, (c) other than in the case of an assignee pursuant to a request by a Loan Party under Section 2.19(b), (i) any federal withholding tax imposed by the United States pursuant to a law that is in effect and that would apply to amounts payable hereunder to such Agent, Lender, Issuing Bank or other recipient at the time such Agent, Lender, Issuing Bank or other recipient becomes a party to any Loan Document (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Lender or Issuing Bank or other recipient (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 2.17, (d) any withholding taxes attributable to such Lender’s or such other recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e) or (h), and (e) any United States withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

“ Existing CEQP Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Existing Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraphs hereto.

 

“ Existing Letter of Credit ” shall mean each letter of credit set forth on Schedule 1.01B .

 

“ Existing Notes ” shall mean the Borrower’s 6.0% Senior Notes due 2020, 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 and 6.25% Senior Notes due 2023 and issued under the applicable Existing Notes Indentures (for the avoidance of doubt, including any exchange notes in respect thereof).

 

“ Existing Notes Indentures ” shall mean (i) that certain Indenture dated as of December 7, 2012, among the Borrower, as issuer, Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, as amended by that certain First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 18, 2013, Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 8, 2013, Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 7, 2013 and Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 22, 2013, (ii) that certain Indenture, dated November 8, 2013, by and among the Borrower, Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and U.S. National Bank Association and (iii) that certain Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2015, among the Borrower, Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., the guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, in each case, as the same may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted hereunder.

 

“ Facilities ” shall mean the respective facility and commitments utilized in making Loans and credit extensions hereunder, it being understood that as of the date of this Agreement there is one Facility, i.e. , the Revolving Loan Facility.

 

“ FATCA ” shall mean Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations and official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with any of the foregoing and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

 

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“ Federal Funds Effective Rate ” shall mean, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

“ Fees ” shall mean the Commitment Fees, the Revolving L/C Participation Fees, the Issuing Bank Fees and the Administrative Agent Fees.

 

“ FERC ” shall mean the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and any successor agency thereto.

 

“ Finance Co ” shall mean any direct, Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (including Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.) incorporated to become or otherwise serving as a co-issuer or co-borrower of Permitted Junior Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement, which Subsidiary meets the following conditions at all times: (a) the provisions of Section 5.10 have been complied with in respect of such Subsidiary, and such Subsidiary is a Restricted Subsidiary and a Subsidiary Loan Party, (b) such Subsidiary shall be a corporation and (c) such Subsidiary has not (i) incurred, directly or indirectly any Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability whatsoever other than the Indebtedness that it was formed to co-issue or co-borrow and for which it serves as co-issuer or co-borrower, (ii) engaged in any business, activity or transaction, or owned any property, assets or Equity Interests other than (A) performing its obligations and activities incidental to the co-issuance or co-borrowing of the Indebtedness that it was formed to co-issue or co-borrower and (B) other activities incidental to the maintenance of its existence, including legal, Tax and accounting administration, (iii) consolidated with or merged with or into any Person, or (iv) failed to hold itself out to the public as a legal entity separate and distinct from all other Persons.

 

“ Financial Officer ” of any Person shall mean the Chief Financial Officer, principal accounting officer, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer or Controller of such Person.

 

“ Financial Performance Covenants ” shall mean the covenants of the Borrower set forth in Sections 6.10, 6.11 and 6.12.

 

“ Flood Insurance Laws ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.02(c).

 

“ Foreign Lender ” shall mean any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America.  For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

“ Foreign Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary that is either (i) incorporated or organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia (other than an entity that is disregarded for U.S. federal tax purposes and is a direct Subsidiary of an entity organized in the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia) or (ii) any Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary.

 

“ GAAP ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.02.

 

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“ Governmental Authority ” shall mean any federal, state, provincial, local or foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or regulatory or legislative body.

 

“ Group Acquisition ” shall mean any acquisition of assets or Equity Interests other than the acquisition of assets or Equity Interests of, any existing Loan Party, (i) by Crestwood Equity Partners and/or its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) which acquired assets and Equity Interests shall be contributed to the Borrower within 180 days (or such longer period of time as the Administrative Agent shall agree in its sole discretion) of the acquisition by Crestwood Equity Partners and/or its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) and any Person whose Equity Interests are so contributed shall become a Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent required by Section 5.10.

 

“ Guarantee ” of or by any Person (the “ guarantor ”) shall mean (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “ primary obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or otherwise) or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness, (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the holders of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such holders against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part) or (v) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness, or (b) any Lien on any assets of the guarantor securing any Indebtedness (or any existing right, contingent or otherwise, of the holder of Indebtedness to be secured by such a Lien) of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the guarantor; provided, however , that the term “ Guarantee ” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business, or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition or disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement.

 

“ Hazardous Materials ” shall mean all pollutants, contaminants, wastes, chemicals, materials, substances and constituents, including explosive or radioactive substances or petroleum or petroleum distillates or breakdown constituents, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls or radon gas, of any nature, in each case subject to regulation pursuant to, or which can give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law.

 

“ Holding Company Condition ” shall mean that Crestwood Equity Partners directly or indirectly owns substantially all of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, there are no more than nominal differences between the financial statements of Crestwood Equity Partners and the Borrower and the non-financial disclosures of Crestwood Equity Partners and the Borrower are substantially similar.

 

“ Improvements ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Mortgages.

 

“ Increased Amount Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Commitments ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

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“ Incremental Maturity Date ” shall mean the maturity date of any Additional Term Loan Tranche pursuant to Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Revolving Facility Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Term Facility Commitments ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Term Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Incremental Term Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“ Indebtedness ” of any Person shall mean, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (other than surety, appeal or performance bonds to the extent that such surety, appeal or performance bonds do not constitute or result in the incurrence of reimbursement obligations payable by such Person), (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade liabilities and intercompany liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (f) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (g) all obligations of such Person with respect to interest rate protection agreements (including, without limitation, interest rate Swap Agreements) or foreign currency exchange agreements (valued at the termination value thereof computed in accordance with a method approved by the International Swap Dealers Association and agreed to by such Person in the applicable Swap Agreement, if any), (h) the principal component of all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) as an account party in respect of letters of credit (other than any letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instrument in respect of which a back-to-back letter of credit has been issued under or permitted by this Agreement) and (ii) in respect of banker’s acceptances.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general partner, other than to the extent that the instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness expressly limits the liability of such Person in respect thereof.

 

“ Indemnified Taxes ” shall mean (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.

 

“ Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.05(b).

 

“ Information ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.13(a).

 

“ Information Memorandum ” shall mean the Borrower’s lender presentation dated June 11, 2015, as modified or supplemented prior to the Closing Date.

 

“ Interest Coverage Ratio ” shall mean the ratio, for the period of four fiscal quarters ended on, or if such date of determination is not the end of a fiscal quarter, most recently prior to the date on which such determination is to be made of (a) EBITDA to (b) Cash Interest Expense; provided that to the extent

 

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any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions for which a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05 has been obtained) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test Period, the Interest Coverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.

 

“ Interest Election Request ” shall mean a request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07, in substantially the form of Exhibit D .

 

“ Interest Expense ” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of (a) gross interest expense of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis, including (i) the amortization of debt discounts, (ii) the amortization of all fees (including fees with respect to Swap Agreements) payable in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness to the extent included in interest expense, other than fees and breakage costs incurred in connection with the repayment of the Existing CEQP Credit Agreement and amounts under the Existing Credit Agreement, (iii) the portion of any payments or accruals with respect to Capital Lease Obligations allocable to interest expense, and (iv) redeemable preferred stock dividend expenses, and (b) capitalized interest of such Person.  For purposes of the foregoing, gross interest expense shall be determined after giving effect to any net payments made or received and costs incurred by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Swap Agreements.

 

“ Interest Payment Date ” shall mean (a) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day that would have been an Interest Payment Date had successive Interest Periods of three months’ duration been applicable to such Borrowing and, in addition, the date of any refinancing or conversion of such Borrowing with or to a Borrowing of a different Type, (b) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Swingline Loan is required to be repaid pursuant to Section 2.09(a).

 

“ Interest Period ” shall mean, as to any Borrowing consisting of a Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing or on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing, as applicable, and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day, on the last day) in the calendar month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months thereafter (or 12 months or shorter, if at the time of the relevant Borrowing, all Lenders make interest periods of such length available), as the Borrower may elect, or the date any Eurodollar Borrowing is converted to an ABR Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.07 or repaid or prepaid in accordance with Section 2.09, 2.10 or 2.11; provided that, (a) if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Loan would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, and (c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the latest of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or any Incremental Maturity Date, as applicable.  Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

 

“ Investment ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

 

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“ Issuing Bank ” shall mean Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and each other Issuing Bank designated pursuant to Section 2.05(k), in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Revolving Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.05(i).  An Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Revolving Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Revolving Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

“ Issuing Bank Fees ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.12(c).

 

“ Joint Lead Arrangers ” shall mean the entities set forth on the cover hereto directly above the title “Joint Lead Arrangers”.

 

“ Lender ” shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule 2.01 (and any foreign branch of such Lender), as well as any Person (other than a natural person) that becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to Section 9.04 (and any foreign branch of such Person), any Person (other than a natural person) holding outstanding Revolving Facility Loans, any Person (other than a natural person) holding outstanding Swingline Loans or any Person (other than a natural person) holding outstanding Incremental Term Loans.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.

 

“ Lien ” shall mean, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, hypothecation, pledge, encumbrance, charge or security interest in or on such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities (other than Excluded Assets or securities representing an interest in an Excluded Subsidiary or an interest in a joint venture that is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower), any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

“ Limited Partnership Agreement ” shall mean the Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crestwood Equity Partners, dated as of April 11, 2014, as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified as permitted hereunder.

 

“ Loan Document Obligations ” shall mean all amounts owing to any of the Agents, any Issuing Bank or any Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or pursuant to the terms of any Guarantee thereof, including, without limitation, with respect to any Loan or Revolving Letter of Credit, together with the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

“ Loan Documents ” shall mean this Agreement, the Revolving Letters of Credit, the Security Documents and any promissory note issued under Section 2.09(e).

 

“ Loan Parties ” shall mean the Borrower and each Subsidiary Loan Party.

 

“ Loans ” shall mean the Revolving Facility Loans, the Swingline Loans and the Incremental Term Loans.

 

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“ Majority Lenders ” of any Facility shall mean, at any time, Lenders under such Facility having (a) Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding under such Facility, (b) in the case of the Revolving Facility, Revolving L/C Exposures and Swingline Exposures and (c) unused Commitments under such Facility, that, taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of all (x)  Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding under such Facility, (y) in the case of the Revolving Facility, Revolving L/C Exposures and Swingline Exposures, and (z)  the total unused Commitments under such Facility at such time.

 

“ Margin Stock ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

 

“ Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean (i) a materially adverse effect on the business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) a material impairment of the validity or enforceability of, or a material impairment of the material rights, remedies or benefits available to the Lenders, any Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent under, any Loan Document.

 

“ Material Indebtedness ” shall mean Indebtedness (other than Loans and Revolving Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $75 million.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Borrower or such Relevant Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

“ Material Project ” shall mean, collectively, the construction or expansion of any capital project of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate capital cost of which (inclusive of capital costs expended prior to the acquisition thereof) is reasonably expected by the Borrower to exceed, or exceeds, $20.0 million.

 

“ Material Project EBITDA Adjustment ” shall mean, with respect to each Material Project:

 

(i)            prior to the Commercial Operation Date of a Material Project (but including the fiscal quarter in which such Commercial Operation Date occurs), a percentage (equal to the then-current completion percentage of such Material Project) of an amount to be approved by the Administrative Agent as the projected EBITDA of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiary attributable to such Material Project for the first 12-month period following the scheduled Commercial Operation Date of such Material Project (such amount to be determined based on contracts relating to such Material Project, the creditworthiness of the other parties to such contracts, and projected revenues from such contracts, capital costs and expenses, scheduled Commercial Operation Date, and other factors reasonably deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent); it being understood and agreed that the Administrative Agent’s approval of the projected EBITDA amount shall not be withheld if the projected EBITDA so attributable is reasonably consistent with the information delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date), which may, at the Borrower’s option, be added to actual EBITDA for the fiscal quarter in which construction of such Material Project commences and for each fiscal quarter thereafter until the Commercial Operation Date of such Material Project (including the fiscal quarter in which such Commercial Operation Date occurs, but net of any actual EBITDA of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiary attributable to such Material Project following such Commercial Operation Date); provided that if the actual

 

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Commercial Operation Date does not occur by the scheduled Commercial Operation Date, then the foregoing amount shall be reduced, for quarters ending after the scheduled Commercial Operation Date to (but excluding) the first full quarter after its actual Commercial Operation Date, by the following percentage amounts depending on the period of delay (based on the period of actual delay or then-estimated delay, whichever is longer): (i) 90 days or less, 0%, (ii) longer than 90 days, but not more than 180 days, 25%, (iii) longer than 180 days but not more than 270 days, 50%, and (iv) longer than 270 days, 100%; and

 

(ii)           beginning with the first full fiscal quarter following the Commercial Operation Date of a Material Project and for the two immediately succeeding fiscal quarters, an amount to be approved by the Administrative Agent as the projected EBITDA of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiary attributable to such Material Project (determined and approved in the same manner as set forth in clause (i) above) for the balance of the four full fiscal quarter period following such Commercial Operation Date, which may, at Borrower’s option, be added to actual EBITDA for such fiscal quarters (but net of any actual EBITDA of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiary attributable to such Material Project following such Commercial Operation Date).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) no Material Project EBITDA Adjustment shall be allowed with respect to any Material Project unless: (y) not later than 30 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) prior to the delivery of any compliance certificate required by the terms and provisions of Section 5.04(c) to the extent Material Project EBITDA Adjustments will be made to EBITDA, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent written pro forma projections of EBITDA of the Borrower (or its Restricted Subsidiary) attributable to such Material Project, and (z) prior to the date such compliance certificate is required to be delivered, the Administrative Agent shall have approved such projections and shall have received such other information (including updated status reports summarizing each Material Project currently under construction and covering original anticipated and current projected cost, capital expenditures (completed and remaining), the anticipated Commercial Operation Date, total Material Project EBITDA Adjustments and the portion thereof to be added to EBITDA and other information regarding projected revenues, customers and contracts supporting such pro forma projections and the anticipated Commercial Operation Date) and documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (such approval not to be withheld if such information is reasonably consistent with the information delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date), all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (B) the aggregate amount of all Material Project EBITDA Adjustments during any period shall be limited to 20% of the total actual EBITDA of the Borrower and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (which total actual EBITDA shall be determined without including any Material Project EBITDA Adjustments).

 

“ Material Subsidiary ” shall mean (a) any Finance Co, and (b) each other Restricted Subsidiary now existing or hereafter acquired or formed by the Borrower which, on a consolidated basis for such Restricted Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries, as of the last day of such Calculation Period, was the owner of more than 4.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that at no time shall the total assets of all Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries exceed, for the applicable Calculation Period, 6.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“ Maximum Rate ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09.

 

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“ Merger ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Merger Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Merger Sub ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Midstream Activities ” shall mean with respect to any Person, collectively, the business of (i) the treatment, processing, gathering, dehydration, compression, blending, transportation, storage, transmission, marketing, buying or selling or other disposition, whether for such Person’s own account or for the account of others, of oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons or products thereof, including that used for fuel or consumed in the foregoing activities including, without limitation, owning and operating pipelines, storage facilities, processing plants and facilities and gathering systems, and other assets related thereto, (ii) the mining, production, marketing and/or sale of salt and (iii) the transportation, storage, transmission, marketing, buying or selling or other disposition of produced or fresh water.

 

“ Midstream Assets ” means, collectively, the pipeline systems (including transmission and gathering pipelines), storage systems (including header pipeline systems), processing plants (including fractionation and treatment plants) and terminals owned by the Loan Parties in connection with their Midstream Activities.

 

“ Moody’s ” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

“ Mortgage Requirement ” shall mean the requirement that the Loan Parties shall have granted to the Collateral Agent a perfected Lien on at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the aggregate book value (including the book value of improvements owned by any Loan Party and located thereon) of all Real Property of the Loan Parties (but excluding any Excluded Real Property).

 

“ Mortgaged Properties ” shall mean all Real Property required to be subject to a Mortgage that is delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided that Mortgaged Property shall not include Excluded Real Property.

 

“ Mortgages ” shall mean the mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments of leases and rents and other security documents delivered with respect to Closing Date Real Property prior to the date hereof or pursuant to clauses (h) and (i) of the definition of Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, or with respect to Additional Real Property, pursuant to Section 5.10 and clause (j) of the definition of Collateral and Guarantee Requirement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, with respect to Mortgaged Properties, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, including all such changes as may be required to account for local law matters.

 

“ Multiemployer Plan ” shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“ Net Income ” shall mean, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends.

 

“ Net Proceeds ” shall mean:

 

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(a)           100% of the cash proceeds actually received by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise and including casualty insurance settlements and condemnation awards, but only as and when received) from any loss, damage, destruction or condemnation of, or any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback of assets, but excluding proceeds of business interruption insurance to the extent such proceeds constitute compensation for lost revenue) to any Person of any asset or assets of the Borrower or any such Restricted Subsidiary (other than those pursuant to Section 6.05(a), (b), (c), (e), (h), (i), or (j)) net of (i) attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, sales commissions, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, required debt payments and required payments of other obligations relating to the applicable asset (other than pursuant hereto or pursuant to Permitted Junior Debt) and any cash reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset established in accordance with GAAP, including without limitation, pension and post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and other customary fees actually incurred in connection therewith, and (ii) Taxes paid or payable as a result thereof; provided that, if no Event of Default exists and the Borrower has delivered a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent promptly following receipt of any such proceeds setting forth the Borrower’s intention to use any portion of such proceeds, to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets useful in the business or otherwise invest in the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or make investments pursuant to Section 6.04(j), in each case within 12 months of such receipt, such portion of such proceeds shall not constitute Net Proceeds, except to the extent (1) not so used within such 12-month period and (2) not committed to be used within such 12-month period and not thereafter used within 180 days of such receipt; provided , further , that (x) no proceeds realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Proceeds unless such proceeds shall exceed $10.0 million and (y) no proceeds shall constitute Net Proceeds in any fiscal year until the aggregate amount of all such proceeds in such fiscal year shall exceed $20.0 million, and

 

(b)           100% of the cash proceeds from the incurrence, issuance or sale by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of any Indebtedness (other than Excluded Indebtedness), net of all taxes and fees (including investment banking fees), commissions, costs and other expenses, in each case incurred in connection with such issuance or sale.

 

For purposes of calculating the amount of Net Proceeds, fees, commissions and other costs and expenses payable to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates shall be disregarded, except for financial advisory fees customary in type and amount paid to Affiliates of the Sponsors.

 

“ New Project Commercial Operations Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “New Project EBITDA Adjustments”.

 

“ New Project EBITDA Adjustments ” shall mean, with respect to the MARC 1 and North-South projects (including expansions) of the Borrower (or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries) when they achieve commercial operation (the date on which such commercial operation is achieved, the “New Project Commercial Operations Date”) after the Original Closing Date, an amount submitted by the Borrower and approved by the Administrative Agent as the projected EBITDA attributable to the additional pipeline capacity (initially giving pro forma effect as if such New Project Commercial Operations Date occurred on the first day of the fiscal quarter in which it occurred, and thereafter such

 

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pro forma quarterly adjustments rolling off and being replaced by actual performance on a quarterly basis). New Project EBITDA Adjustments shall be based only on (i) projected revenues from firm fixed-fee contracts (subject to adjustments for customer creditworthiness) and tariffs relating to such project, less expenses, (ii) the New Project Commercial Operations Date with respect to each such project, and (iii) other factors reasonably deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent.

 

“ Non-Consenting Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.19(c).

 

“ Non-U.S. Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(e).

 

“ Obligations ” shall mean all amounts owing to any of the Agents, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Secured Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to any Cash Management Bank or Specified Swap Counterparty pursuant to the terms of any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Swap Agreement, respectively, or pursuant to the terms of any Guarantee thereof, including, without limitation, with respect to any Loan, Revolving Letter of Credit, Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Swap Agreement, together with the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under or pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Secured Cash Management Agreement and any Secured Swap Agreement, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

“ Original Closing Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals.

 

“ Other Contracts ” means those current or future minimum volume, take-or-pay contracts by and between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and various customers, in each case, to the extent such contracts are entered into in the ordinary course of business or are consistent with past business practices of the Borrower and in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

“ Other Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property, intangible or mortgage recording taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents.

 

“ Parent Company ” shall mean any Person who, directly or indirectly, owns any of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower.

 

“ Parent Guarantee ” shall mean that certain Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between Crestwood Equity Partners and the Collateral Agent, pursuant to which Crestwood Equity Partners shall guarantee the Obligations, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“ Participant ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(c).

 

“ PBGC ” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA.

 

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“ Perfection Certificate ” shall mean a certificate in the form of Annex I to the Collateral Agreement or any other form approved by the Collateral Agent.

 

“ Permitted Business Acquisition ” shall mean any acquisition of all or substantially all the assets of, or all the Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares) in, a Person or division or line of business of a Person, other than such acquisition of, or of the assets or Equity Interests of, any Loan Party, if (a) such acquisition was not preceded by, or effected pursuant to, a hostile offer, (b) such acquired Person, division or line of business of a Person is, or is engaged in, any business or business activity conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, Midstream Activities and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto, and (c) immediately after giving effect thereto: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; (ii) all transactions related thereto shall be consummated in accordance with applicable laws; and (iii) (A) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such acquisition or formation, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and, if the total consideration in respect of such acquisition exceeds $50.0 million, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to such effect, together with all relevant financial information for such Subsidiary or assets, and (B) any acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the Borrower shall not be liable for any Indebtedness (except for Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01).

 

“ Permitted Drop-Down Acquisition ” shall mean any Drop-Down Acquisition approved by the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of Crestwood Equity Partners after the Closing Date; provided that such Drop-Down Acquisition, when taken together with any related transactions, are on terms and conditions reasonably fair in all material respects to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the good faith judgment of board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of Crestwood Equity Partners.

 

“ Permitted Encumbrances ” shall mean with respect to each Real Property, those Liens and other encumbrances permitted by paragraphs (a) (with respect to any Closing Date Real Property), (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), (j), (k), (l), (m), (v), (w), (x), (z), (aa) or (bb) of Section 6.02.

 

“ Permitted Holder ” shall mean each of the Sponsors and the Sponsor Affiliates.

 

“ Permitted Investments ” shall mean:

 

(a)           direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof, in each case with maturities not exceeding two years;

 

(b)           time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company that is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof, or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America, having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $250.0 million and whose long-term debt, or whose parent holding company’s long-term debt, is rated A (or such similar equivalent rating or higher) by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act);

 

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(c)           repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (a) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (b) above;

 

(d)           commercial paper, maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of P-1 (or higher) according to Moody’s, or A-1 (or higher) according to S&P;

 

(e)           securities with maturities of two years or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any State, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least A by S&P or A-2 by Moody’s;

 

(f)            shares of mutual funds whose investment guidelines restrict 95% of such funds’ investments to those satisfying the provisions of clauses (a) through (e) above;

 

(g)           money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $500.0 million; and

 

(h)           time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits in an aggregate face amount not in excess of 1/2 of 1% of the total assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently completed fiscal year.

 

“ Permitted Junior Debt ” shall mean (a)  unsecured subordinated Indebtedness issued or incurred by one or both of the Borrower and Finance Co and (b) unsecured senior Indebtedness issued by one or both of the Borrower and Finance Co, (i) the terms of which, in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), (1) do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation (other than customary offers to purchase upon a change of control, asset sale or event of loss and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the date that is 91 days after the latest of (x) the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and (y) any Incremental Maturity Date, (2) do not contain covenants that, taken as a whole, are more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (3) provide for covenants and events of default customary for Indebtedness of a similar nature as such Permitted Junior Debt and (4) in the case of unsecured subordinated Indebtedness, provide for subordination of payments in respect of such Indebtedness to the Obligations and guarantees thereof under the Loan Documents customary for high yield securities and (ii) in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), in respect of which no Subsidiary of a Borrower that is not an obligor under the Loan Documents is an obligor; provided that immediately prior to and after giving effect on a Pro Forma Basis to any incurrence of Permitted Junior Debt, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and the Borrower would be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the Financial Performance Covenants as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available.

 

“ Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” shall mean any Indebtedness issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund (collectively, to “ Refinance ”), the Indebtedness being Refinanced (or previous refinancings thereof constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness); provided that (a) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in

 

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compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, with the covenant contained in Sections 6.10 and 6.12 recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so Refinanced (plus unpaid accrued interest, applicable fees, breakage costs and premium thereon), (c) the average life to maturity of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (d) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under this Agreement, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (e) no Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness shall have different obligors, or greater guarantees or security, than the Indebtedness being Refinanced (unless such different obligors are obligors under the Loan Documents or such greater security is also provided to secure the Obligations, respectively; provided that such greater security shall be limited to (i) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by the lien securing such Indebtedness, (ii) solely in the case of a Refinancing of Indebtedness incurred or assumed pursuant to Section 6.01(h) or Section 6.01(q), property of such additional new obligor that has also been added as an obligor under the Loan Documents or (iii) proceeds and products thereof), and (f) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is secured by any collateral (whether equally and ratably with, or junior to, the Secured Parties or otherwise), such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness may be secured by such collateral (including in respect of working capital facilities of Foreign Subsidiaries otherwise permitted under this Agreement only, any collateral pursuant to after-acquired property clauses to the extent any such collateral secured the Indebtedness being Refinanced) on terms no less favorable to the Secured Parties than those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being Refinanced.

 

“ Person ” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, limited liability company, individual or family trusts, or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“ PILOT Program ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.

