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): June 14, 2016 (June 13, 2016)

 


 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

COLORADO
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

001-35245
(Commission
File Number)

 

20-2835920
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

1625 Broadway, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (720) 616-4300

 


 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Note Purchase Agreement

 

On June 14, 2016, Synergy Resources Corporation (“Synergy” or the “Company”) entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with two institutional investors pursuant to which Synergy issued and sold to the investors $80 million aggregate principal amount of its 9.00% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “Senior Notes”).  The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Company.

 

The Senior Notes were issued in a private placement exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.   The Company has no obligation to register the Senior Notes except for the limited circumstances set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

The Note Purchase Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this report , is incorporated by reference herein, and this description of the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit and the full text of the Note Purchase Agreement.

 

Indenture

 

The Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of June 14, 2016 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company named therein as guarantors (the “Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), providing for the terms and conditions of the Senior Notes.

 

The Senior Notes will mature on June 13, 2021 unless earlier purchased or redeemed by the Company.  The Company may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes prior to December 14, 2018 at a redemption price equal to the Make-Whole Price (as defined in the Indenture), subject to rights of holders of the Senior Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest. Thereafter, the Senior Notes may be redeemed as set forth in the Indenture.  Additionally, prior to December 14, 2018, the Company can, on one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes with all or a portion of the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (as defined in the Indenture) at a redemption price equal to 109.00% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest if any, on the Senior Notes redeemed to the redemption date, subject to further conditions.

 

The Indenture contains covenants that restrict the Company’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to, among other restrictions and limitations: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) incur liens; (iii) pay dividends; (iv) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its or their assets; (v) engage in transactions with affiliates; or (vi) engage in certain restricted business activities.  These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications. At any time the Senior Notes are not exempt from the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

The Indenture is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this report and is incorporated by reference herein.  This description of the terms of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit and the full text of the Indenture.

 

Item 2.01  Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

As previously announced, on May 2, 2016, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with Noble Energy, Inc., NBL Energy Royalties, Inc., and Noble Energy Wyco, LLC (collectively referred to herein as “Noble”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from Noble certain Wattenberg Field oil and gas properties, leasehold mineral interests and related assets (the “Purchased Assets”) for aggregate cash consideration of approximately $505 million (the “Purchase Price”), subject to customary adjustments, including adjustments based on title and environmental diligence conducted by the Company (the “Noble Acquisition”).

 

2



 

On June 14, 2016, the Company completed the first closing of the Noble Acquisition pursuant to the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement.  Approximately $486.3 million of the Purchase Price was paid at the first closing.  The effective date of the Noble Acquisition for the assets acquired at the first closing is April 1, 2016, and all proceeds and certain customary operational costs and expenses attributable to the Purchased Assets will be apportioned between the Company and Noble according to such date.

 

The foregoing description of the Purchase and Sale Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2016 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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 by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

In addition, on June 13, 2016, the Company borrowed approximately $55 million under its revolving credit facility in order to pay a portion of the Purchase Price for the Noble Acquisition pending receipt of proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes.  The full amount borrowed was repaid on June 14, 2016.

 

Item 3.03  Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders

 

The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.  As noted above, the Indenture contains customary limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends.

 

Item 4.01  Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

 

Previous independent registered public accounting firm

 

On June 13, 2016, the Audit Committee (the “Audit Committee”) of Synergy’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) determined to change Synergy’s independent accounting firm effective as of such date and notified EKS&H LLLP (“EKS&H”), Synergy’s then-current independent accounting firm, of its dismissal.

 

The reports of EKS&H on the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and 2015, and for the transition period ended December 31, 2015, did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and such reports were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and 2015, the transition period ended December 31, 2015, and through June 14, 2016, the Company has not had any disagreements with EKS&H on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to EKS&H’s satisfaction, would have caused EKS&H to make reference thereto in its reports on the Company’s financial statements for the relevant periods.  During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and 2015, the transition period ended December 31, 2015 and through June 14, 2016, there were no reportable events, as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

The Company provided EKS&H with a copy of this disclosure as set forth under this Item 4.01 and requested EKS&H to furnish a letter addressed to the Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether or not it agrees with the above statements and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the response letter from EKS&H is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1.

 

New independent registered public accounting firm

 

On June 13, 2016, the Audit Committee engaged Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”) to serve as the independent accounting firm for the Company, effective as of such date.

 

During the years ended August 31, 2014, and 2015, the transition period ended December 31, 2015 and prior to the effective date of the engagement, the Company did not consult with Deloitte regarding (a) the application of

 

3



 

accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, (b) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements by Deloitte, in either case where a written report or oral advice provided by Deloitte that Deloitte determined would be an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issues or (c) any other matter that was the subject of a disagreement between the Company and its former auditor or was a reportable event (as described in Items 304(a)(1)(iv) or Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K, respectively).

 

Item 8.01  Other Events.

 

As a result of its change of independent accounting firms, the Board is withdrawing Proposal 2 from the shareholder vote at Synergy’s annual meeting on June 22, 2016. Proposal 2 was to ratify the appointment of EKS&H as Synergy’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. The Company does not intend to submit at the annual meeting any other proposal for ratification with respect to the appointment of auditors.

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

See Exhibit Index.

 

4



 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

Date: June 14, 2016

 

 

Synergy Resources Corporation

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lynn A. Peterson

 

 

Lynn A. Peterson

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

5



 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description

 

 

 

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of June 14, 2016, by and between the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors of the Company and U.S. Bank National Association.

 

 

 

10.1

 

Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2016, by and among the Company and the Purchasers named therein.

 

 

 

16.1

 

Letter From EKS&H LLP dated June 14, 2016.

 

6


Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

Synergy Resources Corporation

as Issuer

 

and

 

U.S. Bank National Association

as Trustee

 

 

Indenture

 

Dated as of June 14, 2016

 

 

9.00% Senior Notes Due 2021

 

 



 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA Sections

 

Indenture Sections

 

§310

 (a)

 

7.10

 

 

 (b)

 

7.08

 

§311

 

 

7.03

 

§312

 

 

11.02

 

§313

 

 

7.06

 

§314

 (a)

 

4, 4.02

 

 

 (c)

 

11.04

 

 

 (e)

 

11.05

 

§315

 (a)

 

7.01, 7.02

 

 

 (b)

 

7.02, 7.05

 

 

 (c)

 

7.01

 

 

 (d)

 

7.02

 

 

 (e)

 

6.12, 7.02

 

§316

 (a)

 

2.05, 6.02, 6.04, 6.05

 

 

 (b)

 

6.06, 6.07

 

 

 (c)

 

11.02

 

§317

 (a) (1)

 

6.08

 

 

 (a) (2)

 

6.09

 

 

 (b)

 

2.03

 

§318

 

 

11.01

 

 

Note:  The Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

1

Section 1.02

Rules of Construction

35

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES

35

 

 

Section 2.01

Form, Dating and Denominations; Legends

35

Section 2.02

Execution and Authentication; Exchange Notes; Additional Notes

36

Section 2.03

Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent; Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

37

Section 2.04

Replacement Notes

38

Section 2.05

Outstanding Notes

38

Section 2.06

Temporary Notes

39

Section 2.07

Cancellation

39

Section 2.08

CUSIP and CINS Numbers

39

Section 2.09

Registration, Transfer and Exchange

39

Section 2.10

Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange

43

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION; OFFER TO PURCHASE

45

 

 

Section 3.01

Optional Redemption

45

Section 3.02

Redemption with Proceeds of Public Equity Offering

45

Section 3.03

Method and Effect of Redemption

45

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

47

 

 

Section 4.01

Payment of Notes

47

Section 4.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

48

Section 4.03

Existence

48

Section 4.04

Payment of Taxes and other Claims

48

Section 4.05

Maintenance of Properties and Insurance

48

Section 4.06

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

49

Section 4.07

Restricted Payments

53

Section 4.08

Limitation on Liens

57

Section 4.09

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

57

Section 4.10

Subsidiary Guarantees

60

Section 4.11

Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control

60

Section 4.12

Asset Sales

63

Section 4.13

Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates

67

Section 4.14

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

69

Section 4.15

Reports

69

Section 4.16

Reports to Trustee

70

Section 4.17

Business Activities

71

Section 4.18

Payments for Consent

71

 

ii



 

Section 4.19

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

71

Section 4.20

Production Payments and Reserve Sales

71

Section 4.21

Rating of Notes

71

Section 4.22

Covenant Suspension

72

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS

72

 

 

Section 5.02

Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of Substantially all Assets of Subsidiary Guarantor

74

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

74

 

 

Section 6.02

Acceleration

76

Section 6.03

Other Remedies

77

Section 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

77

Section 6.05

Control by Majority

77

Section 6.06

Limitation on Suits

77

Section 6.07

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

78

Section 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

78

Section 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

78

Section 6.10

Priorities

79

Section 6.11

Restoration of Rights and Remedies

79

Section 6.12

Undertaking for Costs

79

Section 6.13

Rights and Remedies Cumulative

79

Section 6.14

Delay or Omission Not Waiver

79

Section 6.15

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

80

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7 THE TRUSTEE

80

 

 

Section 7.01

General

80

Section 7.02

Certain Rights of Trustee

80

Section 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

81

Section 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

82

Section 7.05

Notice of Default

82

Section 7.06

Reports by Trustee to Holders

82

Section 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

82

Section 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

83

Section 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger

84

Section 7.10

Eligibility

84

Section 7.11

Money Held in Trust

84

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8 DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE

84

 

 

Section 8.01

Satisfaction and Discharge

84

Section 8.02

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

85

Section 8.03

Legal Defeasance

85

Section 8.04

Covenant Defeasance

86

Section 8.05

Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

87

Section 8.06

Application of Trust Money

88

 

iii



 

Section 8.07

Repayment to Company

88

Section 8.08

Reinstatement

88

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

88

 

 

Section 9.01

Amendments Without Consent of Holders

88

Section 9.02

Amendments with Consent of Holders

90

Section 9.03

Effect of Consent

91

Section 9.04

Trustee’s Rights and Obligations

91

Section 9.05

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

91

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10 GUARANTEES

91

 

 

Section 10.01

The Subsidiary Guarantees

91

Section 10.02

Subsidiary Guarantee Unconditional

92

Section 10.03

Discharge; Reinstatement

92

Section 10.04

Waiver by the Subsidiary Guarantors

93

Section 10.05

Subrogation and Contribution

93

Section 10.06

Stay of Acceleration

93

Section 10.07

Limitation on Amount of Subsidiary Guarantee

93

Section 10.08

Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee

93

Section 10.09

Release of Subsidiary Guarantee

93

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS

94

 

 

Section 11.01

Trust Indenture Act of 1939

94

Section 11.02

Noteholder Communications; Noteholder Actions

94

Section 11.03

Notices

95

Section 11.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

96

Section 11.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

96

Section 11.06

Payment Date Other Than a Business Day

96

Section 11.07

Governing Law

96

Section 11.08

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

97

Section 11.09

Successors

97

Section 11.10

Duplicate Originals

97

Section 11.11

Separability

97

Section 11.12

Table of Contents and Headings

97

Section 11.13

No Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators, Members and Stockholders

97

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Note

A-1

EXHIBIT B

Form of Supplemental Indenture

B-1

EXHIBIT C

Restricted Legend

C-1

EXHIBIT D

DTC Legend

D-1

EXHIBIT E

Regulation S Certificate

E-1

EXHIBIT F

Rule 144A Certificate

F-1

EXHIBIT G

Institutional Accredited Investor Certificate

G-1

 

iv



 

INDENTURE, dated as of June 14, 2016, between Synergy Resources Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the “Company”), GCL Weld, LLC, GCL Weld No. 1, LLC and GCL Weld No. 2, LLC, each a Delaware limited liability company and collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Indenture to provide for the issuance of up to $80,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 9.00% Senior Notes Due 2021 on June 14, 2016 (the “ Initial Notes ”) and when issued, any Additional Notes, together with any Exchange Notes issued therefor as provided herein (the “ Notes ”).  All things necessary to make the Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done, and the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have done all things necessary to make the Notes (in the case of the Additional Notes, when duly authorized), when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and duly issued by the Company, the valid obligations of the Company as hereinafter provided.

 

To the extent the Notes are not exempt from the Trust Indenture Act, this Indenture is subject to, and will be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be a part of and govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, the parties hereto covenant and agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01                              Definitions .

 

Acquired Debt ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)                                  Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, regardless of whether such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person merging with or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and

 

(2)                                  Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

 

Additional Assets ” means:

 



 

(1)                                  any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business;

 

(2)                                  the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)                                  Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(4)                                  Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall entitle the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to not less than a pro rata portion of all dividends or other distributions made by such Subsidiary upon any of such Capital Stock;

 

provided , however , that, in the case of clauses (2), (3) and (4), such Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

 

Additional Notes ” means any notes issued under the Indenture in addition to the Initial  Notes and Exchange Notes, including any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for such Additional Notes, having the same terms in all respects as the Initial Notes, or in all respects except with respect to the issue date, issue price and the first interest payment date after the issuance of such Additional Notes.

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” means, with respect to any specified Person or Persons (all of such specified Persons, whether one or more, being referred to in this definition as the “Referent Person”), as of the date of determination (without duplication), the remainder of:

 

(a)                            the sum of:

 

(i)                                      discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines (which for the avoidance of doubt, throughout this definition, should use a discounted rate of 10%) as adjusted based on Modified ACNTA before any provincial, territorial, state, federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by the Company in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available, and giving effect to applicable Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, (A) as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (1) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report, and (2) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since such year-end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, and (B) as decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from (1) estimated proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since such year end, and (2) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such reserve report since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors that would, in accordance with

 

2



 

standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case described in this clause (i) calculated in accordance with Commission guidelines as adjusted based on Modified ACNTA and estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Company for that purpose;

 

(ii)                                   the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest available annual or quarterly financial statements;

 

(iii)                                the Net Working Capital of the Referent Person on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

 

(iv)                               the greater of (A) the net book value of other tangible assets of the Referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, and (B) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements ( provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such appraisal solely for the purpose of determining this value); minus

 

(b)                            the sum of:

 

(i)                                      the net book value of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Referent Person that is not owned by the Referent Person or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Referent Person; and

 

(ii)                                   to the extent not otherwise taken into account in determining Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Referent Person, any net gas-balancing liabilities of the Referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest audited financial statements;

 

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost method to the successful efforts method of accounting, “ Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” of the Referent Person will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost   method of accounting.

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.  For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

Affiliate Transaction ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.13(a).

 

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent.

 

3



 

Agent Member ” means a member of, or a participant in, the Depositary.

 

Asset Sale ” means:

 

(1)                                  the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights (including by way of a Production Payment or a sale and leaseback transaction); provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.11 and/or Section 5.01 and not by Section 4.12; and

 

(2)                                  the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares) or the sale of Equity Interests held by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in any of its Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

 

(1)                                  any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20 million (measured at the time of the relevant sale or other disposition) in the aggregate in any calendar year;

 

(2)                                  a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(3)                                  an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)                                  the sale, lease or other disposition of equipment, inventory, products, services, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business, including in connection with any compromise, settlement or collection of accounts receivable, and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets or assets that are no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)                                  the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(6)                                  a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07, including the issuance or sale of Equity Interests or the sale, lease or other disposition of products, services, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets pursuant to any such Restricted Payment;

 

(7)                                  the consummation of a Permitted Investment, including, without limitation, unwinding any Hedging Obligations, and including the issuance or sale of Equity Interests or the sale, lease or other disposition of products, services, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other assets pursuant to any such Permitted Investment;

 

(8)                                  a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(9)                                  the farm-out, lease or sublease on customary terms in the industry of developed or undeveloped crude oil or natural gas properties owned or held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including in exchange for crude oil and natural gas properties owned or held by another Person;

 

(10)                           the creation or perfection of a Lien (but not, except as contemplated in clause (11) below, the sale or other disposition of the properties or assets subject to such Lien);

 

(11)                           the creation or perfection of a Permitted Lien and the exercise by any Person in whose favor a Permitted Lien is granted of any of its rights in respect of that Permitted Lien;

 

(12)                           the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property, including, without limitation, licenses for seismic data, in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(13)                           surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

(14)                           the sale or other disposition (regardless of whether in the ordinary course of business) of oil and gas properties; provided that, at the time of such sale or other disposition, such properties do not have attributed to them any proved reserves; and

 

(15)                           any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of properties or assets used or useful in a Related Business for other properties or assets used or useful in a Related Business owned or held by another Person (including Capital Stock of a Person engaged in a Related Business that is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary), including any cash or Cash Equivalents necessary in order to achieve an exchange of equivalent value, provided that the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (including any cash or Cash Equivalents to be delivered by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary) is reasonably equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided , further , that any cash received in the transaction must be applied in accordance with Section 4.12 as if such transaction were an Asset Sale.

 

Asset Sale Offer ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.12(d).

 

Attributable Debt ” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended.  Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

 

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Authenticating Agent ” refers to a Person engaged to authenticate the Notes on behalf of the Trustee.

 

Bankruptcy Law ” means any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.

 

Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time or upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.  The terms “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficially Owning” will have a corresponding meaning.

 

Board of Directors ” means:

 

(1)                                  with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

 

(2)                                  with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership;

 

(3)                                  with respect to a limited liability company, the managers or managing member or members of such limited liability company (as applicable) or any duly authorized committee of managers or managing members (as applicable) thereof; and

 

(4)                                  with respect to any other Person, the board of directors or duly authorized committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

 

Calculation Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

 

Capital Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

Capital Stock ” means:

 

(1)                                  in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

 

(2)                                  in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

 

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(3)                                  in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

 

(4)                                  any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means

 

(1)                                  United States dollars;

 

(2)                                  Government Securities having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)                                  marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

 

(4)                                  certificates of deposit, demand deposit accounts and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

 

(5)                                  repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

 

(6)                                  commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

 

(7)                                  money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition; and

 

(8)                                  deposits in any currency available for withdrawal on demand with any commercial bank that is organized under the laws of any country in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office or is engaged in the Related Business; provided that all such deposits are made in such accounts in the ordinary course of business.

 

Certificated Note ” means a Note in registered individual form without interest coupons.

 

Change of Control ” means:

 

(1)                                  any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by

 

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merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its properties or assets) (for the purposes of this clause, such person or group shall be deemed to Beneficially Own any Voting Stock of the Company held by an entity, if such person or group Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such entity);

 

(2)                                  the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors;

 

(3)                                  the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act); or

 

(4)                                  the adoption or approval by the stockholders of the Company of a plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Change of Control Offer ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.11(a).

 

Change of Control Payment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.11(a).

 

Change of Control Payment Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.11(a).

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of the Indenture or any successor obligor under the Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Article 5.

 

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means, with respect to Notes to be redeemed, the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to December 14, 2018, that would be utilized at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity; provided that if such period is less than one year, then the U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of one year shall be used.

 

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

 

Consolidated Cash Flow ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

 

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(1)                                  an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale (together with any related provision for taxes and any related non-recurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity), to the extent that such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(2)                                  provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(3)                                  the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(4)                                  exploration and abandonment expense (if applicable) to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(5)                                  depreciation, depletion, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment, other non-cash expenses and other non-cash items (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(6)                                  any interest expense attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, to the extent that such interest expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

(7)                                  the accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations and future retirement benefits, to the extent such charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

 

(8)                                  non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business.

 

Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

 

(1)                                  the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

 

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(2)                                  the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, members or partners;

 

(3)                                  the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

 

(4)                                  any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of such Person or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale or leaseback transaction) that is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person will be excluded;

 

(5)                                  any asset impairment writedowns on oil and gas properties under GAAP or Commission guidelines will be excluded;

 

(6)                                  any non-cash mark-to-market adjustments to assets or liabilities resulting in unrealized gains or losses in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of SFAS 133) shall be excluded; and

 

(7)                                  to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income, any non-cash or other charges associated with any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness will be excluded.

 

Consolidated Tangible Assets ” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, the amount which, in accordance with GAAP, would be set forth under the caption “Total Assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, less all goodwill, patents, tradenames, trademarks, copyrights, franchises, experimental expenses, organization expenses and any other amounts classified as intangible assets in accordance with GAAP.