 

“ Plan ” shall mean with respect to any Person resident in the United States, any employee pension benefit plan subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 or 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or if such plan were terminated would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

“ Platform ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

 

“ Pledged Collateral ”, with respect to particular Collateral, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement applicable to such Collateral.

 

“ primary obligor ” shall have the meaning given such term in the definition of the term “Guarantee.”

 

“ Prior Liens ” shall mean those Liens and other encumbrances permitted by paragraphs (a), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), (j), (l), (n), (o), (p), (q), (r), (x), (y), (aa), (dd), or (ff) of Section 6.02; provided that licenses permitted under paragraphs (q) or (ff) of Section 6.02 shall be deemed “Prior Liens” solely to the extent that such licenses are non-exclusive.

 

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“ Pro Forma Basis ” shall mean, as to any Person, for any events as described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) below that occur subsequent to the commencement of a period for which the financial effect of such events is being calculated, and giving effect to the events for which such calculation is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such events as if such events occurred on the first day of the four consecutive fiscal quarter period ended on or before the occurrence of such event (the “ Reference Period ”):

 

(a)           in making any determination of EBITDA on a Pro Forma Basis, pro forma effect shall be given to any Asset Disposition and to any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05), in each case that occurred during the Reference Period (or, unless the context otherwise requires, occurring during the Reference Period or thereafter and through and including the date upon which the respective Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition is consummated);

 

(b)           in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis, (x) all Indebtedness (including Indebtedness incurred or assumed and for which the financial effect is being calculated, whether incurred under this Agreement or otherwise, but excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) incurred or permanently repaid during the Reference Period shall be deemed to have been incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period, (y) Interest Expense of such Person attributable to interest on any Indebtedness, for which pro forma effect is being given as provided in preceding clause (x), bearing floating interest rates shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rates that would have been in effect during the period for which pro forma effect is being given had been actually in effect during such periods and (z) with respect to distributions made pursuant to Section 6.06(e), pro forma effect shall be given to the decrease in cash and Permitted Investments resulting from such distributions; and

 

(c)           in making any determination on a Pro Forma Basis (i) with respect to designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, effect shall be given to such designation and all other designations of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary that occurred after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the then applicable designation as though such designations occurred at the beginning of such period and (ii) with respect to designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, effect shall be given to such designation and all other designations of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary that occurred after the first day of the relevant Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the then applicable designation as though such designations occurred at the beginning of such period.

 

Pro forma calculations made pursuant to the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis” shall be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and, for any fiscal period ending on or prior to the first anniversary of an Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.05), may include (a) adjustments to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from such Asset Acquisition, Asset Disposition or other similar transaction, (b) projected revenues from firm fixed-fee contracts (subject to adjustments for customer creditworthiness) and tariffs reasonably expected to result from such transaction, less expenses, as approved by the Administrative Agent, and (c) other factors reasonably deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent, in each case, to the extent that the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent (i) a certificate of Crestwood GP or a Financial Officer of the Borrower setting forth such operating expense reductions, other operating improvements or synergies or projected revenues and tariffs and (ii) information and

 

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calculations supporting in reasonable detail such estimated operating expense reductions, other operating improvements or synergies, or revenues and tariffs.

 

“ Projections ” shall mean the projections of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries included in the Information Memorandum and any other projections and any forward-looking statements (including statements with respect to booked business) of such entities furnished to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date.

 

“ Property ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.

 

“ Public Lender ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.17(b).

 

“ Rangeland Contracts ” means those current or future minimum volume, take-or-pay contracts by and between the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and various customers, in each case providing for the use of the COLT Terminal and/or the COLT Interconnect and in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

“ Real Property ” shall mean, collectively, all right, title and interest of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in and to any and all parcels of real property owned or leased by the Borrower or any other Loan Party together with all Improvements and appurtenant fixtures, easements and other property and rights incidental to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.  Where the Loan Documents refer to Real Property as being owned by a Loan Party, this shall be deemed to include all right, title and interest in Real Property owned or held by such Loan Party (other than leasehold interests), whether by contract or otherwise, including rights and interests in easements and rights of way.

 

“ Reference Period ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Pro Forma Basis.”

 

“ Refinance ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness,” and “ Refinanced ” shall have a meaning correlative thereto.

 

“ Refinanced Term Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(e).

 

“ Register ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

 

“ Regulation S-X ” shall mean Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

“ Regulation U ” shall mean Regulation U of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

“ Regulation X ” shall mean Regulation X of the Board as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

 

“ Related Parties ” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

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“ Release ” shall mean any placing, spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing or depositing in, into or onto the Environment.

 

“ Relevant Subsidiaries ” shall mean each Material Subsidiary and each other Subsidiary Loan Party and shall exclude each Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“ Remaining Present Value ” shall mean, as of any date with respect to any lease, the present value as of such date of the scheduled future lease payments with respect to such lease, determined with a discount rate equal to a market rate of interest for such lease reasonably determined at the time such lease was entered into.

 

“ Replacement Term Loans ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.08(e).

 

“ Reportable Event ” shall mean any reportable event as defined in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice period has been waived, with respect to a Plan.

 

“ Required Lenders ” shall mean, at any time, Lenders having (a) Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (b) Revolving L/C Exposures, (c) Swingline Exposures and (d) Available Unused Commitments, that taken together, represent more than 50% of the sum of all (w)  Loans (other than Swingline Loans) outstanding, (x) Revolving L/C Exposures, (y) Swingline Exposures, and (z) the total Available Unused Commitments at such time.

 

“ Responsible Officer ” of any Person shall mean any executive officer, Financial Officer, director, general partner, managing member or sole member of such Person and any other officer or similar official thereof responsible for the administration of the obligations of such Person in respect of this Agreement.

 

“ Restricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“ Revolving Facility ” shall mean the Revolving Facility Commitments and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Facility Lenders.

 

“ Revolving Facility Borrowing ” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Facility Loans.

 

“ Revolving Facility Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to each Revolving Facility Lender, the commitment of such Revolving Facility Lender to make Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans pursuant to Section 2.01 representing the maximum aggregate permitted amount of such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender under Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01 , or in the Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which such Revolving Facility Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Facility Commitment, as applicable.  The aggregate amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments on the Closing Date is $1,500.0 million.  To the extent applicable, Revolving Facility Commitments shall include the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments of any Incremental Revolving Facility Lender.

 

“ Revolving Facility Credit Exposure ” shall mean, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans outstanding at such time, (b) the Swingline Exposure at such time and (c) the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time.  The Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of

 

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any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall be the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Loans outstanding at such time and (b) such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the Swingline Exposure and Revolving L/C Exposure at such time.

 

“ Revolving Facility Lender ” shall mean a Lender with a Revolving Facility Commitment or with outstanding Revolving Facility Loans (including any Incremental Revolving Facility Lender).

 

“ Revolving Facility Loan ” shall mean a Loan made to the Borrower by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.01 or an Incremental Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to Section 2.20.  Each Revolving Facility Loan shall be a Eurodollar Loan or an ABR Loan.

 

“ Revolving Facility Maturity Date ” shall mean the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date (or if such date is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day, unless such Business Day is in the next calendar month, in which case the next preceding Business Day).

 

“ Revolving Facility Percentage ” shall mean, with respect to any Revolving Facility Lender, the percentage of the total Revolving Facility Commitments represented by such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment.  If the Revolving Facility Commitments have terminated or expired, the Revolving Facility Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Facility Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments pursuant to Section 9.04.

 

“ Revolving L/C Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Revolving Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.05, as such commitment may be (a) ratably reduced from time to time upon any reduction in the Revolving Facility Commitments pursuant to Section 2.08 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Issuing Bank under Section 9.04.  The aggregate amount of the Revolving L/C Commitments of the Issuing Bank on the Closing Date is $350.0 million.  On the Closing Date, the Revolving L/C Commitment of each Issuing Bank is as follows: (i) Wells Fargo, $87.5 million, (ii) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., $87.5 million, and (iii) Citibank, N.A., $87.5 million and (iv) Bank of America, N.A., $87.5 million.

 

“ Revolving L/C Disbursement ” shall mean a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Revolving Letter of Credit, including, for the avoidance of doubt, a payment or disbursement made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Revolving Letter of Credit upon or following the reinstatement of such Revolving Letter of Credit.

 

“ Revolving L/C Exposure ” shall mean at any time the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all Revolving Letters of Credit outstanding at such time and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving L/C Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed at such time.  The Revolving L/C Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure at such time.

 

“ Revolving L/C Participation Fees ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b).

 

“ Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligation ” shall mean the Borrower’s obligation to repay Revolving L/C Disbursements as provided in Sections 2.05(e) and (f).

 

“ Revolving Letter of Credit ” shall mean any letter of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.05, including each Existing Letter of Credit.

 

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“rights of way” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.17(b).

 

“ Risk Management Policy ” shall mean the risk management policy of Crestwood Equity Partners as applied to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by Crestwood Equity Partners.

 

“ S&P ” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Inc., a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

“ Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.03.

 

“ Sanctioned Country ” shall mean, at any time, a country or territory that is the target of any  comprehensive trade or economic Sanctions.  For the avoidance of doubt, as of the Closing Date, Sanctioned Countries are the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria and Sudan.

 

“ Sanctioned Person ” shall mean, at any time, (a) any Person with whom or with which a U.S. Person is prohibited from engaging in a transaction or dealing pursuant to regulations imposed, administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person the Borrower knows is owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons.

 

“ Sanctions ” shall mean economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State.

 

“ SEC ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

 

“ Secured Cash Management Agreement ” shall mean any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank.

 

“ Secured Parties ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Collateral Agreement and collectively shall mean all such parties.

 

“ Secured Swap Agreement ” shall mean any Swap Agreement permitted under this Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Specified Swap Counterparty.

 

“ Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“ Security Documents ” shall mean the Mortgages, the Collateral Agreement and each of the security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement or Section 5.10.

 

“ Senior Secured Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt that constitutes senior indebtedness secured by a Lien on assets or property of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that to the extent any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or Section 6.05) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test

 

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Period, the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.

 

“ Specified Swap Counterparty ” shall mean any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Agreement, is a Lender, an Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, an Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger or (b) on the Closing Date is a Lender, an Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, an Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger and is a party to a Swap Agreement with a Loan Party.

 

“ Sponsor ” shall mean FRC Founders Corporation (formerly known as First Reserve Corporation).

 

“ Sponsor Affiliate ” shall mean (i) each Affiliate of the Sponsor that is neither a portfolio company nor a company controlled by a portfolio company and (ii) each general partner of the Sponsor or Sponsor Affiliate who is a partner or employee of FRC Founders Corporation.

 

“ Statutory Reserves ” shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by the Board and any other banking authority, domestic or foreign, to which the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank (including any branch, Affiliate or other fronting office making or holding a Loan or issuing a Revolving Letter of Credit) is subject for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D).  Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation.  Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.

 

“ Subordinated Intercompany Debt ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01(e).

 

“ Subsidiary ” shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as the “ parent ”), any corporation, partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, at the time any determination is being made, directly or indirectly, owned, Controlled or held by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

“ Subsidiary Loan Party ” shall mean each direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that (a) (i) is a Domestic Subsidiary and (ii) is a Material Subsidiary, and in each case, is not an Excluded Subsidiary or a Subsidiary whose guarantee of the Obligations is prohibited under Section 9.21 or (b) at the option of the Borrower executes and delivers the Collateral Agreement and otherwise satisfies the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement.

 

“ Supplemental Collateral Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.13(a).

 

“ Swap ” shall mean any agreement, contract, or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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“ Swap Agreement ” shall mean any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Parent Company of the Borrower shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

“ Swap Obligation ” shall mean, with respect to any person, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap.

 

“ Swingline Borrowing ” shall mean a Borrowing comprised of Swingline Loans.

 

“ Swingline Borrowing Request ” shall mean a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 .

 

“ Swingline Commitment ” shall mean, with respect to each Swingline Lender, the commitment of such Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.04.  The aggregate amount of the Swingline Commitments on the Closing Date is $25.0 million.

 

“ Swingline Exposure ” shall mean at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Borrowings at such time.  The Swingline Exposure of any Revolving Facility Lender at any time shall mean its Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate Swingline Exposure at such time.

 

“ Swingline Lender ” shall mean Wells Fargo, in its capacity as a lender of Swingline Loans, and/or any other Revolving Facility Lender designated as such by the Borrower after the Closing Date that is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and executes a counterpart to this Agreement as a Swingline Lender.

 

“ Swingline Loans ” shall mean the swingline loans made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.04.

 

“ Taxes ” shall mean any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties (including stamp duties), deductions, charges (including ad valorem charges) or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority and any and all additions to tax, interest and penalties related thereto.

 

“ Test Period ” shall mean, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on or prior to such date.

 

“ Total Leverage Ratio ” shall mean, on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt as of such date to (b) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended as of such date, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that to the extent any Asset Disposition or any Asset Acquisition (or any similar transaction or transactions that require a waiver or a consent of the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 6.04 or Section 6.05) or incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding normal fluctuations in revolving Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes) has occurred during the relevant Test Period, the Total Leverage Ratio shall be determined for the respective Test Period on a Pro Forma Basis for such occurrences.

 

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“ Transactions ” shall mean, collectively, the transactions to occur on, prior to or immediately after the Closing Date pursuant to the Loan Documents, including (a) the consummation of the Merger; (b) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the initial borrowings hereunder; (c) the Closing Date Refinancing and Closing Date Distribution; and (d) the payment of all fees and expenses owing in connection with the foregoing.

 

“ Trigger Date ” shall mean the first date of delivery of financial statements after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.04(a) or (b).

 

“ Type, ” when used in respect of any Loan or Borrowing, shall refer to the Rate by reference to which interest on such Loan or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing is determined.  For purposes hereof, the term “ Rate ” shall include the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“ UCC ” shall mean (a) the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction and (b) certificate of title or other similar statutes relating to “rolling stock” or barges as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction.

 

“ Unrestricted Subsidiary ” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.13 hereunder and any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.  As of the Closing Date, the following are Unrestricted Subsidiaries: Crestwood Delaware Basin LLC, Crestwood Niobrara LLC, Powder River Basin Industrial Complex, LLC, Tres Palacios Holdings LLC, Tres Palacios Gas Storage LLC and Tres Palacios Midstream, LLC.

 

“ U.S. Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

“ U.S. Dollars ” or “ $ ” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

“ U.S.A. PATRIOT Act ” shall mean the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (signed into law on October 26, 2001), as amended, and any successor statute.

 

“ Wells Fargo ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

“ Wholly Owned Subsidiary ” of any Person shall mean a Subsidiary of such Person, all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or nominee or other similar shares required pursuant to applicable law) are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or any other Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person.

 

“ Withdrawal Liability ” shall mean liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

Section 1.02          Terms Generally .  The definitions set forth or referred to in Section 1.01 shall apply equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be deemed references to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement unless the context shall otherwise require.

 

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Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any reference in this Agreement to any Loan Document shall mean such document as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (“ GAAP ”) and all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith; provided further that, notwithstanding the foregoing, upon and following the acquisition of any business or new Subsidiary by the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement, in each case that would not constitute a “significant subsidiary” for purposes of Regulation S-X, financial items and information with respect to such newly-acquired business or Subsidiary that are required to be included in determining any financial calculations and other financial ratios contained herein for any period prior to such acquisition shall not be required to be in accordance with GAAP so long as the Borrower is able to reasonably estimate pro forma adjustments in respect of such acquisition for such prior periods, and in each case such estimates are made in good faith and are factually supportable.

 

Section 1.03          Effectuation of Transfers .  Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement (and all corresponding definitions) are made after giving effect to the Transactions, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS

 

Section 2.01          Commitments .   Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Facility Lender agrees severally to make Revolving Facility Loans, in each case from time to time during the Availability Period, comprised of Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans to the Borrower in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) such Lender’s Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment and (ii) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Facility Loans.  The Revolving Facility shall be available as ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans.

 

Section 2.02          Loans and Borrowings .   (a)  Each Loan to the Borrower shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans under the same Facility and of the same Type and in U.S. Dollars made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments under the applicable Facility (or, in the case of Swingline Loans, ratably in accordance with their respective Swingline Commitments); provided, however , that Revolving Facility Loans shall be made by the Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages on the date such Loans are made hereunder.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

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(a)           Each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith.

 

(b)           At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that a Eurodollar Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e).  At the time that each ABR Borrowing by the Borrower is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the Revolving Facility Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e).  Each Swingline Borrowing by the Borrower shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than the Borrowing Minimum.  Borrowings of more than one Type and under more than one Facility may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of (i) ten (10) Interest Periods in respect of Borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility and (ii) five (5) Interest Periods in respect of Borrowings outstanding under all other Facilities.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after, in the case of Revolving Facility Loans, the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and, in the case of Incremental Term Loans, the applicable Incremental Maturity Date.

 

Section 2.03          Requests for Borrowings .  To request a Revolving Facility Borrowing and/or a Borrowing of Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (i) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of Eurodollar Loans, not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (ii) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of ABR Loans, not later than 10:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time,  on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but in any event on the same day) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.  Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(a)           whether the requested Borrowing is to be Revolving Facility Borrowing or a Borrowing of Incremental Term Loans;

 

(b)           the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

(c)           the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(d)           whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;

 

(e)           in the case of a Borrowing consisting of a Eurodollar Loan, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto; and

 

(f)            the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.

 

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If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

Section 2.04          Swingline Loans .   (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time during the Availability Period in U.S. Dollars, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (x) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Commitment, (y) the outstanding Swingline Loans of such Swingline Lender exceeding such Swingline Lender’s Swingline Commitments or (z) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeding the total Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that no Swingline Lender shall be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Borrowing.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.  All Swingline Loans shall be ABR Loans under this Agreement.

 

(b)           To request a Swingline Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Swingline Lenders of such request by telephone (confirmed by a Swingline Borrowing Request by telecopy) not later than 3:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time on the day of the proposed Swingline Borrowing.  Each such notice and Swingline Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the requested date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount of the requested Swingline Borrowing, (iii) the term of such Swingline Loan, and (iv)  the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed.  Each Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan to be made by it hereunder in accordance with Section 2.02(a) on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 4:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, to the account of the Borrower (or, in the case of a Swingline Borrowing made to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement as provided in Section 2.05(e), by remittance to the applicable Issuing Bank).

 

(c)           A Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent (and to the other Swingline Lenders) not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time on any Business Day, require the Revolving Facility Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans made by it.  Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans in which the Revolving Facility Lenders will participate.  Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each such Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Swingline Lender, such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its respective obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each Revolving Facility Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Revolving Facility Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any

 

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Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph (c), and thereafter payments by the Borrower in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the applicable Swingline Lender.  Any amounts received by a Swingline Lender from the Borrower (or any other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by such Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be remitted promptly to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be remitted promptly by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Facility Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to such Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to such Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment thereof.

 

Section 2.05          Revolving Letters of Credit .   (a)  General .  From and after the Closing Date, all Existing Letters of Credit will be deemed issued and outstanding under this Agreement and will be governed as if issued under this Agreement.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of Revolving Letters of Credit denominated in U.S. Dollars for its own account or on behalf of any Parent Company or Restricted Subsidiary in a form reasonably acceptable to the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period and prior to the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, an Issuing Bank relating to any Revolving Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the Revolving Letters of Credit issued on behalf of any Parent Company shall not exceed an aggregate amount of $50.0 million outstanding at any one time.

 

(b)           Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions .  To request the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal (other than an automatic renewal in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section) or extension of an outstanding Revolving Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, a notice requesting the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, or identifying the Revolving Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Revolving Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to issue, amend, renew or extend such Revolving Letter of Credit.  If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Revolving Letter of Credit.  A Revolving Letter of Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Revolving Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, (i) the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure shall not exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments and (ii) the aggregate available amount of all Revolving Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank shall not exceed such Issuing Bank’s Revolving L/C Commitment.

 

(c)           Expiration Date .  Each Revolving Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (A) unless the applicable Issuing Bank agrees to a later expiration date,

 

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the date one (1) year after the date of the issuance of such Revolving Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided that any Revolving Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may provide for the automatic renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which, in no event, shall extend beyond the date referred to in clause (B) of this paragraph (c)).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may request the issuance of one or more Revolving Letters of Credit that expire at or prior to the close of business on the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date; provided that the Revolving L/C Exposure in respect of Revolving Letters of Credit issued pursuant to this sentence shall not exceed $10.0 million.

 

(d)           Participations .  By the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Revolving Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Revolving Facility Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Facility Lender, and each Revolving Facility Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Revolving Letter of Credit equal to such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Revolving Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Facility Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent in U.S. Dollars such Revolving Facility Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of each Revolving L/C Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.  Each Revolving Facility Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Revolving Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Revolving Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or Event of Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

(e)           Reimbursement .  If the applicable Issuing Bank shall make any Revolving L/C Disbursement in respect of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such Revolving L/C Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such Revolving L/C Disbursement in U.S. Dollars, not later than 12:00 noon, Houston, Texas time, on the Business Day immediately following the date the Borrower receives notice under paragraph (g) of this Section of such Revolving L/C Disbursement; provided that the Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 that such payment be financed with an ABR Loan, a Eurodollar Loan or a Swingline Borrowing in an equivalent amount, and, in each case to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting Loan or Borrowing, as applicable; provided that in the case of any Eurodollar Loan, such request must be made three Business Days prior to such refinancing in accordance with Section 2.03.  If the Borrower fails to reimburse any Revolving L/C Disbursement when due, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Issuing Bank and each other Revolving Facility Lender of the applicable Revolving L/C Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower and, in the case of a Revolving Facility Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Facility Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent in U.S. Dollars its Revolving Facility Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.06 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.06 shall apply, mutatis mutandis , to the payment obligations of the Revolving Facility Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank in U.S. Dollars the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Facility Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such

 

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payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Revolving Facility Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any Revolving L/C Disbursement (other than the funding of an ABR Loan, a Eurodollar Loan, or a Swingline Borrowing as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Revolving L/C Disbursement.

 

(f)            Obligations Absolute .  The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse Revolving L/C Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Revolving Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Revolving Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the applicable Issuing Bank under a Revolving Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Revolving Letter of Credit or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder; provided that, in each case, payment by the Issuing Bank shall not have constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Revolving Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Revolving Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are determined by a court having jurisdiction to have been caused by (A) such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise reasonable care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Revolving Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof or (B) such Issuing Bank’s refusal to issue a Revolving Letter of Credit in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank, such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in each such determination and each refusal to issue a Revolving Letter of Credit.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Revolving Letter of Credit.

 

(g)           Disbursement Procedures .  The applicable Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Revolving Letter of Credit.  Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make a Revolving L/C Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give

 

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or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Facility Lenders with respect to any such Revolving L/C Disbursement.

 

(h)           Interim Interest .  If an Issuing Bank shall make any Revolving L/C Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall reimburse such Revolving L/C Disbursement in full on the date such Revolving L/C Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such Revolving L/C Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such Revolving L/C Disbursement, at the rate per annum equal to the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans; provided that, if such Revolving L/C Disbursement is not reimbursed by the Borrower when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of the applicable Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Revolving Facility Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Revolving Facility Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i)            Replacement of an Issuing Bank .  An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12.  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Revolving Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “ Issuing Bank ” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of such Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Revolving Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement but shall not be required to issue additional Revolving Letters of Credit.

 

(j)            Cash Collateralization .  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, (i) in the case of an Event of Default described in Section 7.01(h) or 7.01(i), as provided in the following proviso or (ii) in the case of any other Event of Default, on the third Business Day following the date on which the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Facility Lenders with Revolving L/C Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total Revolving L/C Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent (or an account in the name of the Administrative Agent with another institution designated by the Administrative Agent), in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash in U.S. Dollars equal to the Revolving L/C Exposure in respect of the Borrower as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 7.01, the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable in U.S. Dollars, without demand or other notice of any kind.  The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b).  Each such deposit pursuant to this paragraph or pursuant to Section 2.11(b) shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement.  The Administrative Agent shall control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, such account.  Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of (A) for so long as an Event of Default shall be continuing, the Administrative Agent and (B) at any other time, the Borrower, in each case, in term deposits constituting Permitted Investments and

 

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at the risk and expense of the Borrower, such deposits shall not bear interest.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse each Issuing Bank for Revolving L/C Disbursements for which such Issuing Bank has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligations of the Borrower for the Revolving L/C Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans to the Borrower has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Facility Lenders with Revolving L/C Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total Revolving L/C Exposure), be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.  If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder pursuant to Section 2.11(b), such amount together with interest thereon (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower as and to the extent that, after giving effect to such return, the Borrower would remain in compliance with Section 2.11(b) and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(k)           Additional Issuing Banks .  From time to time, the Borrower may by notice to the Administrative Agent designate up to four Lenders that agree (in their sole discretion) to act in such capacity and are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as Issuing Banks.  Each such additional Issuing Bank shall execute a counterpart of this Agreement upon the approval of the Administrative Agent (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) and shall thereafter be an Issuing Bank hereunder for all purposes.

 

(l)            Reporting .  Each Issuing Bank shall (i) provide to the Administrative Agent copies of any notice received from the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.05(b) no later than the next Business Day after receipt thereof, (ii) provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of the Revolving Letter of Credit, or the amendment, renewal or extension of the Revolving Letter of Credit, as applicable, on the Business Day on which such Issuing Bank issues, amends, renews or extends any Revolving Letter of Credit, (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any Revolving L/C Disbursement, advise the Administrative Agent of the date of such Revolving L/C Disbursement and the amount of such Revolving L/C Disbursement and (iv) on any other Business Day, furnish the Administrative Agent with such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.  If requested by any Lender, the Administrative Agent shall provide copies to such Lender of the documents referred to in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

 

Section 2.06          Funding of Borrowings .   (a)  Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it to the Borrower hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 1:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time (or, in the case of Incremental Term Loans, such other time as shall be agreed to by the Incremental Term Lenders), to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders; provided that Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.04.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to such account of the Borrower as is designated by the Borrower in the Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Loans and Swingline Borrowings made to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement and reimbursements as provided in Section 2.05(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank.