 

Continuing Director ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who: (1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors and whose election to such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved or consented to by a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

 

Corporate Trust Office ” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee with respect to this Indenture is principally administered, which at the date of the Indenture is located in Denver, Colorado, and for purposes of Sections 2.03 and 4.02, such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10005.

 

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Credit Facilities ” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more traditional corporate banking borrowing base revolving credit facilities for oil and gas secured loan transactions, including customary mechanisms for periodic determination thereof that are provided by one or more commercial banks that routinely provide revolving credit facilities providing for revolving credit loans and/or letters of credit on a secured or unsecured basis on customary market terms for similar facilities; provided , however, that such facilities shall be in a single tranche, and any facilities that consist of more than one tranche shall cease to constitute Credit Facilities.  As of the date of this Indenture, the Senior Credit Agreement is a Credit Facility.  For the avoidance of doubt, any incurrence of Indebtedness in accordance with the Senior Credit Facility, as amended by any amendment on or after the date hereof, would be required to comply with all applicable provisions hereof.

 

Currency Agreement ” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

 

Default ” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Depositary ” means the depositary of each Global Note, which will initially be DTC.

 

Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07.  The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of the Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that (a) was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or (b) Guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Subsidiary).

 

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DTC ” means The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation, and its successors.

 

DTC Legend ” means the legend set forth in Exhibit D.

 

Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

 

Equity Offering ” means (1) an offering for cash by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), or options, warrants or rights with respect to its Capital Stock or (2) a cash contribution to the Company’s common equity capital from any Person.

 

Eurodollar Rate ” means the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate or a comparable or successor rate (as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration or any other Person that takes over administration of such rate for U.S. Dollars for a three month interest period as displayed on the applicable Reuters screen page), chosen in good faith by the Company, as published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations. In the event that such rate does not appear on such page (or otherwise on such screen), the “Eurodollar Rate” means the rate of interest reasonably determined by the Company to be the average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) of the rates per annum at which deposits in U.S. Dollars are offered to the Company or one of its Affiliates; provided that the Eurodollar Rate for all purposes under this Agreement shall in no event be greater than 1%.

 

Event of Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

Excess Proceeds ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.12(c).

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Exchange Notes ” means the Notes of the Company issued pursuant to the Indenture in exchange for, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to, the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes in compliance with the obligations set forth in Section 5.03 of the Note Purchase Agreement and containing terms substantially identical to the Initial Notes or any  Additional Notes (except that (i) such Exchange Notes will be registered under the Securities Act and will not be subject to transfer restrictions or bear the Restricted Legend, and (ii) the Exchange Notes may be subject to the Trust Indenture Act).

 

Exchange Offer ” means an offer by the Company to the Holders of the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes to exchange outstanding Notes for Exchange Notes, as provided for in a Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” means the Exchange Offer Registration Statement as defined in a Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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Existing Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees) in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.

 

Fair Market Value ” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party.  Fair Market Value of an asset or property in excess of $10 million shall be determined by an officer of the Company, and in the case of amounts in excess of $20 million or more, by the Board of Directors of the Company, in each case, acting in good faith.  The determinations of the Board of Directors shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors.

 

Farm-In Agreement ” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interests therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property.

 

Farm-Out Agreement ” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.  In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

 

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

 

(1)                                  acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used or useful in a Related Business), or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including in each case any related financing transactions and increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, and any Consolidated Cash Flow for such period will be calculated giving pro forma effect to any operating improvements or cost savings that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur in the reasonable judgment of the principal

 

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accounting officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company (regardless of whether those operating improvements or cost savings could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the Commission related thereto);

 

(2)                                  the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

 

(3)                                  the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

 

(4)                                  any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

 

(5)                                  any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

 

(6)                                  if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Hedging Obligation is less than 12 months, then such Hedging Obligation shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof).

 

Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(1)                                  the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding (i) any interest attributable to Production Payments and Reserve Sales, (ii) write-off of deferred financing costs and (iii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, but including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, noncash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations other than that attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements; plus

 

(2)                                  the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

 

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(3)                                  any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by the specified Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such specified Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, regardless of whether such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

 

(4)                                  all dividends, whether paid or accrued and regardless of whether in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

 

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Domestic Restricted Subsidiary.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.  All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.  At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to apply International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture); provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided , further , that any calculation or determination in the Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Company’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP.  The Company shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes.

 

Global Note ” means a Note in registered global form without interest coupons.

 

Government Securities ” means direct obligations of, or obligations Guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges its full faith and credit.

 

Guarantee ” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services or to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise), or entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part).  “Guarantee” used as a verb has a correlative meaning.

 

Hedging Obligations ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges, Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts and other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business and for non-speculative purposes.

 

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Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons, natural gas liquids, and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

Holder ” or “ Noteholder ” means the registered holder of any Note.

 

IAI Global Note ” means a Global Note resold to Institutional Accredited Investors bearing the Restricted Legend.

 

incur ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.06(a).

 

Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person, without duplication, any indebtedness of such Person, regardless of whether contingent:

 

(1)                                  in respect of borrowed money;

 

(2)                                  evidenced by bonds, notes, credit agreements, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

 

(3)                                  in respect of bankers’ acceptances;

 

(4)                                  representing Capital Lease Obligations;

 

(5)                                  in respect of any Guarantee by such Person of production or payment with respect to a Production Payment (but not any other contractual obligation in respect of such Production Payment);

 

(6)                                  representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or a trade payable; or

 

(7)                                  representing any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges,

 

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Interest Rate and Currency Hedges) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes (a) all Indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (7), secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (regardless of whether such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person); provided that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person, and (b) to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (7) above.  Furthermore, the amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute “ Indebtedness :”

 

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(i)                                      accrued expenses and trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ii)                                   except as provided in clause (5) of the first paragraph of this definition, any obligation in respect of any Production Payment and Reserve Sales;

 

(iii)                                any obligation in respect of any Farm-In Agreement;

 

(iv)                               any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Government Securities (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness;

 

(v)                                  oil or natural gas balancing liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

(vi)                               any obligation in respect of any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract;

 

(vii)                            any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of the Financial Standards Accounting Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815);

 

(viii)                         any obligations in respect of (a) bid, performance, completion, surety, appeal and similar bonds, (b) obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (c) insurance obligations or bonds and other similar bonds and obligations and (d) any Guarantees or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations; provided , however , that such bonds or obligations mentioned in subclause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this clause (viii), are incurred in the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not relate to obligations for borrowed money;

 

(ix)                               any Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(x)                                  any obligation arising from any agreement providing for indemnities, guarantees, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the acquired or disposed assets or similar obligations (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness) incurred by any Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets; and

 

(xi)                               all contracts and other obligations, agreements instruments or arrangements described in clauses (20), (21), (22) and (23) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”

 

Indenture ” means this indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

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Independent Investment Banker ” means Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and its successors, or, if such firm is unwilling or unable to select the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

 

Initial Lien ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.08(a).

 

Initial Notes ” means the Notes issued on the Issue Date and any Notes issued in replacement thereof, but not including any Additional Notes or any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor ” means an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined) in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.

 

Institutional Accredited Investor Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto.

 

Interest Rate Agreement ” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

 

Interest Payment Date ” means each June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing December 15, 2016.

 

Interest Rate and Currency Hedges ” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

 

Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than:

 

(1)                                  Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s; or

 

(2)                                  BBB— (or the equivalent) by S&P,

 

or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

 

Investment Grade Rating Event ” means the first day on which (a) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from at least two Rating Agencies, (b) no Default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is then continuing under the Indenture and (c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying as to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this definition.

 

Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations, advances or capital contributions (excluding endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business, and commission, travel and

 

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similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.  If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(c).  The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(c).  Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

Issue Date ” means the date on which Initial Notes are originally issued under the Indenture.

 

Legal Holiday ” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment for the Notes are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, regardless of whether filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement.

 

Liquid Securities ” means securities that are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE MKT, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other regulated stock exchange in the United States, Canada, Europe or Australia (or any of their successors) and as to which the Company is not subject to any restrictions on sale or transfer (including any volume restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other restrictions imposed by the Securities Act) or as to which a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale thereof is in effect for as long as the securities are held; provided that securities meeting such requirements shall be treated as Liquid Securities from the date of receipt thereof until and only until the earlier of (a) the date on which such securities are sold or exchanged for cash or Cash Equivalents and (b) 180 days following the date of receipt of such securities.  If such securities are not sold or exchanged for cash or Cash Equivalents within 180 days of receipt thereof, for purposes of determining whether the transaction pursuant to which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary received the securities was in compliance with Section 4.12 , such securities shall be deemed not to have been Liquid Securities at any time.

 

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Make-Whole Price ” with respect to any Notes to be redeemed, means an amount equal to the greater of:

 

(1)                                  100% of the principal amount of such Notes; and

 

(2)                                  the sum of the present values of (a) the redemption price of such Notes at December 14, 2018, (as set forth in Section 3.01(a)) and (b) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the redemption date to December 14, 2018, (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted back to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points;

 

plus, in the case of both (1) and (2), accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes, if any, to the redemption date.

 

Material in the Aggregate ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Material Subsidiary.”

 

Material Subsidiary ” means any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary (a) that has Consolidated Tangible Assets that exceed 5.0% of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements are required to be delivered under the Indenture, (b) whose Consolidated Cash Flow exceeds 5.0% of the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company most recent ended for which financial statements are required to be delivered under the Indenture or (c) together with all other Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that would not otherwise be deemed to be Material Subsidiaries, would represent, in the aggregate (“ Material in the Aggregate ”), (x) 10.0% or more of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements are required to be delivered under the Indenture or (y) 10.0% or more of the Consolidated Cash Flow of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company most recently ended for which financial statements are required to be delivered under the Indenture.

 

Modified ACNTA ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets calculated as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the date of determination (the “calculation date”), on the following basis:

 

(1)                                  in lieu of commodity pricing based on SEC guidelines, Modified ACNTA Prices shall be used,

 

(2)                                  such calculation shall be based on then current estimates of costs determined in good faith by the Company in light of prevailing market conditions,

 

(3)                                  any assets or liabilities owned by Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall be disregarded in such calculation,

 

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(4)                                  Net Working Capital will be calculated without including net cash proceeds of the Initial Notes, and

 

(5)                                  contributions to proved oil and gas reserves from undeveloped locations may not constitute more than 35% of the discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves, as determined in accordance with clause (a)(i) of the definition of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Modified ACNTA Prices ” means, as of any date of determination, the five-year (or nearest reasonably available period) strip price for crude oil (WTI Cushing), for natural gas liquids (Mount Belvieu) and natural gas (Henry Hub), with such price held flat for each subsequent year, quoted on the NYMEX (or its successor) as of the calculation date (as defined in the definition of Modified ACNTA) as published in Platts or if Platts no longer is published or no longer regularly reports each of the definitions specified in this definition, another industry publication that regularly reports each of the prices specified in this definition.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Net Income ” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of non-cash preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

 

(1)                                  any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received pursuant to any sale and leaseback transaction) or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person; and

 

(2)                                  any extraordinary or non-recurring gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or non-recurring gain or loss.

 

Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

 

(1)                                  all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expense incurred, and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Sale;

 

(2)                                  all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of such Indebtedness, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale;

 

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(3)                                  all distributions and other payments required to be made to holders of minority interests in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale; and

 

(4)                                  the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, or held in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price or for any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale.

 

Net Working Capital ” means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries except current assets from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except (i) current liabilities included in Indebtedness, (ii) current liabilities associated with asset retirement obligations relating to oil and gas properties and (iii) any current liabilities from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to the Financial Standards Accounting Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815).

 

Non-U.S. Person ” means a Person that is not a U.S. Person, as defined in Regulation S.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness:

 

(1)                                  as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, Guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), in each case other than Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent securing otherwise Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture; and

 

(2)                                  no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity.

 

Notes ” means Initial Notes issued in an offering not registered under the Securities Act on June 14, 2016 and any Additional Notes and any Notes issued in replacement thereof, but not including any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

Note Purchase Agreement ” means the Note Purchase Agreement dated June 14, 2016 among the Company and the Holders of the Initial Notes.

 

NYMEX ” means the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

Obligations ” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

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Offer Amount ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.12(g).

 

Offer Period ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.12(g).

 

Officer ” means, in the case of the Company, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and, in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Officers’ Certificate ” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and, in the case of any Subsidiary Guarantor, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Offshore Global Note ” means a Global Note representing Notes issued and sold pursuant to Regulation S.

 

Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract ” means any Hydrocarbon hedging agreements and other agreements or arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business in the oil and gas industry for the purpose of protecting against fluctuations in Hydrocarbon prices.

 

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion signed by legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Paying Agent ” refers to a Person engaged to perform the obligations of the Trustee in respect of payments made or funds held hereunder in respect of the Notes.

 

Payment Default ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

 

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was (i) incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to finance the acquisition of a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that is merged or consolidated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of (X) a Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or (Y) a Person that was merged or consolidated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that on the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness or issuance of such Disqualified Stock, or the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or such Person was merged or consolidated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto,

 

(a)                            the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.06(a), or

 

(b)                            the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

 

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Permitted Business Investments ” means Investments and expenditures made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, a Related Business as a means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risks or costs of such activities or comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership, including without limitation, (a) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals properties, liquefied natural gas facilities, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines, storage facilities or related systems or ancillary real property interests; (b) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbons and minerals, production sharing agreements, participation agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties; and (c) direct or indirect ownership interests in drilling rigs and related equipment, including, without limitation, transportation equipment; provided, however, that no Permitted Business Investment may be made in an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Permitted Debt ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.06(b).

 

Permitted Investments ” means:

 

(1)                                  any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)                                  any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

(3)                                  any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

 

(A)                                such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(B)                                such Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its properties or assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary

 

(4)                                  any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.12;

 

(5)                                  any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (a) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (b) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

 

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(6)                                  Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

(7)                                  advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business, in each case to the extent they constitute Investments;

 

(8)                                  loans or advances to employees up to $1 million in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, in each case to the extent they constitute Investments;

 

(9)                                  advances and prepayments for asset purchases in the ordinary course of business in a Related Business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(10)                           receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(11)                           surety and performance bonds and workers’ compensation, utility, lease, tax, performance and similar deposits and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business;

 

(12)                           guarantees by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)                           Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of any entity merged into the Company or merged into or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Article 5 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 or consolidation;

 

(14)                           Permitted Business Investments;

 

(15)                           Investments received as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(16)                           Investments in any units of any oil and gas royalty trust;

 

(17)                           Investments existing on the Issue Date, and any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investments existing on the Issue Date, but only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases of such Investments (other than as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such Investments as in effect on the Issue Date);

 

(18)                           repurchases of or other Investments in the Notes;

 

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(19)                           Investments to the extent that common stock of the Company is the consideration paid or provided by the Company; and

 

(20)                           other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (19) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and (b) $30 million.

 

Permitted Liens ” means, with respect to any Person:

 

(1)                                  Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(1); provided that the aggregate amount of such indebtedness does not exceed the aggregate amount that would be allowed under Section 4.06(b)(1), and provided; further , that Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities may not be reclassified to any clause of Permitted Liens other than this clause (1).

 

(2)                                  Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.06(b)(4) covering only the assets acquired, improved or constructed with or financed by such Indebtedness;

 

(3)                                  pledges or deposits by such Person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(4)                                  landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or similar Liens arising by contract or statute in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(5)                                  Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

 

(6)                                  Liens in favor of the issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided , however , that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;

 

(7)                                  encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the

 

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aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

 

(8)                                  leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(9)                                  any attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

(10)                           Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capital Lease Obligations with respect to, or the repair, improvement or construction cost of, assets or property acquired or repaired, improved or constructed in the ordinary course of business; provided that:

 

(A)                                the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be incurred under the Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or repaired, improved or constructed plus fees and expenses in connection therewith; and

 

(B)                                such Liens are created within 180 days of repair, improvement or construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto (including improvements);

 

(11)                           Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained or deposited with a depositary institution; provided that:

 

(A)                                such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

 

(B)                                such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

 

(12)                           Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)                           Liens existing on the Issue Date;

 

(14)                           Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided , further , however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company

 

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or any Restricted Subsidiary other than those of the Person merged or consolidated with the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(15)                           Liens on property or Capital Stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , further , however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(16)                           Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(17)                           Liens securing the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and other obligations arising under the Indenture, in each case to the extent required pursuant to Section 4.08;

 

(18)                           Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to refinance Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was previously so secured; provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property or assets that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

 

(19)                           Liens on pipelines and pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

 

(20)                           Liens arising under joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases or subleases, assignments, purchase and sale agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchasing, processing, transportation or exchange of oil or natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, licenses, sublicenses, net profits interests, participation agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, carried working interest, joint operating, unitization, royalty, sales and similar agreements relating to the exploration or development of, or production from, oil and gas properties entered into in the ordinary course of business in a Related Business and not to secure Indebtedness for borrowed money;

 

(21)                           Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus, royalty or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases;

 

(22)                           Liens on, or related to, properties or assets to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of a Related Business for exploration, drilling, development, production, processing, transportation, marketing, storage, abandonment or operation;

 

(23)                           Liens arising under the Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the Indenture; provided that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the Trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness;

 

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(24)                           Liens securing obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under non-speculative Hedging Obligations;

 

(25)                           Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture;

 

(26)                           Liens securing Indebtedness of any Foreign Subsidiary which Indebtedness is permitted by the Indenture;

 

(27)                           Liens securing Acquired Debt; provided that such Liens do not extend to any other property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets securing such Acquired Debt immediately prior to the acquisition; and

 

(28)                           Liens with respect to obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that, at any one time outstanding, do not exceed the greater of (a) $30 million and (b) 4.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company; provided , that obligations secured by Liens permitted by this clause (28) may not be used to secure second or junior lien debt for borrowed money.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (a) issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, or (b) constituting an amendment, modification or supplement to or a deferral or renewal of ((a) and (b) above, collectively, a “ Refinancing ”), any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness), any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary in a principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, liquidation preference, not to exceed (after deduction of reasonable and customary fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Refinancing) the lesser of:

 

(1)                                  the principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, liquidation preference, of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock so Refinanced (plus, in the case of Indebtedness, the amount of premium, if any paid in connection therewith), and

 

(2)                                  if the Indebtedness being Refinanced was issued with any original issue discount, the accreted value of such Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time of such Refinancing.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, no Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock will be deemed to be Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, unless:

 

(1)                                  such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, no earlier than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or

 

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greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced;

 

(2)                                  if the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to the Notes, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, no earlier than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to, the Notes, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced at the time of the Refinancing; and

 

(3)                                  such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is incurred or issued by the Company or such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is incurred or issued by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on the Indebtedness being Refinanced or the issuer of the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced; provided that a Restricted Subsidiary that is also a Subsidiary Guarantor may guarantee Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by the Company, regardless of whether such Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or guarantor of the Indebtedness being Refinanced.

 

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

 

Primary Treasury Dealer ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Reference Treasury Dealer.”

 

principal ” of any Indebtedness means the principal amount of such Indebtedness (or if such Indebtedness was issued with original issue discount, the face amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness), together with, unless the context otherwise indicates, any premium then payable on such Indebtedness.

 

Production Payments ” means Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments, collectively.

 

Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, Production Payment, partnership or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the oil and gas business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Purchase Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.12(g).

 

QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

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Rating Agencies ” means any of S&P or Moody’s, or if (and only if) S&P or Moody’s shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company, which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means each of J.P.  Morgan Securities LLC and its successors and three additional primary Government Securities dealers in New York City (each a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”) selected by the Company, and their respective successors; provided , however , that if any such firm or any such successor, as the case may be, shall cease to be a primary Government Securities dealer in New York City, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as reasonably determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

 

Refinancing ” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.” “ Refinanced ” shall have the correlative meaning.

 

Registrar ” means a Person engaged to maintain the Register.

 

Regular Record Date ” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date means the June 1 or December 1 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

 

Regulation S ” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

 

Reinstatement Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.22.

 

Related Business ” means any business which is the same as or related, ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, which includes (1) the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other Hydrocarbon properties, and the utilization of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ properties, (2) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith, (3) any power generation and electrical transmission business, (4) oil field sales and services and related activities, (5) development, purchase and sale of real estate and interests therein, and (6) any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

 

Restricted Investment ” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

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Restricted Legend ” means the legend set forth in Exhibit C.

 

Restricted Payment ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.07.

 

Restricted Period ” means the relevant 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A ” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 144A Certificate ” means (i) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto or (ii) a written certification addressed to the Company and the Trustee to the effect that the Person making such certification (x) is acquiring such Note (or beneficial interest) for its own account or one or more accounts with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and each such account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A, (y) is aware that the transfer to it or exchange, as applicable, is being made in reliance upon the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A, and (z) acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as it has requested pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) or has determined not to request such information.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Senior Credit Agreement ” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 28, 2012, as amended at various times, among (i) the Company, as borrower, (ii) Suntrust Bank, as administrative agent, and (iii) the lenders from time to time party thereto, and any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, increased, renewed, refunded, replaced (including replacement after the termination of such Senior Credit Agreement), supplemented, restructured or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in one or more agreements or instruments.

 

Senior Debt ” means:

 

(1)            all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

 

(2)            the Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms of the Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and

 

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(3)            all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:

 

(a)          any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

(b)          any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the Indenture; or

 

(c)          any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Significant Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal is scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of its issue date, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

Subordinated Debt ” means Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment (by its terms or the terms of any document or instrument relating thereto), to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable.

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)            any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of its Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

(2)            any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

 

Subsidiary Guarantee ” means any Guarantee of the Notes by any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 4.10.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means each Restricted Subsidiary that is or becomes obligated under a Subsidiary Guarantee, in accordance with Sections 4.10 and Article 10, but only for so long as such Subsidiary remains so obligated pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.  At the date of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantors are GCL Weld, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company wholly owned by Synergy, GCL Weld No. 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability

 

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company wholly owned by GCL Weld, LLC and GCL Weld No. 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company wholly owned by GCL Weld, LLC.

 

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(159)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the stated maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.  The Company will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Make-Whole Price and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

 

Trustee ” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of the Indenture or any successor trustee under the Indenture pursuant to Article 7.

 

Trust Indenture Act ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

 

U.S. Global Note ” means a Global Note that bears the Restricted Legend representing Notes.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of such Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

 

(1)            has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

 

(2)            is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

 

(3)            has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, except to the extent such Guarantee or credit support would be released upon such designation.

 

Any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

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Volumetric Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all related undertakings and obligations.

 

Voting Stock ” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

 

(1)            the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

 

(2)            the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

Section 1.02           Rules of Construction Unless the context otherwise requires or except as otherwise expressly provided,

 

(1)            an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

 

(2)            “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to the Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section, Article or other subdivision;

 

(3)            all references to Sections or Articles or Exhibits refer to Sections or Articles or Exhibits of or to the Indenture unless otherwise indicated;

 

(4)            references to agreements or instruments, or to statutes or regulations, are to such agreements or instruments, or statutes or regulations, as amended from time to time (or to successor statutes and regulations); and

 

(5)            except as specifically set forth herein, in the event that a transaction meets the criteria of more than one category of permitted transactions or listed exceptions the Company may classify such transaction as it, in its sole discretion, determines.

 

ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01           Form, Dating and Denominations; Legends.

 

(a)          The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A.  The terms and provisions contained in the form of the Notes annexed as Exhibit A constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of the

 

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Indenture.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rules of or agreements with national securities exchanges to which the Company is subject, or usage.  Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes will be issuable in denominations of $2,000 in principal amount and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

(b)          (1)            Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c), Section 2.10(b)(3), (b)(5), or (c) or Section 2.09(b)(5), each Initial Note or Additional Note will bear the Restricted Legend.

 

(2)            Initial Notes and Additional Notes offered and sold in reliance on any exemption under the Securities Act other than Regulation S may, upon the request of the Company to the Trustee, be issued in the form of Certificated Notes

 

(3)            Each Global Note will bear the DTC Legend.

 

(4)            Initial Notes resold to Institutional Accredited Investors will be in the form of an IAI Global Note.

 

(5)            Exchange Notes will be issued, subject to Section 2.09(b), in the form of one or more Global Notes.

 

(c)          (1)            If the Company determines (upon the advice of counsel and such other certifications and evidence as the Company may reasonably require) that a Note is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or a successor provision) without the need for current public information and that the Restricted Legend is no longer necessary or appropriate in order to ensure that subsequent transfers of the Note (or a beneficial interest therein) are effected in compliance with the Securities Act, or

 

(2)            After an Initial Note or any Additional Note is (x) sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, pursuant to Section 5.03 of the Note Purchase Agreement or otherwise, or (y) is validly tendered for exchange into an Exchange Note pursuant to an Exchange Offer, the Company may instruct the Trustee to cancel the Note and issue to the Holder thereof (or to its transferee) a new Note of like tenor and amount, registered in the name of the Holder thereof (or its transferee), that does not bear the Restricted Legend, and the Trustee will comply with such instruction.

 

(d)          By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Restricted Legend (or any beneficial interest in such a Note), each Holder thereof and each owner of a beneficial interest therein acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note (and any such beneficial interest) set forth in the Indenture and in the Restricted Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note (and any such beneficial interest) only in accordance with the Indenture and such legend.

 

Section 2.02           Execution and Authentication; Exchange Notes; Additional Notes .

 

(a)          An Officer shall execute the Notes for the Company by facsimile or manual signature in the name and on behalf of the Company.  If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Note is authenticated, the Note will still be valid.

 

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(b)          A Note will not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note, with the signature conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under the Indenture.

 

(c)          At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of the Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication.  The Trustee will authenticate and deliver:

 

(1)            Initial Notes for original issue in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $80,000,000,

 

(2)            Additional Notes from time to time for original issue in aggregate principal amounts specified by the Company, and

 

(3)            Exchange Notes from time to time for issue in exchange for a like principal amount of Initial Notes or Additional Notes after the following conditions have been met:

 

(i)             Receipt by the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate specifying

 

(A)           the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated,

 

(B)           whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes,

 

(C)           in the case of Additional Notes, that the issuance of such Notes does not contravene any provision of Article 4,

 

(D)           whether the Notes are to be issued as one or more Global Notes or Certificated Notes, and

 

(E)            other information the Company may determine to include.

 

(4)            In the case of Exchange Notes, effectiveness of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement and consummation of the exchange offer thereunder (and receipt by the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to that effect).  Initial Notes or Additional Notes exchanged for Exchange Notes will be cancelled by the Trustee.

 

(d)          Initial Notes and any Additional Notes will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture and will vote together as one class on all matters; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

 

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Section 2.03           Registrar, Paying Agent and Authenticating Agent; Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

(a)          The Company may appoint one or more Registrars and one or more Paying Agents, and the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent, in which case each reference in the Indenture to the Trustee in respect of the obligations of the Trustee to be performed by that Agent will be deemed to be references to the Agent.  The Company may change the Paying Agent or Registrar upon providing prior notice to the Holders of the Notes. The Company may act as Registrar or (except for purposes of Article 8) Paying Agent.  The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

(b)          The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Company or the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes and will promptly notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and account for any funds disbursed, and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of any payment default in respect of the Notes, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require the Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed.  Upon doing so, the Paying Agent will have no further liability for the money so paid over to the Trustee.

 

Section 2.04           Replacement Notes If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if a Holder claims that its Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company will issue and the Trustee will authenticate a replacement Note of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.  Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.  If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity must be furnished that is sufficient in the judgment of both the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company and the Trustee from any loss they may suffer if a Note is replaced.  The Company may charge the Holder for the expenses of the Company and the Trustee in replacing a Note.  In case the mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay the Note instead of issuing a replacement Note.

 

Section 2.05           Outstanding Notes.

 

(a)          Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes that have been authenticated by the Trustee except for

 

(1)            Notes cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to it for cancellation;

 

(2)            any Note which has been replaced pursuant to Section 2.04, unless and until the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser; and

 

(3)            on or after the final Stated Maturity or any prior redemption date or date for purchase of the Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, those Notes payable or to be redeemed or purchased on that date for which the Trustee (or Paying Agent, other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) holds money sufficient to pay all amounts then due.

 

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(b)          A Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its Affiliates holds the Note, provided that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Notes have given or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder, Notes owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding (it being understood that in determining whether the Trustee is protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Notes which the Trustee knows to be so owned will be so disregarded).  Notes so owned by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 2.06           Temporary Notes Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee will authenticate temporary Notes.  Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations determined to be appropriate by the Officer executing the temporary Notes, as evidenced by the execution of the temporary Notes.  If temporary Notes are issued, the Company will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary Notes will be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender for cancellation of any temporary Notes the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes will be entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture as definitive Notes.

 

Section 2.07           Cancellation The Company at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold.  Any Registrar or the Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to it for transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee will cancel all Notes surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and dispose of them in accordance with its normal procedures or the written instructions of the Company.  The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has paid in full or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.08           CUSIP and CINS Numbers The Company in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” and “CINS” numbers, and the Trustee will use CUSIP numbers or CINS numbers in notices of redemption or exchange or in Change of Control Offers and Asset Sale Offers as a convenience to Holders, the notice to state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange or Offer to Purchase.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP or CINS numbers.

 

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Section 2.09           Registration, Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)          The Notes will be issued in registered form only, without coupons.  The Registrar shall maintain a register (the “ Register ”) of the Notes, for registering the record ownership of the Notes by the Holders and transfers and exchanges of the Notes.

 

(b)          (1)            Each Global Note will be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and, so long as DTC is serving as the Depositary thereof, will bear the DTC Legend.

 

(2)            Each Global Note will be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for the Depositary.  Transfers of a Global Note (but not a beneficial interest therein) will be limited to transfers thereof in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees, except (A) as set forth in Section 2.09(b)(4) and (B) transfers of portions thereof in the form of Certificated Notes may be made upon request of an Agent Member (for itself or on behalf of a beneficial owner) by written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Depositary in accordance with customary procedures of the Depositary and in compliance with this Section and Section 2.10.

 

(3)            Agent Members will have no rights under the Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner and Holder of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Neither the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee nor any of their respective agents has or will have any responsibility for:

 

(A)           Any aspect of the records of the Depositary, any Agent Member, or anyone who clears through or maintains an account with an Agent Member relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Note or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of the Depositary, any Agent Member or anyone who clears through or maintains an account with an Agent Member relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Note;

 

(B)           Any delay by the Depositary or any of its Agent Members in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes (and the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, the Trustee and any of their respective agents may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes); or

 

(C)           Any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, any Agent Members or anyone who clears through or maintains an account with an Agent Member.

 

(4)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary or its nominee may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person (including any Agent Member and any Person that holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through an Agent Member) to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Notes, and nothing herein will impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any security.

 

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(5)            If

 

(i)             the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for a Global Note or has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

 

(ii)            the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Certificated Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

 

(iii)           a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Depositary notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes,

 

the Trustee will promptly exchange each beneficial interest in the Global Note for one or more Certificated Notes in authorized denominations having an equal aggregate principal amount registered in the name of the owner of such beneficial interest, as identified to the Trustee by the Depositary, and thereupon the Global Note will be deemed canceled.  If such Note does not bear the Restricted Legend, then the Certificated Notes issued in exchange therefor will not bear the Restricted Legend.  If such Note bears the Restricted Legend, then the Certificated Notes issued in exchange therefor will bear the Restricted Legend, provided that any Holder of any such Certificated Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in an Offshore Global Note will have the right upon presentation to the Trustee of a duly completed Certificate of Beneficial Ownership after the Restricted Period to exchange such Certificated Note for a Certificated Note of like tenor and amount that does not bear the Restricted Legend, registered in the name of such Holder.

 

(c)          Each Certificated Note will be registered in the name of the holder thereof or its nominee.

 

(d)          A Holder may transfer a Note (or a beneficial interest therein) to another Person or exchange a Note (or a beneficial interest therein) for another Note or Notes of any authorized denomination by presenting to the Trustee a written request therefor stating the name of the proposed transferee or requesting such an exchange, accompanied by any certification, opinion or other document required by Section 2.10.  The Trustee will promptly register any transfer or exchange that meets the requirements of this Section by noting the same in the register maintained by the Trustee for the purpose; provided that

 

(x)            no transfer or exchange will be effective until it is registered in such register and

 

(y)            the Trustee will not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Note for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer, (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Note so selected for redemption or purchase in whole or in part, except, in the case of a partial redemption or purchase, that portion of any Note not being redeemed or purchased, or (iii) if a redemption or a purchase pursuant to a

 

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Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer is to occur after a Regular Record Date but on or before the corresponding Interest Payment Date, to register the transfer of or exchange any Note on or after the Regular Record Date and before the date of redemption or purchase.  Prior to the registration of any transfer, the Company, the Trustee and their agents will treat the Person in whose name the Note is registered as the owner and Holder thereof for all purposes (whether or not the Note is overdue), and will not be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

From time to time the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate additional Notes as necessary in order to permit the registration of a transfer or exchange in accordance with this Section.

 

No service charge will be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of any Note, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than a transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable upon exchange pursuant to subsection (b)(5)).

 

(e)          (1)            Global Note to Global Note .  If a beneficial interest in a Global Note is transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Trustee will (x) record a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note being transferred or exchanged equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (y) record a like increase in the principal amount of the other Global Note.  Any beneficial interest in one Global Note that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note, or exchanged for an interest in another Global Note, will, upon transfer or exchange, cease to be an interest in such Global Note and become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer and exchange restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for as long as it remains such an interest.

 

(2)            Global Note to Certificated Note .  If a beneficial interest in a Global Note is transferred or exchanged for a Certificated Note, the Trustee will (x) record a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (y) deliver one or more new Certificated Notes in authorized denominations having an equal aggregate principal amount to the transferee (in the case of a transfer) or the owner of such beneficial interest (in the case of an exchange), registered in the name of such transferee or owner, as applicable.

 

(3)            Certificated Note to Global Note .  If a Certificated Note is transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note, the Trustee will (x) cancel such Certificated Note, (y) record an increase in the principal amount of such Global Note equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (z) in the event that such transfer or exchange involves less than the entire principal amount of the canceled Certificated Note, deliver to the Holder thereof one or more new Certificated Notes in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the untransferred or unexchanged portion of the canceled Certificated Note, registered in the name of the Holder thereof.

 

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(4)            Certificated Note to Certificated Note .  If a Certificated Note is transferred or exchanged for another Certificated Note, the Trustee will (x) cancel the Certificated Note being transferred or exchanged, (y) deliver one or more new Certificated Notes in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange to the transferee (in the case of a transfer) or the Holder of the canceled Certificated Note (in the case of an exchange), registered in the name of such transferee or Holder, as applicable, and (z) if such transfer or exchange involves less than the entire principal amount of the canceled Certificated Note, deliver to the Holder thereof one or more Certificated Notes in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the untransferred or unexchanged portion of the canceled Certificated Note, registered in the name of the Holder thereof.

 

Section 2.10           Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange (a) The transfer or exchange of any Note (or a beneficial interest therein) may only be made in accordance with this Section and Section 2.09 and, in the case of a Global Note (or a beneficial interest therein), the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary.  The Trustee shall refuse to register any requested transfer or exchange that does not comply with the preceding sentence.

 

(a)          Subject to paragraph (c), the transfer or exchange of any Note (or a beneficial interest therein) of the type set forth in column A below for a Note (or a beneficial interest therein) of the type set forth opposite in column B below may only be made in compliance with the certification requirements (if any) described in the clause of this paragraph set forth opposite in column C below.

 

A

 

B

 

C

U.S. Global Note

 

U.S. Global Note

 

(1)

U.S. Global Note

 

Offshore Global Note

 

(2)

U.S. Global Note

 

Certificated Note

 

(3)

Offshore Global Note

 

U.S. Global Note

 

(4)

Offshore Global Note

 

Offshore Global Note

 

(1)

Offshore Global Note

 

Certificated Note

 

(5)

Certificated Note

 

U.S. Global Note

 

(4)

Certificated Note

 

Offshore Global Note

 

(2)

Certificated Note

 

Certificated Note

 

(3)

 

(1)            No certification is required.

 

(2)            The Person requesting the transfer or exchange must deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a duly completed Regulation S Certificate; provided that if the requested transfer or exchange is made by the Holder of a Certificated Note that does not bear the Restricted Legend, then no certification is required.

 

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(3)            The Person requesting the transfer or exchange must deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee (x) a duly completed Rule 144A Certificate, (y) a duly completed Regulation S Certificate or (z) a duly completed Institutional Accredited Investor Certificate, and/or an Opinion of Counsel and such other certifications and evidence as the Company may reasonably require in order to determine that the proposed transfer or exchange is being made in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States; provided that if the requested transfer or exchange is made by the Holder of a Certificated Note that does not bear the Restricted Legend, then no certification is required.  In the event that (i) the requested transfer or exchange takes place after the expiration of the Restricted Period and a duly completed Regulation S Certificate is delivered to the Trustee or (ii) a Certificated Note that does not bear the Restricted Legend is surrendered for transfer or exchange, upon transfer or exchange the Trustee will deliver a Certificated Note that does not bear the Restricted Legend.

 

(4)            The Person requesting the transfer or exchange must deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a duly completed Rule 144A Certificate.

 

(5)            In the event that the requested transfer or exchange takes place prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the Person requesting the transfer must deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee (x) a duly completed Rule 144A Certificate or (y) a duly completed Institutional Accredited Investor Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel and such other certifications and evidence as the Company may reasonably require in order to determine that the proposed transfer is being made in compliance with the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States.  If the requested transfer or exchange takes place after the expiration of the Restricted Period, no certification is required and the Trustee will deliver a Certificated Note that does not bear the Restricted Legend.

 

(b)          No certification is required in connection with any transfer or exchange of any Note (or a beneficial interest therein)

 

(1)            after such Note is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or a successor provision) without the need for current public information; provided that the Company has provided the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate to that effect, and the Company may require from any Person requesting a transfer or exchange in reliance upon this clause (1) an opinion of counsel and any other reasonable certifications and evidence in order to support such certificate; or

 

(2)            sold pursuant to an effective registration statement or which is validly tendered for exchange into an Exchange Note pursuant to an Exchange Offer.

 

Any Certificated Note delivered in reliance upon this paragraph will not bear the Restricted Legend.

 

(c)          The Trustee will retain copies of all certificates, opinions and other documents received in connection with the transfer or exchange of a Note (or a beneficial interest therein), and the Company will have the right to inspect and make copies thereof at any reasonable time upon written notice to the Trustee.

 

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ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION; OFFER TO PURCHASE

 

Section 3.01           Optional Redemption Except as described below, the Notes are not redeemable until December 14, 2018.  On and after December 14, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, from time to time, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 14 of the years indicated below:

 

12-month period
commencing
in Year

 

Percentage

 

2018

 

104.500

%

2019

 

102.250

%

2020 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

(a)          At any time or from time to time prior to December 14, 2018, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to the Make-Whole Price, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

Section 3.02           Redemption with Proceeds of Public Equity Offering (a) Prior to December 14, 2018, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Notes with all or a portion of the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.00% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided that

 

(1)            at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued on the Issue Date (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding after each such redemption; and

 

(2)            the redemption occurs within 180 days after the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

Section 3.03           Method and Effect of Redemption (a) If the Company elects to redeem Notes, it must notify the Trustee of the redemption date and the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed by delivering an Officers’ Certificate at least 60 days before the redemption date (unless a shorter period is satisfactory to the Trustee).  If fewer than all of the Notes are being redeemed, the Officers’ Certificate must also specify a record date not less than 15 days after the date of the notice of redemption is given to the Trustee, and the Trustee will select the Notes to

 

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be redeemed on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Global Notes, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption based on the Depositary’s required method), unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.  Notes redeemed in part must be redeemed in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and higher integral multiples of $1,000 (subject to the procedures of the Depositary).  The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be called for redemption.  Notice of redemption must be sent by the Company or at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company, to Holders whose Notes are to be redeemed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, except notices of redemption may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture.