 

(b)           Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed time of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such

 

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share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand (without duplication) such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

Section 2.07          Interest Elections .   (a)  Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section.  The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.  This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

 

(b)           To make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly (but in any event on the same day) by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the Borrower.

 

(c)           Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)            the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)           the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(iii)          whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and

 

(iv)          if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election.

 

If any such Interest Election Request made by the Borrower requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

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(d)                                  Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender to which such Interest Election Request relates of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)                                   If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to one of its Eurodollar Borrowings prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period, the Borrower shall be deemed to have converted such Borrowing to an ABR Borrowing.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the written request (including a request through electronic means) of the Required Lenders (unless such Event of Default is an Event of Default under Section 7.01(h) or (i), in which case no such request shall be required), so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing, (i) no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

Section 2.08                              Termination and Reduction of Commitments .   (a)  Unless previously terminated, the Revolving Facility Commitments shall terminate on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Facility Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and not less than $3.0 million (or, if less, the remaining amount of the Revolving Facility Commitments), and (ii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Revolving Facility Loans by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.11, the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure would exceed the total Revolving Facility Commitments .

 

(c)                                   The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Revolving Facility Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the applicable Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Commitments.

 

Section 2.09                              Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt .   (a)  The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Facility Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and (ii)  to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least seven Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Facility Borrowing (other than a Borrowing that is required to finance the reimbursement of a Revolving L/C Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.05(e)) is made, the Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding.

 

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(b)                                  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Facility and the Type thereof and the Interest Period (if any) applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable to each Lender hereunder, and (iii) any amount received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)                                  The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence absent manifest error of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)                                   Any Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 or Exhibit G-2 , as applicable.  In such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or, if requested by such Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including, to the extent requested by any assignee, after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note is a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).

 

Section 2.10                              Repayment of Loans .   (a)  To the extent not previously paid, all Revolving Facility Loans shall be due and payable on the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, and all Incremental Term Loans shall be due and payable as and when set forth in the joinder agreement with respect thereto and, to the extent not previously paid, all Incremental Term Loans shall be due and payable on the Incremental Maturity Date applicable to such Incremental Term Loans.

 

(b)                                  (x) Unless otherwise set forth in the joinder agreement governing any Incremental Term Loans, all Net Proceeds pursuant to Section 2.11(c) shall be applied, to the extent Incremental Term Loans are outstanding, ratably among the Incremental Term Lenders, in each case to prepay Incremental Term Loans in direct order of maturity to all amortization payments in respect of the Incremental Term Loans and (y) any optional prepayments of the Revolving Facility Loans or the Incremental Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) shall be applied ratably among the relevant Lenders under the Revolving Facility Loans or the Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, as directed by the Borrower (including with respect to order of any application to any amortization payments).

 

(c)                                   Prior to any repayment of any Borrowing, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than 11:00 a.m.,  Houston, Texas time, (i) in the case of an ABR Borrowing,  on the date of such repayment and (ii) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, three Business Days before the scheduled date of such repayment.  Each repayment of a Borrowing (x) in the case of the Revolving Facility, shall be applied to the Revolving Facility Loans included in the repaid Borrowing such that each Revolving Facility Lender receives its ratable share of such repayment (based upon the respective Revolving Facility Credit Exposures of the Revolving Facility Lenders at the time of such repayment) and (y) in all other cases, shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the repaid

 

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Borrowing.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the immediately preceding sentence, prior to any repayment of a Swingline Borrowing hereunder, the Borrower shall select the Borrowing or Borrowings to be repaid and shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such selection not later than 4:00 p.m., Houston, Texas time, on the scheduled date of such repayment.

 

Section 2.11                              Prepayment of Loans .   (a)  The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Revolving Facility Loans in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.16), in an aggregate principal amount that is an integral multiple of the Borrowing Multiple and not less than $1.0 million or, if less, the amount outstanding, subject to prior notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto provided in accordance with Section 2.10(c).  The Borrower shall have the right to prepay Incremental Term Loans as set forth in the applicable joinder agreement in respect of such Incremental Term Loans.

 

(b)                                  If on any date, the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure exceeds the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders on such date, the Borrower shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two Business Days following such date, prepay the outstanding principal amount of any Revolving Facility Loans (and, to the extent after giving effect to such prepayment, the Revolving Facility Credit Exposure still exceeds the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders, deposit cash collateral in an account with the Administrative Agent (or an account in the name of the Administrative Agent with another institution designated by the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) such that the aggregate amount so prepaid by the Borrower and cash collateral so deposited in an account with the Administrative Agent (or an account in the name of the Administrative Agent with another institution designated by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.05(j)) shall be sufficient to reduce such sum to an amount not to exceed the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of the Lenders on such date together with any interest accrued to the date of such prepayment on the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Facility Loans prepaid.  The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice of any prepayment required under this Section 2.11(b) to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

(c)                                   Unless otherwise set forth in the joinder agreement governing any Incremental Term Loans, the Borrower shall apply all Net Proceeds received by it or its Restricted Subsidiaries upon (and in any event within three Business Days of) receipt thereof to prepay any Incremental Term Loans in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 2.10.

 

(d)                                  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any mandatory prepayment of Loans required to be made by the Borrower pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 2.11 at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period of time as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) prior to the date of such prepayment.  Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of the contents of the Borrower’s prepayment notice and of such Lender’s pro rata share of the prepayment.

 

(e)                                   In the event of any termination of all the Revolving Facility Commitments, the Borrower shall, on the date of such termination, repay or prepay all its outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and all its outstanding Swingline Loans and terminate all its outstanding Revolving Letters of Credit and/or cash collateralize such Revolving Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.05(j).  If as a result of any partial reduction of the Revolving Facility Commitments, the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure would exceed the aggregate Revolving Facility Commitments of all Revolving Facility Lenders after giving effect thereto, then the Borrower shall, on the date of such reduction, repay or prepay

 

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Revolving Facility Loans or Swingline Loans (or a combination thereof) and/or cash collateralize Revolving Letters of Credit in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.

 

Section 2.12                              Fees .   (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay to each Lender, without duplication of any other amounts paid to such Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December in each year, and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a commitment fee (a “ Commitment Fee ”) on the daily amount of the Available Unused Commitment of such Lender during the preceding quarter up until the last day of such quarter (or other period commencing with the Closing Date (or the last date on which such fee was paid) and ending with the last day of such quarter or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated, as applicable) at the Applicable Rate.

 

All Commitment Fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.  For the purpose of calculating any Lender’s Commitment Fee, the outstanding Swingline Loans during the period for which such Lender’s Commitment Fee is calculated shall be deemed to be zero.  The Commitment Fee due to each Lender shall begin to accrue on the Closing Date and shall cease to accrue on the date on which the last of the Commitments of such Lender shall be terminated as provided herein.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay to each Revolving Facility Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), through the Administrative Agent, three Business Days after the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall be terminated as provided herein, a fee (a “ Revolving L/C Participation Fee ”) on such Lender’s Revolving Facility Percentage of the daily aggregate Revolving L/C Exposure (excluding the portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements), during the preceding quarter (or shorter period commencing with the Closing Date (or the last date on which such fee was paid) and ending with the last day of such quarter or the Revolving Facility Maturity Date or the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments shall be terminated, as applicable) at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate for Eurodollar Revolving Facility Borrowings effective for each day in such period.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower from time to time agrees to pay to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, (x) on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Facility Commitments of all the Lenders shall terminate as provided herein, a fronting fee in an amount equal to 0.125% per annum of the daily average stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit, in respect of each Revolving Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Revolving Letter of Credit to and including the termination of such Revolving Letter of Credit, plus (y) in connection with the issuance, amendment or transfer of any such Revolving Letter of Credit or any Revolving L/C Disbursement thereunder, such Issuing Bank’s customary documentary and processing charges (collectively, “ Issuing Bank Fees ”).  All Revolving L/C Participation Fees and Issuing Bank Fees that are payable on a per annum basis shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a year of 360 days.

 

(d)                                  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Administrative Agent, such administrative fee as agreed between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing (such fees, the “ Administrative Agent Fees ”); provided that to the extent the Facilities hereunder are terminated, repaid or refinanced prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and any Incremental Maturity Date, the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower an appropriate credit for Administrative Agent Fees paid for time periods beyond such termination, repayment or refinancing date.

 

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(e)                                   All Fees shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent for distribution, if and as appropriate, among the Lenders, except that Issuing Bank Fees shall be paid directly to the applicable Issuing Banks.  Once paid, none of the Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

 

Section 2.13                              Interest .   (a)  The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each ABR Loan (including each Swingline Loan) at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan at the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Eurodollar Loan plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(c)                                   Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any Fees or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, the Borrower shall pay interest on such overdue amount, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (y) in the case of any other amount, 2.00% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans with respect to the Revolving Facility in paragraph (a) of this Section; provided that this paragraph (c) shall not apply to any Default or Event of Default that has been waived by the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.08.

 

(d)                                  Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable by the Borrower in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan, and in the case of (i) Revolving Facility Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Facility Commitments and (ii) Incremental Term Loans, on the applicable Incremental Maturity Date; provided that (x) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (y) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Loan), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (z) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

(e)                                   All computations of interest shall be made by the Administrative Agent taking into account the actual number of days occurring in the period for which such interest is payable pursuant to this Section, and (i) if based on the Alternate Base Rate (if based on the Prime Rate), a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be; or (ii) otherwise, on the basis of a year of 360 days.

 

Section 2.14                              Alternate Rate of Interest .   If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:

 

(a)                                  the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period; or

 

(b)                                  the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders or the Majority Lenders under the Revolving Facility or any Facility of Incremental Term Loans that the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining their Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

 

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then the Administrative Agent shall give written notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing or shall be made as a Borrowing bearing interest at such rate as the Required Lenders or the Majority Lenders under the Revolving Facility or any Facility of Incremental Term Loans shall agree adequately reflects the costs to the Revolving Facility Lenders of making the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

 

Section 2.15                              Increased Costs .  (a) If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)                                      impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate) or Issuing Bank; or

 

(ii)                                   impose on any Lender or Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any tax, costs, expenses or other condition affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Revolving Letter of Credit or participation therein (including a condition similar to the events described in clause (i) above in the form of a tax, cost or expense) (except in each case (A) for Indemnified Taxes indemnified pursuant to Section 2.17 and Excluded Taxes and (B) for changes in the rate of tax on the overall rate of net income of such Lender);

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan) to the Borrower or to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Revolving Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) (except in each case (A) for Indemnified Taxes indemnified pursuant to Section 2.17 and Excluded Taxes and (B) for changes in the rate of tax on the overall rate of net income of such Lender), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered in connection therewith (but only to the extent the applicable Lender is imposing such charges or additional amounts on other similarly situated borrowers under credit facilities comparable to the Facilities).

 

(b)                                  If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding liquidity or capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or any of the Loans made by, or participations in Revolving Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Revolving Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank or as a consequence of the Commitments to make any of the foregoing, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered in connection

 

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therewith (but only to the extent the applicable Lender is imposing such charges or additional amounts on other similarly situated borrowers under credit facilities comparable to the Facilities).

 

(c)                                   A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)                                  Promptly after any Lender or any Issuing Bank has determined that it will make a request for increased compensation pursuant to this Section 2.15, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall notify the Borrower thereof.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

Section 2.16                              Break Funding Payments .  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.  In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to be the amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Eurodollar Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue a Eurodollar Loan, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in U.S. Dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the Eurodollar market.  A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

Section 2.17                              Taxes .   (a)  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law; provided that if a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any other Person acting on behalf of the Administrative Agent in regards to payments hereunder shall be required to deduct Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable by the Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the Administrative Agent, Lender, or Issuing Bank, as applicable, receives an amount equal to the

 

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sum it would have received had no such deductions for Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes been made, (ii) such Loan Party, if required to deduct any Taxes, shall make such deductions and (iii) such Loan Party, if required to deduct any Taxes, shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(b)                                  In addition, each Loan Party shall pay any Other Taxes payable on account of any obligation of such Loan Party and upon the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, the Loan Documents, to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

 

(c)                                   Each Loan Party shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing Bank, within 30 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes resulting from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank) without duplication of any amounts indemnified under Section 2.17(a) paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank, as applicable, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of such Loan Party under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that a certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and calculation for such payment or liability delivered to such Loan Party by a Lender or an Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable.

 

(d)                                  As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(e)                                   Each Lender or Issuing Bank that is not a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “ Non-U.S. Lender ”) shall, to the extent it may lawfully do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (claiming the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty), W-8EXP, W-8IMY (together with any required attachments) or Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 , H-2 , H-3 or H-4 and the applicable Form W-8, or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender (with any other required forms attached) claiming complete exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Each Lender or Issuing Bank that is not a Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it may lawfully do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender or Issuing Bank, claiming complete exemption (or otherwise establishing an exemption) from U.S. backup withholding on all payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Such forms shall be delivered by each Lender or Issuing Bank, to the extent it may lawfully do so, on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation).  In addition, each Lender or Issuing Bank, to the extent it

 

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may lawfully do so, shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender or Issuing Bank.  Each Lender or Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose).  Without limiting the foregoing, any Lender or Issuing Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax otherwise indemnified against by a Loan Party pursuant to this Section 2.17 with respect to payments under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower or the relevant Governmental Authority (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), to the extent such Lender or Issuing Bank is legally entitled to do so, at the time or times prescribed by applicable law such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to permit such payments to be made without such withholding tax or at a reduced rate; provided that in such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice such Lender or Issuing Bank.

 

(f)                                    If the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank determines, in good faith and in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17, it shall pay over such refund to such Loan Party (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (including any Taxes imposed with respect to such refund) as is determined by the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank in good faith and in its sole discretion, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that such Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank, agrees to repay as soon as reasonably practicable the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank in the event such Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes which it deems confidential) to the Loan Parties or any other Person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid.

 

(g)                                   Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise

 

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payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (g).

 

(h)                                  If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (g), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.18                              Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs .   (a) Unless otherwise specified, the Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of Revolving L/C Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without condition or deduction for any defense, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent to the applicable account designated to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank or the applicable Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  All payments hereunder of (i) principal or interest in respect of any Loan or (ii) Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligations shall in each case be made in U.S. Dollars.  All payments of other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made in U.S. Dollars.  Any payment required to be made by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be deemed to have been made by the time required if the Administrative Agent shall, at or before such time, have taken the necessary steps to make such payment in accordance with the regulations or operating procedures of the clearing or settlement system used by the Administrative Agent to make such payment.

 

(b)                                  If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements, interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i)  first , towards payment of interest and fees then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii)  second , towards payment of principal and unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements then due from the Borrower hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed Revolving L/C Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

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(c)                                   If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim, through the application of any proceeds of Collateral or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Revolving Facility Loans or Incremental Term Loans or participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Revolving Facility Loans or Incremental Term Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in Revolving Facility Loans or Incremental Term Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Revolving Facility Loans or Incremental Term Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph (c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Loan Party (as to which the provisions of this paragraph (c) shall apply).  The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(d)                                  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment by the Borrower is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as applicable, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

(e)                                   If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.04(c), 2.05(d) or (e), 2.06(b) or 2.18(d), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

 

Section 2.19                              Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .   (a)  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment

 

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(i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as applicable, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender in any material respect.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)                                  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Loan Party is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or is a Defaulting Lender, then such Loan Party may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) to the extent such consent would be required with regard to an assignment to such Person pursuant to Section 9.04, such Loan Party shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and, solely in the case of an assignment of Revolving Facility Commitments and/or Revolving Facility Loans, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Revolving L/C Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or such Loan Party (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.  Nothing in this Section 2.19 shall be deemed to prejudice any rights that any Loan Party may have against any Lender that is a Defaulting Lender.

 

(c)                                   If any Lender (such Lender, a “ Non-Consenting Lender ”) has failed to consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, discharge or termination which pursuant to the terms of Section 9.08 requires the consent of all of the Lenders or all of the Lenders affected and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent, then provided no Event of Default then exists, the Borrower shall have the right (unless such Non-Consenting Lender grants such consent) to replace such Non-Consenting Lender by requiring such Non-Consenting Lender to assign its Loans and Commitments hereunder to one or more assignees, to the extent such consent would be required with regard to an assignment to such Person pursuant to Section 9.04, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and, solely in the case of an assignment of Revolving Facility Commitments and/or Revolving Facility Loans, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender, provided that:  (i) all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Non-Consenting Lender being replaced shall be paid in full to such Non-Consenting Lender concurrently with such assignment, and (ii) the replacement Lender shall purchase the foregoing by paying to such Non-Consenting Lender a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  In connection with any such assignment the Borrower, Administrative Agent, such Non-Consenting Lender and the replacement Lender shall otherwise comply with Section 9.04.  Each Lender agrees that if the Borrower exercises its option hereunder to cause an assignment by such Lender as a Non-Consenting Lender, such Lender shall, promptly after receipt of written notice of such election, execute and deliver all documentation necessary to effectuate such assignment in accordance with Section 9.04.  In the event that a Lender does not comply with the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence after receipt of such notice, each Lender hereby authorizes and directs Administrative Agent to execute and deliver such documentation as may be required to give effect to an assignment in accordance with Section 9.04 on behalf of a Non-Consenting Lender and any such documentation so

 

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executed by Administrative Agent shall be effective for purposes of documenting an assignment pursuant to Section 9.04.

 

Section 2.20                              Increase in Revolving Facility Commitments; Incremental Term Loan Commitments .   (a)  Incremental Commitments.   At any time following the Closing Date, the Borrower may from time to time by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request an increase to the existing Revolving Facility Commitments (any such increase, the “ Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments ”) and/or may request that commitments be made in respect of term loans (the “ Incremental Term Facility Commitments ” and together with the Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, if any, the “ Incremental Commitments ”), in an aggregate principal amount, collectively, not to exceed $350.0 million, or, in each case, a lesser amount in integral multiples of $5.0 million.  Such notice shall specify the date (an “ Increased Amount Date ”) on which the Borrower proposes that the Incremental Commitments, and in the case of Incremental Term Facility Commitments, the date the Incremental Term Loans, shall be made available, which shall be a date not less than 5 Business Days (or such lesser number of days as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent.  The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of the identity of each Revolving Facility Lender or other financial institution (which in any event shall not be the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and in the case of any Person committing to any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment, to the extent such consent would be required with regard to an assignment to such Person pursuant to Section 9.04, reasonably acceptable to the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lenders (each, an “ Incremental Revolving Facility Lender, ” an “ Incremental Term Lender ”, or generally, an “ Incremental Lender ”, as applicable) to whom the Incremental Commitments have been (in accordance with the prior sentence) allocated and the amounts of such allocations; provided that any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of the Incremental Commitments may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide an Incremental Commitment.  Such Incremental Commitments shall become effective as of such Increased Amount Date, and in the case of Incremental Term Facility Commitments, such new Loans in respect thereof (“ Incremental Term Loans ”) shall be made on such Increased Amount Date; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on such Increased Amount Date before or after giving effect to such Incremental Commitments and Incremental Term Loans; (ii) [reserved]; (iii) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such Incremental Commitments (assuming the Revolving Facility Commitments, including any Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments, are fully drawn) and Incremental Term Loans, with the Financial Performance Covenants recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iv) such increase in the Incremental Commitments shall be evidenced by one or more joinder agreements executed and delivered to Administrative Agent by each Incremental Lender, as applicable, and each shall be recorded in the register, each of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and subject to the requirements set forth in Section 2.17(e); (v) the Borrower shall make any payments required pursuant to Section 2.16 in connection with the provisions of the Incremental Commitments; and (vi) the Borrower and its Affiliates shall not be permitted to commit to or participate in any Incremental Commitments or make any Incremental Term Loans.  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any joinder agreements in connection with any Incremental Commitments as described in the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Incremental Commitments and the Incremental Term Loans evidenced thereby, and the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may revise this Agreement to evidence such amendments without the consent of any Lender.

 

(b)                                  On any Increased Amount Date on which Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments are effected, subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, (i) each of

 

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the existing Revolving Facility Lenders shall assign to each of the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders, and each of the Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders shall purchase from each of the existing Revolving Facility Lenders, at the principal amount thereof, such interests in the outstanding Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans outstanding on such Increased Amount Date that will result in, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Facility Loans and participations in Revolving Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans being held by existing Revolving Facility Lenders and Incremental Revolving Facility Lenders ratably in accordance with their Revolving Facility Commitments after giving effect to the addition of such Incremental Revolving Facility Commitments to the Revolving Facility Commitments, (ii) each Incremental Revolving Facility Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Revolving Facility Commitment and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Revolving Facility Loan and have the same terms as any existing Revolving Facility Loan and (iii) each Incremental Revolving Facility Lender shall become a Lender with respect to the Revolving Facility Commitments and all matters relating thereto.

 

(c)                                   Subject to the satisfaction of the foregoing terms and conditions, any loans made in respect of any Incremental Term Facility Commitment shall be made as a new tranche of term loans (an “ Additional Term Loan Tranche ”) or as part of an existing Additional Term Loan Tranche previously incurred pursuant to this Section 2.20; provided that (x)  any Additional Term Loan Tranche shall not mature prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and the Additional Term Loan Tranche shall include such scheduled amortization provisions as determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders committing to such Additional Term Loan Tranche, (y) the interest rates applicable to such Additional Term Loan Tranche shall be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders and (z) the Additional Term Loan Tranche shall be on terms and pursuant to documentation to be determined by the Borrower and the Incremental Term Lenders, provided that to the extent such terms and documentation are not consistent with the Revolving Facility, except to the extent provided by sub-clauses (x) and (y) above and except to the extent necessary to reflect inherent differences between term loan facilities and revolving credit facilities, they shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)                                  All Incremental Term Loans made on any Increased Amount Date will be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.03.

 

(e)                                   The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt of the Borrower’s notice of an Increased Amount Date and, in respect thereof, the Incremental Commitments and the Incremental Lenders.

 

(f)                                    As a condition precedent to the Borrower’s incurrence of additional Indebtedness pursuant to this Section 2.20, (i) the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, enter into, and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, reaffirmations of the guarantees and the security interests and Liens granted by the Loan Parties under the Collateral Documents in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and (ii) with respect to any Mortgaged Property, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, enter into, and deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent (x) mortgage modifications or new Mortgages with respect to any Mortgaged Property in each case in proper form for recording in the relevant jurisdiction and in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and (y) all other items reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent that are reasonably necessary to maintain the continuing perfection or priority of the Lien of the Mortgages as security for such Obligations.

 

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Section 2.21                              Illegality .  If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Closing Date that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable lending office to make or maintain any Eurodollar Loans, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Loans or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings, as the case may be, shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), convert all such Eurodollar Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

Section 2.22                              Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender , then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)                                  fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

 

(b)                                  the aggregate principal amount of Loans, Revolving L/C Exposures, Swingline Exposures and Available Unused Commitment of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders, Required Lenders, Majority Lenders or affected Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 9.08); provided that (i) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender which affects such Defaulting Lender differently than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (iii) any amendment that reduces the principal amount of, rate of interest on, or the final maturity of, any Loan made by such Defaulting Lender, shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

 

(c)                                   if any Swingline Exposure or Revolving L/C Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)                                      all or any part of such Swingline Exposure or Revolving L/C Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Facility Percentages but only to the extent such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Facility Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment; and

 

(ii)                                   if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within five Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05(j) for so long as such Revolving L/C Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii)                                if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Exposure pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(ii)(y), the Borrower shall not be

 

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required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12 with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

(iv)                               if the Swingline Exposure or Revolving L/C Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(i), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12 shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Facility Percentage; and

 

(v)                                  if any Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 2.22(c)(i) or (ii), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all facility fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Commitment that was utilized by such Revolving L/C Exposure) and all Revolving L/C Participation Fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving L/C Exposure shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Bank until such Revolving L/C exposure is cash collateralized and / or reallocated;

 

(d)                                  so long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Swingline Lender shall be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Revolving Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Facility Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.22(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Revolving Letter of Credit or newly made Swingline Loan shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.22(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein); and

 

(e)                                   Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: (i)  first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder, (ii)  second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, (iii)  third , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, (iv)  fourth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, held in such account as cash collateral for future funding obligations of the Defaulting Lender in respect of any existing or future participating interest in any Swingline Loan or Revolving Letter of Credit, (v)  fifth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or an Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or such Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement, (vi)  sixth , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement and (vii)  seventh , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided , with respect to this clause (vii), that if such payment is (x) a prepayment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which a Defaulting Lender has funded its participation obligations and (y) made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 2.11 are satisfied, such payment shall be applied solely to prepay the Loans of, and reimbursement obligations owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders pro rata prior to being applied to the prepayment of any Loans, or reimbursement obligations owed to, any Defaulting Lender.  Any

 

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payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(f)                                    In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, each Issuing Bank and each Swingline Lender each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and Revolving L/C Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Facility Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Revolving Facility Percentage.

 

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Lenders with respect to itself and each of its Relevant Subsidiaries, and the Subsidiaries to the extent applicable, that:

 

Section 3.01                              Organization; Powers .  The Borrower and each of its Relevant Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and (if applicable) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except for such failure to be in good standing which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (b) has all requisite power and authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, (c) is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (d) has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Loan Documents and each other agreement or instrument contemplated thereby to which it is or will be a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow and otherwise obtain credit hereunder.