 

(a)          The notice of redemption will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will include or state the following:

 

(1)            the redemption date;

 

(2)            the redemption price, to the extent calculable;

 

(3)            the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for redemption;

 

(4)            Notes called for redemption must be so surrendered in order to collect the redemption price;

 

(5)            on the redemption date the redemption price will become due and payable on Notes called for redemption, unless the redemption is subject to a condition precedent that is not satisfied or waived, and interest on Notes called for redemption will cease to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(6)            any conditions precedent to the redemption

 

(7)            if any Note is redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Note, new Notes equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion will be issued; and

 

(8)            if any Note contains a CUSIP or CINS number, no representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP or CINS number either as printed on the Notes or as contained in the notice of redemption and that the Holder should rely only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

 

(b)          The notice of redemption with respect to the redemption pursuant to Section 3.01 need not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof.  The Company will notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

 

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(c)          Any such redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, completion of the such Equity Offering.  Notice of any redemption upon the completion of an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion of such Equity Offering.

 

(d)          At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in this Section.

 

(e)          Once notice of redemption is sent to the Holders, Notes called for redemption become due and payable at the redemption price on the redemption date unless the redemption is subject to a condition precedent that is not satisfied or waived, and upon surrender of the Notes called for redemption, the Company shall redeem such Notes at the redemption price.  Upon surrender of any Note redeemed in part, the Holder will receive a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the surrendered Note.

 

(f)           Unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price, interest, if any, will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01           Payment of Notes .

 

(a)          The Company agrees to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and the Indenture.  Not later than 9:00 A.M.  (New York City time) on the due date of any principal of or interest on any Notes, or any redemption or purchase price of the Notes, the Company will deposit with the Trustee (or Paying Agent) money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such amounts, provided that if the Company or any Affiliate of the Company is acting as Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such amounts until paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in the Indenture.  In each case the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its compliance with this paragraph.

 

(b)          An installment of principal or interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee (or Paying Agent, other than the Company or any Affiliate of the Company) holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment.  If the Company or any Affiliate of the Company acts as Paying Agent, an installment of principal or interest will be considered paid on the due date only if paid to the Holders.

 

(c)          The Company agrees to pay interest on overdue principal, and, to the extent lawful, overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum specified in the Notes.

 

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(d)          Payments in respect of the Notes represented by the Global Notes are to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders of the Global Notes.  With respect to Certificated Notes, the Company will make all payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each Holder’s registered address.

 

Section 4.02           Maintenance of Office or Agency The Company will maintain in the United States an office or agency where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and the Indenture may be served.  The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as such office or agency of the Company.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served to the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be surrendered or presented for any of such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Section 4.03           Existence The Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with their respective organizational documents, and the material rights, licenses and franchises of the Company and each Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Company is not required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if the maintenance or preservation thereof is, in the judgment of the Company, no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and provided further that this Section does not prohibit any transaction otherwise permitted by Section 4.12 or Article 5.

 

Section 4.04           Payment of Taxes and other Claims The Company will pay or discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay or discharge before the same become delinquent (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or its income or profits or property, and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary, other than any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established.

 

Section 4.05           Maintenance of Properties and Insurance .

 

(a)          The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may be properly and

 

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advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section prevents the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from discontinuing the use, operation or maintenance of any of such properties or disposing of any of them, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

(b)          The Company will provide or cause to be provided, for itself and its Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by corporations similarly situated and owning like properties with reputable insurers, in such amounts, with such deductibles and by such methods as are customary for corporations similarly situated in the industry in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are then conducting business.

 

Section 4.06           Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock .

 

(a)          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to directly or indirectly create, incur, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur;” with “incurrence” having a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any preferred stock; provided , however , that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue Disqualified Stock, and Subsidiary Guarantors may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.25 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, paragraph (a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or the issuance of any Disqualified Stock or preferred stock described below (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):

 

(1)            the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (i) $225 million and (ii) an amount equal to 35.0% of Modified ACNTA of the Company, determined as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom; provided , that this clause (1) shall not be available for any incurrence under a Credit Facility if at the time of the incurrence the all-in yield to maturity (including by reference to (A) the “applicable margin” or similar component of the interest rate, including utilization and commitment fees (but not including interest payable upon default, unless the Company shall be in default thereunder),  (B) fees or premiums paid after the date of this Indenture in connection

 

49



 

with the Credit Facility (but not including customary immaterial ordinary course administrative, collateral agent, or letter of credit fees), (C) the method of computing interest, or (D) original issue discount and contingent fees, letter of credit fees (other than those referred to in clause (B)), commitment fees, facility fees, utilization fees, make-whole fees, early prepayment fees, redemption or cancellation fees, in each case only to the extent that at the date of determination the payment of such fees has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur) payable by the Company and/or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Credit Facility is in excess of the Eurodollar Rate plus 5.5% per annum (assuming for purposes of this calculation that (i) fees or premiums paid and original issue discount and contingent fees provided for in clauses (B) and (D) above are amortized over the remaining life of the Credit Facility from the date of payment of such fees, (ii) the per annum calculation and the yield to maturity are calculated as a percentage of the borrowing base in effect at the date of any such incurrence, (iii) the interest rate and unutilized commitment fee in effect at the date of such incurrence shall be assumed to be the interest rate and unutilized commitment fee in effect at all times during the life of the Credit Facility, and (iv) the effect of interest rate hedges shall be incorporated);

 

(2)            the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(1));

 

(3)            the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness represented by the Initial Notes and any Exchange Notes that may be issued;

 

(4)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation, improvement, deployment, refurbishment or modification of property, plant or equipment or furniture, fixtures and equipment, in each case, used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to exceed the greater of (A) $25 million and (B) 4.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company, determined as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness;

 

(5)            the incurrence or issuance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or Disqualified Stock of the Company, or Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case that was permitted by the Indenture to be incurred or issued under paragraph (a) of this Section, clauses (2), (3), (4), (10) or (15) of this paragraph (b) or this clause (5);

 

(6)            the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that (A) if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

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such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Subsidiary Guarantee, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor; and (B) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

 

(7)            the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any preferred stock; provided , however , that:

 

(i)             any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(ii)            any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

 

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (7);

 

(8)            the incurrence of obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Hedging Obligations;

 

(9)            the Guarantee by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by this Section; provided that if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu , as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness Guaranteed;

 

(10)          the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

 

(11)          the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days;

 

(12)          the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(13)          the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit; provided that, upon the drawing of such letters of credit, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing;

 

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(14)          the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in the form of Guarantees of Indebtedness of joint ventures; provided that the aggregate principal amount of the Obligations incurred pursuant to such Guarantees shall not exceed the greater of (A) $25 million and (B) 3.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of each incurrence of such Guarantee after giving pro forma effect to the application of proceeds of the Indebtedness being guaranteed; and

 

(15)          the incurrence by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount that, when taken together with all other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (14) above or paragraph (a) of this Section) and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (15) does not exceed the greater of (A) 4.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company, determined as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom and (B) $30 million.

 

(c)          The Company will not incur, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, on substantially identical terms; provided , however , that no Indebtedness will be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

 

(d)          For purposes of determining compliance with this Section, (1) in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (15) of paragraph (b), or is entitled to be incurred or issued pursuant to paragraph (a), the Company will be permitted to divide and classify such item on the date of its incurrence or issuance, or later divide and reclassify all or a portion of such item, in any manner that complies with this Section and (2) all Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Credit Agreement shall be deemed Incurred on under clause (1) of paragraph (b).  The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock or preferred stock in the form of additional Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of the same class will be deemed not to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock for purposes of this Section; provided , in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.

 

(e)          For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal

 

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amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies.  The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

Section 4.07           Restricted Payments .

 

(a)          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

 

(1)            declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary);

 

(2)            purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, any such purchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement made in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company;

 

(3)            make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Debt, except a payment of interest or principal at or within three Business Days prior to or after the Stated Maturity thereof (excluding (A) any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (B) the purchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt acquired in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase or other acquisition); or

 

(4)            make any Restricted Investment;

 

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(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

 

(i)             no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

 

(ii)            the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the most recently ended four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.06(a); and

 

(iii)           such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9) and (12) of paragraph (b)), is equal to or less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(A)           50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the most recent fiscal quarter commencing before the Issue Date to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

 

(B)           100% of (i) (a) the aggregate net cash proceeds and (b) the Fair Market Value of (x) marketable securities (other than marketable securities of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), (y) Capital Stock of a Person (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) engaged primarily in any Related Business and (z) other assets used or useful in any Related Business, in each case received by the Company since the Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), (ii) the amount by which Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange after the Issue Date of any such Indebtedness into or for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), and (iii) the aggregate net cash proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon any conversion or exchange described in clause (i) or (ii) above; plus

 

(C)           with respect to Restricted Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, an amount equal to the sum, without duplication, of (i) the net reduction in such Restricted Investments in any Person resulting from (a) repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets, in each

 

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case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) other repurchases, repayments or redemptions of such Restricted Investments, (c) the sale of any such Restricted Investment to a purchaser other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or (d) the release of any Guarantee (except to the extent any amounts are paid under such Guarantee) that constituted a Restricted Investment plus (ii) with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiary designated as such after the Issue Date that is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of such redesignation; plus

 

(D)           100% of any dividends received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.

 

(b)          The foregoing will not prohibit:

 

(1)            the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture;

 

(2)            the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds from the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Equity Interests issued or sold to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (iii)(B) of paragraph (a) of this Section;

 

(3)            the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Debt (including the payment of any required premium and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement) with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

 

(4)            the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ current or former directors or employees in connection with the exercise or vesting of any equity compensation (including, without limitation, stock options, restricted stock and phantom stock) in order to satisfy the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s tax withholding obligation with respect to such exercise or vesting;

 

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(5)            purchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof;

 

(6)            payments to fund the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value by the Company of fractional Equity Interests arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations, business combinations or other transactions permitted by the Indenture;

 

(7)            as long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) current or former directors or employees; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such purchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed the sum of $10 million in any fiscal year, with unused amounts permitted to be carried forward to subsequent fiscal years, not to exceed $7.5 million in any fiscal year;

 

(8)            as long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any class or series of preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued on or after the Issue Date in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.06(a);

 

(9)            the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such dividend or similar distribution is paid to all holders of such Equity Interests on a pro rata basis based on their respective holdings of such Equity Interests;

 

(10)          purchases of Subordinated Debt at a purchase price not greater than (A) 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Debt and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in the event of a Change of Control or (B) 100% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Debt and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in the event of an Asset Sale in connection with any change of control offer or asset sale offer required by the terms of such Subordinated Debt, but only if:

 

(i)             in the case of a Change of Control, the Company has first complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 4.11; or

 

(ii)            in the case of an Asset Sale, the Company has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 4.12;

 

(11)          payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law in connection with a merger, consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company that complies with Section 5.01; and

 

(12)          other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $25 million or (ii) 4.0% of ACNTA.

 

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(c)          The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value, on the date of such Restricted Payment, of the Restricted Investment proposed to be made or the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment.  The Fair Market Value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount, and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in accordance with the definition of that term.

 

(d)          For purposes of determining compliance with this Section, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (12) of paragraph (b) or is entitled to be made pursuant to paragraph (a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify such Restricted Payment, or later classify, reclassify or re-divide all or a portion of such Restricted Payment, in any manner that complies with this Section.

 

Section 4.08           Limitation on Liens .

 

(a)          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or permit to exist any Lien (the “ Initial Lien ”), other than Permitted Liens, upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock and Indebtedness of any Subsidiaries of the Company and including any income or profits from such property or assets), whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, which Lien secures any Subordinated Debt or other Indebtedness, unless:

 

(1)            in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Debt of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such property or assets on a senior basis to the Subordinated Debt so secured with the same priority as the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, has to such Subordinated Debt until such time as such Subordinated Debt is no longer so secured by a Lien; and

 

(2)            in the case of Liens securing other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantees, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such property or assets on an equal and ratable basis with the other Indebtedness so secured until such time as such other Indebtedness is no longer so secured by a Lien.

 

(b)          Any Lien securing the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantees created pursuant to clause (2) of paragraph (a) shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the unconditional release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

 

Section 4.09           Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

 

(a)          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

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(1)            pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(2)            make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(3)            sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b)          The provisions of paragraph (a) will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under, by reason of or with respect to:

 

(1)            the Senior Credit Agreement, any Existing Indebtedness, Capital Stock or any other agreements or instruments, in each case in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the applicable agreements or instruments as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(2)            the Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

 

(3)            applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, permit or similar restriction;

 

(4)            any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided , that the encumbrances and restrictions in any such amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, extensions, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those in effect on the date of the acquisition; provided , further , that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred;

 

(5)            customary non-assignment provisions in contracts, leases and licenses (including, without limitation, licenses of intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6)            any agreement for the sale or other disposition of the Equity Interests in, or all or substantially all of the properties or assets of, a Restricted Subsidiary, that

 

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restricts distributions by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

 

(7)            Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(8)            Liens permitted to be incurred under Section 4.08 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(9)            the issuance of preferred stock by a Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms thereof; provided that issuance of such preferred stock is permitted pursuant to Section 4.06 and the terms of such preferred stock do not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such preferred stock prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Capital Stock);

 

(10)          other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred pursuant to an agreement entered into subsequent to the Issue Date in accordance with Section 4.06; provided that the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, than the provisions contained in the Senior Credit Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(11)          Indebtedness incurred or Capital Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements or instruments governing such Indebtedness or Capital Stock (A) apply only in the event of a payment default or a default with respect to a financial covenant in such agreement or instrument or (B) will not materially affect the Company’s ability to pay all principal, interest and premium, if any, on the Notes, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company;

 

(12)          customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

 

(13)          Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under the Indenture;

 

(14)          restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(15)          with respect only to encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clause (3) of paragraph (a):

 

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(i)             customary nonassignment provisions (including provisions forbidding subletting) in leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in oil and gas properties to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease, the property leased thereunder or the other interests therein;

 

(ii)            provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in, or transfer of Capital Stock of, joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into (i) in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitations are applicable only to the assets, property or Capital Stock that are the subject of such agreements; and

 

(iii)           Capital Lease Obligations, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements or similar instruments to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property (including Capital Stock) subject to such Capital Lease Obligations, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements or similar instruments.

 

Section 4.10           Subsidiary Guarantees .

 

(a)          If, after the Issue Date, any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not already a Subsidiary Guarantor Guarantees (or otherwise becomes liable for) Obligations under (i) the Senior Credit Agreement or (ii) other Indebtedness with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $15 million of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (“ Guaranteed Indebtedness ”), then such Restricted Subsidiary will become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering a supplemental indenture, in the form of Exhibit B, to the Trustee within 30 days of the date on which it is required to become a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(b)          The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released at such time as such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to Guarantee (or otherwise be liable for) Obligations under the Senior Credit Agreement or Guaranteed Indebtedness.

 

(c)          Any supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit B delivered by a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee to the effect that the supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Subsidiary Guarantor and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor, enforceable against the Subsidiary in accordance with its terms (subject to customary exceptions).

 

Section 4.11           Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control .

 

(a)          If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) on the terms set forth in this Section.  In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a payment in cash (the “ Change of Control Payment ”) equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Payment Date ”),

 

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subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.  Within 30 days following any Change of Control, or, at the Company’s option, prior to such Change of Control but after it is publicly announced, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder or otherwise notify Holders in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.03(b) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

 

(1)            that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.11 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

 

(2)            the purchase price and the Change of Control Payment Date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or such later date as is necessary to comply with requirements under the Exchange Act;

 

(3)            that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;

 

(4)            that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(5)            that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “ Option of Holder to Elect Purchase ” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer the Notes by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

(6)            that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have all or a portion of the Notes purchased; and

 

(7)            that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer), which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

 

(b)          The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section by virtue of such compliance.

 

(c)          On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

 

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(1)            accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

(2)            deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

 

(3)            deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

 

(d)          The Paying Agent will promptly mail or wire transfer to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of the Depositary), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.  Any Note so accepted for payment will cease to accrue interest on and after the Change of Control Payment Date unless the Company defaults in making the Change of Control Payment.

 

(e)          The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

(f)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the price, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (ii) the Company has given notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.01 of the Indenture unless and until there is a Default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

 

(g)          A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.  Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and cancelled, at the Company’s option.  Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to clause (f) of this Section will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.

 

(h)          In the event that Holders of at least 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company (or any third party making such Change of Control Offer, in lieu of the Company, as described in paragraph (f) of this Section) purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following a Change of Control Payment Date, to redeem all, but not less than all, of the Notes that remain outstanding at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to

 

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the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant Regular Record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

 

(i)           The provisions of this Section that require the Company to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable regardless of whether any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable.

 

Section 4.12           Asset Sales .

 

(a)          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

(1)            the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

(2)            (x) at least 75% of the consideration received in respect of such Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or (y) the Fair Market Value of all forms of consideration other than cash and Cash Equivalents received for all Asset Sales since the Issue Date does not exceed in the aggregate the greater of (i) 3% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company at the time each determination is made or (ii) $20 million.  For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(A)           any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities, Subordinated Debt and any obligations in respect of preferred stock) or costs and expenses of operating the property that was the subject of the Asset Sale that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or Equity Interests pursuant to (i) a customary novation agreement (or other legal documentation with the same effect) that includes a full release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from any and all liability therefor or (ii) an assignment agreement that includes, in lieu of such release, the agreement of the transferee or its parent company to indemnify and hold harmless the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from and against any loss, liability or other cost in respect of such assumed liability;

 

(B)           Liquid Securities;

 

(C)           Promissory notes or other obligations of the transferee in the Asset Sale that are converted to cash or Cash Equivalents within 180 days of the Asset Sale;  and

 

(D)           Additional Assets.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, in respect of any Asset Sale in which the cash or Cash Equivalents portion of the consideration received from such Asset Sale is less than

 

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the 75% limitation referred to above, but is greater than the 75% limitation referred to above on an after-tax basis (factoring in any cash and Cash Equivalent refunds or other cash and Cash Equivalent items), the aforementioned 75% limitation shall be deemed satisfied.

 

(c)          Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale or, if the Company has entered into a binding commitment or commitments with respect to any of the actions described in clauses (2) or (3) below, within the later of (x) 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale or (y) 180 days after the entering into of such commitment or commitments, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net Proceeds:

 

(1)            to repay or purchase Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien (provided that if the Notes are secured, the Notes should be repaid pro rata with any of the Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien);

 

(2)            permanently repay or purchase other Indebtedness that is not secured by a Lien, provided that the Notes are repaid or repurchased on a pro rata basis with such other Indebtedness;

 

(3)            to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or the Voting Stock of, an entity engaged in a Related Business; or

 

(4)            to make capital expenditures or acquire assets used or useful in respect of a Related Business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Pending application or investment of such Net Proceeds as provided in clauses (1) through (4), such Net Proceeds may be applied to temporarily reduce Indebtedness, including Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities.

 

An amount equal to any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clauses (1) through (4) will constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” Within ten Business Days after the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20 million, the Company will make an offer (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Section with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company will use the Excess Proceeds to purchase the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness on a pro rata basis.  Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

(d)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by Section 4.11 and/or Section 5.01 and not by this Section 4.12.

 

(e)          The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sales provisions of the Indenture, or compliance with the Asset Sales provisions of the Indenture would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sales provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

 

(f)           In the event that, pursuant to this Section 4.12, the Company is required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, it will follow the procedures specified below:

 

(1)            The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Section with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets.  The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “ Offer Period ”).  No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Purchase Date ”), the Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “ Offer Amount ”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer.  Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

 

(2)            If the Purchase Date is on or after a Regular Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

 

(3)            Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders or, at the Company’s request, the Trustee will send a notice to each of the Holders in the name and at the expense of the Company.  The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.  The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

 

(A)           that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.12 and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

 

(B)           the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

 

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(C)           that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest;

 

(D)           that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

 

(E)            that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000 only;

 

(F)            that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “ Option of Holder to Elect Purchase ” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer the Notes by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Purchase Date;

 

(G)           that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Purchase Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have all or a portion of such Note purchased;

 

(H)           that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness will be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, will be purchased); and

 

(I)             that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer),  which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

 

(4)            On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.12.  The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder

 

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and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.  Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof.  The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

Section 4.13           Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.