 

Section 3.02                              Authorization .  The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each of its Relevant Subsidiaries of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the borrowings hereunder and the Transactions (a) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, stockholder, limited liability company or partnership action required to be obtained by the Borrower and such Relevant Subsidiaries and (b) will not (i) violate (A) any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of the Borrower or any such Relevant Subsidiary, (B) any applicable order of any court or any rule, regulation or order of any Governmental Authority or (C) any provision of any indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any such Relevant Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective property is or may be bound, (ii) be in conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (alone or with notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of or result in any cancellation or acceleration of any right or obligation (including any payment) or to a loss of a material benefit under any such indenture, lease, agreement or other instrument, where any such conflict, violation, breach or default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this clause (b), could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower or any such Relevant Subsidiary, other than the Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

Section 3.03                              Enforceability .  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party

 

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enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, subject to (a) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (c) implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

 

Section 3.04                              Governmental Approvals .  No action, consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any Governmental Authority is or will be required in connection with the Transactions except for (a) the filing of UCC financing statements, (b) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office or, with respect to intellectual property which is the subject of registration or application for registration outside the United States, such applicable patent, trademark or copyright office or other intellectual property authority, (c) recordation of the Mortgages, (d) such consents, authorizations, filings or other actions that have either (i) been made or obtained and are in full force and effect or (ii) are listed on Schedule 3.04 , and (iii) such actions, consents, approvals, registrations or filings, the failure to be obtained or made which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.05                              Financial Statements .  There has heretofore been furnished to the Lenders (which may include by means of filings with the SEC) the following, and the following representations and warranties are made with respect thereto:

 

(a)                                  The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower as of December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings, comprehensive income and cash flows of the Borrower for the years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied not only during such periods but also as compared to the periods covered by the financial statements of the Borrower referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.05 (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated financial position of the Borrower as of the dates thereof and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the period then ended.

 

(b)                                  The unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and as of June 30, 2015 and the related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower for each completed fiscal quarter since the date of the most recent audited financial statements and ending 45 days prior to the Closing Date were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied not only during such periods but also as compared to the periods covered by the financial statements of the Borrower referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 3.05 (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly present the consolidated financial position of the Borrower as of the dates thereof and its consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments).

 

(c)                                   The pro forma consolidated balance sheet of Crestwood Equity Partners filed publicly with the SEC or delivered in a public proxy statement in connection with the Transactions pursuant to Form S-4 by Crestwood Equity Partners on June 17, 2015 (as such filed or delivered pro forma consolidated balance sheet has been amended, supplemented or otherwise modified heretofore), was prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on the date set forth therein.  Such pro forma consolidated balance sheet (i) was prepared in good faith based on assumptions that are believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the Closing Date (it being understood that such assumptions are based on good faith estimates with respect to certain items and that the actual amounts of such items on the Closing Date is subject to variation) and (ii) presents fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma financial position of the Crestwood Equity Partners and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, as if the Transactions had occurred on such date.

 

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Section 3.06                              No Material Adverse Effect .  Since December 31, 2014, there has been no event or occurrence which has resulted in or would reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, any Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.07                              Properties .   (a)  The Borrower and each of its Relevant Subsidiaries has good and defensible title to all assets and other property purported to be owned by it, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes. The Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries have good title to or valid leasehold interests (subject to Permitted Encumbrances and Prior Liens) in all Real Property set forth on Schedule 1.01A, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries own or possess, or have the right to use or could obtain ownership or possession of or a right to use, on terms not materially adverse to it, all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights necessary for the present conduct of their business, without any known conflict with the rights of others, and free from any burdensome restrictions, except where such conflicts and restrictions could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.08                              Litigation; Compliance with Laws .  (a)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.08(a) , there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings at law or in equity or by or on behalf of any Governmental Authority or in arbitration now pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against or affecting, the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries or any business, property or rights of any such Person (i) as of the Closing Date, that involve any Loan Document or the Transactions (excluding the Merger) or (ii) which individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to materially adversely affect the Transactions.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, all directors and officers of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions. None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director or officer of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, is the target of any Sanctions. To the knowledge of the Borrower, the proceeds of the Loans and Revolving Letters of Credit will not be used for the purpose of violating Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions.

 

(c)                                   (i) None of the Borrower, any Relevant Subsidiary or their respective properties or assets is in violation of (nor will the continued operation of their material properties and assets as currently conducted violate) any currently applicable law, rule or regulation or any judgment, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority, where such violation or default could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) each of the Borrower and each Relevant Subsidiary holds all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, approvals, consents, clearances and other authorizations from any Governmental Authority required under any currently applicable law, rule or regulation for the operation of its business as presently conducted, except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) neither the Borrower nor any Relevant Subsidiary is, or after giving effect to any Borrowing will be, subject to regulation under any Applicable Law which limits its ability to incur the Obligations or consummate the Transactions.

 

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Section 3.09                              Federal Reserve Regulations .   (a)  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Relevant Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

 

(b)                                  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i) to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose, or (ii) for any purpose that entails a violation of, or that is inconsistent with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulation U or Regulation X.

 

Section 3.10                              Investment Company Act .   Neither the Borrower nor any of its Relevant Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Section 3.11                              Use of Proceeds .  The Borrower has used the proceeds of the Revolving Facility Loans and Swingline Loans, and may request the issuance of Revolving Letters of Credit, solely for general corporate purposes (including, without limitation, the Closing Date Refinancing, the Closing Date Distribution, Permitted Business Acquisitions and other Investments permitted by this Agreement).

 

Section 3.12                              Tax Returns .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12 , each of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries (i) has timely filed or caused to be timely filed all federal, state, local and non-U.S. Tax returns required to have been filed by it and each such Tax return is complete and accurate in all respects and (ii) has timely paid or caused to be timely paid all Taxes due and payable by it and all other Taxes or assessments, except in each case referred to in clauses (i) or (ii) above, (1) if the failure to comply would not cause a Material Adverse Effect or (2) if the Taxes or assessments are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in accordance with Section 5.03 and for which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP.

 

Section 3.13                              No Material Misstatements .  (a)  All written information (other than the Projections, estimates and information of a general economic or industry nature) (the “ Information ”) concerning the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the Transaction and any other transactions contemplated hereby prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with the Transaction or the other transactions contemplated hereby, when taken as a whole, was true and correct in all material respects, as of the date such Information was furnished to the Administrative Agent, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact as of any such date or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made.

 

(b)                                  The Projections prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its representatives and that have been made available to any Lenders or the Administrative Agent in connection with the Transactions or the other transactions contemplated hereby have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date thereof, as of the date such Projections were furnished to the Lenders.

 

Section 3.14                              Employee Benefit Plans .   (a)  Each Plan has been administered in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code (and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder) except for such noncompliance that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  As of the Closing Date, the excess of the present value of all benefit liabilities under each Plan of the Borrower, and each Subsidiary of the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates (based

 

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on those assumptions used to fund such Plan), as of the last annual valuation date applicable thereto for which a valuation is available, over the value of the assets of such Plan could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the excess of the present value of all benefit liabilities of all underfunded Plans (based on those assumptions used to fund each such Plan) as of the last annual valuation dates applicable thereto for which valuations are available, over the value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events which have occurred or for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b)                                  Any foreign pension schemes sponsored or maintained by the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, if any, are maintained in accordance with the requirements of applicable foreign law, except where noncompliance could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.15                              Environmental Matters .  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.15 or for matters that could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (i) no written notice, request for information, order, complaint, Environmental Claim or penalty has been received or incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and there are no judicial, administrative or other actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of any of the Loan Parties, threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which allege a violation of or liability under any Environmental Laws, in each case, relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is conducting, funding or responsible for any investigation, remediation, remedial action or cleanup of any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials, (iii)  there has been no Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at any property currently or, to the knowledge of any of the Loan Parties, formerly owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws or Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iv) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any agreement or contract to assume, guarantee or indemnify a third party for any Environmental Claims.  Representations and warranties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to environmental matters are limited to those in this Section 3.15.

 

Section 3.16                              Mortgages .  The Mortgages (or as applicable, amendments thereto, when taken together with any prior applicable underlying Mortgage) executed and delivered prior to, on or after the Closing Date pursuant to clauses (h), (i) and (j) of the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and Section 5.10 or otherwise shall be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a legal, valid and enforceable security interest on all of the Loan Parties’ right, title and interest in and to the Mortgaged Property thereunder and the proceeds thereof, and when such Mortgages are filed or recorded in the proper real estate filing or recording offices, the Collateral Agent (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Mortgaged Property and, to the extent applicable, subject to Section 9-315 of the UCC, the proceeds thereof, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Prior Liens and Permitted Encumbrances.

 

Section 3.17                              Real Property .  (a)  Schedule 1.01A lists completely and correctly as of the Closing Date all Closing Date Real Property of the Borrower and the Loan Parties that would be required to be subject to a Mortgage in order to meet the Mortgage Requirement as of the Closing Date and the address or location thereof (or, in the alternative, the description of the underlying instruments by providing the name of the grantor, the name of the grantee, the instrument date and, to the extent available, the recording information), including the county and state in which such property is located.

 

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(b)                                  Subject to Prior Liens and Permitted Encumbrances, the Midstream Assets are covered by fee deeds, rights of way, easements, leases, servitudes, permits, licenses, or other instruments (collectively, “ rights of way ”) in favor of the applicable Loan Parties, except to the extent the failure to be so covered would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Such rights of way, if and to the extent required in accordance with applicable law to be recorded or filed, have been recorded or filed in the real property records of the county where the Real Property covered thereby is located or with the office of the applicable Governmental Authority, except where the failure of the Midstream Assets to be so covered, or any such documentation to be so recorded or filed, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)                                   [ Reserved ]

 

(d)                                  The material properties used or to be used in the Loan Parties’ Midstream Activities are in good repair, working order, and condition, normal wear and tear excepted, except to the extent the failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(e)                                   No eminent domain proceeding or taking has been commenced or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or its Relevant Subsidiaries, is contemplated with respect to all or any portion of the Midstream Assets except for that which, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.18                              Solvency .   On the Closing Date, immediately after giving effect to the Transactions, (i) the fair value of the assets (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (iii) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (iv) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

 

Section 3.19                              Labor Matters .  There are no strikes pending or threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The hours worked and payments made to employees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not been in violation in any material respect of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable law dealing with such matters.  All material payments due from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or for which any claim may be made against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent required by GAAP.  Consummation of the Transactions will not give rise to a right of termination or right of renegotiation on the part of any union under any collective bargaining agreement to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is a party or by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or any predecessor) is bound, other than collective bargaining agreements that, individually or in the aggregate, are not material to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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Section 3.20                              Insurance .  Schedule 3.20 sets forth a true, complete and correct description of all material insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.  As of such date, such insurance is in full force and effect.  The Borrower believes that the insurance maintained by or on behalf of it and its Relevant Subsidiaries is adequate.

 

Section 3.21                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 3.22                              Status as Senior Debt; Perfection of Security Interests . The Obligations shall rank pari passu with any other senior Indebtedness or securities of the Borrower and shall constitute senior indebtedness of the Borrower and the Relevant Subsidiaries under and as defined in any documentation documenting any junior indebtedness of the Borrower or the Relevant Subsidiaries. Each Collateral Agreement delivered pursuant to Section 4.02 and 5.10 will, upon execution and delivery thereof, be effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof.  In the case of the Pledged Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement, when stock certificates representing such Pledged Collateral are delivered to the Collateral Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Collateral Agreement, when financing statements and other filings specified therein in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified therein, the Lien created by the Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing financing statements, making such other filings specified therein or by possession, as security for the Obligations of such Loan Party, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, subject, in the case of Collateral other than Pledged Collateral, to Prior Liens, and in the case of Pledged Collateral, to Liens arising (and that have priority) by operation of law.

 

ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EVENTS

 

The obligations of (a) the Lenders to make Loans or (b) any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, extend or renew any Revolving Letter of Credit hereunder (each of (a) and (b), a “ Credit Event ”) are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

Section 4.01                              All Credit Events .  On the date of each Credit Event (other with respect to the establishment of Incremental Term Loans, which will be governed by Section 2.20):

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received, in the case of a Borrowing, a Borrowing Request as required by Section 2.03 (or a Borrowing Request shall have been deemed given in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 2.03) or, in the case of the issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a notice requesting the issuance of such Revolving Letter of Credit as required by Section 2.05(b) (in the case of any Revolving Letter of Credit).

 

(b)                                  The representations and warranties set forth in Article III hereof and in the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Revolving Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit), as applicable, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such

 

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representations and warranties are expressly qualified by materiality (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of the applicable date).

 

(c)                                   At the time of and immediately after such Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Revolving Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit), as applicable, no Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Each Credit Event (other than an amendment, extension or renewal of a Revolving Letter of Credit without any increase in the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit) shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Credit Event as to the matters specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 4.01.

 

Section 4.02                              First Credit Event .  On the Closing Date:

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto either (a) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (b) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission, or electronic transmission of a PDF copy, of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent, the Lenders and each Issuing Bank on the Closing Date, favorable written opinions of (i) Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, special counsel for the Loan Parties and Crestwood Equity Partners and (ii) Vinson & Elkins LLP, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (A) dated the Closing Date and (B) addressed to each Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, in each case as of the Closing Date, and each Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners hereby instruct their counsel to deliver such opinions.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent shall have received in the case of each Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners each of the following:

 

(i)                                      a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, partnership agreement or limited liability agreement, including all amendments thereto, or other relevant constitutional documents under applicable law of each Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners, (A) in the case of the formation documents of a registered entity, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or other similar official) and a certificate as to the good standing (to the extent such concept or a similar concept exists under the laws of such jurisdiction) of each such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners as of a recent date from such Secretary of State (or other similar official) or (B) in the case of other constitutional documents, certified by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, other senior officer, or the general partner, managing member or sole member, of each such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners; and

 

(ii)                                   a certificate of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Director, President or other senior officer or the general partner, managing member or sole member, of each Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners, in each case dated the Closing Date and certifying:

 

(A)                                that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the by-laws (or partnership agreement, memorandum and articles of association, limited liability

 

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company agreement or other equivalent governing documents) of such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners as in effect on the Closing Date,

 

(B)                                that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners (or its managing general partner or managing member) authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and the Parent Guarantee, as applicable and, in the case of the Borrower, the borrowings hereunder, and that such resolutions have not been modified, rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect on the Closing Date,

 

(C)                                as to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer or director executing any Loan Document, the Parent Guarantee or any other document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners, as applicable, and

 

(D)                                as to the absence of any pending proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners or, to the knowledge of such Person, threatening the existence of such Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners.

 

(d)                                  Subject to any items on Schedule 5.14, the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement with respect to items to be completed as of the Closing Date shall have been satisfied and the Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Perfection Certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, together with all attachments contemplated thereby, including the results of a search of the UCC (or equivalent under other similar law) filings made with respect to the Loan Parties in the jurisdictions contemplated by the Perfection Certificate and copies of the financing statements (or similar documents) disclosed by such search and evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Liens indicated by such financing statements (or similar documents) are permitted by Section 6.02 or have been released.

 

(e)                                   The Merger shall have been consummated or shall be consummated substantially contemporaneously with the closing under this Agreement.

 

(f)                                    The Lenders shall have received a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F and signed by a Financial Officer of the Borrower confirming the solvency of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions.

 

(g)                                   The Agents shall have received all fees payable thereto or to any Lender or to the Joint Lead Arrangers on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced, all other amounts due and payable pursuant to the Loan Documents on or prior to the Closing Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Loan Parties hereunder, under any Loan Document or under the Parent Guarantee.

 

(h)                                  (x) The representations and warranties set forth in the Loan Documents and in the Parent Guarantee shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date, with the same effect as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly qualified by materiality (in which case such representations

 

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and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of the applicable date) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on and as of the Closing Date.

 

(i)                                      Substantially concurrently with or prior to the consummation of the Merger, the Existing CEQP Credit Agreement shall have been repaid in full and all commitments related thereto shall have been terminated, and all liens or other security interests relating thereto shall have been terminated or released.

 

(j)                                     The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to the matters set forth in clauses (e), (h) and (i) of this Section 4.02.

 

(k)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities with respect to the Borrower under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the U.S. PATRIOT Act, that has been reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent at least 10 days in advance of the Closing Date.

 

(l)                                      The Administrative Agent shall have received flood hazard determinations and evidence of flood insurance, to the extent required by Section 5.02(c).

 

(m)                              The Administrative Agent shall have received the financial statements referenced in Sections 3.05(a), (b) and (c) (it being understood the filing of any such financial statements with the SEC or in any public proxy statement shall satisfy the respective delivery requirements in this condition).

 

(n)                                  The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from Crestwood Equity Partners either (a) a counterpart of the Parent Guarantee signed on behalf of Crestwood Equity Partners or (b) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy transmission, or electronic transmission of a PDF copy, of a signed signature page of the Parent Guarantee) that Crestwood Equity Partners has signed a counterpart of the Parent Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document shall have been paid in full and all Revolving Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its Relevant Subsidiaries (and, to the extent expressly set forth below, other applicable Subsidiaries) to:

 

Section 5.01                              Existence; Businesses and Properties .  (a)  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence, except as otherwise expressly permitted under Section 6.05, and except for the liquidation or dissolution of any such Subsidiary if the assets of such Subsidiary to the extent they exceed estimated liabilities are acquired by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower in such liquidation or dissolution; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 6.05, Subsidiary Loan Parties may not be liquidated into Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties.

 

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(b)                                  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to (i) in the Borrower’s reasonable business judgment obtain, preserve, renew, extend and keep in full force and effect the permits, franchises, authorizations, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and rights with respect thereto necessary to the normal conduct of its business, (ii) comply in all material respects with all material applicable laws, rules, regulations (including any zoning, building, ordinance, code or approval or any building permits or any restrictions of record or agreements affecting the Mortgaged Properties) and judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, permits, licenses and orders of any Governmental Authority, whether now in effect or hereafter enacted and (iii) at all times maintain and preserve all property necessary to the normal conduct of its business and keep such property in good repair, working order and condition and from time to time make, or cause to be made, all needful and proper repairs, renewals, additions, improvements and replacements thereto necessary in order that the business carried on in connection therewith, if any, may be properly conducted at all times (in each case except as expressly permitted by this Agreement); in each case in this paragraph (b) except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.02                              Insurance .   (a)  Keep its insurable properties insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers in such amounts as shall be customary for similar businesses and maintain such other reasonable insurance (including, to the extent consistent with past practices, self-insurance), of such types, to such extent and against such risks, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses and maintain such other insurance as may be required by law or any other Loan Document.

 

(b)                                  (i) Subject to the post-closing time period set forth in Section 5.14, cause all such property insurance policies with respect to the Mortgaged Properties and personal property located in the United States to be endorsed or otherwise amended to include a “standard” or “New York” lender’s loss payable endorsement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, which shall include a requirement to take commercially reasonable efforts to obtain that such endorsement shall provide that, from and after the Closing Date, if the insurance carrier shall have received written notice from the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the insurance carrier shall pay all proceeds otherwise payable to the Borrower or other Loan Party under such policies directly to the Collateral Agent; (ii) subject to the post-closing time period set forth in Section 5.14, take commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such policies to be written on a replacement cost valuation basis, and such other provisions as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably (in light of a Default or a material development in respect of the insured property) require from time to time to protect their interests; (iii) subject to the post-closing time period set forth in Section 5.14, deliver original or certified copies of all property and casualty policies or a certificate of an insurance broker to the Collateral Agent; (iv) subject to the post-closing time period set forth in Section 5.14, take commercially reasonable efforts to cause each property and casualty policy to provide that it shall not be canceled or not renewed upon less than 30 days’ prior written notice thereof by the insurer to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent; and (v) deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, prior to the cancellation or nonrenewal of any such policy of insurance, a copy of a renewal or replacement policy (or other evidence of renewal of a policy previously delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent), or insurance certificate with respect thereto, together with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent of payment of the premium therefor.

 

(c)                                   To the extent any Mortgaged Property is subject to the provisions of the Flood Insurance Laws (as defined below), (i) (w) on or prior to the Closing Date, (x) prior to the delivery of the mortgage (or, if applicable, the supplement to a mortgage) in favor of the Collateral Agent in connection therewith and (y) at any other time if necessary for compliance with applicable Flood Insurance Laws,

 

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provide the Collateral Agent with a standard flood hazard determination form for such Mortgaged Property, which flood hazard determination form shall be addressed to the Collateral Agent, and otherwise comply with the Flood Insurance Laws and (ii) if any building that forms a part of Mortgaged Property is located in an area designated a “flood hazard area” in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), obtain flood insurance in such reasonable total amount as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably require, and otherwise to ensure compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, in each case as amended from time to time, and any successor statutes (the “ Flood Insurance Laws ”).  In addition, to the extent the Borrower and the Loan Parties fail to obtain or maintain satisfactory flood insurance required pursuant to the preceding sentence with respect to any Mortgaged Property, the Collateral Agent shall be permitted, in its sole discretion, to obtain forced placed insurance at the Borrower’s expense to ensure compliance with any applicable Flood Insurance Laws.

 

(d)                                  With respect to each Mortgaged Property and any personal property located in the United States, carry and maintain commercial general liability insurance including coverage on an occurrence basis against claims made for personal injury (including bodily injury, death and property damage) and umbrella liability insurance or excess liability insurance against any and all claims, in each case in amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar industry operating in the same or similar locations naming the Collateral Agent as an additional insured, on forms reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

(e)                                   Notify the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent promptly whenever any separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss with that required to be maintained under this Section 5.02 is taken out by the Borrower or its Relevant Subsidiaries; and promptly deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a duplicate original copy of such policy or policies, or an insurance certificate with respect thereto.

 

(f)                                    In connection with the covenants set forth in this Section 5.02, it is understood and agreed that:

 

(i)                                      none of the Agents, the Lenders, the Issuing Banks or their respective agents or employees shall be liable for any loss or damage insured by the insurance policies required to be maintained under this Section 5.02, it being understood that (x) the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries shall look solely to their insurance companies or any parties other than the aforesaid parties for the recovery of such loss or damage and (y) such insurance companies shall have no rights of subrogation against the Agents, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank or their agents or employees.  If, however, the insurance policies do not provide waiver of subrogation rights against such parties, as required above, then the Borrower hereby agrees, to the extent permitted by law, to waive, and to cause each of its Relevant Subsidiaries to waive, its right of recovery, if any, against the Agents, the Lenders, any Issuing Bank and their agents and employees; and

 

(ii)                                   the designation of any form, type or amount of insurance coverage by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders under this Section 5.02 shall in no event be deemed a representation, warranty or advice by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Lenders that such insurance is adequate for the purposes of the business of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries or the protection of their properties.

 

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Section 5.03                              Taxes; Payment of Obligations .  Pay and discharge promptly when due all material Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or in respect of its property, before the same shall become delinquent or in default, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise that, if unpaid, might give rise to a Lien upon such properties or any part thereof; provided, however , that such payment and discharge shall not be required with respect to any such Tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim to the extent that the validity or amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and the Borrower or the affected Subsidiary of the Borrower, as applicable, shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP with respect thereto. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its material obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the Borrower or the affected Subsidiary of the Borrower or if the failure to pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy such obligation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.04                              Financial Statements, Reports, Etc.   Furnish to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to the Lenders):

 

(a)                                  within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, cash flows and owners’ equity showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as of the close of such fiscal year and the consolidated results of their operations during such year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the prior fiscal year (or in lieu of such audited financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a detailed reconciliation, reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements), all (except with respect to such reconciliation) audited by independent accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and accompanied by an opinion of such accountants (which opinion shall be without a “going concern” or like qualification (other than an exception or explanatory paragraph with respect to the maturity of the Facilities for an opinion delivered in the fiscal year in which such Indebtedness matures) and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b)                                  within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations and cash flows showing the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and, if different, the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case as of the close of such fiscal quarter and the consolidated results of their operations during such fiscal quarter and the then-elapsed portion of the fiscal year and setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the prior fiscal year (or in lieu of such unaudited financial statements of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, a detailed reconciliation, reflecting such financial information for the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, reflecting adjustments necessary to eliminate the accounts of Unrestricted Subsidiaries (if any) from such consolidated financial statements), all certified by Crestwood GP or a Financial Officer of the Borrower, on behalf of the Borrower, as fairly presenting, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes);

 

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(c)                                   concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under (a) or (b) above, a certificate of Crestwood GP or a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying that no Event of Default or Default has occurred or, if such an Event of Default or Default has occurred, specifying the nature and extent thereof and any corrective action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth a computation of the Financial Performance Covenants in detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (iii) certifying that the Mortgage Requirement is satisfied at the end of the applicable fiscal period;

 

(d)                                  (i) upon the consummation of (A) any Permitted Business Acquisition, (B) the acquisition of any Relevant Subsidiary, (C) any Person becoming a Relevant Subsidiary or (D) the contribution to the Borrower of Equity Interests in any Person acquired pursuant to a Group Acquisition, in each case if the aggregate consideration for such transaction (or, in the case of clause (D), such Group Acquisition) exceeds $25.0 million, or upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent (but not, in the case of such request, more often than annually), an updated Perfection Certificate (or, to the extent such request relates to specified information contained in the Perfection Certificate, such information) reflecting all changes since the date of the information most recently received pursuant to Section 4.02(e), this Section 5.04(d) or Section 5.10(e) and (ii) concurrently with the delivery of financial statements under Section 5.04(a), a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying compliance with Section 5.02(c) and providing evidence of such compliance, including without limitation copies of any flood hazard determination forms required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.02(c);

 

(e)                                   promptly, from time to time, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries, or compliance with the terms of any Loan Document, or such consolidating financial statements, as in each case the Administrative Agent may reasonably request (for itself or on behalf of any Lender); and

 

(f)                                    no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days following the first day of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a budget for such fiscal year in form customarily prepared by the Borrower;

 

provided that, if the Holding Company Condition is satisfied as of the date of the relevant financial statements (or in the case of a budget on the first day of the applicable fiscal year), the obligations in clauses (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.04 may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries by furnishing the applicable financial statements of Crestwood Equity Partners; provided that to the extent such information relates to Crestwood Equity Partners, the Borrower shall promptly provide to the Administrative Agent, upon request from the Administrative Agent, consolidating or other information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to Crestwood Equity Partners, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand;

 

provided further that to the extent any such documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 are included in materials filed with the SEC, such documents shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement on the date such documents are made publicly available by the SEC.

 

Section 5.05                              Litigation and Other Notices .  Furnish to the Administrative Agent written notice of the following promptly after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary obtains actual knowledge thereof:

 

(a)                                  any Event of Default or Default, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the corrective action (if any) proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

 

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(b)                                  the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, whether at law or in equity or by or before any Governmental Authority or in arbitration, against the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries as to which an adverse determination could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)                                   any other development specific to the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries that is not a matter of general public knowledge and that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)                                  the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.06                              Compliance with Laws .  Comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (owned or leased), except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that this Section 5.06 shall not apply to Environmental Laws, which are the subject of Section 5.09, or to laws related to Taxes, which are the subject of Section 5.03.

 

Section 5.07                              Maintaining Records; Access to Properties and Inspections; Maintaining Midstream Assets .  (a) Maintain all financial records in accordance with GAAP and permit any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender to visit and inspect the financial records and the properties of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries at reasonable times, upon reasonable prior notice to the Borrower, and as often as reasonably requested and to make extracts from and copies of such financial records, and permit any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any Lender upon reasonable prior notice to the Borrower to discuss the affairs, finances and condition of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries with the officers thereof, or the general partner, managing member or sole member thereof, and independent accountants therefor (subject to reasonable requirements of confidentiality, including requirements imposed by law or by contract); provided that, during any calendar year absent the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, only one (1) visit by the Administrative Agent shall be at the Borrower’s expense; provided , further , that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower.

 

(b)                                  Maintain or cause the maintenance of the interests and rights with respect to the rights-of-way for the Midstream Assets except to the extent individually or in the aggregate the failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.08                              Use of Proceeds .  Use the proceeds of the Loans and the issuance of Revolving Letters of Credit solely for the purposes described in Section 3.11.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not use, and shall require that its or their Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Credit Event (a) in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country or (c) in any manner that results in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

Section 5.09                              Compliance with Environmental Laws .  Comply, cause all of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries to comply and make commercially reasonable efforts to cause all lessees and other Persons occupying its properties to comply, with all Environmental Laws applicable to its business, operations and properties; obtain and maintain in full force and effect all material

 

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authorizations, registrations, licenses and permits required pursuant to Environmental Law for its business, operations and properties; and perform any investigation, remedial action or cleanup required pursuant to the Release of any Hazardous Materials as required pursuant to Environmental Laws, except, in each case with respect to this Section 5.09, to the extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 5.10                              Further Assurances .   (a)  Execute any and all further documents, financing statements, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages and other documents and recordings of Liens in stock registries or land title registries, as applicable), that may be required under any applicable law, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, to cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be and remain satisfied, all at the expense of the applicable Loan Parties, and provide to the Administrative Agent, from time to time upon reasonable request, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as to the perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Security Documents.

 

(b)                                  (i) Within sixty (60) days (or such later date as is agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) after the end of any fiscal quarter in which the Loan Parties have acquired Real Property (other than Excluded Real Property) with a book value of at least $25.0 million in any one transaction or series of related transactions and (ii) within sixty (60) days (or such later date as is agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) following June 30 and December 31 of each fiscal year of the Borrower, grant and cause each of the Loan Parties to grant to the Collateral Agent security interests and Mortgages in any Real Property of the Borrower or any other Loan Party that is required to be subject to a Mortgage, in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii) above, solely in order to satisfy the Mortgage Requirement as of such date (and that is not already Mortgaged Property) and otherwise satisfy the requirements of clause (j) of the definition of Collateral and Guarantee Requirement with respect to such Real Property as of such date.

 

(c)                                   Provide to the Administrative Agent, if reasonably requested, title information (including without limitation, deeds, easements, rights of way agreements, permits and similar agreements) in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent evidencing the applicable Loan Party’s interests in Real Properties required to be subject to a Mortgage in order to satisfy the Mortgage Requirement.

 

(d)                                  If any additional direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party (including as a result of ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary) after the Closing Date, within five Business Days after the date such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party (including as a result of becoming a Material Subsidiary), notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, within sixty (60) Business Days after the date such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party (including as a result of ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary), cause the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement to be satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary Loan Party and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party.

 

(e)                                   In the case of any Loan Party, (i) furnish to the Collateral Agent prompt written notice of any change (A) in such Loan Party’s corporate or organization name, (B) in such Loan Party’s identity or organizational structure or (C) in such Loan Party’s organizational identification number; provided that no Loan Party shall effect or permit any such change unless all filings have been made, or will have been made within any statutory period, under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for the Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected

 

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security interest in all the Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties and (ii) promptly notify the Administrative Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed.

 

(f)                                    The Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and the other provisions of this Section 5.10 need not be satisfied with respect to any assets or Equity Interests acquired after the Closing Date in accordance with this Agreement if, and to the extent that, and for so long as doing so would violate the Agreed Security Principles or Section 9.21.

 

(g)                                   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement), (i) the Equity Interest of any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) shall not be required to be pledged under any Security Document to the extent such pledge would be prohibited by applicable law, (ii) no Mortgages shall be required hereunder to the extent such Mortgages are not readily obtainable under relevant applicable law and (iii) the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that in the event the Borrower receives, after the Closing Date, ratings for its senior unsecured long-term debt securities (without third-party credit enhancement) that are investment grade from both S&P (at least BBB-) and Moody’s (at least Baa3) (the “ Collateral Release Event ”), the Liens and Mortgages (including equity pledges) otherwise required by the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement and granted pursuant to the Security Documents will be released; provided , that (x) if either such rating subsequently falls below BB+ or Ba1, respectively, then the Loan Parties will re-grant the security interests in the Collateral pursuant to comparable Security Documents (the “ Collateral Regrant Event ”) and no further ratings-based collateral releases will be permissible, and (y) notwithstanding the foregoing clause (x), no re-granting of the security interest in and the Liens on the Collateral will be required if the Borrower receives ratings of BBB (stable or better outlook) or higher from S&P and Baa2 (stable or better outlook) from Moody’s.

 

Section 5.11                              Fiscal Year .  Cause its fiscal year to end on December 31.

 

Section 5.12                              Risk Management Policy .  Comply, and cause all of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries to comply, with (i) the wholesale inventory distribution and trading procedures, (ii) the dollar and volume limits and (iii) all other material provisions of the Risk Management Policy.

 

Section 5.13                              Unrestricted Subsidiaries .   (a)  The Borrower may at any time designate, by a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that (1) immediately before and after such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (2) the Borrower is in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Performance Covenants immediately after giving effect to such designation as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04, (3) such Unrestricted Subsidiary does not own, directly or indirectly, any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and (4) no Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if it is a “Restricted Subsidiary” for the purpose of the Existing Notes, any Permitted Junior Debt or any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to any of the foregoing. The designation of any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary (as applicable) therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the net book value of all such Person’s outstanding Investment therein.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and an incurrence of Liens by a Restricted Subsidiary on the property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such

 

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designation will only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 6.01 and such Liens are permitted under Section 6.02, (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately following such designation, (iii) the Borrower is in compliance, on a Pro Forma Basis, with the Financial Performance Covenants immediately after giving effect to such designation as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 and (iv) such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent required by Section 5.10 and the Collateral and Guarantee Requirement is satisfied with respect to such Subsidiary and with respect to any Equity Interest in or Indebtedness of such Subsidiary owned by or on behalf of any Loan Party.

 

Section 5.14                              Post-Closing Undertakings .  Within the time periods specified on Schedule 5.14 (as such time periods may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), take the actions, deliver the documents and comply with the provisions set forth in Schedule 5.14.

 

ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

The Borrower covenants and agrees with each Lender that so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect and until the Commitments have been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan, all Fees and all other expenses or amounts payable under any Loan Document have been paid in full and all Revolving Letters of Credit have been canceled or have expired and all amounts drawn thereunder have been reimbursed in full, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Borrower will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Relevant Subsidiaries to:

 

Section 6.01                              Indebtedness .  Incur, create, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)                                  (i) the Existing Notes, (ii) [reserved] and (iii) other Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01 (excluding Indebtedness under clause (b) of this Section 6.01) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness Refinanced with Indebtedness owed to a Person not affiliated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower);

 

(b)                                  Indebtedness created hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;

 

(c)                                   Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries pursuant to Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.13;

 

(d)                                  Indebtedness owed to (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees or similar instruments for the benefit of) any Person providing workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower, pursuant to reimbursement or indemnification obligations to such Person in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                                   Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent permitted by Section 6.04, provided that Indebtedness of any Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (the “ Subordinated Intercompany Debt ”) shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 

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(f)                                    Indebtedness in respect of performance bonds, warranty bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, labor bonds and completion or performance guarantees and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business and Indebtedness arising out of advances on exports, advances on imports, advances on trade receivables, customer prepayments and similar transactions in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                                   Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or other cash management services in the ordinary course of business, provided that (x) such Indebtedness (other than credit or purchase cards) is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence and (y) such Indebtedness in respect of credit or purchase cards is extinguished within 60 days from its incurrence;

 

(h)                                  (i) Indebtedness of a Relevant Subsidiary acquired after the Closing Date or a Person merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary after the Closing Date and Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets, which Indebtedness in each case, exists at the time of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and is not created in contemplation of such event and where such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation is permitted by this Agreement, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness at the time of, and after giving effect to, such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, such assumption or such incurrence, as applicable (together with Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this paragraph (h), paragraph (i) of this Section 6.01 and the Remaining Present Value of outstanding leases permitted under Section 6.03), would not exceed the greater of $125.0 million and 2.0 % of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately prior to the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, such assumption or such incurrence, as applicable, for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness;

 

(i)                                      Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings and purchase money Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary prior to or within 270 days after the acquisition, lease or improvement of the respective asset permitted under this Agreement in order to finance such acquisition, lease or improvement, and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, in an aggregate principal amount that at the time of, and after giving effect to, the incurrence thereof (together with Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to paragraph (h) of this Section 6.01, this paragraph (i) and the Remaining Present Value of leases permitted under Section 6.03) would not exceed the greater of $125.0 million and 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately prior to the date of such incurrence for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.04;

 

(j)                                     Capital Lease Obligations incurred by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in respect of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction that is permitted under Section 6.03;

 

(k)                                  other Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(k) not in excess of the greater of $100.0 million and 1.5 % of Consolidated Total Assets;

 

(l)                                      Guarantees (i) by any Loan Party or any other Relevant Subsidiary of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Loan Party expressly permitted to be incurred under this Agreement; provided , that a Relevant Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall not be permitted to

 

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Guarantee Indebtedness of a Loan Party pursuant to this sub-clause (i) unless such Relevant Subsidiary becomes (and remains) a Guarantor hereunder while such Guarantee is outstanding, (ii) by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the extent permitted by Section 6.04, (iii) by any Relevant Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party of Indebtedness of another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (iv) by the Borrower of Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries incurred for working capital purposes in the ordinary course of business on ordinary business terms so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(k) or (p); provided that Guarantees by any Loan Party under this Section 6.01(l) of any other Indebtedness of a Person that is subordinated to other Indebtedness of such Person shall be expressly subordinated to the Obligations on terms consistent with those used, or to be used, for Subordinated Intercompany Debt;

 

(m)                              Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn outs or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

(n)                                  Indebtedness supported by a Revolving Letter of Credit, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such Revolving Letter of Credit;

 

(o)                                  Indebtedness consisting of Permitted Junior Debt;

 

(p)                                  Indebtedness of Relevant Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries (including letters of credit or bank guarantees (other than Revolving Letters of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.05) for working capital purposes incurred in the ordinary course of business on ordinary business terms in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $25.0 million and 0.5% of Consolidated Total Assets outstanding at any time);

 

(q)                                  (i) Indebtedness incurred and/or assumed in connection with Section 6.04(j) or 6.04(q); provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this Section 6.01(q) shall not exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets and (ii) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to Refinance such Indebtedness; and

 

(r)                                     all premium (if any), interest (including post-petition interest), fees, expenses, charges and additional or contingent interest on obligations described in paragraphs (a) through (q) above.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, (i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness permitted in this Section 6.01, the Borrower or a Relevant Subsidiary, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, may classify, at the time of incurrence, such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any such category and will only be required to include such Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of Indebtedness permitted in this Section 6.01; and (ii) at the time of incurrence, the Borrower or a Relevant Subsidiary, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, may divide and classify an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in more than one of the categories of Indebtedness permitted in this Section 6.01.

 

Section 6.02                              Liens .  Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or assets (including stock or other securities of any Person, including of any Relevant Subsidiaries) at the time owned by it or on any income or revenues or rights in respect of any thereof, except (without duplication):

 

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(a)                                  Liens on property or assets of the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02(a) ; provided that such Liens shall secure only those obligations that they secure on the Closing Date (and extensions, renewals and refinancings of such obligations (if such Liens secure Indebtedness, to the extent permitted by Section 6.01(a))) and shall not subsequently apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries;

 

(b)                                  any Lien created for the benefit of Secured Parties under the Loan Documents;

 

(c)                                   any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary securing Indebtedness or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(h), provided that (i) such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary not securing such Indebtedness at the date of the acquisition of such property or asset (other than after-acquired property subjected to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such date and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition), (ii) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition and (iii) in the case of a Lien securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, such Lien is permitted in accordance with clause (e) of the definition of the term “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness”;

 

(d)                                  Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or that are being contested in compliance with Section 5.03;

 

(e)                                   Liens imposed by law (including, without limitation, Liens in favor of customers for equipment under order or in respect of advances paid in connection therewith) such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 45 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and in respect of which, if applicable, the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books reserves in accordance with GAAP;

 

(f)                                    (i) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with the Federal Employers Liability Act or any other workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security or retirement laws or regulations under U.S. or foreign law and deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements in respect of such obligations and (ii) pledges and deposits securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries;

 

(g)                                   deposits to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for Indebtedness), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, costs of litigation where required by law, performance and return of money bonds, warranty bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, completion or performance guarantees and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, including those incurred to secure health, safety and environmental obligations in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)                                  zoning restrictions, by-laws and other ordinances of Governmental Authorities, easements, trackage rights, leases, licenses, permits, special assessments, development agreements, deferred services agreements, restrictive covenants, owners’ association encumbrances, rights-of-way,

 

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restrictions on use of Real Property and other similar encumbrances affecting Borrower’s Real Property that do not materially interfere with the ordinary use of such property;

 

(i)                                      purchase money security interests in equipment or other property or improvements thereto hereafter acquired (or, in the case of improvements, constructed) by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries (including the interests of vendors and lessors under conditional sale and title retention agreements); provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01(i) (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof), (ii) such security interests are incurred, and the Indebtedness secured thereby is created, within 270 days after such acquisition (or construction), (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such equipment or other property or improvements at the time of such acquisition (or construction), including transaction costs incurred by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition (or construction) and (iv) such security interests do not apply to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary (other than to accessions to such equipment or other property or improvements and the proceeds of such equipment or other property); provided further that individual financings of equipment provided by a single lender may be cross-collateralized to other financings of equipment provided solely by such lender;

 

(j)                                     Liens arising out of capitalized lease transactions and the PILOT Programs permitted under Section 6.03, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold (or, if applicable, leased) and being leased (or, if applicable, subleased) in such transaction and any accessions thereto or proceeds thereof and related property;

 

(k)                                  Liens securing judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01(j);

 

(l)                                      Liens disclosed by any title insurance policies or commitments with respect to the Mortgaged Properties and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien; provided that such replacement, extension or renewal Lien shall not cover any property other than the property that was subject to such Lien prior to such replacement, extension or renewal; provided further that the Indebtedness and other obligations secured by such replacement, extension or renewal Lien are permitted by this Agreement;

 

(m)                              any interest or title of, or Liens created by, a lessor under any leases or subleases entered into by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary, as tenant, in the ordinary course of business or any interest or title of, or Lien created by the owner of the lands underlying any right of way entered into by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary, in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)                                  Liens that are contractual rights of set-off and similar Liens (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or securities intermediaries not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)                                  Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to security intermediaries’ or banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights;

 

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(p)                                  Liens securing obligations in respect of trade-related letters of credit permitted under Section 6.01(f) and covering the goods (or the documents of title in respect of such goods) financed by such letters of credit and the proceeds and products thereof;

 

(q)                                  licenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business;

 

(r)                                     Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of inventory (including, if applicable, natural gas), goods, machinery or other equipment;

 

(s)                                    Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(t)                                     Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)                                  Liens securing insurance premium financing arrangements in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 1.0 % of Consolidated Total Assets, provided that such Lien is limited to the applicable insurance contracts;

 

(v)                                  Liens arising under regulation or otherwise given to a public utility or any Governmental Authority when required by such utility or Governmental Authority in connection with the operations of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary;

 

(w)                                Liens in connection with subdivision agreements site plan control agreements, development agreements, facilities sharing agreements, cost sharing agreements and other similar agreements in connection with the use of Real Property;

 

(x)                                  Liens in favor of any tenant, occupant or licensee under any lease, occupancy agreement or license with the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary;

 

(y)                                  Liens restricting or prohibiting access to or from lands abutting controlled access highways or covenants affecting the use to which lands may be put;

 

(z)                                   Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in favor of a Governmental Authority to secure the performance of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary under any Environmental Law or other applicable law to which any assets of such Person are subject;

 

(aa)                           Liens consisting of minor irregularities in title, boundaries, or other minor survey defects, easements, leases, restrictions, servitudes, licenses, permits, reservations, exceptions, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way, conditions, covenants, mineral or royalty rights or reservations or oil, gas and mineral leases and rights of others in any property of the Borrower or the Relevant Subsidiaries, including rights of eminent domain (including those for streets, roads, bridges, pipes, pipelines, natural gas gathering systems, processing facilities, railroads, electric transmission and distribution lines, telegraph and telephone lines, the removal of oil, gas, salt or other minerals or other similar purposes, flood control, air rights, water rights, rights of others with respect to navigable waters, sewage and drainage rights) that exist as of the Closing Date or at the time the affected property is acquired, or are granted by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and other similar charges or

 

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encumbrances which do not secure the payment of Indebtedness and otherwise do not materially interfere with the occupation, use and enjoyment by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of any Mortgaged Property in the normal course of business or materially impair the value thereof; and

 

(bb)                           contractual Liens that arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas and/or hydrocarbons or salt products, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and/or salt manufacturing business and are for claims which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; provided , that any such Lien referred to in this clause (bb) does not materially impair (i) the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary, or (ii) the value of such Property subject thereto;

 

(cc)                             Liens on the assets of a Foreign Subsidiary that do not constitute Collateral and which secure Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary that is not otherwise secured by a Lien on the Collateral under the Loan Documents and which Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(k);

 

(dd)                           Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods (other than rigs) and proceeds of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of banker’s acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods (other than rigs);

 

(ee)                             Liens on the assets of a Foreign Subsidiary which secure Indebtedness of such Foreign Subsidiary that is permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(p);

 

(ff)                               licenses granted in the ordinary course of business and leases of property of the Loan Parties that are not material to the business and operations of the Loan Parties;

 

(gg)                             Liens securing obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 0.75% of Consolidated Total Assets;  provided that to the extent such Liens permitted under this clause (gg) secure Indebtedness incurred in connection with a Permitted Business Acquisition pursuant to Section 6.01(q), such Liens shall only be permitted to encumber the assets acquired pursuant to such Permitted Business Acquisition and shall not be permitted to encumber any other assets of the Borrower, any Material Subsidiary or any Subsidiary Loan Party.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, (i) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Liens permitted in this Section 6.02, then the Borrower or its Relevant Subsidiary, as applicable, may in its sole discretion at the time such Lien arises classify such Lien or portion thereof in any such category and will only be required to include such Lien in one of the categories permitted above, and (ii) at the time such Lien arises, the Borrower or its Relevant Subsidiary, as applicable, may in its sole discretion divide and classify such Lien in more than one category of Liens permitted in this Section 6.02.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Liens shall be permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, on Pledged Collateral, other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent and Liens arising by operation of law, (ii) no Liens shall be permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, on Pledged Collateral that are prior and superior in right to Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent other than Liens that have priority by operation of law, (iii) no Liens shall be permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, on Collateral (other than Pledged Collateral) that are prior and superior in right to any Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent other than Prior Liens and (iv) no Liens shall be permitted to exist, directly or indirectly, on Mortgaged Property, other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent, Prior Liens and Permitted Encumbrances.

 

Section 6.03                              Sale and Lease-back Transactions .  Enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby it shall sell or transfer any property, real or personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred (a “ Sale and Lease-Back Transaction ”), provided that a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction shall be permitted so long as at the time the lease in connection therewith is entered into, and after giving effect to the entering into of such Lease, the Remaining Present Value of such lease (together with Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to paragraphs (h) and (i) of Section 6.01 and the Remaining Present Value of outstanding leases previously entered into under this Section 6.03) would not exceed the greater of $125.0 million or 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.03, Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into any sale, lease or other transfer of assets in connection with the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s participation in any “Payment in Lieu of Tax Program” or any other similar program as Borrower may, in its discretion, decide to participate in (each such program, a “ PILOT Program ”). As of the Closing Date, all such PILOT Programs in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiary’s participate in are listed on Schedule 6.03 .

 

Section 6.04                              Investments, Loans and Advances .  Purchase (including pursuant to any merger or amalgamation with a Person that is not a Relevant Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger) any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities of, make any loans or advances (other than intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Borrower and the Loan Parties, which cash management operations shall not extend to any other Person) to or Guarantees of the obligations of, or make any investment (each, an “ Investment ”), in any other Person, except:

 

(a)                                  Investments (including, but not limited to, Investments in Equity Interests, intercompany loans, and Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder) after the Closing Date by (i) Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof) not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of, without duplication,  the greater of $50.0 million and 2.0% of Consolidated Total Assets plus any return of capital actually received by the respective investors in respect of investments previously made by them pursuant to this clause 6.04(a)(i)  plus, an amount equal to the fair market value of any assets or property that is contributed or transferred from any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party from and after the Closing Date, (ii) Loan Parties in other Loan Parties, (iii) by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in other Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and (iv) by Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in Loan Parties;

 

(b)                                  Permitted Investments and Investments that were Permitted Investments when made;

 

(c)                                   Investments arising out of the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries of noncash consideration for the sale of assets permitted under Section 6.05;

 

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(d)                                  (i) loans and advances to employees of the Borrower, any of its Relevant Subsidiaries or, to the extent such employees are providing services rendered on behalf of the Loan Parties, any Parent Company in the ordinary course of business not to exceed the greater of $10.0 million and 0.25% of Consolidated Total Assets in the aggregate at any time outstanding (calculated without regard to write-downs or write-offs thereof) and (ii) advances of payroll payments and expenses to employees of the Borrower, any of its Relevant Subsidiaries or, to the extent such employees are providing services on behalf of the Loan Parties, any Parent Company in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)                                   accounts receivable arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business and any securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(f)                                    Swap Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 6.13;

 

(g)                                   Investments existing on the Closing Date and/or Investments contemplated as of the Closing Date and in each case, set forth on Schedule 6.04 , and, in each case additional Investments in respect of such existing or contemplated Investments;

 

(h)                                  Investments resulting from pledges and deposits referred to in Section 6.02(f) and (g);

 

(i)                                      so long as immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, other Investments by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof) not to exceed the greater of $250.0 million and 4.0 % of Consolidated Total Assets ( plus any returns of capital actually received by the respective investor in respect of investments theretofore made by it pursuant to this paragraph (i));

 

(j)                                     Investments constituting Permitted Business Acquisitions, so long as any Person acquired in connection with such Permitted Business Acquisitions and each of such Person’s Subsidiaries becomes a Subsidiary Loan Party to the extent required by Section 5.10;

 

(k)                                  additional Investments to the extent (i) made with proceeds of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or paid for with Equity Interests of a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower), (ii) in an amount not exceeding the amount of cash contributed as common equity to the Borrower by any direct or indirect parent entity thereof or (iii) in an amount not exceeding the fair market value of the Equity Interests issued by Crestwood Equity Partners to finance, or as consideration for, any Group Acquisition, which amount shall be available pursuant to this clause (iii) commencing at the time all property acquired by Crestwood Equity Partners in such Group Acquisition is contributed to the Borrower;

 

(l)                                      Investments (including, but not limited to, Investments in Equity Interests, intercompany loans, and Guarantees of Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted hereunder) after the Closing Date by Relevant Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in any Loan Party or other Subsidiaries;

 

(m)                              the Transactions;

 

(n)                                  Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with or judgments against, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(o)                                  Investments of a Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower acquired after the Closing Date or of a corporation merged or amalgamated or consolidated into the Borrower or merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with a Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower in accordance with Section 6.05 after the Closing Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(p)                                  Guarantees by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(q)                                  so long as immediately before and after giving effect to such Investment no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Investments in the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Borrower is in compliance with the Financial Performance Covenants on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to any such Investment.