 

(a)          The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless:

 

(1)            the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company; and

 

(2)            the Company delivers to the Trustee:

 

(A)           with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with this Section and that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

 

(B)           with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

 

(b)          The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of paragraph (a):

 

(1)            any employment, consulting or similar agreement or arrangement, stock option or stock ownership plan, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement, restricted stock agreement, severance agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments, awards, grants or issuances of securities pursuant thereto;

 

(2)            transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(3)            transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

 

(4)            reasonable fees and expenses and compensation paid to, and indemnity or insurance provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(5)            any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to, or receipt of a capital contribution from, Affiliates of the Company;

 

(6)            Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 or any Permitted Investments;

 

(7)            loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

 

(8)            advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

 

(9)            the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any written agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries was a party on the Issue Date, as these agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; provided , however , that any future amendment, modification or supplement entered into after the Issue Date will be permitted to the extent that its terms do not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holders of the Notes (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) as compared to the terms of the agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(10)          (A) guarantees by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of performance by Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, except for Guarantees of Indebtedness in respect of borrowed money, and (B) pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(11)          transactions between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company and such director is the sole cause for such Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as director of the Company or such direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person; and

 

(12)          transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services that are Affiliates, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Indenture, provided that in the reasonable determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management of the Company, such transactions are on terms not materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could reasonably be expected to be obtained in a

 

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comparable transaction at such time on an arm’s-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 4.14           Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

(a)          The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default.  If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation.  That designation will only be permitted if the applicable Restricted Subsidiary meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if such Investment would be permitted at that time, either pursuant to (a) Section 4.07 or (b) the definition of Permitted Investment.

 

(b)          Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07.  If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the requirements of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.06, the Company will be in Default of Section 4.06.

 

(c)          The Board of Directors of the Company 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 such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.06, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

Section 4.15           Reports .

 

(a)          Regardless of whether required by the rules and regulations of the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will file with the Commission for public availability, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing, in which case the Company will comply with the requirements described in paragraph (b)):

 

(1)            all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such reports; and

 

(2)            all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

 

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All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports.  Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants.

 

(b)          If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the clauses (1) and (2) of paragraph (a) with the Commission within the time periods specified above unless the Commission will not accept such a filing.  The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the Commission not to accept any such filings.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the Commission.

 

(c)          The Company agrees that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, but only until completion of the Exchange Offer, if at any time it is not required to file with the Commission the reports required by the paragraphs (a) and (b), it will furnish to the Holders of Notes and to securities analysts and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

(d)          To the extent any of the Notes have been registered pursuant to the Securities Act, all obligors on the Notes will comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(e)          Delivery of these reports and information to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of them will not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

(f)           Any and all Defaults or Events of Default arising from a failure to file with the Commission or furnish in a timely manner any information required by this Section 4.15 shall be deemed cured and the Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with this Section 4.15 upon filing or furnishing such information as contemplated by this Section 4.15 but without regard to the date on which such information is so filed or furnished; provided that such cure shall not otherwise affect the rights of the Holders under Article 6 if the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes have been accelerated in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such acceleration has not been rescinded or cancelled prior to such cure.

 

Section 4.16           Reports to Trustee .

 

(a)          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company stating that the officer has conducted or supervised a review of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and their performance under the Indenture and that,

 

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based upon such review, the Company has fulfilled its obligations hereunder or, if there has been a Default, specifying the Default and its nature and status.

 

(b)          The Company will deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within five Business Days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of the Default or Event of Default, and the action which the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.17           Business Activities .  The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than a Related Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

Section 4.18           Payments for Consent .  Neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Beneficial Owner or Holder of any Notes for or as an inducement to any consent to any waiver, supplement or amendment of any terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes, unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Beneficial Owners and Holders of the Notes which so consent in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent.

 

Section 4.19           Sale and Leaseback Transactions .  The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:

 

(a)          the Company or Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (i) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.06(a) and (ii) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness without securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.08 hereof;

 

(b)          the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company of the property that is the subject of that sale and leaseback transaction; and

 

(c)          the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with Section 4.12 hereof.

 

Section 4.20           Production Payments and Reserve Sales . The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Productions Payments and Reserve Sales.

 

Section 4.21           Rating of Notes . The Company will use (a) reasonable best efforts to obtain a credit rating on the Notes from each of S&P and Moody’s on or prior to December 31, 2016 and (b) commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a rating on the Notes from each of S&P and Moody’s at all times until the final Stated Maturity of the Notes (it being acknowledged that there shall be no requirement to maintain a minimum rating.

 

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Section 4.22           Covenant Suspension Beginning on the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the obligation of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.09, 4.12, 4.13, 4.17, 4.19, and Section 5.01(a)(2)(D) of this Indenture shall be suspended.  Furthermore, beginning on the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if on any subsequent date (the “ Reinstatement Date ”), the Notes cease to maintain an Investment Grade Rating, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from the date of such rating decline.  Calculations under the reinstated “Restricted Payments” covenant will be made as if the “Restricted Payments” covenant had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended.

 

ARTICLE 5
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS

 

Section 5.01.  Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Substantially All Assets .

 

(a)          The Company will not

 

(1)            consolidate or merge with or into another Person (regardless of whether the Company is the surviving corporation), convert into another form of entity or continue in another jurisdiction; or

 

(2)            directly or indirectly, sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

 

(A)           either: (i) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

(B)           the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes,  the Indenture and, to the extent any obligations thereunder remain unsatisfied, the Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; provided that, unless such Person is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Notes will be added to the Indenture by a supplement;

 

(C)           immediately after such transaction or transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists;

 

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(D)           the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made, would (on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period) either:

 

(i)             be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.06(a); or

 

(ii)            have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio that is not less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately before such transaction; and

 

(E)            the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Section and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

(b)          For purposes of this Section, the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties or assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding the restrictions described in clause (D) of paragraph (a), any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or dispose of all or part of its properties or assets to the Company, the Company may merge into a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction, and any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or dispose of all or part of its properties or assets to another Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(d)          Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, this Section, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of the Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided , however , that the predecessor Company shall not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes in the case of a lease of all or

 

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substantially all of the Company’s properties or assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of this Section.

 

Section 5.02           Merger, Consolidation or Disposition of Substantially all Assets of Subsidiary Guarantor .

 

(a)          A Subsidiary Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (regardless of whether such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, unless

 

(1)            immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(2)            either:

 

(i)             (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or (B) the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture (including its Subsidiary Guarantee) pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or

 

(ii)            such transaction does not violate Section 4.12.

 

ARTICLE 6
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01.  Events of Default.

 

(a)          Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ” with respect to the Notes:

 

(1)            Company defaults in the payment when due of principal or premium, if any, on the Notes;

 

(2)            Company defaults for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

 

(3)            failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01 or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to Sections 4.11 or 4.12.

 

(4)            (A) except as addressed in subclause (B) of this clause (4), failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of the agreements in the Indenture or the Notes or (B) failure by the Company for 180 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with Section 4.15;

 

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(5)            default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, which default:

 

(i)             results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity and the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness  the maturity of which has been so accelerated aggregates $20 million or more;

 

(6)            failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or group of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $20 million (net of any amounts that a reputable and creditworthy insurance company has acknowledged liability for in writing), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

 

(7)            except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee is held in a judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

(8)            the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)           commences a voluntary case;

 

(B)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;

 

(C)           makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

 

(D)           generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

 

(9)            a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A)           is for relief against the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case; or

 

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(B)           appoints a custodian of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(C)           orders the liquidation of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

 

Section 6.02           Acceleration .

 

(a)          In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (8) or clause (9) of Section 6.01(a), all then outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice.  If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all of the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company and, in case of a notice by Holders, also to the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a notice of acceleration.  Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

 

(b)          At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in Article 6 provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(1)            the Company or one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

(A)           all overdue interest on all Notes;

 

(B)           the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Notes which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Notes;

 

(C)           to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Notes; and

 

(D)           all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

 

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(2)            all Events of Default with respect to the Notes, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.04.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) or (b), if an Event of Default specified in clause (5) of paragraph (a) shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration (to the extent not in violation of any applicable law or in conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be automatically rescinded if (1) (A) the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid or (B) the holders of such Indebtedness have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness and (2) any other existing Events of Default, except non-payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.

 

Section 6.03           Other Remedies If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue, in its own name or as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or the Indenture.  The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.

 

Section 6.04           Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

(a)          Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.02(b), 6.07 and 9.02(b), the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Trustee, waive an existing Default and its consequences, except a continuing Default in the payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest on the Notes.  Upon such waiver, the Default will cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured, but no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

(b)          The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, interest or premium, if any.

 

Section 6.05           Control by Majority The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture, that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, or that the Trustee determines in good faith may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of Holders of Notes not joining in the giving of such direction, and may take any other action it deems proper that is not inconsistent with any such direction received from Holders of Notes.

 

Section 6.06           Limitation on Suits Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, when due pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes, a

 

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Holder may not institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the Indenture or the Notes, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy under the Indenture or the Notes, unless:

 

(1)            such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

 

(2)            Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes have made written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3)            such Holders have offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)            the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(5)            Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction that is inconsistent with such written request within such 60-day period.

 

Section 6.07           Rights of Holders to Receive Payment Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the right of a Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of or interest on its Note on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, may not be impaired or affected without the consent of that Holder.

 

Section 6.08           Collection Suit by Trustee If an Event of Default in payment of principal or interest specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust for the whole amount of principal and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate specified in the Notes, and such further amount as is sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.

 

Section 6.09           Trustee May File Proofs of Claim The Trustee may file proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relating to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or their respective creditors or property, and is entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money, securities or other property payable or deliverable upon conversion or exchange of the Notes or upon any such claims.  Any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee consents to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.  Nothing in the

 

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Indenture will be deemed to empower the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

Section 6.10           Priorities If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First:                                              to the Trustee for all amounts due to the Trustee hereunder;

 

Second:                             to Holders for amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and interest on the Notes, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest; and

 

Third:                                        to the Company or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

The Trustee, upon written notice to the Company, may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section.

 

Section 6.11           Restoration of Rights and Remedies If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted a proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under the Indenture and the proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to the Holder, then, subject to any determination in the proceeding, the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders will be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders will continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 6.12           Undertaking for Costs In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under the Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit (other than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section does not apply to any suit by a Holder to enforce payment of principal of or interest on any Note on the respective due dates, or a suit instituted by the Company, the Trustee or any Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

 

Section 6.13           Rights and Remedies Cumulative No right or remedy conferred or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under the Indenture is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and all such rights and remedies are, to the extent permitted by law, cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or exercise of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or exercise of any other right or remedy.

 

Section 6.14           Delay or Omission Not Waiver No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default will impair any

 

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such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.15           Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor covenants, to the extent that it may lawfully do so, that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of, or interest on the Notes as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or that may affect the covenants or the performance of the Indenture.  The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby expressly waives, to the extent that it may lawfully do so, all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

ARTICLE 7
THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01           General .

 

(a)          The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee are as provided by the Trust Indenture Act and as set forth herein.  Whether or not expressly so provided, every provision of the Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee is subject to this Article.

 

(b)          Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in the Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into the Indenture against the Trustee.  In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise those rights and powers vested in it by the Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

(c)          No provision of the Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct.

 

Section 7.02           Certain Rights of Trustee Subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 315(a) through (d):

 

(1)            In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may rely, and will be protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person.  The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but, in the case of any document which is specifically required to

 

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be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to any provision hereof, the Trustee shall examine the document to determine whether it conforms to the requirements of the Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).  The Trustee, in its discretion, may make further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it sees fit.

 

(2)            Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel conforming to Section 11.05 and the Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the certificate or opinion.

 

(3)            The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(4)            The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(5)            The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers or for any action it takes or omits to take in accordance with the direction of the Holders in accordance with Section 6.05 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under the Indenture.

 

(6)            The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(7)            No provision of the Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of its rights or powers, unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

Section 7.03           Individual Rights of Trustee The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights.  However, the Trustee is subject to Trust Indenture Act Sections 310(b) and 311.  For purposes of Trust Indenture Act Section 311(b)(4) and (6):

 

(a)          cash transaction ” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and

 

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(b)          self-liquidating paper ” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

 

Section 7.04           Trustee’s Disclaimer The Trustee (i) makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of the Indenture or the Notes, (ii) is not accountable for the Company’s use or application of the proceeds from the Notes and (iii) is not responsible for any statement in the Notes other than its certificate of authentication.

 

Section 7.05           Notice of Default If any Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will send notice of the Default to each Holder within 90 days after it occurs, unless the Default has been cured; provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders.  Notice to Holders under this Section will be given in the manner and to the extent provided in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c).

 

Section 7.06           Reports by Trustee to Holders Within 60 days after each May 15, beginning with May 15, 2017, the Trustee will mail to each Holder, as provided in Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), a brief report dated as of such May 15, if required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a), and file such reports with each stock exchange upon which the Notes are listed and with the Commission as and if required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d).

 

Section 7.07           Compensation and Indemnity .

 

(a)          The Company will pay the Trustee compensation as agreed upon in writing for its services.  The compensation of the Trustee is not limited by any law on compensation of a Trustee of an express trust.  The Company will reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

(b)          The Company will indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless from and against, any loss or liability or expense incurred by it without negligence or bad faith on its part arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the Indenture and its duties under the Indenture and the Notes, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability and of complying with any process served upon it or any of its officers in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties under the Indenture and the Notes, including, without limitation fees and expenses of its attorneys.

 

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(c)          To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal of, and interest on particular Notes.

 

Section 7.08           Replacement of Trustee (a) (1) The Trustee may resign at any time by written notice to the Company.

 

(1)            The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by written notice to the Trustee.

 

(2)            If the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10 or in the circumstances described in Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b), any Holder that satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b) may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(3)            The Company may remove the Trustee if: (i) the Trustee is no longer eligible under Section 7.10; (ii) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; (iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or (iv) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.

 

(b)          If the Trustee has been removed by the Holders, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may appoint a successor Trustee with the consent of the Company.  Otherwise, if the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  If the successor Trustee does not deliver its written acceptance within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(c)          Upon delivery by the successor Trustee of a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company, (i) the retiring Trustee will transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and (iii) the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under the Indenture.  Upon request of any successor Trustee, the Company will execute any and all instruments for fully vesting in and confirming to the successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.  The Company will give notice of any resignation and any removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to all Holders, and include in the notice the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

(d)          Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

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(e)          The Trustee agrees to give the notices provided for in, and otherwise comply with, Trust Indenture Act Section 310(b).

 

Section 7.09           Successor Trustee by Merger If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association without any further act will be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee in the Indenture.

 

Section 7.10           Eligibility The Indenture must always have a Trustee that satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a) and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

Section 7.11           Money Held in Trust The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as it may agree with the Company.  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and except for money held in trust under Article 8.

 

ARTICLE 8
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 8.01           Satisfaction and Discharge .

 

(a)          This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

 

(1)            either

 

(i)             all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or:

 

(ii)            all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of Stated Maturity or redemption,

 

(2)            no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit or the grant of Liens securing such borrowing),

 

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(3)            such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is bound,

 

(4)            the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the Indenture,

 

(5)            the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be, and

 

(6)            the Company has delivered to the Trustee (i) an Officers’ Certificate, stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above have been satisfied, and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (3) and (5) above have been satisfied.

 

(b)          Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to paragraph (a), (x) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07, and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 7.08(a)(1) shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a), the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Section 8.01(c), Section 7.11, Section 4.02 and Section 8.07 shall survive.

 

(c)          All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and the Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 8.02           Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect at any time to have either Section 8.03 or Section 8.04 be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth in the portions of this Article 8 relating to Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.03           Legal Defeasance .

 

(a)          Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.05 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including any Subsidiary Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”).  For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including any Subsidiary Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.06 hereof and the

 

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other sections of the Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and the Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(1)            the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.06;

 

(2)            the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.09 and 4.02;

 

(3)            the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(4)            the Legal Defeasance provisions of this Article 8.

 

(b)          Subject to compliance with the Legal Defeasance provisions of this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option regarding Legal Defeasance under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option regarding Covenant Defeasance under Section 8.04 with respect to the Notes.

 

Section 8.04           Covenant Defeasance Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.04, (i) the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.05 hereof, be released from each of their obligations respecting the Notes under Sections 4.03, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21 and 5.01(a)(D) (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “ Covenant Defeasance ”), (ii) the Events of Default described under Sections 6.01(a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6) and in Section 6.01(a)(8) and (a)(9) (but only with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company) in each case, will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, (iii) the Subsidiary Guarantees respecting such Notes will be discharged and (iv) the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder.  For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of the Indenture and the Notes will be unaffected thereby.

 

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Section 8.05                              Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .  In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.03 or Section 8.04:

 

(a)                            the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, nationally recognized appraisal film, or nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

 

(b)                            in the case of an election under Section 8.03, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

 

(1)                                  the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

 

(2)                                  since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

 

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(c)                             in the case of an election under Section 8.04, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(d)                            no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit or the grant of Liens securing such borrowing);

 

(e)                             such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and the related deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(f)                              the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of

 

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Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;

 

(g)                             the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) have been complied with; and

 

(h)                            the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (e) have been complied with.

 

Section 8.06                              Application of Trust Money Subject to Section 8.07, the Trustee will hold in trust the cash in U.S. dollars or Government Securities deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04, and apply the deposited money and the proceeds from deposited Government Securities to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes in accordance with the Notes and the Indenture.  Such money and Government Securities need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 8.07                              Repayment to Company Subject to Sections 7.07, 8.01, 8.03 and 8.04, the Trustee will promptly pay to the Company upon request any excess money or Government Securities held by the Trustee at any time and thereupon be relieved from all liability with respect thereto.  The Trustee will pay to the Company upon request any money held for payment with respect to the Notes that remains unclaimed for two years, provided that before making such payment the Trustee may at the expense of the Company publish once in a newspaper of general circulation in New York City, or send to each Holder entitled to such money, notice that the money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified in the notice (at least 30 days after the date of the publication or notice) any remaining unclaimed balance of money will be repaid to the Company.  After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to such money must look solely to the Company for payment, unless applicable law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee with respect to such money will cease.

 

Section 8.08                              Reinstatement If and for so long as the Trustee is unable to apply any money or Government Securities held in trust pursuant to Section 8.01, 8.03 or 8.04 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under the Indenture and the Notes will be reinstated as though no such deposit in trust had been made.  If the Company makes any payment of principal of or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, it will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held in trust.

 

ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 9.01                              Amendments Without Consent of Holders Without the consent of any Noteholder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees to:

 

(1)                                  cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision in the Indenture or the Notes that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;

 

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(2)                                  evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and, to the extent applicable, to the Notes;

 

(3)                                  provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;

 

(4)                                  add a Subsidiary Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Subsidiary Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Subsidiary Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor herein;

 

(5)                                  secure the Notes;

 

(6)                                  add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Noteholders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the Indenture; provided that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes to waive such an Event of Default;

 

(7)                                  make any change to any provision of the Indenture that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Noteholders or that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any such Holder;

 

(8)                                  provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the provisions set forth in the Indenture on the date of the Indenture;

 

(9)                                  add any additional Defaults or Events of Default in respect of the Notes;

 

(10)                           establish the form or terms of Additional Notes as permitted by the Indenture;

 

(11)                           evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements hereof;

 

(12)                           add a corporate co-issuer in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof; or

 

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(13)                           if the Notes become subject to the Trust Indenture Act, modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to the Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 9.02                              Amendments with Consent of Holders (a) (a) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 6.02, 6.04 and 6.07 or paragraph (b), the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, and the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may waive future compliance by the Company with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes.

 

(b)                            Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), without the consent of each Holder of outstanding Notes affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(1)                                  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, the Notes, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the Indenture, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, the Notes or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);

 

(2)                                  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(3)                                  modify any of the provisions related to (i) the Holder’s unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or (ii) the waiver of past Defaults under the Indenture, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the each Holder of then-outstanding Notes affected thereby;

 

(4)                                  waive a redemption payment with respect to the Notes; provided , however , that any purchase or repurchase of the Notes shall not be deemed a redemption of the Notes;

 

(5)                                  release any Subsidiary Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of the Indenture (as supplemented by any supplemental indenture); or

 

(6)                                  make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

 

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(c)                             It is not necessary for Noteholders to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

(d)                            An amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section will become effective on receipt by the Trustee of written consents from the Holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.  After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company will send to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.  Any failure of the Company to send such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.03                              Effect of Consent .