 

Section 6.05                              Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets and Acquisitions .  Merge into, amalgamate with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into, amalgamate with or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or any part of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) all or any substantial part of the assets of any other Person, except that this Section shall not prohibit:

 

(a)                                  (i) the purchase and sale of inventory, supplies, materials and equipment and the purchase and sale of rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property, in each case in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries, (ii) the sale of any other asset in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries, (iii) the sale of surplus, obsolete or worn out equipment or other property in the ordinary course of business by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries, including motor vehicles or (iv) the sale of Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                  if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (i) the merger or consolidation of any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower into the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving corporation, (ii) the merger or consolidation of any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower into or with any Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving or resulting entity is a Loan Party and, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), no Person other than the Borrower or a Loan Party receives any consideration, (iii) the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party into or with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (iv) the liquidation, winding up, or dissolution or change in form of entity of any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower if the Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation, winding up, dissolution or change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders, (v) the change in form of entity of the Borrower if the Borrower determines in good faith that such change in form is in the best interests of the Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders or (vi) the Borrower may merge or consolidate with Crestwood Equity Partners to the extent that Crestwood Equity Partners (A) survives such merger or consolidation, (B) expressly assumes the obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (C) satisfies the Holding Company Condition immediately prior to such merger or consolidation;

 

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(c)                                   sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise); provided that any sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party shall be made in compliance with Section 6.07; provided further that the aggregate gross proceeds of any sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in reliance upon this paragraph (c) and the aggregate gross proceeds of any or all assets sold, transferred or leased in reliance upon paragraph (g) below shall not exceed, in any fiscal year of the Borrower, 7.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year;

 

(d)                                  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by Section 6.03;

 

(e)                                   Investments permitted by Section 6.04, Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and dividends, distributions, redemptions, purchases, retirements or other acquisitions for value permitted by Section 6.06;

 

(f)                                    the sale of defaulted receivables in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivables financing transaction;

 

(g)                                   sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of assets not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.05; provided that the aggregate gross proceeds (including noncash proceeds) of any or all assets sold, transferred, leased or otherwise disposed of in reliance upon this paragraph (g) and in reliance upon the second proviso to paragraph (c) above shall not exceed, in any fiscal year of the Borrower, 7.5% of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year; provided further that the Net Proceeds thereof are applied in accordance with Section 2.11(c), as applicable; and provided further that after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(h)                                  any merger or consolidation in connection with a Permitted Business Acquisition, provided that following any such merger or consolidation (i) involving the Borrower, the Borrower is the surviving corporation and (ii) involving a Relevant Subsidiary, the surviving or resulting entity shall be a Loan Party;

 

(i)                                      licensing and cross-licensing arrangements involving any technology or other intellectual property of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)                                     abandonment, cancellation or disposition of any intellectual property of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)                                  any issuance or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(l)                                      sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of assets or Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements; and

 

(m)                              the Transactions.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 6.05 above, (i) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets shall be permitted by this Section 6.05 (other than sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions (1) to Loan Parties pursuant to paragraph (c) hereof, (2) or pursuant to paragraphs (e) or

 

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(l) hereof) unless such disposition is for fair market value, (ii) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets shall be permitted by paragraph (a), (d) or (j) of this Section 6.05 unless such disposition is for at least 75% cash consideration and (iii) no sale, transfer or other disposition of assets in excess of $20.0 million shall be permitted by paragraph (g) of this Section 6.05 unless such disposition is for at least 75% cash consideration; provided that for purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii), the amount of any secured Indebtedness or other Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party (as shown on the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) that is assumed by the transferee of any such assets shall be deemed to be cash.

 

Section 6.06                              Dividends and Distributions .  Pay, directly or indirectly, any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or a combination thereof, with respect to any of its Equity Interests (other than dividends and distributions on Equity Interests payable solely by the issuance of additional shares of Equity Interests of the Person paying such dividends or distributions) or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of any class of its Equity Interests (other than redemptions, purchases, retirements and acquisitions of Equity Interests made solely through the issuance of additional shares of Equity Interests of the Person redeeming, purchasing, retiring or acquiring such Equity Interests) or set aside any amount for any such purpose; provided, however , that:

 

(a)                                  any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower may pay dividends to, repurchase its Equity Interests from, or make other distributions to, the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary (or, in the case of Relevant Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis (or more favorable basis from the perspective of the Borrower or such Subsidiary) based on their relative ownership interests);

 

(b)                                  the Borrower and each of its Relevant Subsidiaries may repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire to finance any such repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries held by any current or former officer, director, consultant, or employee of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or, to the extent such Equity Interests were issued as compensation for services rendered on behalf of the Loan Parties, any employee of any Parent Company, pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’, members’ or partnership agreement or similar agreement, plan or arrangement or any Plan and the Borrower and Relevant Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends to the Borrower or any other Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower the proceeds of which are used for such purposes, provided that the aggregate amount of such purchases or redemptions in cash under this paragraph (b) shall not exceed in any fiscal year $10.0 million (plus the amount of net proceeds (x) received by the Borrower during such calendar year from sales of Equity Interests of the Borrower to directors, consultants, officers or employees of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in connection with permitted employee compensation and incentive arrangements and (y) of any key-man life insurance policies received during such calendar year) which, if not used in any year, may be carried forward to any subsequent calendar year;  for the avoidance of doubt the Borrower may make dividends or distributions to its direct or indirect parent to facilitate such direct or indirect parent making any purchases, redemptions or acquisitions permitted by clause (b) (assuming for purposes hereof such parent entity is the “Borrower” in this clause (b)).

 

(c)                                   noncash repurchases, redemptions or exchanges of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or exchange of exchangeable shares if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options shall be permitted;

 

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(d)                                  provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may pay dividends or make other distributions, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value, its Equity Interests, without duplication, (x) from the proceeds of any issuance of Equity Interests permitted to be made under this Agreement and (y) in an amount not exceeding the amount of cash equity contributed to the Borrower as common equity by any direct or indirect Parent Company thereof;

 

(e)                                   the Closing Date Distribution shall be permitted;

 

(f)                                    provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may make a distribution on or with respect to the Equity Interests of the Borrower during any fiscal quarter in an amount not to exceed Available Cash attributable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(g)                                   dividends, distributions, repurchases, retirements or other acquisitions for value shall be permitted within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend, distribution, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value, as the case may be, if, at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend, distribution, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(h)                                  provided no Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, dividends, distributions, repurchases, retirements or other acquisitions for value shall be permitted to the extent the proceeds are used by Crestwood Equity Partners to pay operating expenses and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses provided by third parties), to the extent reasonable and customary, incurred in the ordinary course of business and related to (i) the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the nature of Crestwood Equity Partners as a holding company, or (iii) the businesses owned by Crestwood Equity Partners prior to the Closing Date; and

 

(i)                                      provided no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may make dividends, distributions, repurchases, retirements or other acquisition for value for the purpose of funding any Group Acquisition.

 

Section 6.07                              Transactions with Affiliates .   (a)  Sell or transfer any property or assets to, or purchase or acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transaction with, any of its Affiliates, unless such transaction is upon terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Relevant Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate; provided that this clause (a) shall not apply to the indemnification of directors (or persons holding similar positions for non-corporate entities) of the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent entity thereof) in accordance with customary practice.

 

(b)                                  The foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit, to the extent otherwise permitted under this Agreement,

 

(i)                                      any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock options, stock ownership plans, including restricted stock plans, stock grants, directed share programs and other equity based plans customarily maintained by similar companies and the granting and performance of registration rights approved by Crestwood GP or the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary, as applicable,

 

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(ii)                                   transactions among the Borrower and the other Loan Parties and transactions among the Relevant Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties otherwise permitted by this Agreement,

 

(iii)                                any indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into with directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business and the payment of fees and indemnities to directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Borrower and its Relevant Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and, to the extent such fees and indemnities are directly attributable to services rendered on behalf of the Loan Parties, any director, officer, consultant or employee of any Parent Company,

 

(iv)                               transactions pursuant to permitted agreements in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.07 or any amendment thereto to the extent such amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect,

 

(v)                                  any employment agreement or employee benefit plan entered into by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and payments pursuant thereto,

 

(vi)                               transactions otherwise permitted under Section 6.06 and Investments permitted by Section 6.04; provided that this clause (vi) shall not apply to any Investment, whether direct or indirect, in either (x) Persons that were not Subsidiaries immediately prior to such Investment or (y) Persons that are not Subsidiaries immediately after such Investment,

 

(vii)                            any purchase by the Sponsors or any Sponsor Affiliate of Equity Interests of the Borrower,

 

(viii)                         payments by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries to the Sponsors or any Sponsor Affiliate made for any financial advisory, financing, underwriting or placement services or in respect of other investment banking activities, including in connection with acquisitions or divestitures, which payments are approved by Crestwood GP or the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary, as applicable, in good faith,

 

(ix)                               the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, the Merger Agreement, or any agreement contemplated thereunder to which it is a party as of the Closing Date, provided , however , that the existence of, or the performance by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Closing Date shall only be permitted by this clause (ix) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise disadvantageous to the Lenders in any material respect,

 

(x)                                  transactions with any Affiliate for the purchase or sale of goods, products, parts and services entered into in the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past practice,

 

(xi)                               any transaction in respect of which the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to the Lenders) a letter addressed to the Borrower from an

 

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accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm, in each case of nationally recognized standing that is (A) in the good faith determination of the Borrower qualified to render such letter and (B) reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which letter states that such transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Borrower or Relevant Subsidiary, as applicable, than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate,

 

(xii)                            the payment of all fees, expenses, bonuses and awards related to the Transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement,

 

(xiii)                         so long as not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, guarantees of performance by the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of any other Subsidiary or the Borrower that is not a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business, except for guarantees of Indebtedness in respect of borrowed money,

 

(xiv)                        if such transaction is with a Person in its capacity as a holder (A) of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower where such Person is treated no more favorably than the other holders of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any such Relevant Subsidiary or (B) of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower where such Person is treated no more favorably than the other holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower or such Relevant Subsidiary,

 

(xv)                           the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Transactions) and the payment of fees and expenses related thereto,

 

(xvi)                        payments by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries to any Affiliate in respect of compensation, expense reimbursement, or benefits to or for the benefit of current or former employees, independent contractors or directors of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the extent such compensation, expense reimbursement, or benefits are directly attributable to services rendered on behalf of the Loan Parties, any director, officer, contractor or employee of any Parent Company,

 

(xvii)                     the making of any Permitted Drop-Down Acquisition, and

 

(xviii)                  the issuance of any Revolving Letter of Credit hereunder to the Borrower on behalf of any applicable Affiliate of the Borrower.

 

Section 6.08                              Business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries .  Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, engage at any time in any business or business activity other than any business or business activity conducted by it on the Closing Date, Midstream Activities and any business or business activities incidental or related thereto, or any business or activity that is reasonably similar thereto or a reasonable extension, development or expansion thereof or ancillary thereto, including, without limitation, the consummation of the Transactions.

 

Section 6.09                              Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and Certain Other Agreements; etc.   (a)  Amend or modify or grant any waiver or release under or terminate in any manner the articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws or partnership agreement or limited liability company operating agreement of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary or the Existing Notes Indentures, in each case, if such amendment, modification, waiver, release or termination could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or affect the

 

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assignability of any such contract or agreement in a manner that would have an adverse effect on the rights of the Secured Parties in the Collateral (including in such agreement as Collateral);

 

(b)                                  (i)  Make, directly or indirectly, any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) of or in respect of principal of or interest on the Existing Notes or other Permitted Junior Debt or any payment or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of the Existing Notes or any other Permitted Junior Debt, except for (to the extent permitted by the subordination provisions thereof) (A) payments of regularly scheduled interest and principal, (B) payments made solely with the proceeds from the issuance of common Equity Interests or from equity contributions, (C) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, other prepayments, provided that , (1) no such prepayments shall be made with the proceeds of Revolving Facility Loans and (2) no such prepayments shall be made with the proceeds of any Incremental Term Loans and (D) (1) prepayments made with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, (2) prepayments with the proceeds of any non-cash interest bearing Equity Interests issued for such purchase that are not redeemable prior to the date that is six months following the later of the Revolving Facility Maturity Date and any Incremental Maturity Date and that have terms and covenants no more restrictive than the Permitted Junior Debt being so refinanced or (3) prepayments with the proceeds of Permitted Junior Debt; or

 

(ii)                                   Amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of any Permitted Junior Debt or any agreement relating thereto other than amendments or modifications that are not materially adverse to the Lenders and that do not affect the subordination provisions thereof (if any) in a manner adverse to the Lenders.

 

(c)                                   Enter into any agreement or instrument that by its terms restricts (i) the payment of dividends or distributions or the making of cash advances to the Borrower or any other Loan Party by a Relevant Subsidiary or (ii) the granting of Liens by the Borrower or a Relevant Subsidiary pursuant to the Security Documents, in each case other than those arising under any Loan Document, except, in each case, restrictions existing by reason of:

 

(A)                                restrictions imposed by applicable law;

 

(B)                                contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Closing Date under any agreements related to any permitted renewal, extension or refinancing of any Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date that does not expand the scope of any such encumbrance or restriction;

 

(C)                                any restriction on a Relevant Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Equity Interests or assets of such Relevant Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition;

 

(D)                                customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(E)                                 any restrictions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement to the extent that such restrictions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness;

 

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(F)                                  customary provisions contained in leases or licenses of intellectual property and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(G)                                customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

 

(H)                               customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(I)                                    customary restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any asset permitted under Section 6.05 pending the consummation of such sale;

 

(J)                                    in the case of any Person that becomes a Relevant Subsidiary after the Closing Date, any agreement in effect at the time such Person so becomes a Relevant Subsidiary, so long as such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming such a Relevant Subsidiary; or

 

(K)                                restrictions imposed by any Permitted Junior Indebtedness that are substantially similar to restrictions set forth in this Agreement (or not more favorable to the holders than the applicable restrictions in this Agreement) and in any case do not restrict the granting of Liens pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

Section 6.10                              Total Leverage Ratio.  Beginning at the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, for any Test Period, permit the Total Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter, to be in excess of 5.50 to 1.00.

 

Section 6.11                              Interest Coverage Ratio .  Beginning at the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, for any Test Period, permit the Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter to be less than 2.50:1.00.

 

Section 6.12                              Senior Secured Leverage Ratio .  Beginning at the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, for any Test Period, permit the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter, to be in excess of 3.75 to 1.00.

 

Section 6.13                              Swap Agreements .  Enter into any Swap Agreement, other than (a) Swap Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary is exposed in the conduct of its business or the management of its liabilities, and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any Relevant Subsidiary, which in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b) are entered into for bona fide risk mitigation purposes and that are not speculative in nature.

 

Section 6.14                              Negative Pledge .  Permit to exist any Lien on, or mortgage, assign, pledge, or grant to any Person a security interest in or Lien on or otherwise encumber all or any portion of its Real Property located in the State of New York, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or file or consent to the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any mortgage, deed of trust, financing statement or

 

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other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any of its Real Property located in the State of New York under any recording or notice statute, other than Permitted Encumbrances and Prior Liens.

 

ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Section 7.01                              Events of Default .  In case of the happening of any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”):

 

(a)                                  any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or any other Loan Party in any Loan Document, or any representation, warranty, statement or information contained in any report, certificate, financial statement or other instrument furnished in connection with or pursuant to any Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect when so made, deemed made or furnished by the Borrower or any other Loan Party;

 

(b)                                  default shall be made in the payment of any principal of any Loan or the reimbursement with respect to any Revolving L/C Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise;

 

(c)                                   default shall be made in the payment of any interest on any Loan or on any Revolving L/C Disbursement or in the payment of any Fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in (b) above) due under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

 

(d)                                  default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries of any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 5.01(a) (with respect to the Borrower), 5.05(a), 5.08 or in Article VI;

 

(e)                                   default shall be made in the due observance or performance by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries of any covenant, condition or agreement of such Person contained in any Loan Document (other than those specified in paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) above) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

 

(f)                                    (i) any event or condition occurs that (x) results in any Material Indebtedness (other than Material Indebtedness under Swap Agreements) becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or (y) enables or permits (with all applicable grace periods having expired) the holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; (ii) any default occurs under any Swap Agreement that constitutes Material Indebtedness which default could enable the other counterparty to terminate the Swap Agreement; or (iii) the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries shall fail to pay the principal of any Material Indebtedness at the stated final maturity thereof;  provided that this clause (f) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness if such sale or transfer is permitted hereunder and under the documents providing for such Indebtedness;

 

(g)                                   there shall have occurred a Change in Control;

 

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(h)                                  an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party, or of a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party, taken as a whole, under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party, taken as a whole, or (iii) the winding-up or liquidation of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party (except, in the case of any Material Subsidiary, in a transaction permitted by Section 6.05); and such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(i)                                      the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in paragraph (h) above, (iii) apply for, request or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party or for a substantial part of the property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that is a Loan Party, taken as a whole, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(j)                                     the failure by the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries to pay one or more final judgments aggregating in excess of $75.0 million (net of any amounts which are covered by insurance or bonded), which judgments are not discharged or effectively waived or stayed for a period of 30 consecutive days, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to levy upon assets or properties of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries to enforce any such judgment;

 

(k)                                  one or more ERISA Events shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(l)                                      (i) any Loan Document shall for any reason be asserted in writing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of any such Borrower or Loan Party, (ii) any security interest purported to be created by any Security Document and to extend to Collateral that is not immaterial to the Loan Parties on a consolidated basis shall cease to be, or shall be asserted in writing by any Loan Party not to be, a valid and perfected security interest (having the priority required by this Agreement or the relevant Security Document) in the securities, assets or properties covered thereby, except to the extent that (x) any such loss of perfection or priority results from the failure of the Collateral Agent to maintain possession of certificates actually delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Collateral Agreements or to file UCC continuation statements, (y) such loss is covered by a lender’s title insurance policy and the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the credit of such insurer or (z) any such loss of validity, perfection or priority is the result of any failure by the Collateral Agent or the Administrative Agent to take any action necessary to secure the validity, perfection or priority of the Liens or (iii) the Guarantees by any Loan Party of any of the Obligations shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof), or

 

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shall be asserted in writing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party not to be in effect or not to be legal, valid and binding obligations;

 

(m)                              (A) any Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries, (B) any liability of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries for any Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials or (C) any liability of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries for any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at, under, on or from any Real Property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by any predecessor of the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries, or any property at which the Borrower or any of its Relevant Subsidiaries has sent Hazardous Materials for treatment, storage or disposal, (each, an “ Environmental Event ”) shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other Environmental Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(n)                                  other than in connection with a merger of the Borrower and Crestwood Equity Partners contemplated by Section 6.05(b)(vi), (i) the Parent Guarantee shall for any reason be asserted in writing by Crestwood Equity Partners not to be a legal, valid and binding obligation of Crestwood Equity Partners, or (ii) the Parent Guarantee shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof);

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described in paragraph (h) or (i) above), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate forthwith the Commitments, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable in whole or in part, whereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall become forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding and (iii) demand cash collateral pursuant to Section 2.05(j); and in any event described in paragraph (h) or (i) above, the Commitments shall automatically terminate, the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan Document, shall automatically become due and payable and the Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have made a demand for cash collateral to the full extent permitted under Section 2.05(j), without presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, anything contained herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

ARTICLE VIII
THE AGENTS

 

Section 8.01                              Appointment and Authority .   (a)  Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

(b)                                  Wells Fargo shall also act as the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Specified Swap Counterparty and a potential Cash Management Bank) and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender or Issuing Bank for purposes of acquiring,

 

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holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto.  In this connection, the Collateral Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article VIII and Article IX (including Section 8.12) as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

(c)                                   Each of Citibank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., is hereby appointed to act as a Co-Syndication Agent.

 

(d)                                  Each of Barclays Bank PLC, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., RBC Capital Markets and SunTrust Bank are hereby appointed to act as a Co-Documentation Agent.

 

(e)                                   The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, any appointees thereof, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and, except as explicitly set forth herein, neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of or be bound pursuant to any of such provisions.

 

Section 8.02                              Rights as a Lender .  Any Person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender, and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include a Person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

Section 8.03                              Exculpatory Provisions .  No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent:

 

(a)                                  shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)                                  shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law;

 

(c)                                   shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as such Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

 

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(d)                                  shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.08 and 7.01) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;

 

(e)                                   shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Security Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent; and

 

(f)                                    shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to such Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank.

 

Section 8.04                              Reliance by Agents .  Any Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  Any Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan or issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, any Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless such Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or issuance of a Revolving Letter of Credit, as applicable.  Any Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Section 8.05                              Delegation of Duties .  Any Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by such Agent.  Any Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as an Agent.

 

Section 8.06                              Resignation of the Agents .  Any Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, Issuing Banks and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which shall be a financial institution with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the United States.  During an Agent Default Period, the Borrower and the Required Lenders may remove the relevant Agent subject to the execution and delivery by the Borrower and the Required Lenders of removal and

 

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liability release agreements reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Agent, which removal shall be effective upon the acceptance of appointment by a successor as such Agent.  Upon any proposed removal of an Agent during an Agent Default Period, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), which shall be a financial institution with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such financial institution with an office in the United States.  In the case of the resignation of an Agent, if no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security, as bailee, until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed), (b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender or Issuing Bank directly, until such time as the Required Lenders and the Borrower appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section and (c) the Borrower and the Lenders agree that in no event shall the retiring Agent or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents advisors or representatives have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the failure of a successor Agent to be appointed and to accept such appointment.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) or removed Agent, and the retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article (including Section 8.12) and Section 9.05 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Agent was acting as Agent.

 

Section 8.07                              Non-Reliance on the Agents, Other Lenders and Other Issuing Banks .  Each Lender and each Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender and each Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or Issuing Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

Section 8.08                              No Other Duties, Etc.   Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents or the Co-Documentation Agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as an Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder.

 

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Section 8.09                              Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim .  In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)                                  to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 8.12, and 9.05) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)                                  to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.12, 8.12, and 9.05.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any Issuing Bank any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any Issuing Bank in any such proceeding.

 

Section 8.10                              Collateral and Guaranty Matters .  Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Specified Swap Counterparty) and each of the Issuing Banks irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to release guarantees, Liens and security interests created by the Loan Documents in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.18.  Upon request by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing such Agent’s authority provided for in the previous sentence.

 

Section 8.11                              Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Swap Agreements .  No Cash Management Bank or Specified Swap Counterparty that obtains the benefits of the Security Documents or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of the Security Documents shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VIII to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Swap Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may

 

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reasonably request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Specified Swap Counterparty, as the case may be.

 

Section 8.12                              Indemnification .  Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees (i) to reimburse each of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank, on demand, in the amount of its pro rata share (based on its Commitments hereunder (or if such Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the respective principal amounts of its applicable outstanding Loans) or portion of outstanding Revolving L/C Disbursements owed to it, as applicable) of any reasonable expenses incurred for the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks by the Administrative Agent or incurred by such Issuing Bank in its capacity as such, including reasonable counsel fees and compensation of agents and employees paid for services rendered on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, which shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower and (ii) to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks and any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents, on demand, in the amount of such pro rata share, from and against any and all liabilities, Taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against it in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank or any of them in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any action taken or omitted by it or any of them under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, to the extent the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower, provided that no Lender or Issuing Bank shall be liable to the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements to the extent found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents.

 

Section 8.13                              Appointment of Supplemental Collateral Agents .  (a)  It is the purpose of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that there shall be no violation of any law of any jurisdiction denying or restricting the right of banking corporations or associations or other institutions to transact business as agent or trustee in such jurisdiction.  It is recognized that in case of litigation under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and in particular in case of the enforcement of any of the Loan Documents, or in case the Collateral Agent deems that by reason of any present or future law of any jurisdiction it may not exercise any of the rights, powers or remedies granted herein or in any of the other Loan Documents or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in connection therewith, it may be necessary that the Collateral Agent appoint an additional institution as a separate trustee, co-trustee, collateral agent, collateral sub-agent or collateral co-agent (any such additional individual or institution being referred to herein individually as a “ Supplemental Collateral Agent ” and collectively as “ Supplemental Collateral Agents ”).

 

(b)                                  In the event that the Collateral Agent appoints a Supplemental Collateral Agent with respect to any Collateral, (i) each and every right, power, privilege or duty expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to the Collateral Agent with respect to such Collateral shall be exercisable by and vest in such Supplemental Collateral Agent to the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to enable such Supplemental Collateral Agent to exercise such rights, powers and privileges with respect to such Collateral and to perform such duties with respect to such Collateral, and every covenant and obligation contained in the Loan Documents and necessary to the exercise or performance thereof by such Supplemental Collateral Agent shall run to and be enforceable by either the Collateral Agent or such Supplemental Collateral Agent, and (ii) the provisions of this Article and of Section 9.05 that refer to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Agents shall inure to the benefit of such Supplemental Collateral Agent and all references therein to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Agents shall be deemed to be references

 

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to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Agents and/or such Supplemental Collateral Agent, as the context may require.

 

(c)                                   Should any instrument in writing from any Loan Party be required by any Supplemental Collateral Agent so appointed by the Collateral Agent for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to it such rights, powers, privileges and duties, such Loan Party shall execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly upon request by the Collateral Agent.  In case any Supplemental Collateral Agent, or a successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Supplemental Collateral Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised by the Collateral Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental Collateral Agent.

 

Section 8.14                              Withholding .  To the extent required by any applicable law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender or Issuing Bank an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax.  If any payment has been made to any Lender or Issuing Bank by the Administrative Agent without the applicable withholding Tax being withheld from such payment and the Administrative Agent has paid over the applicable withholding Tax to the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority, or the Internal Revenue Service or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender or Issuing Bank because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed or because such Lender or Issuing Bank failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective or for any other reason, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall indemnify the Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with all expenses (including legal expenses, allocated internal costs and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred.

 

Section 8.15                              Enforcement .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent in accordance with Section 7.01 and the Security Documents for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Banks or Secured Parties, as applicable; provided , however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender or Issuing Bank from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 9.06 (subject to the terms of Section 2.18(c)), or (c) any Lender or Issuing Bank from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law; and provided , further , that if at any time there is no Person acting as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, pursuant to Section 7.01 and the Security Documents, as applicable and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b) and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.18(c), any Lender or Issuing Bank may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.01                              Notices .   (a)  Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

(i)                                      if to the Borrower, to Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, at 700 Louisiana Street, Suite 2060, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Robert Halpin; fax: 832-519-2250, e-mail: robert.halpin@crestwoodlp.com.

 

(ii)                                   if to the Administrative Agent, to Wells Fargo at 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., MAC D1109-019, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262, Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst; fax: 704-715-0017, e-mail: agencyservices.requests@wellsfargo.com;

 

(iii)                                if to the Collateral Agent, to Wells Fargo at 1445 Ross Ave., Suite 4500, Dallas, Texas 75202, Attention: Arlene Gonzalez; fax: 877-757-3963, e-mail: arlene.m.gonzalez@wellsfargo.com;  and

 

(iv)                               if to an Issuing Bank or any Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(b)                                  Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to service of process, or to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

(c)                                   All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by telecopy or (to the extent permitted by paragraph (b) above) electronic means prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on such date, or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 9.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 9.01; provided that any notice or other communication not received by the recipient during its normal business hours will be deemed received by it upon the opening of its next Business Day.

 

(d)                                  Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

Section 9.02                              Survival of Agreement .  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties herein, in the other Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments prepared or delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Lenders and each Issuing Bank and shall survive the making by the Lenders of the Loans, the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the issuance of the Revolving Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by such Persons or on their behalf, and shall continue in full force and effect as long

 

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as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or Revolving L/C Disbursement or any Fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid or any Revolving Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not been terminated.  Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreements contained herein, indemnification and reimbursement obligations contained herein (including pursuant to Section 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05) shall survive the payment in full of the principal and interest hereunder, the expiration of the Revolving Letters of Credit and the termination of the Commitments or this Agreement.

 

Section 9.03                              Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower and the Agents and when the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, the Agents and each Lender and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

 

Section 9.04                              Successors and Assigns .   (a)  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Revolving Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Revolving Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section), the Lenders, the Agents, each Issuing Bank and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Agents, each Issuing Bank, and the Lenders, and the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                  (i)  Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of:

 

(A)                                the Borrower; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for (i) an assignment of all or any portion of the Incremental Term Loans (or any Replacement Term Loans) to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, (ii) any assignment related to Revolving Facility Commitments or Revolving Facility Credit Exposure to a Revolving Facility Lender or, (ii) if an Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.01(b), 7.01(c), 7.01(h) or 7.01(i) has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee ( provided that any liability of the Borrower to an assignee that is an Approved Fund or Affiliate of the assigning Lender under Section 2.15 or 2.17 shall be limited to the amount, if any, that would have been payable hereunder by the Borrower in the absence of such assignment); and provided further that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may withhold its consent if the costs or the taxes payable by the Borrower to the assignee under Section 2.15 or 2.17 shall be greater than they would have been to assignor;

 

(B)                                the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Person that is a Lender, an

 

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Affiliate of a Lender or Approved Fund immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment;

 

(C)                                in the case of any assignment of any Revolving Facility Commitment, each Issuing Bank; and

 

(D)                                in the case of any assignment of any Revolving Facility Commitment, each Swingline Lender.

 

(ii)                                   Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A)                                except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least $2.5 million in the aggregate, the amount of the Commitment and/or Loans, as applicable, of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5.0 million and increments of $1.0 million in excess thereof unless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent; provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under paragraph (b), (c), (h) or (i) of Section 7.01 has occurred and is continuing;

 

(B)                                each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of a given Facility under this Agreement;

 

(C)                                the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Acceptance;

 

(D)                                the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire and any other administrative information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

 

(E)                                 no such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or a Defaulting Lender; and

 

(F)                                  notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no such assignment shall be made to (x) a natural person or (y) GoldenTree Asset Management, LP or any of its Affiliates.

 

For purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved Fund” shall have the following meaning:

 

“ Approved Fund ” shall mean any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

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(iii)                                Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender hereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.05).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall not be effective as an assignment hereunder.

 

(iv)                               The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and Revolving L/C Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Agents, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(v)                                  The parties to each assignment (other than the Borrower, if applicable) shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided , however , that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, any administrative information reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, and the processing and recordation fee referred to above (unless waived as set forth above), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the information contained therein in the Register.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)                                   (i)  Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than any natural person, GoldenTree Asset Management, LP or any of its Affiliates or a Defaulting Lender) (a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans and Revolving L/C Disbursements owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) the Borrower, the Agents, each Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (D) such Lender shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans (or other rights or obligations) held by it, which entries shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided, further, that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of

 

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the Participant register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  Any agreement or instrument (oral or written) pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to exercise rights under and to enforce this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that (x) such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in Section 9.04(a)(i) or clause (i) through (vii) of the first proviso to Section 9.08(b) that affects such Participant and (y) no other agreement (oral or written) in respect of the foregoing with respect to such Participant may exist between such Lender and such Participant.  Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits (and subject to the requirements and limitations) of Section 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 to the same extent as if it were the Lender from whom it obtained its participation and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.06 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.

 

(ii)                                   A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and the Borrower may withhold its consent if a Participant would be entitled to require greater payment than the applicable Lender under such Sections.  A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 to the extent such Participant fails to comply with Section 2.17(e) as though it were a Lender.

 

(d)                                  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and its promissory note, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto, and any such pledgee (other than a pledgee that is the Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender) shall acknowledge in writing that its rights under such pledge are in all respects subject to the limitations applicable to the pledging Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

Section 9.05                              Expenses; Indemnity .   (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates in connection with the preparation of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee, or by the Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates in connection with the syndication of the Commitments or the administration of this Agreement (including expenses incurred in connection with due diligence and initial and ongoing Collateral examination to the extent incurred with the reasonable prior approval of the Borrower and the reasonable fees, disbursements and charges for no more than one counsel in each jurisdiction where Collateral is located) or in connection with any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the Transactions hereby contemplated shall be consummated) or incurred by the Agents, the Joint Lead

 

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Arrangers and their respective Affiliates or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee, in connection with the Loans made or the Revolving Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Latham & Watkins LLP, special New York counsel for the Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers, and, in connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any other counsel (including the reasonable and documented allocated costs of internal counsel for the Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers, any Issuing Bank or any Lender); provided, that, absent any conflict of interest, the Agents and the Joint Lead Arrangers shall not be entitled to indemnification for the fees, charges or disbursements of more than one counsel in each jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                  The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, each Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “ Indemnitee ”) against, and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto and thereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of any Revolving Letter of Credit or (iii) any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any Indemnitee initiated or is a party thereto, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith, material breach of this Agreement, any of the Loan Documents or the Parent Guarantee or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (treating, for this purpose only, any Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Issuing Bank, any Lender and any of their respective Related Parties as a single Indemnitee).  Subject to and without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the Borrower agrees to indemnify each Indemnitee against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses, including reasonable and documented counsel or consultant fees, charges and disbursements, incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (A) any Environmental Event or Environmental Claim related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (B) any actual or alleged presence, Release or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at, under, on or from any Real Property currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or by any predecessor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any property at which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has sent Hazardous Materials for treatment, storage or disposal, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith, material breach of this Agreement, any of the Loan Documents or the Parent Guarantee or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties or would have arisen as against the Indemnitee regardless of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee or any Borrowings hereunder.  In no event shall any Indemnitee be liable to any Loan Party for any consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages.  No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Parent Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful

 

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misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.  The provisions of this Section 9.05 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the expiration of the term of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of any of the Obligations, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee, or any investigation made by or on behalf of any Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Lender.  All amounts due under this Section 9.05 shall be payable on written demand therefor accompanied by reasonable documentation with respect to any reimbursement, indemnification or other amount requested.

 

(c)                                   This Section 9.05 shall not apply to Taxes.

 

Section 9.06                              Right of Set-off .  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Subsidiary, against any and all obligations of the Loan Parties, now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document held by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or such other Loan Document and although the obligations may be unmatured; provided that to the extent prohibited by applicable law as described in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation”, no amounts received from, or set off with respect to, any guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such guarantor. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and each of their Affiliates under this Section 9.06 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of set-off) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Affiliate may have.

 

Section 9.07                              Applicable Law .  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN REVOLVING LETTERS OF CREDIT AND AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 9.08                              Waivers; Amendment .   (a)  No failure or delay of the Agents, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder, under any Loan Document or under the Parent Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Agents, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder, under the other Loan Documents and under the Parent Guarantee are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee or consent to any departure by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or Crestwood Equity Partners therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) below, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  No notice or demand on the Borrower, any other Loan Party or Crestwood Equity Partners in any case shall entitle such Person to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

 

(b)                                  None of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee nor any provision hereof or thereof may be waived, amended or modified except (w) in the case of this

 

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Agreement, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders), (x) and in the case of any Revolving Letter of Credit, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the applicable Issuing Bank, (y) in the case of any other Loan Document (other than those set forth in clauses (w) and (x) above), pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and consented to by the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent acting on behalf of the Required Lenders) and (z) in the case of the Parent Guarantee, pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by Crestwood Equity Partners and consented to by the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent acting on behalf of the Required Lenders); provided, however , that no such agreement shall

 

(i)                                      decrease or forgive the principal amount of, or extend the final maturity of, or decrease the rate of interest on, any Loan or any Revolving L/C Disbursement, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that any amendment to the financial covenant definitions (or components thereof) in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest for purposes of this clause (i) (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Defaults shall not constitute a decrease or forgiveness of principal or an extension of the final maturity or decrease in the rate of interest) ;

 

(ii)                                   increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender or decrease the Commitment Fees or Revolving L/C Participation Fees or other fees payable to any Lender without the prior written consent of such Lender (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Defaults shall not constitute an increase in the Commitments of any Lender),

 

(iii)                                extend any date on which any scheduled amortization payment in respect of any Incremental Term Loan or payment of interest on any Loan, Revolving L/C Disbursement or any Fees is due or reduce the amount of any scheduled amortization payment due with respect to any Incremental Term Loan on the date due, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby,

 

(iv)                               amend or modify the provisions of Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would by its terms alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby,

 

(v)                                  amend or modify Section 9.23 in a manner that would alter the required application of any amount as between Facilities without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders of each Facility that is being allocated a lesser amount as a result thereof;

 

(vi)                               extend the stated expiration date of any Revolving Letter of Credit beyond the Revolving Facility Maturity Date, without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby,

 

(vii)                            amend or modify the provisions of this Section or the definition of the terms “Required Lenders”, “Majority Lenders”, or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the prior written consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby (it being understood that, as set forth in this Agreement, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination

 

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of the Required Lenders on substantially the same basis as the Loans and Commitments are included on the Closing Date), and

 

(viii)                         release all or substantially all the Collateral (other than pursuant to the Collateral Release Event) or release all or substantially all of the value of the Guarantees of the Subsidiary Loan Parties without the prior written consent of each Lender and Issuing Bank;

 

provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, an Issuing Bank or a Swingline Lender hereunder, under the other Loan Documents or under the Parent Guarantee without the prior written consent of such Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Issuing Bank or Swingline Lender, as applicable.  Each Lender shall be bound by any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section 9.08 and any consent by any Lender pursuant to this Section 9.08 shall bind any assignee of such Lender,

 

(c)                                   Without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Bank, the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent and/or Collateral Agent may (in their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Loan Document) enter into any amendment, modification or waiver of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with applicable law.

 

(d)                                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower (i) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee with the Incremental Term Loans and the Revolving Facility Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (ii) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders.

 

(e)                                   In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders providing the relevant Replacement Term Loans (as defined below) to permit the refinancing of all or a portion of the outstanding Incremental Term Loans (“ Refinanced Term Loans ”) with a replacement “B” term loan tranche hereunder which shall be Loans hereunder (“ Replacement Term Loans ”); provided that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Replacement Term Loans shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of such Refinanced Term Loans, (ii) the weighted average life to maturity of such Replacement Term Loans shall not be shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of such Refinanced Term Loans at the time of such refinancing and (iii) all other terms (other than interest rates, pricing and fees) applicable to such Replacement Term Loans shall be substantially identical to, or less favorable to the Lenders providing such Replacement Term Loans than, those applicable to such Refinanced Term Loans, except to the extent necessary to provide for covenants and other terms applicable to any period after the latest final maturity of the Loans in effect immediately prior to such refinancing.

 

(f)                                    Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) technical and conforming modifications to the Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee may be made with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to the extent necessary to integrate any Incremental Commitments on the terms and conditions provided for in Section 2.20 and (ii) any Loan Document and the Parent Guarantee may be

 

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amended, modified, supplemented or waived with the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower or Crestwood Equity Partners, as applicable, without the need to obtain the consent of any Lender if such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver is executed and delivered in order to cure an ambiguity, omission, mistake or defect in such Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee; provided that in connection with this clause (ii), in no event will the Administrative Agent be required to substitute its judgment for the judgment of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, and the Administrative Agent may in all circumstances seek the approval of the Required Lenders, the affected Lenders or all Lenders in connection with any such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.09                              Interest Rate Limitation .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the applicable interest rate, together with all fees and charges that are treated as interest under applicable law (collectively, the “ Charges ”), as provided for herein or in any other document executed in connection herewith, or otherwise contracted for, charged, received, taken or reserved by any Lender or any Issuing Bank, shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “ Maximum Rate ”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by such Lender in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable hereunder, together with all Charges payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate, provided that such excess amount shall be paid to such Lender or such Issuing Bank on subsequent payment dates to the extent not exceeding the legal limitation.

 

Section 9.10                              Entire Agreement .  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Parent Guarantee and the agreements regarding certain Fees referred to herein constitute the entire contract between the parties relative to the subject matter hereof.  Any previous agreement among or representations from the parties or their Affiliates with respect to the subject matter hereof is superseded by this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee.  Nothing in this Agreement, in the other Loan Documents or in the Parent Guarantee, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto and thereto any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the Parent Guarantee.

 

Section 9.11                              Waiver of Jury Trial .  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.  EACH PARTY HERETO (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS APPLICABLE, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

 

Section 9.12                              Severability .  In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  The parties shall endeavour in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

Section 9.13                              Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which, when taken together, shall

 

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constitute but one contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 9.03.  Delivery of an executed counterpart to this Agreement by facsimile transmission or an electronic transmission of a PDF copy thereof shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed original.  Any such delivery shall be followed promptly by delivery of the manually signed original.

 

Section 9.14                              Headings .  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 9.15                              Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .   (a)  Each of the Borrower, the Agents, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court.  The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement (other than Section 8.09) shall affect any right that any Lender or any Issuing Bank may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any Loan Party or their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Borrower, the Agents, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court sitting in New York County.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

Section 9.16                              Confidentiality .  Each of the Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each of the Agents agrees that it shall maintain in confidence any information relating to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates furnished to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or the other Loan Parties or such Subsidiary or Affiliate (other than information that (x) has become generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by such party in breach of this Agreement, (y) has been independently developed by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent without violating this Section 9.16 or (z) was available to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Agent from a third party having, to such Person’s actual knowledge, no obligations of confidentiality to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Affiliate) and shall not reveal the same other than to its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors with a need to know or to any Person that approves or administers the Loans on behalf of such Lender or Issuing Bank (so long as each such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), except: (i) to the extent necessary to comply with law or any legal process or the regulatory or supervisory requirements of any Governmental Authority (including bank examiners), the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or of any securities exchange on which securities of the disclosing party or any Affiliate of the disclosing party are listed or traded, (ii) as part of reporting or review procedures to Governmental

 

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Authorities (including bank examiners) or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, (iii) to its parent companies, Affiliates or auditors (so long as each such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16), (iv) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under any Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee or in order to enforce its rights under any Loan Document or the Parent Guarantee in a legal proceeding, (v) to any prospective assignee of, or prospective Participant in, any of its rights under this Agreement (so long as such Person shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16 or on terms at least as restrictive as those set forth in this Section 9.16) and (vi) to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty in Swap Agreements or such contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as each such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.16 or on terms at least as restrictive as those set forth in Section 9.16 and each such professional advisor shall have been instructed to keep the same confidential in accordance with this Section 9.16).  If a Lender, an Issuing Bank or an Agent is requested or required to disclose any such information (other than to its bank examiners and similar regulators, or to internal or external auditors) pursuant to or as required by law or legal process or subpoena to the extent reasonably practicable, it shall give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower so that the Borrower may seek an appropriate protective order and such Lender, Issuing Bank or Agent will reasonably cooperate with the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary or Affiliate), at the Borrower’s expense, in seeking such protective order.

 

Section 9.17                              Communications .  (a)   Delivery .  (i)  Each Loan Party hereby agrees that it will use all reasonable efforts to provide to the Administrative Agent all information, documents and other materials that it is obligated to furnish to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including, without limitation, all notices, requests, financial statements, financial and other reports, certificates and other information materials, but excluding any such communication that (A) relates to a request for a new, or a conversion of an existing, borrowing or other extension of credit (including any election of an interest rate or interest period relating thereto), (B) relates to the payment of any principal or other amount due under this Agreement prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on the scheduled date therefor, (C) provides notice of any Default or Event of Default under this Agreement or (D) is required to be delivered to satisfy any condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement and/or any borrowing or other extension of credit hereunder (all such non-excluded communications collectively, the “ Communications ”), by transmitting the Communications in an electronic/soft medium in a format reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent at the address referenced in Section 9.01(a)(ii).  Nothing in this Section 9.17 shall prejudice the right of the Agents, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any Lender or Issuing Bank or any Loan Party to give any notice or other communication pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any other manner specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(ii)                                   Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) specifying that the Communications have been posted to the Platform (as defined below) shall constitute effective delivery of the Communications to such Lender for purposes of the Loan Documents.  Each Lender agrees (A) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing (including by electronic communication) from time to time of such Lender’s e-mail address to which the foregoing notice may be sent by electronic transmission and (B) that the foregoing notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

 

(b)                                  Posting .  Each Loan Party further agrees that the Administrative Agent may make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on SyndTrak Online or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “ Platform ”).  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (i) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to

 

121


 

the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “ Borrower Materials ”) by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform and (ii) certain of the Lenders (each, a “ Public Lender ”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.  The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws; (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Joint Lead Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall not be under any obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC” to the extent the Borrower determines that such Borrower Materials contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates or their respective securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws.

 

(c)                                   Platform.  The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.”  The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the Communications, or the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications.  No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any of its or their affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents advisors or representatives (collectively, “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Loan Parties, any Lender or Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s or the Collateral Agent’s transmission of communications through the internet, except to the extent the liability of any Agent Party is found in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such Agent Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

Section 9.18                              Release of Liens and Guarantees .  In the event that any Loan Party conveys, sells, leases, assigns, transfers or otherwise disposes of all or any portion of its assets (including the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries) to a Person that is not (and is not required to become) a Loan Party in a transaction not prohibited by the Loan Documents, the parties hereto agree that (a) any Liens attaching to such Equity Interests or other assets pursuant to any Loan Document (along with the guarantee of the Obligations by any Subsidiary Loan Party so transferred) shall be automatically released upon the consummation of such conveyance, sale, lease, assignment, transfer or other disposition in accordance with the Loan Documents and (b) the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent shall promptly (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to) take such action and execute any such documents as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower and at the Borrower’s expense (i) to evidence such release of Liens created by any Loan Document in respect of such Equity Interests or assets that are the subject of such disposition and (ii) in the case of the disposition

 

122


 

of any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary Loan Party, to evidence the release of any such guarantees of the Obligations, and any Liens granted to secure the Obligations, by such Subsidiary Loan Party.  Any representation, warranty or covenant contained in any Loan Document relating to any such Subsidiary, Equity Interests or assets shall no longer be deemed to be made once such Equity Interests or assets are so conveyed, sold, leased, assigned, transferred or disposed of.  The Security Documents, the guarantees made therein, the Security Interest (as defined therein) and all other security interests granted thereby shall terminate, and each Loan Party shall automatically be released from its obligations thereunder and the security interests in the Collateral granted by any Loan Party shall be automatically released, when all the Obligations are paid in full in cash and Commitments are terminated (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations, (B) obligations and liabilities under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Swap Agreements and (C) obligations and liabilities under Revolving Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Banks shall have been made).  At such time, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent agree to take such actions as are reasonably requested by the Borrower at the Borrower’s expense to evidence and effectuate such termination and release of the guarantees, Liens and security interests created by the Loan Documents.

 

Section 9.19                              U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and Similar Legislation .  Each Lender and Issuing Bank hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act and similar legislation, as applicable, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow the Lenders to identify such Loan Party in accordance with such legislation.  Each Loan Party agrees to furnish such information promptly upon request of a Lender.  Each Lender shall be responsible for satisfying its own requirements in respect of obtaining all such information.

 

Section 9.20                              Judgment .  If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in one currency into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first mentioned currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agent’s principal office in New York, New York on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.

 

Section 9.21                              Pledge and Guarantee Restrictions .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary (including any provision that would otherwise apply notwithstanding other provisions or that is the beneficiary of other overriding language):

 

(a)                                  (i)  no more than 65% of the issued and outstanding voting Equity Interests of (x) any Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower or (y) any Subsidiary of the Borrower, substantially all of which Subsidiary’s assets consist of the Equity Interests in “controlled foreign corporations” under Section 957 of the Code, shall be pledged or similarly hypothecated to guarantee, secure or support any Obligation of any Loan Party; and

 

(ii)                                   neither (x) any Foreign Subsidiary nor (y) any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower substantially all of whose assets consist of the Equity Interests in “controlled foreign corporations” under Section 957 of the Code shall guarantee or support any Obligation of the Borrower; and

 

(b)                                  no Subsidiary shall guarantee or support any Obligation of any Loan Party if and to the extent that such guarantee or support would contravene the Agreed Security Principles.

 

123


 

The parties hereto agree that any pledge, guaranty or security or similar interest made or granted in contravention of this Section 9.21 shall be void ab initio , but only to the extent of such contravention.

 

Section 9.22                              No Fiduciary Duty .  Each Agent, each Lender, each Issuing Bank, each Co-Syndication Agent, each Co-Documentation Agent and their respective Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this paragraph, the “ Lenders ”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and Crestwood Equity Partners.  Each of the Borrower and Crestwood Equity Partners hereby agrees that subject to applicable law, nothing in the Loan Documents, the Parent Guarantee or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Lenders and the Loan Parties, Crestwood Equity Partners, their equityholders or their Affiliates.  Each of the Borrower and Crestwood Equity Partners hereby acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lenders, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties and Crestwood Equity Partners, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction none of the Lenders is acting as the agent or fiduciary of any Loan Party or Crestwood Equity Partners, their management, equityholders, creditors or any other person, (iii) no Lender has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Loan Party or Crestwood Equity Partners with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether any Lender or any of its Affiliates has advised or is currently advising such Loan Party or Crestwood Equity Partners on other matters) or any other obligation to any Loan Party or Crestwood Equity Partners except the obligations expressly set forth in the Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee, (iv) the Borrower, each other Loan Party and Crestwood Equity Partners have each consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate and (v) the Lenders may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates and no Lender has an obligation to disclose any such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates.  The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. 

 

Section 9.23                              Application of Funds .  After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 7.01 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable), any amounts received by the Administrative Agent from the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 5.02 of the Collateral Agreement and any other amounts received by the Administrative Agent on account of the Loan Document Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

(a)                                  First , to payment of that portion of the Loan Document Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent) payable to the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent in their respective capacities as such;

 

(b)                                  Second , to payment of that portion of the Loan Document Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Revolving L/C Participation Fees) payable to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the Issuing Bank) arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

(c)                                   Third , to payment of that portion of the Loan Document Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Revolving L/C Participation Fees and interest on the Loans, Revolving L/C Exposure

 

124


 

and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

(d)                                  Fourth , to payment of that portion of the Loan Document Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and Revolving L/C Reimbursement Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

 

(e)                                   Fifth , to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank, to cash collateralize that portion of Revolving L/C Exposure comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Revolving Letters of Credit; and

 

(f)                                    Last , the balance, if any, after all of the Loan Document Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Subject to Section 2.05(j), amounts used to cash collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Revolving Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Revolving Letters of Credit as they occur.  If any amount remains on deposit as cash collateral after all Revolving Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

125


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP,

 

 

as Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC,

 

 

its general partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert T. Halpin, III

 

 

Name: Robert T. Halpin, III

 

 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent,

 

Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Andrew Ostrov

 

Name: Andrew Ostrov

 

Title: Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

CITIBANK, N.A. ,

 

as Lender and Issuing Bank

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gabriel Juarez

 

Name: Gabriel Juarez

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. ,

 

as Lender and Issuing Bank

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ronald E. McKaig

 

Name: Ronald E. McKaig

 

Title: Managing Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,

 

as Lender and Issuing Bank

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stephanie Balette

 

Name: Stephanie Balette

 

Title: Authorized Officer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Vanessa Kurbatskiy

 

Name: Vanessa Kurbatskiy

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A. ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael King

 

Name: Michael King

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC. ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael King

 

Name: Michael King

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

ROYAL BANK OF CANADA ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jason S. York

 

Name: Jason S. York

 

Title: Authorized Signatory

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

SUNTRUST BANK ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Chulley Bogle

 

Name: Chulley Bogle

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

ABN AMRO CAPITAL USA LLC ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Darrell Holley

 

Name: Darrell Holley

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Casey Lowary

 

Name: Casey Lowary

 

Title: Executive Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD. ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Todd Vaubel

 

Name: Todd Vaubel

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ryan Michael

 

Name: Ryan K. Michael

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nancy Mak

 

Name: Nancy Mak

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

COMERICA BANK ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jeffery Treadway

 

Name: Jeffery Treadway

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

COMPASS BANK ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Umar Hassan

 

Name: Umar Hassan

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Tom Byargeon

 

Name: Tom Byargeon

 

Title: Managing Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

REGIONS BANK ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David Valentine

 

Name: David Valentine

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James D. Weinstein

 

Name: James D. Weinstein

 

Title: Managing Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brad Johann

 

Name: Brad Johann

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sam Trail

 

Name: Sam Trail

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

SCOTIABANC INC. ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ J.F. Todd

 

Name: J.F. Todd

 

Title: Managing Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

BANK MIDWEST,

 

A DIVISION OF NBH BANK, N.A. ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul D. Hein

 

Name: Paul D. Hein

 

Title: Senior Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

BOKF, NA, DBA BANK OF OKLAHOMA ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ J. Nick Cooper

 

Name: J. Nick Cooper

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

BMO HARRIS BANK, NA ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Matthew D. Mayer

 

Name: Matthew D. Mayer

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stephen Hoffman

 

Name: Stephen Hoffman

 

Title: Managing Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

CIT BANK, N.A. ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sean Murphy

 

Name: Sean Murphy

 

Title: Executive Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 


 

 

ENTERPRISE BANK & TRUST ,

 

as Lender

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kevin M. Antes

 

Name: Kevin M. Antes

 

Title: Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP - AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

This Assignment and Acceptance (the “ Assignment and Acceptance ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “ Assignor ”) and [Insert names of Assignee(s)] (the “ Assignee[s] ”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as may be amended from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the] [each] Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto (the “ Standard Terms and Conditions ”) are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Acceptance as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the] [each] Assignee, and [the] [each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any Revolving Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “ Assigned Interest ”).  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

1.         Assignor:                                                                              

 

2.         Assignee[s]:                                                                                        
                            [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [Identify Lender]]

 

3.         Administrative Agent:  Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

 

4.         Credit Agreement:  The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015, among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK,

 

A- 1


 

N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as co-syndication agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents (in such capacity, the “ Co-Documentation Agents ”).