 

(a)                            After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it will bind every Holder unless it is of the type requiring the consent of each Holder affected.  If the amendment, supplement or waiver is of the type requiring the consent of each Holder affected, the amendment, supplement or waiver will bind each Holder that has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note that evidences the same debt as the Note of the consenting Holder.

 

(b)                            If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder to deliver it to the Trustee so that the Trustee may place an appropriate notation of the changed terms on the Note and return it to the Holder, or exchange it for a new Note that reflects the changed terms.  The Trustee may also place an appropriate notation on any Note thereafter authenticated.  However, the effectiveness of the amendment, supplement or waiver is not affected by any failure to annotate or exchange Notes in this fashion.

 

Section 9.04                              Trustee’s Rights and Obligations The Trustee is entitled to receive, and will be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by the Indenture.  If the Trustee has received such an Opinion of Counsel, it shall sign the amendment, supplement or waiver so long as the same does not adversely affect the rights of the Trustee.  The Trustee may, but is not obligated to, execute any amendment, supplement or waiver that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Indenture.

 

Section 9.05                              Conformity with Trust Indenture Act If the Notes are subject to the Trust Indenture Act, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act

 

ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01                       The Subsidiary Guarantees Subject to the provisions of this Article, by executing a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit B, each Subsidiary Guarantor will thereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, the full and punctual payment (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, purchase pursuant to a Change of Control Offer, Asset Sale Offer or acceleration, or otherwise) of the principal of,

 

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premium, if any, and interest on, and all other amounts payable under, each Note, and the full and punctual payment of all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture.  Upon failure by the Company to pay punctually any such amount, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall forthwith on demand pay the amount not so paid at the place and in the manner specified in the Indenture.

 

Section 10.02                       Subsidiary Guarantee Unconditional The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by

 

(1)                                  any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of the Company under the Indenture or any Note, by operation of law or otherwise;

 

(2)                                  any modification or amendment of or supplement to the Indenture or any Note;

 

(3)                                  any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of the Company, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting the Company or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of the Company contained in the Indenture or any Note;

 

(4)                                  the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights which the Subsidiary Guarantor may have at any time against the Company, the Trustee or any other Person, whether in connection with the Indenture or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein prevents the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(5)                                  any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against the Company for any reason of the Indenture or any Note, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by the Company of the principal of or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the Company under the Indenture; or

 

(6)                                  any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by the Company, the Trustee or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of or defense to such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder other than payment in full of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture.

 

Section 10.03                       Discharge; Reinstatement Subject to Section 10.09, each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder will remain in full force and effect until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Company under the Indenture have been paid in full.  If at any time any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the Company under the Indenture is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise, each Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations hereunder with respect to such payment will be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.

 

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Section 10.04                       Waiver by the Subsidiary Guarantors Each Subsidiary Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against the Company or any other Person.

 

Section 10.05                       Subrogation and Contribution Upon making any payment with respect to any obligation of the Company under this Article, the Subsidiary Guarantor making such payment will be subrogated to the rights of the payee against the Company with respect to such obligation, provided that the Subsidiary Guarantor may not enforce either any right of subrogation, or any right to receive payment in the nature of contribution, or otherwise, from any other Subsidiary Guarantor, with respect to such payment so long as any amount payable by the Company hereunder or under the Notes remains unpaid.

 

Section 10.06                       Stay of Acceleration If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by the Company under the Indenture or the Notes is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of the Indenture are nonetheless payable by the Subsidiary Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Trustee or the Holders.

 

Section 10.07                       Limitation on Amount of Subsidiary Guarantee Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article, each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provision of state law.  To effectuate that intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are limited to the maximum amount that would not render the Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provision of state law.

 

Section 10.08                       Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee The execution by each Subsidiary Guarantor of a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit B evidences the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor, whether or not the person signing as an officer of the Subsidiary Guarantor still holds that office at the time of authentication of any Note.  The delivery of any Note by the Trustee after authentication constitutes due delivery of the Subsidiary Guarantee set forth in the Indenture on behalf of each Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

Section 10.09                       Release of Subsidiary Guarantee The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will terminate:

 

(1)                                  upon any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.12;

 

(2)                                  upon any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the

 

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Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.12 and such Subsidiary Guarantor no longer qualifies as a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such disposition;

 

(3)                                  upon designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in accordance with Section 4.14;

 

(4)                                  upon Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as provided pursuant to Sections 8.01, 8.02, 8.03 and 8.04; or

 

(5)                                  upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor, provided no Default or Event of Default occurs as a result thereof or has occurred or is continuing.

 

Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the foregoing effect, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of the Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01                       Trust Indenture Act of 1939 At any time the Notes are not exempt from the Trust Indenture Act, the Indenture shall incorporate and be governed by the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are required to be part of and to govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 11.02                       Noteholder Communications; Noteholder Actions .

 

(a)                            At any time the Notes are not exempt from the Trust Indenture Act, the rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to the Indenture or the Notes are as provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and the Company and the Trustee shall comply with the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Sections 312(a) and 312(b).  Neither the Company nor the Trustee will be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(1)                                  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent to amendment, supplement or waiver or other action provided by the Indenture to be given or taken by a Holder (an “ act ”) may be evidenced by an instrument signed by the Holder delivered to the Trustee.  The fact and date of the execution of the instrument, or the authority of the person executing it, may be proved in any manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(2)                                  The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders, which will be binding on all the Holders.

 

(b)                            Any act by the Holder of any Note binds that Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note that evidences the same debt as the Note of the acting Holder, even if no notation thereof appears on the Note.  Subject to paragraph (d), a Holder may revoke an act as

 

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to its Notes, but only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver or other consequence of the act becomes effective.

 

(c)                             The Company may, but is not obligated to, fix a record date (which need not be within the time limits otherwise prescribed by Trust Indenture Act Section 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to act with respect to any amendment or waiver or in any other regard, except that during the continuance of an Event of Default, only the Trustee may set a record date as to any declaration of acceleration of the Event of Default. If a record date is fixed, those Persons that were Holders at such record date and only those Persons will be entitled to act, or to revoke any previous act, whether or not those Persons continue to be Holders after the record date.  No act will be valid or effective for more than 90 days after the record date.

 

Section 11.03                       Notices .

 

(a)                            Any notice or communication to the Company, Paying Agent or Registrar will be deemed given if in writing (i) when delivered in person or (ii) five days after mailing when mailed by first class mail, or (iii) the next day when sent by overnight mail, with receipt confirmed.  Notices or communications to a Subsidiary Guarantor will be deemed given if given to the Company.  Any notice to the Trustee will be effective only upon receipt.  In each case the notice or communication should be addressed as follows:

 

if to the Company or Subsidiary Guarantors:

 

Synergy Resources Corporation

1625 Broadway, Suite 300
Denver, Colorado 80202
Attention:  General Counsel

 

if to the Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar:

 

U.S. Bank National Association

950 17 th  Street

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services/DN-CO-T12C

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications, including email addresses.

 

(b)                            Except as otherwise expressly provided with respect to published notices, any notice or communication to a Holder will be deemed given when mailed to the Holder at its address as it appears on the Register by first class mail or, as to any Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, as agreed by the Company, the Trustee and DTC. Copies of any notice or communication to a Holder, if given by the Company, will be provided to the Trustee at the same time.  A defect in mailing a notice or communication to any particular Holder will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

95



 

(c)                             Where the Indenture provides for notice, the notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and the waiver will be the equivalent of the notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders must be filed with the Trustee, but such filing is not a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waivers.

 

Section 11.04                       Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under the Indenture, the Company will furnish to the Trustee:

 

(1)                                  an Officers’ Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)                                  an Opinion of Counsel stating that all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

Section 11.05                       Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in the Indenture must include:

 

(1)                                  a statement that each person signing the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition and the related definitions;

 

(2)                                  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in the certificate or opinion is based;

 

(3)                                  a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(4)                                  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with, provided that an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials with respect to matters of fact.

 

Section 11.06                       Payment Date Other Than a Business Day If any payment with respect to a payment of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note (including any payment to be made on any date fixed for redemption or purchase of any Note) is due on a day which is not a Business Day, then the payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date, and no interest will accrue for the intervening period.

 

Section 11.07                       Governing Law The Indenture, including any Subsidiary Guarantees, and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

96



 

Section 11.08                       No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements The Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture or loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, and no such indenture or loan or debt agreement may be used to interpret the Indenture.

 

Section 11.09                       Successors All agreements of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in the Indenture will bind its successor.

 

Section 11.10                       Duplicate Originals The parties may sign any number of copies of the Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.  The Indenture may be executed by electronic signature and delivered by electronic mail.

 

Section 11.11                       Separability In case any provision in the Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 11.12                       Table of Contents and Headings The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of the Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of the Indenture and in no way modify or restrict any of the terms and provisions of the Indenture.

 

Section 11.13                       No Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators, Members and Stockholders No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

97



 

SIGNATURES

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION,
as Issuer

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lynn A. Peterson

 

Name: Lynn A. Peterson

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

GCL WELD, LLC,
as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

 

 

By: Synergy Resources Corporation,
its sole member

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lynn A. Peterson

 

Name: Lynn A. Peterson

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

GCL WELD NO. 1, LLC,
as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

 

 

By: GCL Weld, LLC,
its sole member

 

 

 

By: Synergy Resources Corporation,
its sole member

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lynn A. Peterson

 

Name: Lynn A. Peterson

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page Continues]

 



 

 

GCL WELD NO. 2, LLC,
as Subsidiary Guarantor

 

 

 

By: GCL Weld, LLC,
its sole member

 

 

 

By: Synergy Resources Corporation,
its sole member

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lynn A. Peterson

 

Name: Lynn A. Peterson

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2



 

SIGNATURES

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Leland Hansen

 

Name: Leland Hansen

 

Title: Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FACE OF NOTE]

 

[THIS NOTE WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT (“OID”) FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.  THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF OID, ISSUE DATE AND YIELD TO MATURITY WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITING TO SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION, 1625 BROADWAY, SUITE 300, DENVER, COLORADO  80202.]

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

9.00% Senior Note Due 2021

 

[CUSIP]                   

 

No.

$                   

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION, a Colorado corporation (the “ Company ”, which term includes any successor under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, promises to pay to [            ] [CEDE & CO.](1), or its registered assigns, the principal sum of             DOLLARS ($            ) [or such other amount as indicated on the Schedule of Exchange of Notes attached hereto](1) on June 13, 2021.

 

Interest Rate: 9.00% per annum.

 

Interest Payment Dates: June 15 and December 15, commencing December 15, 2016.

 

Regular Record Dates: June 1 and December 1.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which will for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 


(1)  For Global Notes

 

A- 1



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.

 

 

Date:

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

A- 2



 

(Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication)

 

This is one of the 9.00% Senior Notes Due 2021 described in the Indenture referred to in this Note.

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

A- 3



 

[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

9.00% Senior Note Due 2021

 

1.      Principal and Interest.

 

The Company promises to pay the principal of this Note on June 13, 2021.

 

The Company promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note on each interest payment date, as set forth on the face of this Note, at the rate of 9.00% per annum (subject to adjustment as provided below).

 

Interest will be payable semiannually (to the holders of record of the Notes at the close of business on the June 1 or December 1 immediately preceding the interest payment date) on each interest payment date, commencing December 15, 2016.

 

Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid on this Note [or the Note surrendered in exchange for this Note](1) (or, if there is no existing default in the payment of interest and if this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date and the next interest payment date, from such interest payment date) or, if no interest has been paid, from [the Issue Date.](2) Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 


(1)     Include only for Exchange Note.

(2)     For Additional Notes, should be the date of their original issue.

 

The Company will pay interest on overdue principal, premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest at a rate per annum that is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise accruing on this Note.  Interest not paid when due and any interest on principal, premium or interest not paid when due will be paid to the Persons that are Holders on a record date. If either the Company or any Guarantor defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it or they (to the extent of their obligations under the Note Guarantees) shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date.  The Company shall give prompt notice to the Trustee and each Holder that it intends to make payment and of the special record date of the proposed payment, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

2.      Indenture; Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

This is one of the Notes issued under an Indenture dated as of June 14, 2016 (as amended from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee.  Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and, if the Notes are subject to the Trust Indenture Act, those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. Holders are referred to the Indenture and, if applicable, the Trust Indenture Act for a statement of all such terms.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of any

 

A- 4



 

inconsistency between the terms of this Note and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of the Indenture will control.

 

The Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company.  The Indenture limits the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes to $80,000,000, but Additional Notes may be issued pursuant to the Indenture, and the originally issued Notes and all such Additional Notes vote together for all purposes as a single class.  This Note is guaranteed as set forth in the Indenture.

 

3.     Redemption and Repurchase; Discharge Prior to Redemption or Maturity.

 

This Note is subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of an Offer to Purchase, as further described in the Indenture.  There is no sinking fund or mandatory redemption applicable to this Note.

 

If the Company deposits with the Trustee money or Government Securities sufficient to pay the then outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, the Company may in certain circumstances be discharged from the Indenture and the Notes or may be discharged from certain of its obligations under certain provisions of the Indenture.

 

4.     Registered Form; Denominations; Transfer; Exchange.

 

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  A Holder may register the transfer or exchange of Notes in accordance with the Indenture.  The Trustee may require a Holder to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  Pursuant to the Indenture, there are certain periods during which the Trustee will not be required to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Note or certain portions of a Note.

 

5.     Defaults and Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable.  If a bankruptcy or insolvency default with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the Notes automatically become due and payable.  Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes.  Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of remedies.

 

6.     Amendment and Waiver.

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture and the Notes may be amended, or default may be waived, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes.  Without notice to or the consent of any Holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision in the Indenture or the Notes that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein.

 

A- 5



 

7.     Authentication.

 

This Note is not valid until the Trustee (or Authenticating Agent) signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

8.     Governing Law.

 

This Note shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

9.     Abbreviations.

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian) and U/G/M/A/ (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

The Company will furnish a copy of the Indenture to any Holder upon written request and without charge.

 

A- 6



 

[FORM OF TRANSFER NOTICE]

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

 

 

 

 

Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee

 

 

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

 

 

 

attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

A- 7



 

[THE FOLLOWING PROVISION TO BE INCLUDED ON ALL CERTIFICATES BEARING A RESTRICTED LEGEND]

 

In connection with any transfer of this Note occurring prior to                 , the undersigned confirms that such transfer is made without utilizing any general solicitation or general advertising and further as follows:

 

Check One

 

(1) This Note is being transferred to a “qualified institutional buyer” in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and certification in the form of Exhibit F to the Indenture is being furnished herewith.

 

(2) This Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in compliance with the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided by Regulation S thereunder, and certification in the form of Exhibit E to the Indenture is being furnished herewith.

 

(3) This Note is being transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined) in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and certification in the form of Exhibit G to the Indenture is being furnished herewith.

 

or

 

(4) This Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (1), (2) or (3) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

 

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee is not obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in the Indenture have been satisfied.

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

Seller

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

 

A- 8



 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee:(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

To be executed by an executive officer

 

 


(3)     Signatures must be guaranteed by an “ eligible guarantor institution ” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Association Medallion Program (“ STAMP” ) or such other “ signature guarantee program ” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

 

A- 9



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you wish to have all of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or Section 4.12 of the Indenture, check the box: o

 

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or Section 4.12 of the Indenture, state the amount (in original principal amount) below:

 

$                            .

 

Date:

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee:(1)

 

 

 


(1)     Signatures must be guaranteed by an “ eligible guarantor institution ” meeting the requirements of the Trustee, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Association Medallion Program (“ STAMP ”) or such other “ signature guarantee program ” as may be determined by the Trustee in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

 

A- 10



 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF NOTES

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Certificated Notes or a part of another Global Note have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

 

Amount of
decrease
in principal
amount
of this Global
Note

 

Amount of
increase
in principal
amount
of this Global
Note

 

Principal amount
of
this Global Note
following such
decrease (or
increase)

 

Signature of
authorized officer
of
Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A- 11



 

EXHIBIT B

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

dated as of                     ,          

 

among

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

The Subsidiary Guarantor(s) Party Hereto

 

and

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 

9.00% Senior Notes due 2021

 

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), entered into as of                 ,             , among SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION, a Colorado  corporation (the “ Company ”), [insert each Subsidiary Guarantor executing this Supplemental Indenture and its jurisdiction of incorporation] (each an “ Undersigned ”) and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee entered into the Indenture, dated as of June 14, 2016 (the “ Indenture ”), relating to the Company’s 9.00% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, as a condition to the Trustee entering into the Indenture and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders, the Company agreed pursuant to the Indenture to cause certain Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries to provide Subsidiary Guarantees in certain circumstances.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and intending to be legally bound, the parties to this Supplemental Indenture hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the Indenture.

 

Section 2.  Each Undersigned, by its execution of this Supplemental Indenture, agrees to be a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to Subsidiary Guarantors, including, but not limited to, Article 10 thereof.

 

B- 1



 

Section 3.  This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Section 4.  This Supplemental Indenture may be signed in various counterparts which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 5.  This Supplemental Indenture is an amendment supplemental to the Indenture and the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture will henceforth be read together.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION,
as Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GUARANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

B- 2



 

EXHIBIT C

 

RESTRICTED LEGEND

 

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION.  NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS, [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THEN REQUIRED UNDER RULE 144 OR ITS SUCCESSOR RULE) OR IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY),] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S] ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE SECURITIES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION

 

C- 1



 

SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.  THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER THAT IS NOT AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

 

IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

Each certificate evidencing a Security offered in reliance on Regulation S shall, in addition to the foregoing, bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

C- 2



 

EXHIBIT D

 

DTC LEGEND

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“ DTC ”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO.  OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO.  OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO.  OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE ARE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRANSFER PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURE.

 

D- 1



 

EXHIBIT E

 

Regulation S Certificate

 

                , 20     

 

U.S. Bank National Association

950 17 th  Street

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services/DN-CO-T12C

 

Re:

Synergy Resources Corporation
9.00% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”)
Issued under the Indenture (the “ Indenture ”) dated as

 

 

as of June 14, 2016 relating to the Notes

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Terms are used in this Certificate as used in Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), except as otherwise stated herein.

 

[CHECK A OR B AS APPLICABLE.]

 

o   A.         This Certificate relates to our proposed transfer of $             principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture.  We hereby certify as follows:

 

1.             The offer and sale of the Notes was not and will not be made to a person in the United States (unless such person is excluded from the definition of “U.S. person” pursuant to Rule 902(k)(2)(vi) or the account held by it for which it is acting is excluded from the definition of “U.S. person” pursuant to Rule 902(k)(2)(i) under the circumstances described in Rule 902(h)(3)) and such offer and sale was not and will not be specifically targeted at an identifiable group of U.S. citizens abroad. 

 

2.             Unless the circumstances described in the parenthetical in paragraph 1 above are applicable, either (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the buyer was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the buyer was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market, and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction was pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States. 

 

3.             Neither we, any of our affiliates, nor any person acting on our or their behalf has made any directed selling efforts in the United States with respect to the Notes. 

 

4.             The proposed transfer of Notes is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. 

 

E- 1



 

5.             If we are a dealer or a person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration in respect of the Notes, and the proposed transfer takes place during the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture), or we are an officer or director of the Company, we certify that the proposed transfer is being made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 904(b) of Regulation S. 

 

o   B.         This Certificate relates to our proposed exchange of $             principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture for an equal principal amount of Notes to be held by us.  We hereby certify as follows:

 

1.             At the time the offer and sale of the Notes was made to us, either (i) we were not in the United States or (ii) we were excluded from the definition of “U.S. person” pursuant to Rule 902(k)(2)(vi) or the account held by us for which we were acting was excluded from the definition of “U.S. person” pursuant to Rule 902(k)(2)(i) under the circumstances described in Rule 902(h)(3); and we were not a member of an identifiable group of U.S. citizens abroad. 

 

2.             Unless the circumstances described in paragraph 1(ii) above are applicable, either (a) at the time our buy order was originated, we were outside the United States or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and we did not pre-arrange the transaction in the United States. 

 

3.             The proposed exchange of Notes is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. 

 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this Certificate and are irrevocably authorized to produce this Certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF SELLER (FOR TRANSFERS) OR OWNER (FOR EXCHANGES)]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT F

 

Rule 144A Certificate

 

                    ,                

 

U.S. Bank National Association

950 17 th  Street

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services/DN-CO-T12C

 

Re:

Synergy Resources Corporation.

9.00% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”)

Issued under the Indenture (the “ Indentur e”) dated as

 

 

as of June 14, 2016 relating to the Notes

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (1) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

This Certificate relates to:

 

[CHECK A OR B AS APPLICABLE.]

 

o   A.              Our proposed purchase of $             principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture. 

 

o   B.              Our proposed exchange of $             principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture for an equal principal amount of Notes to be held by us. 

 

We and, if applicable, each account for which we are acting in the aggregate, owned and invested more than $100,000,000 in securities of issuers that are not affiliated with us (or such accounts, if applicable), as of             , 20  , which is a date on or since the close of our most recent fiscal year.  We and, if applicable, each account for which we are acting, are a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A (“Rule 144A”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).  If we are acting on behalf of an account, we exercise sole investment discretion with respect to such account.  We are aware that the transfer of Notes to us, or such exchange, as applicable, is being made in reliance upon the exemption from the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A.  Prior to the date of this Certificate we have received such information regarding the Company as we have requested pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) or have determined not to request such information.

 

F- 1



 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this Certificate and are irrevocably authorized to produce this Certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF PURCHASER (FOR TRANSFERS) OR OWNER (FOR EXCHANGES)]

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Address:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

F- 2



 

EXHIBIT G

 

Institutional Accredited Investor Certificate

 

U.S. Bank National Association

950 17 th  Street

Denver, CO 80202

Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services/DN-CO-T12C

 

Re:

Synergy Resources Corporation

9.00% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “ Notes ”)

Issued under the Indenture (the “ Indenture ”) dated as

 

 

as of June 14, 2016 relating to the Notes

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This Certificate relates to:

 

[CHECK A OR B AS APPLICABLE.]

 

o  A.        Our proposed purchase of $             principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture. 

 

o  B.        Our proposed exchange of $             principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture for an equal principal amount of Notes to be held by us. 

 

We hereby confirm that:

 

1.               We are an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (an “Institutional Accredited Investor”). 

 

2.               Any acquisition of Notes by us will be for our own account or for the account of one or more other Institutional Accredited Investors as to which we exercise sole investment discretion. 

 

3.               We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that we are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Notes and we and any accounts for which we are acting are able to bear the economic risks of and an entire loss of our or their investment in the Notes. 

 

4.               We are not acquiring the Notes with a view to any distribution thereof in a transaction that would violate the Securities Act or the securities laws of any State of the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction; provided that the disposition of our property and the property of any accounts for which we are acting as fiduciary will remain at all times within our and their control. 

 

G- 1



 

5.               We acknowledge that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and that the Notes may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the benefit of U.S. persons except as set forth below. 

 

6.               The principal amount of Notes to which this Certificate relates is at least equal to $250,000. 

 

We agree for the benefit of the Company, on our own behalf and on behalf of each account for which we are acting, that such Notes may be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred only in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of any State of the United States and only (a) to the Company, (b) pursuant to a registration statement which has become effective under the Securities Act, (c) to a qualified institutional buyer in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, (d) in an offshore transaction in compliance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) in a principal amount of not less than $250,000, to an Institutional Accredited Investor that, prior to such transfer, delivers to the Trustee a duly completed and signed certificate (the form of which may be obtained from the Trustee) relating to the restrictions on transfer of the Notes or (f) pursuant to an exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act or any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Prior to the registration of any transfer in accordance with (c) or (d) above, we acknowledge that a duly completed and signed certificate (the form of which may be obtained from the Trustee) must be delivered to the Trustee.  Prior to the registration of any transfer in accordance with (e) or (f) above, we acknowledge that the Company reserves the right to require the delivery of such legal opinions, certifications or other evidence as may reasonably be required in order to determine that the proposed transfer is being made in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.  We acknowledge that no representation is made as to the availability of any Rule 144 exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

We understand that the Trustee will not be required to accept for registration of transfer any Notes acquired by us, except upon presentation of evidence satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee that the foregoing restrictions on transfer have been complied with.  We further understand that the Notes acquired by us will be in the form of definitive physical certificates and that such certificates will bear a legend reflecting the substance of the preceding paragraph.  We further agree to provide to any person acquiring any of the Notes from us a notice advising such person that resales of the Notes are restricted as stated herein and that certificates representing the Notes will bear a legend to that effect.

 

We agree to notify you promptly in writing if any of our acknowledgments, representations or agreements herein ceases to be accurate and complete.

 

We represent to you that we have full power to make the foregoing acknowledgments, representations and agreements on our own behalf and on behalf of any account for which we are acting.

 

G- 2



 

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this Certificate and are irrevocably authorized to produce this Certificate or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

[NAME OF PURCHASER (FOR TRANSFERS) OR OWNER (FOR EXCHANGES)]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Address:

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxpayer ID number:

 

 

 

G- 3


Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

9.0% SENIOR UNSECURED NOTES

 

This NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), is entered into as of June 14, 2016 by and between Synergy Resources Corporation, a Colorado corporation (the “ Company ”), and each of the Purchasers identified on the signature page hereto (collectively, the “ Purchasers ” and each individually, a “ Purchaser ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Purchasers have agreed to purchase from the Company, and the Company has agreed to sell to the Purchasers, the Purchased Securities (as defined below) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, each Purchaser’s rights and obligations under this Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and each Purchaser desire to set forth certain agreements herein.

 

AGREEMENTS

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01                              Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

Acquisition ” means the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement.

 

Affiliate ” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person, whether now in existence or hereafter created, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 



 

Articles of Incorporation ” means the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time prior to the date hereof.

 

Board of Directors ” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Day ” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Denver, Colorado or New York, New York are authorized or required by Law or executive order to close.

 

Bylaws ” means the bylaws of the Company, as amended from time to time prior to the date hereof and as further amended or restated from time to time.

 

Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02 .

 

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02 .

 

Code ” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Commitment Fee ” means, with respect to any Purchaser, an amount equal to such Purchaser’s Commitment Amount multiplied by 2.0%.

 

Commitment Amount ” means, with respect to any Purchaser, the dollar amount set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name on Schedule 2.01 of this Agreement under the heading “Total Principal Amount Purchased.”

 

Commitment Letter ” means that certain letter agreement between the Company and the Purchasers, dated as of May 3, 2016, relating to the Purchasers’ commitment to purchase the Purchased Securities.

 

Common Stock ” means the common shares of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

 

Contract ” means any contract, agreement, indenture, note, bond, mortgage, deed of trust, loan, instrument, lease, license, commitment or other arrangement, understanding, undertaking, commitment or obligation, whether written or oral.

 

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Company Financial Statements ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.06 .

 

Company Related Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02 .

 

Company SEC Documents ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.06 .

 

Company Stock Plans ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03 .

 

Cross Receipt ” means a cross receipt, dated the Closing Date, executed by a Purchaser and the Company, certifying that such Purchaser has received its Purchased Securities and that the Company has received the aggregate Securities Purchase Price for all Purchased Securities to

 

2



 

be purchased by such Purchaser, substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A .

 

Debt ” means, for any Person, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all accounts payable and all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services that are more than sixty (60) days past the due date other than those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) all obligations of such Person under capital leases; and (e) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or secured by a lien or encumbrance on the assets of such Person (whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person) or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss.

 

Environmental Law ” means any and all current or future Laws and other legally enforceable requirements applicable to the Company or the operation of its business in any way relating to the protection of human health and safety (to the extent such health or safety relate to exposure to Hazardous Materials), the environment and natural resources (including, without limitation, any natural resource damages, any generation, manufacture, processing, use, storage, treatment, disposal, release, threatened release, discharge, or emission of Hazardous Materials into the environment, and any exposure to Hazardous Materials), including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. App. § 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 C.F.R. part 24 et seq.), and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq.).

 

ERISA ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.21 .

 

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Existing Credit Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 28, 2012, by and among the Company, SunTrust Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, as amended.

 

Expense Reimbursement Amount ” means a total of $150,000 of the Purchasers’ reasonable and documented or invoiced out-of-pocket expenses (including but not limited to, expenses of the Purchasers’ due diligence investigation, consultants’ fees (to the extent any such consultant has been retained with the Company’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), syndication expenses, travel expenses and reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of a single firm of counsel to each of the Purchasers and, if

 

3



 

necessary, of a single firm of local counsel to the Purchasers in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single firm of special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) and of such other counsel retained with the Company’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), in each case incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Fee Letter ” means that certain letter agreement dated May 3, 2016, between the Company and the Purchasers, relating to the payment of certain fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as of the date hereof.

 

Governmental Authority ” means, with respect to a particular Person, any state, county, city and political subdivision of the United States in which such Person or such Person’s Property is located or which exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person’s Property, and any court, agency, department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality of any of them that exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person’s Property.  Unless otherwise specified, all references to Governmental Authority herein with respect to the Company shall mean a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Properties.

 

Governmental Licenses ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.18 .

 

Grant Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04 .

 

Hazardous Materials ” means any and all substances regulated by or as to which liability might arise under any applicable Environmental Law including any: (a) chemical, product, material, substance or waste defined as “hazardous substance”, “hazardous material”, “hazardous waste”, “restricted hazardous waste”, “extremely hazardous waste”, “solid waste”, “toxic waste”, “extremely hazardous substance”, “toxic substance”, “toxic pollutant”, “contaminant”, “pollutant” or words of similar meaning or import pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law; (b) petroleum hydrocarbons, petrochemical or petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas and crude oil or any components, fractions or derivatives thereof; and (c) asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, toxic mold, infectious or medical wastes or radon gas.

 

Indemnified Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04 .

 

Indemnifying Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.04 .

 

Indenture ” means that certain Indenture dated as of the Closing Date relating to the Purchased Securities.

 

Intellectual Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.15 .

 

4



 

Law ” means any applicable federal, state or local order, writ, injunction, judgment, settlement, award, decree, statute, law (including common law), rule or regulation.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” means any material and adverse effect on the assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), stockholders’ equity, business, properties, results of operations or prospects of the Company, management or affairs of the Company or on the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture, taken as a whole; provided, however , that any such material and adverse effect resulting or arising from or relating to any change, development, occurrence or event generally affecting the businesses or industries in which the Company operates shall not be considered when determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur (except if such change, development, occurrence or event disproportionately and adversely impacts the assets, liabilities, condition, business, results of operations or prospects, management or affairs or performance of the Company, taken as a whole, compared to that or those, as applicable, of other participants in the industry in which the Company operates).

 

NYSE MKT ” means the NYSE MKT LLC.

 

Person ” means any individual, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, governmental authority or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Placement Agents ” means, collectively, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

 

Property ” or “ Properties ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible (including intellectual property rights).

 

Purchase Agreement ” means that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated May 2, 2016, among the Company, as purchaser, and Noble Energy, Inc., NBL Energy Royalties, Inc., and Noble Energy Wyco, LLC, as sellers.

 

Purchased Securities ” means Senior Notes issued at the Closing in an aggregate principal amount of Eighty Million Dollars ($80,000,000).

 

Purchasers ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Purchaser Related Parties ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01 .

 

Representatives ” means, with respect to a specified Person, the officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, counsel, accountants, investment bankers, and other representatives of such Person and, when used with respect to each  Purchaser, also includes each Purchaser’s direct and indirect stockholders, partners, members, subsidiaries, parent companies and other Affiliates.

 

Sanctions ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.26 .

 

5



 

Sanctioned Country ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.26 .

 

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Securities Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01 .

 

Senior Notes ” means the Company’s Nine Percent (9.0%) Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021, in substantially the form attached to the Indenture.

 

Specified Representations ” means the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.05, 3.06, 3.09, 3.10, 3.16, 3.24, 3.25, 3.26, 3.38 and 3.39 of this Agreement.

 

Specified Purchase Agreement Representations ” means the representations and warranties of the sellers under the Purchase Agreement that are material to the interests of the Purchasers, but only to the extent that the Company would have the right, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, to terminate its obligations under the Purchase Agreement or to decline to consummate the Acquisition as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties.

 

Stock Options ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04 .

 

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which: (a) such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is the sole partner or member or is a general partner, manager or managing member; (b) at least a majority of the outstanding equity interest having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body of such corporation or other entity (irrespective of whether or not at the time any equity interest of any other class or classes of such corporation or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of its other Subsidiaries (or a combination thereof); or (c) any corporation or other entity as to which such Person consolidates for accounting purposes.

 

Termination Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01(a) .

 

Transaction Documents ” means collectively, this Agreement, the Indenture and the Senior Notes.

 

ARTICLE II
AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE

 

Section 2.01                              Sale and Purchase .  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser hereby agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, Purchased Securities equal to such Purchaser’s Commitment Amount.  Each Purchaser agrees to pay the Company, for such Purchaser’s Purchased Securities, an amount equal to (a) such Purchaser’s

 

6



 

Commitment Amount, less (b) such Purchaser’s Commitment Fee (the “ Securities Purchase Price ”).

 

Section 2.02                              Closing .  Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Securities hereunder (the “ Closing ”) shall take place on the date of the first closing of the Acquisition pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (the “ Closing Date ”).  The Closing under this Agreement shall take place at the offices of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, 1550 17 th  St., Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80202. The parties to this Agreement agree that the Closing may occur via delivery of electronic copies of the Transaction Documents and the closing deliverables contemplated hereby and thereby. Unless otherwise provided herein, all proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and delivered by all parties to this Agreement at the Closing will be deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously, and no proceedings will be deemed to have been taken nor documents executed or delivered until all have been taken.  The parties acknowledge that the Closing hereunder shall occur concurrently with the first closing of the Acquisition pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

Section 2.03                              Company Closing Deliverables .  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at or prior to the Closing, the Company shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to each Purchaser each of the following:

 

(a)                                  the Senior Notes to be purchased by such Purchaser in a form and in the name, and delivered as such Purchaser may request at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date, free and clear of any liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and restrictions other than transfer restrictions under this Agreement or applicable federal and state securities laws;

 

(b)                                  a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company dated as of the Closing Date, certifying as to and attaching: (i) a true, correct and complete and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date copy of the Articles of Incorporation, as filed with the Colorado Secretary of State, (ii) a true, correct and complete and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date copy of the Bylaws, (iii) true, correct and complete, and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date, resolutions of the Board of Directors authorizing and approving the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance of the Purchased Securities to each Purchaser, and (iv) the incumbency of the officers of the Company authorized to execute the Transaction Documents;

 

(c)                                   a certificate issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado evidencing the good standing of the Company as of the Closing Date;

 

(d)                                  an Officer’s Certificate substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B ;

 

(e)                                   a Cross Receipt with respect to such Purchaser’s Senior Notes, which shall have been duly executed by the Company;

 

7



 

(f)                                    an opinion addressed to the Purchasers from Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, legal counsel to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C ;

 

(g)                                   evidence of insurance (without endorsements in favor of Purchasers), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers; and

 

(h)                                  a fully executed copy of the Purchase Agreement, including all exhibits and schedules thereto, and any material agreements or other documents being delivered pursuant to the Purchase Agreement in connection with the closing of the Acquisition.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that the other conditions to the Company’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been fulfilled or waived pursuant to Section 7.02 , the Company hereby agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered, and not to unreasonably withhold or cause to be withheld or to delay or cause to be delayed the delivery of, each of the items contemplated by this Section 2.03 .

 

If at the Closing the Company fails to deliver the Senior Notes to the Purchasers as required by clause (a) above or any of the other deliverables under Section 2.03 or any conditions precedent pursuant to Section 7.01 shall not have been fulfilled to the Purchasers’ reasonable satisfaction (or in such Purchaser’s sole discretion, waived), then the Purchasers shall, at their election, be relieved of all further obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any rights the Purchaser may have by reason of such failure or nonfulfillment.

 

Section 2.04                              Purchaser Closing Deliverables .  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at or prior to the Closing, each Purchaser shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) to the Company each of the following:

 

(a)                                  payment of the applicable Securities Purchase Price by such Purchaser by wire transfer of immediately available funds on the Closing Date to an account designated by the Company in the applicable funding notice;

 

(b)                                  a Cross Receipt which shall have been duly executed by such Purchaser; and

 

(c)                                   a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-9 (or, in the case of a Purchaser that is a non-U.S. Person, a duly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8IMY or W-8EXP, as applicable).

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in the event that the other conditions to a Purchaser’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been fulfilled or waived pursuant to Section 7.01 , such Purchaser hereby agrees to deliver or cause to be delivered, and not to unreasonably withhold or cause to be withheld or to delay or cause to be delayed the delivery of, each of the items contemplated by this Section 2.04 .

 

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Section 2.05                              Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights .  The obligations of each Purchaser under any Transaction Document are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The failure or waiver of performance by any Purchaser does not excuse performance by any other Purchaser.

 

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Purchasers, on and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

 

Section 3.01                              Organization and Good Standing .  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado and has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its Properties and to conduct its business as described in the Company SEC Documents and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, except for each jurisdiction where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than its Subsidiaries, and the Company has no Subsidiaries other than wholly owned Subsidiaries, none of which conducts material operations and none of which owns or controls assets in the aggregate of more than $15 million.

 

Section 3.02                              Due Authorization; Valid Execution and Delivery; Enforceability .  The Company has full corporate right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each other Transaction Document and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder, and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and each other Transaction Document and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby has been duly and validly taken.  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.  When duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto in accordance with their terms, each of the Transaction Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity.

 

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Section 3.03                              Capitalization .  The authorized capital stock of the Company is as set forth in the Company SEC Documents.  As of June 10, 2016, (i) 200,479,818 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, (ii) no shares of preferred stock of the Company were issued and outstanding, and (iii) 9,830,299 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance under the stock-based compensation plans of the Company (the “ Company Stock Plans ”).  The shares of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company were issued in violation of preemptive or similar rights of any security holder of the Company granted under the Articles of Incorporation, the Colorado Business Corporation Act or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound. The capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description contained in the Company SEC Documents, and such description conforms in all material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same. The description of the Company Stock Plans and the awards granted thereunder contained in the Company SEC Documents accurately and fairly present in all material respects the information required to be shown with respect to such plans and awards.

 

Section 3.04                              Stock Options .  With respect to the stock options (the “ Stock Options ”) granted pursuant to the Company Stock Plans, (i) each Stock Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code so qualifies, (ii) each grant of a Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “ Grant Date ”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the Board of Directors (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans, the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including the rules of the NYSE MKT and any other exchange on which Company securities are traded in each case in all material respects, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in all material respects in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company and disclosed in the Company’s filings with the SEC in accordance with the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws.  Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents or made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices under the Company Stock Plans, there are no outstanding (i) securities or obligations of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for any equity interests of the Company, (ii) warrants, rights or options to subscribe for or purchase from the Company any equity interests or any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations, or (iii) obligations of the Company to issue any equity interests, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or obligations, or any such warrants, rights or options.

 

Section 3.05                              The Purchased Securities .  The Purchased Securities to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued.

 

Section 3.06                              Company SEC Documents .  The Company has filed or furnished with the SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits) required

 

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to be filed or furnished by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since August 31, 2014 (all such documents collectively, the “ Company SEC Documents ”).  The Company SEC Documents, including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (the “ Company Financial Statements ”), at the time filed or furnished (except to the extent corrected by a subsequently filed Company SEC Document filed prior to the date of this Agreement) (i) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (ii) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be, (iii) complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, (iv) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), (v) insofar as such Company SEC Documents summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, are accurate and fair summaries of such legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings and present the information required to be shown in all material respects, and (vi) fairly present (subject in the case of unaudited statements to normal, recurring and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the business of the Company as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.  The pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included in the Company SEC Documents have been prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information therein provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions or events described therein and are set forth in the Company SEC Documents, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and the pro forma columns therein reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the corresponding historical financial statement amounts, in each case in all material respects.  The statements in the Company SEC Documents regarding the Company’s change in its fiscal and tax year-end to December 31 from August 31 are true and correct in all material respects.