 

5.         Assigned Interest(1):

 

Facility Assigned

 

Aggregate Amount
of Commitment/
Loans for all
Lenders

 

Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned

 

Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/
Loans*

 

[ Revolving Facility Loan ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

%

[ Incremental Term Loan ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

%

 

Effective Date:               ,   , 20  .  [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

(1)  Add additional table for each Assignee.

 

* Calculate to 9 decimal places and show as a percentage of aggregate Loans of all Lenders in respect of the applicable Facility.

 

A- 2


 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Acceptance are hereby agreed to:

 

 

ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE](2)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Consented(3) to and accepted:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION as Administrative Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

[Consented(4) to:]

 

  [Issuing Bank]

 

 

 

 

 

  By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Consented(5) to:]

 

(2)  Add additional signature blocks if there is more than one Assignee.

 

(3)  Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

(4)  Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

(5)  Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

A- 3


 

[Swingline Lender]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

[Consented(6) to:]

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

(6)  Consents to be included to the extent required by Section 9.04(b) of the Credit Agreement.

 

A- 4


 

ANNEX 1

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

 

1.             Representations and Warranties .

 

1.1          Assignor .  The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any Lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2          Assignee .  [The] [Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Acceptance and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (vi) attached to this Assignment and Acceptance is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the] [each] Assignee and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender and, based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 


 

2.             Payments .  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the] [each] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3.             General Provisions .  This Assignment and Acceptance shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Acceptance by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Acceptance; provided , however, that it shall be promptly followed by an original.  This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

2


 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF PREPAYMENT NOTICE

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

as Administrative Agent

for the Lenders referred to below

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

MAC D1109-019

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

The undersigned, CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, refers to the Credit Agreement, and hereby gives you notice that, pursuant to Section 2.11 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned intends to make a prepayment of a Revolving Facility Borrowing in [ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans], in the amount of $            (1).

 

(1)  Please provide reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of prepayment.

 

B- 1


 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

B- 2


 

EXHIBIT C-1

 

FORM OF
BORROWING REQUEST

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

as Administrative Agent [and Issuing Bank]

for the Lenders referred to below

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

MAC D1109-019

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

This notice constitutes a Borrowing Request of the Borrower and the Borrower hereby requests Borrowings under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowings requested hereby:

 

For a Revolving Facility Borrowing or issuance of Revolving Letter of Credit,

 

(A)                      Borrower [and Name of Account Party](1):

 

(B)                      Aggregate or Face Amount of Borrowing:  $

 

(C)                      Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day):

 

(D)                      Type of Borrowing (ABR, Eurodollar, or Revolving Letter of Credit):

 

(E)                       Interest Period (if a Eurodollar Borrowing):(2)

 

(1)  If Borrower requests that a letter of credit be issued on behalf of another Loan Party.

 

(2)  Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.

 

C-1- 1


 

(F)                        [Location and number of the Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent] [Beneficiary (if a Revolving Letter of Credit)(3)]:

 

(G)                      Expiry date (if a Revolving Letter of Credit)(4):

 

For a Borrowing of Incremental Term Loans,

 

(A)                      Aggregate Amount of Borrowing: $

 

(B)                      Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurodollar):

 

(C)                      Interest Period (if a Eurodollar Borrowing):(5)

 

(D)                      Location and number of the Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent:

 

(3)  Please specify name and address.

 

(4)  This date must be (A) unless the applicable Issuing Bank agrees to a later expiration date, the date one year after the date of issuance (or in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after such renewal or extension) and (B) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Facility Maturity Date.

 

(5)  Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period”.

 

C-1- 2


 

The undersigned hereby certifies that, on and as of the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing [and the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee are true and correct in all material respects, with the same effect as though made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly qualified by materiality (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof)](6).

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

(6)  Inapplicable for a Borrowing of Incremental Term Loans.

 

C-1- 3


 

EXHIBIT C-2

 

FORM OF
SWINGLINE BORROWING REQUEST

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

as Swingline Lender

for the Lenders referred to below

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

MAC D1109-019

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

This notice constitutes a Swingline Borrowing Request. The Borrower hereby requests Borrowings under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowings requested hereby:

 

Aggregate Amount of Borrowing:   $

 

Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day):

 

Location and number of the Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Swingline Lender:

 

C-2- 1


 

The undersigned hereby certifies that, on and as of the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing and the representations and warranties set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan Documents and the Parent Guarantee are true and correct in all material respects, with the same effect as though made on the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly qualified by materiality (in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date hereof).

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

C-2- 2


 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF
INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

 

Wells Fargo, National Association

as Administrative Agent [and Issuing Bank]

for the Lenders referred to below

1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

MAC D1109-019

Charlotte, North Carolina 28262

Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

This notice constitutes an Interest Election Request by the Borrower and the Borrower hereby requests a [conversion] [continuation] of [IDENTIFY BORROWING] pursuant to Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the Borrower specifies the following information with respect to such conversion or continuation:

 

For a Revolving Facility Borrowing,

 

(A)       Amount of initial Borrowing being converted (1):  $

 

(B)       Effective Date (which shall be a Business Day):

 

(C)       Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurodollar)(2):

 

(D)        Interest Period (if a Eurodollar Borrowing):(3)

 

(1)  For conversions only.  Please complete a separate form for each portion of the initial Borrowing being converted.

 

(2)  For conversions only.

 

D- 1


 

For a Borrowing of Incremental Term Loans,

 

(A)       Amount of Initial Borrowing being converted (4):  $

 

(B)       Effective Date of resulting Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day):

 

(C)       Type of resulting Borrowing (ABR or Eurodollar)(5):

 

(D)       Interest Period (if a Eurodollar Borrowing):(6)

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

(3)  For conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Borrowings.  If the Borrower requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Interest Period shall be deemed to be of one month’s duration.

 

(4)  For conversions only.  Please complete a separate form for each portion of the initial Borrowing being converted.

 

(5)  For conversions only.

 

(6)  For conversions and continuations.  If the Borrower requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Interest Period shall be deemed to be of one month’s duration.

 

D- 2


 

EXHIBIT E

 

FORM OF
COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

[SEE ATTACHED]

 

E- 1


 

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF
SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

 

I, the undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Crestwood Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner (the “ General Partner ”) of the Borrower (as defined below), in my capacity as an officer of the General Partner and not in my individual capacity, DO HEREBY CERTIFY on behalf of the Borrower that:

 

1.                                       This Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 4.02(f) of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date of this Certificate, the “ Credit Agreement ”), dated as of September 30, 2015, among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

2.                                       Immediately after giving effect to the Transactions, (a) the fair value of the assets (for the avoidance of doubt, calculated to include goodwill and other intangibles) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, at a fair valuation, will exceed the debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (b) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, on their debts and other liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured; (c) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will be able to pay their debts and liabilities, direct, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and liabilities become absolute and matured; and (d) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis will not have unreasonably small capital with which to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as such businesses are now conducted and are proposed to be conducted following the Closing Date.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

F- 1


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate as of the date set forth above.

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP,

as Borrower

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

F- 2


 

EXHIBIT G-1

 

FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE

 

$               

 

Dated:                , 2015

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP (the “ Borrower ”), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to [NAME OF LENDER] (the “ Lender ”) or its registered assigns for the account of its applicable lending office the principal amount of the Revolving Facility Loans (as defined below) owing to the Lender by the Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; terms defined therein, unless otherwise defined herein, being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK , as Co-Documentation Agents.

 

The Borrower promises to pay to the Lender or its registered assigns interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Facility Loan advanced to the Borrower from the date of such Revolving Facility Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

Both principal and interest are payable in U.S. dollars to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, at 525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina 28262, Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst, Fax: (704) 715-0017, in immediately available funds.  Each Revolving Facility Loan advanced to the Borrower and the maturity thereof, and all payments made on account of principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto, which is part of this promissory note (the “ Promissory Note ”); provided, however , that the failure of the Lender to make any such recordation or endorsement shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower under this Promissory Note.

 

This Promissory Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.09(e) of the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement.  The Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for the making of loans (the “ Revolving Facility Loans ”) by the Revolving Facility Lenders to or for the benefit of the Borrower from time to time in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding U.S. $1,500,000,000, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each such Revolving Facility Loan being, on request of a Revolving Facility Lender, evidenced by such promissory notes, and (ii) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof prior to the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.  The obligations of the Borrower under this Promissory Note and the other Loan Documents, and the obligations of the other Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, are secured by the Collateral as provided in the Loan Documents.

 

The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of

 

G-1- 1


 

or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court.  The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01(a) of the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Promissory Note shall affect any right that the Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any Loan Party or their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court sitting in New York County.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

G-1- 2


 

This Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP,

as Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC, its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

G-1- 3


 

LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date

 

Amount of Loans

 

Amount of
Principal Paid or
Prepaid

 

Unpaid Principal
Balance

 

Notation Made
By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT G-2

 

FORM OF INCREMENTAL TERM LOAN NOTE

 

$               

 

Dated:              , 2015

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP (the “ Borrower ”), HEREBY PROMISES TO PAY to [NAME OF LENDER] (the “ Lender ”) or its registered assigns for the account of its applicable lending office the principal amount of the Incremental Term Loans (as defined below) owing to the Lender by the Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; terms defined therein, unless otherwise defined herein, being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent, CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents.  Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

The Borrower promises to pay to the Lender or its registered assigns interest on the unpaid principal amount of the Incremental Term Loan advanced to the Borrower from the date of such Incremental Term Loan, until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates, and payable at such times, as are specified in the Credit Agreement.

 

Both principal and interest are payable in U.S. dollars to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, at 525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina 28262, Attention: Securities Admin Services Analyst, Fax: (704) 715-0017, in immediately available funds.  The Incremental Term Loan advanced to the Borrower and the maturity thereof, and all payments made on account of principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender and, prior to any transfer hereof, endorsed on the grid attached hereto, which is part of this promissory note (the “ Promissory Note ”); provided, however , that the failure of the Lender to make any such recordation or endorsement shall not affect the Obligations of the Borrower under this Promissory Note.

 

This Promissory Note is one of the promissory notes referred to in Section 2.09(e) of the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement.  The Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) provides for the making of loans (the “ Incremental Term Loans ”) by the Incremental Term Lenders to or for the benefit of the Borrower from time to time, the indebtedness of the Borrower resulting from each such Incremental Term Loan being, on request of an Incremental Term Lender, evidenced by such promissory notes, and (ii) contains provisions for acceleration of the maturity hereof upon the happening of certain stated events and also for prepayments on account of principal hereof prior to the maturity hereof upon the terms and conditions therein specified.  The obligations of the Borrower under this Promissory Note and the other Loan Documents, and the obligations of the other Loan Parties under the Loan Documents, are secured by the Collateral as provided in the Loan Documents.

 

The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting

 

G-2- 1


 

in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court.  The Borrower further irrevocably consents to the service of process in any action or proceeding in such courts by the mailing thereof by any parties thereto by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at the address specified for the Loan Parties in Section 9.01(a) of the Credit Agreement.  The Borrower agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Promissory Note shall affect any right that the Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any Loan Party or their properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promissory Note or the other Loan Documents in any New York State or federal court sitting in New York County.  The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

G-2- 2


 

This Promissory Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

 

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP,

as Borrower

 

 

 

 

 

By: CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM GP LLC,

its General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

G-2- 3


 

ADVANCES AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date

 

Amount of
Advance

 

Amount of
Principal Paid or
Prepaid

 

Unpaid Principal
Balance

 

Notation Made
By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT H-1
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, N (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

[Insert name of institution] (the “ Non-U.S. Lender ”) is providing this certificate pursuant to Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement.  The Non-U.S. Lender hereby represents and warrants that:

 

A.                           It is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan (as well as any Notes evidencing such Loan) in respect of which it is providing this certificate;

 

B.                           It is not a “bank” that entered into the Credit Agreement in the “ordinary course of its trade or business” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”);

 

C.                           It is not a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code;

 

D.                           It is not a “controlled foreign corporation” receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code; and

 

E.                            The interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

H-1- 1


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.

 

 

 

[NAME OF NON-U.S. LENDER]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Date:            , 20   

 

H-1- 2


 

EXHIBIT H-2
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, N (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

[Insert name of institution] (the “ Participant ”) is providing this certificate pursuant to Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement.  The Participant hereby represents and warrants that:

 

A.         It is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate;

 

B.         It is not a “bank” that entered into the Credit Agreement in the “ordinary course of its trade or business” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”);

 

C.         It is not a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code;

 

D.         It is not a “controlled foreign corporation” receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code; and

 

E.         The interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. person status on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

H-2- 1


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.

 

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Date:          , 20

 

H-2- 2


 

EXHIBIT H-3
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, N (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

[Insert name of institution] (the “ Participant ”) is providing this certificate pursuant to Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement.  The Participant hereby represents and warrants that:

 

A.         It is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate;

 

B.         It’s direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation;

 

C.         With respect to such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “bank” that entered into the Credit Agreement in the “ordinary course of its trade or business” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”);

 

D.         None of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code;

 

E.         None of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code; and

 

F.         The interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

H-3- 1


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.

 

 

 

[NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Date:          , 20

 

H-3- 2


 

EXHIBIT H-4
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 30, 2015 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a limited partnership organized under the laws of Delaware (“ Borrower ”), the LENDERS party thereto from time to time, WELLS FARGO BANK, N (“ Wells Fargo ”), as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo, as Collateral Agent CITIBANK, N.A., BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents and BARCLAYS BANK PLC, MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS and SUNTRUST BANK, as Co-Documentation Agents. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meanings.

 

[Insert name of institution] (the “ Non-U.S. Lender ”) is providing this certificate pursuant to Section 2.17(e) of the Credit Agreement.  The Non-U.S. Lender hereby represents and warrants that:

 

A.         It is the sole record owner of the Loan (as well as any Notes evidencing such Loan) in respect of which it is providing this certificate;

 

B.            Its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan (as well as any Notes evidencing such Loan);

 

B.         Neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “bank” that entered into the Credit Agreement in the “ordinary course of its trade or business” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”);

 

C.         None of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “10-percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code;

 

D.         None of its direct or indirect partners/members is a “controlled foreign corporation” receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code; and

 

E.         The interest payments in question are not effectively connected with the undersigned’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with an Internal Revenue Service Form 8-IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY accompanied by an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

H-4- 1


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this certificate.

 

 

 

[NAME OF NON-U.S. LENDER]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Date:          , 20

 

H-4- 2


 

EXHIBIT I
FORM OF ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE

 

CRESTWOOD MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP

 

SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FORM

 

It is very important that all of the requested information be completed accurately and that this questionnaire be returned promptly. If your institution is sub-allocating its allocation, please fill out an administrative questionnaire for each legal entity.

 

Legal Name of Lender to appear in Documentation:

 

 

 

Signature Block Information:

 

 

       o  Signing Credit Agreement:

 

o

 

Yes

o

 

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       o  Coming in via Assignment:

 

o

 

Yes

o

 

No

 

Type of Lender:

 

 

 

(Bank, Asset Manager, Broker/Dealer, CLO/CDO, Finance Company, Hedge Fund, Insurance, Mutual Fund, Pension Fund, Other Regulated Investment Fund, Special Purpose Vehicle or Other, please specify)

 

Taxpayer ID Number:

 

 

 

 

 

MEI Number:

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Entity:

 

Yes o      No  o

 

If yes, please complete and return appropriate FOREIGN IRS Form (usually Form W-8BEN or W-ECI) as well as provide SWIFT Code for Patriot Act certification purposes and fill out the 2 below fields:

 

SWIFT

 

Country of Origin

 

FOR INTERNAL PURPOSES ONLY  (FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS)

 

Patriot Act Certification Effective Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Patriot Act Certification Expiration Date:

 

 

 

I- 1


 

Contacts/Notification Methods: Borrowings, Paydowns, Interest, Fees, etc.

 

 

 

o Primary Credit Contact

 

Secondary Credit Contact

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

 

 

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

 

E-Mail Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o  Primary Operations Contact

 

Secondary Operations Contact

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

 

 

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

 

E-Mail Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o  Primary L/C Contact

 

Secondary L/C Contact

Name:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

 

 

 

Facsimile:

 

 

 

 

E-Mail Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o Electronic Distribution

 

Contact

 

Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Address cont’d:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Telephone:

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

E-Mail Address:

 

 

 

I- 2


 

Lender’s Domestic Wire Instructions

Bank Name:

City and State:

ABA/Routing No.:

Account Name:

Account No.:

FFC Account Name:

FFC Account No.:

Attention:

Reference:

 

Lender’s Foreign Wire Instructions (please include wiring instructions for EACH currency as applicable)

Bank Name:

ABA/Routing No.:

Account Name:

Account No.:

FFC Account Name:

FFC Account No.:

Attention:

Reference:

SWIFT:

Country of Origin:

 

                                    , hereby authorizes Wells Fargo Bank to rely on the payment instructions contained in this Administrative Details Form.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Its:

 

 

 

I- 3


 

TAX REPORTING INFORMATION (PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION BELOW AND SUBMIT THE APPROPRIATE IRS TAX FORM ALONG WITH THIS COMPLETED ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS QUESTIONNAIRE).

 

Tax Documents

 

U.S. DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONS:

 

If your institution is incorporated or organized within the United States, you must complete and return Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) . Please be advised that we request that you submit an original Form W-9 .

 

o             Attach Form W-9 for current Tax Year

 

o             Confirm Tax ID Number:

 

FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS:

 

I. Corporations:

 

If your institution is incorporated outside of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and is the beneficial owner of the interest and other income it receives, you must complete one of the following three tax forms, as applicable to your institution:

 

a.) Form W8BEN (Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner),

 

b.) Form W-8ECI (Income Effectively Connected to a U.S. Trade or Business),

 

c.) Form W-8EXP (Certificate of Foreign Government or Governmental Agency).

 

A U.S. taxpayer identification number is required for any institution submitting Form W-8ECI. It is also required on Form W-8BEN for certain institutions claiming the benefits of a tax treaty with the U.S. Please be advised that U.S. tax regulations do not permit the acceptance of faxed forms. An original tax form must be submitted .

 

o             Attach Form W-8 for current Tax Year

 

o             Confirm Tax ID Number:

 

II. Flow-Through Entities :

 

If your institution is organized outside the U.S., and is classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as either a Partnership, Trust, Qualified or Non-Qualified Intermediary, or other non U.S. flow-through entity, an original Form W-8IMY (Certificate of Foreign Intermediary, Foreign Flow-Through Entity, or Certain U.S. Branches for United States Tax Withholding) must be completed by the intermediary together with a withholding statement. Flow-through entities other than Qualified Intermediaries are required to include tax forms for each of the underlying beneficial owners. Please be advised that U.S. tax regulations do not permit the acceptance of faxed forms. Original tax form(s) must be submitted .

 

o             Attach Form W-8 for current Tax Year

 

o             Confirm Tax ID Number:

 

Pursuant to the language contained in the tax section of the Credit Agreement, the applicable tax form for your institution must be completed and returned prior to the first payment of income. Failure to provide the proper tax form when requested may subject your institution to U.S. tax withholding.

 

I- 4

Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

News Release

CRESTWOOD EQUITY PARTNERS LP

700 Louisiana Street, Suite 2550

Houston, TX  77002

www.crestwoodlp.com

 

Crestwood Equity Completes Merger

with Crestwood Midstream

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS, September 30, 2015 — Crestwood Equity Partners LP (NYSE: CEQP) (“Crestwood Equity”) and Crestwood Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: CMLP) (“Crestwood Midstream”) (collectively “Crestwood”) today announced the closing of the merger between Crestwood Equity and Crestwood Midstream following approval of the merger by Crestwood Midstream’s unitholders.  Crestwood Equity’s common units will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CEQP, while Crestwood Midstream’s common units will cease to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange after the close of business on September 30, 2015.

 

“We appreciate the support of a substantial majority of the Crestwood Midstream unitholders who voted in favor of the merger. We believe the merged partnership will be better positioned to create long-term value for our unitholders with the simplified structure and lower costs that result from the combination,” commented Robert G. Phillips, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Crestwood remains focused on delivering solid operational results during the remainder of 2015 and new project development opportunities around our existing platform despite the uncertainty created by the current commodity cycle and its impact on midstream MLP valuations in the capital markets. With the merger complete, Crestwood is well positioned in 2016 and beyond to expand our business through long-term infrastructure investments in the areas that we operate.”

 

Michael France, Managing Director of First Reserve, the substantial owner of Crestwood’s general partner added, “We are pleased to see significant limited partner support for the merger and believe this is the next step to realizing the full potential of Crestwood’s business. We know it is a difficult period for the energy industry, but we remain committed to assisting in the growth and development of Crestwood’s operating platform, which First Reserve believes is located in some of the most prolific shale plays in the US. While it might take some time to fully realize the benefits of these opportunities, given the current commodity cycle, the simplified partnership structure should make Crestwood more competitive for growth opportunities and therefore more attractive to long-term midstream investors.”

 

Under the terms of the merger agreement, each Crestwood Midstream common unitholder (other than Crestwood Equity and its affiliates) will receive 2.75 common units of Crestwood Equity for every one common unit of Crestwood Midstream owned. Beginning in the third quarter of 2015, Crestwood Midstream unitholders will begin receiving quarterly distributions for all Crestwood Equity units received through the merger transaction. Crestwood Equity’s annual distribution is currently $0.55 per common unit and is paid in accordance with Crestwood Equity’s partnership agreement. Crestwood Midstream’s incentive distribution rights were cancelled upon completion of the merger, and Crestwood Midstream now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crestwood Equity. In conjunction with the merger, Crestwood Midstream today entered into an amended and restated credit

 

-more-

 


 

NEWS RELEASE

Page 2 of 3

 

agreement establishing a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility. The five-year credit facility will be available to fund Crestwood’s on-going working capital and capital requirements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The statements in this communication regarding future events, occurrences, circumstances, activities, performance, outcomes and results are forward-looking statements. Although these statements reflect the current views, assumptions and expectations of Crestwood’s management, the matters addressed herein are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual activities, performance, outcomes and results to differ materially from those indicated. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the future financial and operating results, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Factors that could result in such differences or otherwise materially affect Crestwood’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows include, without limitation, fluctuations in crude oil, natural gas and NGL prices (including, without limitation, lower commodity prices for sustained periods of time); the extent and success of drilling efforts, as well as the extent and quality of natural gas and crude oil volumes produced within proximity of Crestwood assets; failure or delays by customers in achieving expected production in their oil and gas projects; competitive conditions in the industry and their impact on our ability to connect supplies to Crestwood gathering, processing and transportation assets or systems; actions or inactions taken or non-performance by third parties, including suppliers, contractors, operators, processors, transporters and customers; the ability of Crestwood to consummate acquisitions, successfully integrate the acquired businesses, realize any cost savings and other synergies from any acquisition; changes in the availability and cost of capital; operating hazards, natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond Crestwood’s control; timely receipt of necessary government approvals and permits, the ability of Crestwood to control the costs of construction, including costs of materials, labor and right-of-way and other factors that may impact Crestwood’s ability to complete projects within budget and on schedule; the effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations, including environmental and climate change requirements; the effects of existing and future litigation; and risks related to Crestwood’s substantial indebtedness, as well as other factors disclosed in Crestwood’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You should read filings made by Crestwood with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K and the most recent Quarterly Reports and Current Reports for a more extensive list of factors that could affect results. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date made. Crestwood does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

 


 

NEWS RELEASE

Page 3 of 3

 

About Crestwood Equity Partners LP

 

Houston, Texas, based Crestwood Equity Partners LP (NYSE: CEQP) is a master limited partnership that owns and operates midstream businesses in multiple unconventional shale resource plays across the United States. Crestwood Equity is engaged in the gathering, processing, treating, compression, storage and transportation of natural gas; storage, transportation, terminalling, and marketing of NGLs; and gathering, storage, terminalling and marketing of crude oil.

 

Source: Crestwood Equity Partners LP

 

Crestwood Equity Partners LP
Investor Contact

 

Josh Wannarka, 713-380-3081
josh.wannarka@crestwoodlp.com
Vice President, Investor Relations

 

###