 

Section 3.07                              No Material Change .  Since December 31, 2015, and except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Company SEC Documents, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than the issuance or reacquisition of shares of Common Stock in the ordinary course of business pursuant to Company Stock Plans or awards thereunder), short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company (other than borrowings or repayments under the Existing Credit Agreement in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice), or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock (other than dividends or distributions deemed to occur upon the exercise or exchange of Stock Options or other convertible securities of such capital stock described in the Company SEC Documents or which represent a portion of the exercise or exchange price thereof or made in lieu of withholding taxes in connection with any such exercise or exchange), (ii) no event has occurred that has had or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is material to the Company

 

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and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that is either from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any Governmental Authority.

 

Section 3.08                              No Violation or Default .  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or bylaws or similar organizational documents, (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, or (iii) in violation of any Law, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.09                              No Conflicts .  The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Purchased Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any Property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the Property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any Law, except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.10                              No Consents Required .  No consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration or qualification of or with any Governmental Authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, the issuance and sale of the Purchased Securities, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, licenses, registrations or qualifications as have been obtained or may be required under applicable state securities laws in connection with the offering and sale of the Purchased Securities.

 

Section 3.11                              Registration Rights .  Except as provided in this Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any Person granting such Person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such Person or to require the Company to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to a Registration

 

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Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act.

 

Section 3.12                              Legal Proceedings .  There are no pending actions, suits, proceedings, inquiries or investigations before or brought by any Governmental Authority, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its Properties or that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.13                              Independent Accountants .  EKS&H LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Company, certain financial statements of properties acquired by the Company from K.P. Kaufman Company, Inc. and certain financial statements of properties acquired by the Company from Bayswater Exploration & Production, LLC, Bayswater Blenheim Holdings, LLC and Bayswater Blenheim Holdings II, LLC, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company, its Subsidiaries and the sellers of such assets within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.

 

Section 3.14                              Title to Real and Personal Property .  Except as otherwise set forth in the Company SEC Documents or such as in the aggregate does not now cause or will in the future cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company has title to its respective Properties as follows: (i) with respect to oil and gas properties underlying the Company’s estimates of its net proved oil and natural gas reserves contained in the Company SEC Documents, such title is legal, good and defensible title in conformity with customary industry standards, free and clear of all liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and restrictions, except for liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and restrictions under operating agreements, unitization and pooling agreements, production sales contracts, farmout agreements and other oil and gas exploration participation and production agreements, in each case that secure payment of amounts not yet due and payable or other unmatured obligations and are of a scope and nature customary for the oil and gas industry or arise in connection with drilling and production operations, and (ii) with respect to real and personal property other than that appurtenant to oil and gas interests, such title is free and clear of all material liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and restrictions, except, in the case of clauses (i) or (ii), for any such liens, security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, mortgages and restrictions granted pursuant to the Company’s Existing Credit Agreement or related security instrument. No real property owned, leased, licensed, or used by the Company lies in an area that is, or to the knowledge of the Company will be, subject to restrictions that would prohibit the continued effective ownership, leasing, licensing, exploration, development or production or use of such real property in the business of the Company as presently conducted or as the Company SEC Documents indicates the Company contemplates conducting, except as may be properly described in the Company SEC Documents or such as in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.15                              Title to Intellectual Property .  The Company owns or possesses, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or

 

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other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) necessary to carry on the business as now operated by it, except where the failure to own or possess, or have the ability to acquire on reasonable terms, such Intellectual Property would not, singularly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any notice, and is not otherwise aware, of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances that would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Company therein, and which infringement or conflict, if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.16                              Investment Company Act .  The Company is not and, immediately after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Purchased Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof to consummate the Acquisition as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement will not be, required to register as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

 

Section 3.17                              Taxes .  The Company has filed on a timely basis all foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested extensions thereof (except in any case in which the failure to so file would not result in a Material Adverse Effect) and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against it to the extent due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith or would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.18                              Licenses and Permits .  The Company possesses such permits, licenses, certificates, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “ Governmental Licenses ”) issued by appropriate Governmental Authorities necessary for the ownership of its respective assets and to conduct the business as now operated by it, except where the failure to have obtained the same would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not singly or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity or the failure to be in full force and effect would not singly or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company has not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses that, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 3.19                              No Labor Disputes .  No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal operators, contractors, suppliers or customers, except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not aware that any key employee or significant group of employees of the Company plans to terminate employment with the Company.

 

Section 3.20                              Compliance with and Liability under Environmental Laws .  There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or

 

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treatment of Hazardous Materials by the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its predecessors in interest), at, upon, to, through or from any of the Property now or previously owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or predecessors in interest, except that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto any Property now or previously owned, leased or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries into the environment surrounding such Property of any Hazardous Materials due to or caused by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any of its predecessors in interest), except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release that would not, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, result in a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been named as a “potentially responsible party” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any Environmental Law, owns, leases or operates any real property contaminated with any Hazardous Material, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to Environmental Laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a liability or claim described in the preceding clauses.

 

Section 3.21                              Compliance with ERISA .  Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: the minimum funding standard under Section 302 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (“ ERISA ”), have been satisfied by each “pension plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) that has been established or maintained by the Company, and the trust forming part of each such plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401 of the Code is so qualified; the Company has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under Section 515 of ERISA; the Company does not maintain and is not required to contribute to a “welfare plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), that provides retiree or other post-employment welfare benefits or insurance coverage (other than “continuation coverage” (as defined in Section 602 of ERISA)); each pension plan and welfare plan established or maintained by the Company is in compliance with the currently applicable provisions of ERISA, except where the failure to comply would not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company has not incurred or could not reasonably be expected to incur any withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA, any liability under Sections 4062, 4063 or 4064 of ERISA, or any other liability under Title IV of ERISA.

 

Section 3.22                              Internal Controls .  The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that (i) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and its principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions; (ii) have been evaluated for effectiveness as of a date within 90 days prior to the earlier of the date that the Company filed its most recent annual or quarterly report with the SEC; and (iii) are effective in all material respects to perform the

 

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functions for which they were established. The Company also maintains a system of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and has been designed by, or under the supervision of, its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.  The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included in the Company SEC Documents fairly presents in all material respects the information called for and are prepared in all material respects in accordance with the SEC’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto. There has been no (i) significant deficiency or material weakness in the Company’s design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting required to be disclosed that was not so disclosed or (ii) fraud, whether or not material, that involves executive officers or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that has occurred during its most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Section 3.23                              Insurance .  Except as otherwise set forth in the Company SEC Documents, the Company and its Properties are insured by insurers or are self-insured against such losses and risks and in such amounts as the Company believes are adequate for the conduct of its business and as the Company believes are customary for the business in which it is engaged in all material respects; all such policies of insurance insuring the Company and its Properties are in full force and effect, and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business. Except as otherwise set forth in the Company SEC Documents, there are no material claims by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause.

 

Section 3.24                              No Unlawful Payments .  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or (iv) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.  The Company has instituted, maintained and enforced, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures

 

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designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable antibribery and anticorruption laws.

 

Section 3.25                              Compliance with Anti-Money Laundering Laws.   The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

Section 3.26                              No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws .  Neither the Company nor any of its directors or officers, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their employees, agents, affiliates or other persons associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), nor is the Company or any of its Subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria (each, a “ Sanctioned Country ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the sale of the Purchased Securities hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity in order (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) to take any other action that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

Section 3.27                              Certain Fees . No fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to brokers, finders, or investment bankers with respect to the sale of any of the Purchased Securities or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which any Purchaser shall have any liability.

 

Section 3.28                              Forward-Looking Statements .  No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Company SEC Documents has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

Section 3.29                              Statistical Market Data .  Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data

 

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included in the Company SEC Documents is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

 

Section 3.30                              Independent Petroleum Engineers .  Ryder Scott Company, L.P., which has certified the reserve information of the Company, has represented to the Company that it is, and to the knowledge of the Company is, an independent petroleum engineering firm in accordance with guidelines established by the SEC.

 

Section 3.31                              Reserve Report Data .  The oil and gas reserve estimates of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents have been prepared by independent reserve engineers in accordance with SEC guidelines applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, and the Company has no reason to believe that such estimates do not fairly reflect the oil and gas reserves of the Company as of the dates indicated. Other than production of the reserves in the ordinary course of business, intervening product price fluctuations and as described in the Company SEC Documents, the Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances that would have a Material Adverse Effect on the reserves or the present value of future net cash flows therefrom as described in the Company SEC Documents.

 

Section 3.32                              Sarbanes Oxley Act .  The Company is in compliance, in all material respects, with all provisions now applicable to it of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof.

 

Section 3.33                              Form S-3 Eligibility .  The Company is eligible to use Form S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act for secondary offerings.

 

Section 3.34                              Private Placement .  Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV, the offer and sale of the Purchased Securities to the Purchasers as contemplated herein is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

Section 3.35                              No General Solicitation; No Advertising .  The Company has not solicited offers for, or offered or sold, and will not solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Purchased Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D under the Securities Act or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Section 3.36                              No Integration .  Neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates have, directly or indirectly through any agent, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of, any “security” (as defined in the Securities Act) that is or will be integrated with the sale of the Purchased Securities in a manner that would require registration under the Securities Act.

 

Section 3.37                              Purchase Agreement .  All representations and warranties of the Company in the Purchase Agreement are true and correct in all material respects.  The Company has made available to each Purchaser true and correct copies of the Purchase Agreement and all agreements ancillary thereto.  The Company is not, after reasonable inquiry, aware of any failure

 

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of the Specified Purchase Agreement Representations to be true and correct, or any failure by any party thereto to comply with all covenants therein applicable to it, in each case that would be material to the Company following the closing of the Acquisition.

 

Section 3.38                              Solvency .  After giving effect to the first closing of the Acquisition and to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of the Company will exceed the aggregate Debt of the Company as the Debt becomes absolute and matures, (b) the Company has not incurred and does not intend to incur, and does not believe that it will incur, Debt beyond its ability to pay such Debt (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by the Company and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Debt becomes absolute and matures and (c) the Company will not have (and has no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.

 

Section 3.39                              Compliance with Regulations T, U and X .  The Company is not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors).  No part of the proceeds of the sale of the Purchased Securities will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

 

Section 3.40                              Exclusivity of Representations .  The representations and warranties made by the Company herein are the exclusive representations and warranties made by the Company.  The Company hereby disclaims any other express or implied representations or warranties.

 

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EACH PURCHASER

 

Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the Company with respect to itself, on and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

 

Section 4.01                              Existence .  Such Purchaser (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization and (ii) has all requisite power and authority to own its Properties and carry on its business as currently conducted.

 

Section 4.02                              Authorization; Enforceability .  Such Purchaser has all necessary legal power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby. The execution, delivery and performance by such Purchaser of each of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, have been duly authorized by all legal action on its part and, when duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto in accordance with their terms, each of the Transaction Documents to which such

 

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Purchaser is a party, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity.

 

Section 4.03                              Certain Fees .  No fees or commissions are or will be payable by such Purchaser to brokers, finders or investment bankers with respect to the purchase of any of the Purchased Securities or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.  Such Purchaser agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against any and all claims, demands or liabilities for broker’s, finder’s, placement or other similar fees or commissions incurred by such Purchaser or alleged to have been incurred by such Purchaser in connection with the purchase of the Purchased Securities or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

Section 4.04                              Unregistered Securities .

 

(a)                                  Accredited Investor Status; Sophisticated Purchaser .  Such Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and is able to bear the risk of its investment in the Purchased Securities and, at the present time would be able to afford a complete loss of such investments.  Such Purchaser has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the purchase of the Purchased Securities.  Such Purchaser is a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A of the Securities Act.

 

(b)                                  Information .  Such Purchaser has been furnished with and has had access to such financial and other information as it deems necessary to make its decision to purchase the Purchased Securities.  Such Purchaser has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and received answers thereto, as it deemed necessary in connection with the decision to purchase the Purchased Securities.  Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted at any time by such Purchaser shall modify, amend or affect such Purchaser’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in Article III .  Such Purchaser has conducted its own investigation of the Company and the terms of the Purchased Securities and has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as it has considered necessary to make an investment decision with respect to its investment in the Purchased Securities.  Such Purchaser has not relied on the advice of or representations by the Placement Agents or any of the Placement Agents’ Affiliates with respect to its decision to invest in the Purchased Securities.

 

(c)                                   Purchaser Representation .  Such Purchaser is purchasing the Purchased Securities for its own account, solely for the purpose of investment and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution of the Purchased Securities in a manner that would violate the Securities Act; provided, however, that by making such representations herein, such Purchaser does not agree to hold any of the Senior Notes for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of its Senior Notes at any time in accordance with or pursuant to a registration statement or an exemption under the Securities Act. Such Purchaser has no present agreement, undertaking, arrangement, obligation or commitment providing for the disposition of the Purchased Securities.  Such Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the

 

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Purchased Securities it is purchasing are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities Laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering. Such Purchaser has been advised and understands and acknowledges that the Purchased Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act or under the “blue sky” Laws of any jurisdiction and may be resold only (i) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including the exemption provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if available), (ii) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (iii) to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries.

 

(d)                                  General Solicitation . Purchaser is not purchasing the Purchased Securities as a result of any advertisement, article, notice or other communication regarding the Purchased Securities published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or presented at any seminar or any other general solicitation or general advertisement.

 

(e)                                   Legends .  Such Purchaser understands and acknowledges that, until such time as the Purchased Securities have been registered pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act, or the Purchased Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act without any restriction as to the number of securities as of a particular date that can then be immediately sold, the Purchased Securities will bear a restrictive legend as set forth in the Indenture.

 

(f)                                    Reliance Upon Purchaser’s Representations and Warranties .  Such Purchaser understands and acknowledges that the Purchased Securities are being offered and sold in reliance on a transactional exemption from the registration requirements of federal and state securities Laws, and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties and acknowledgements of such Purchaser set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 4.05                              Exclusivity of Representations .  The representations and warranties made by such Purchaser in this Agreement are the exclusive representations and warranties made by such Purchaser. Such Purchaser hereby disclaims any other express or implied representations or warranties.

 

Section 4.06                              Placement Agents’ Reliance .  Such Purchaser agrees that, notwithstanding Section 6.04(a) , the Placement Agents may rely upon the representations and warranties made by such Purchaser to the Company in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE V
COVENANTS

 

Section 5.01                              Taking of Necessary Action .  Each of the parties hereto shall use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to take or cause to be taken all action and promptly to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company and each Purchaser will use its commercially reasonable efforts to make all filings and obtain all consents of Governmental Authorities that

 

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may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the relevant parties, advisable for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

Section 5.02                              Non-Public Information . On or before the fourth Business Day following the date hereof, the Company shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the SEC describing the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and including as an exhibit to such Current Report on Form 8-K each of the Transaction Documents, in the form required by the Exchange Act.

 

Section 5.03                              Registration Rights .  If the Company grants registration rights to a holder of the Company’s debt securities while any Senior Notes remain outstanding, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to register the Purchased Securities under the Securities Act and to have the registration statement with respect to the Purchased Securities declared or made automatically effective within 3 months from the date the Company granted registration rights to such other holder; provided that from and after the twelve month anniversary of the Closing Date, the Company shall have no such obligation if (i) the Purchased Securities are freely tradable by non-Affiliates under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and (ii) to the extent requested by holders of the Purchased Securities, (A) the restrictive legend has been or is removed from the Purchased Securities (other than those Purchased Securities held by Affiliates), and (B) the Purchased Securities are or become not associated with a restricted CUSIP (other than those Purchased Securities held by Affiliates).  The registration of the Purchased Securities, if required, may be effected through an exchange on Form S-4 or a resale registration on Form S-3.

 

Section 5.04                              Reimbursement of Expenses .  The Company shall pay the Expense Reimbursement Amount to the Purchasers on the earlier to occur of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the Termination Date. In the event that the Company shall request the Purchasers to execute or agree to any future amendment or similar modification to this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or in the event that the Purchasers are enforcing their rights and remedies under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, the Company agrees to reimburse the reasonable and documented expenses of the Purchasers in connection therewith (including any reasonable expenses of counsel to the Purchasers, but it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that such reimbursement shall not cover any transfer, assignments or other similar matters by the Commitment Lenders in respect of the Senior Notes).

 

Section 5.05                              DTC Delivery of Notes; Credit Rating .  The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to deliver the Senior Notes at Closing via the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.  The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain ratings for the Senior Notes by S&P and Moody’s (each as defined in the Indenture) on or before December 31, 2016 and, once obtained, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such ratings.

 

ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 6.01                              Interpretation .  Article, Section, Exhibit, and Schedule references in this Agreement are references to the corresponding Article, Section, Exhibit, and Schedule to this

 

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Agreement, unless otherwise specified.  All Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement are hereby incorporated and made a part hereof as if set forth in full herein and are an integral part of this Agreement.  All references to instruments, documents, Contracts and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, Contracts and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified.  The word “including” shall mean “including, without limitation,” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it.  Whenever the Company has an obligation under this Agreement, the expense of complying with that obligation shall be an expense of the Company unless otherwise specified.  Any reference in this Agreement to “$” shall mean U.S. dollars.  If any provision in this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, not binding or unenforceable, (a) such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, not binding or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and (b) the parties to this Agreement shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of such parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.  When calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded.  If the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question shall end on the next succeeding Business Day.  Any words imparting the singular number only shall include the plural and vice versa.  The words such as “herein”, “hereinafter”, “hereof” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires.  The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections, Exhibits, and Schedules and other subdivisions and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect or be utilized in construing or interpreting this Agreement.

 

Section 6.02                              Survival of Provisions .  The covenants made in this Agreement shall survive the Closing and remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of acceptance of any of the Purchased Securities and payment therefor and repayment, conversion or repurchase thereof.  The agreements and obligations of the Company set forth in Article VIII shall survive the payment in full of all amounts due in respect of the Purchased Securities and the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.03                              No Waiver; Modifications in Writing .

 

(a)                                  Delay .  No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.  The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to a party at law or in equity or otherwise.

 

(b)                                  Specific Waiver .  Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment, waiver, consent, modification or termination of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless signed by each of the parties to this Agreement affected by such amendment, waiver, consent, modification or termination.  Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision

 

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of this Agreement, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement and any consent to any departure by any party from the terms of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given.  Except where notice is specifically required by this Agreement, no notice to or demand on any party in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.  Any investigation by or on behalf of any party shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein.

 

Section 6.04                              Binding Effect; Assignment .

 

(a)                                  Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company, each Purchaser and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

(b)                                  Assignment of Rights .  Each Purchaser’s rights and obligations hereunder may be transferred or assigned in whole or in part by each Purchaser to any Affiliate of each Purchaser or to any of its and its Affiliates’ limited partners and/or funds, entities and accounts managed, advised or sub-advised by it or by its Affiliates (collectively, “ Permitted Assignees ”) without the consent of the Company subject to such transferee making the representations and warranties set forth in Article IV .  Upon any such permitted transfer or assignment, references in this Agreement to such Purchaser (as they apply to the transferor or assignor, as the case may be) shall thereafter apply to such transferee or assignee of such Purchaser unless the context otherwise requires.  Without the written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, no portion of the rights and obligations of a Purchaser under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by such Purchaser or such a transferee of Purchased Securities to a Person that is not a Permitted Assignee.  No portion of the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned without the prior written consent of each Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Any assignment or transfer in violation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.04(b)  shall be void.

 

Section 6.05                                                Communications .  All notices and demands provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery, email, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, regular mail or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery to the following addresses:

 

(a)                                  If to the Purchaser, to the address listed for such Purchaser on Schedule 2.01 hereto.

 

(b)                                  If to the Company, to:

 

Synergy Resources Corporation

1625 Broadway, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Attention: General Counsel

 

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Email:             cosborn@syrginfo.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP

1550 17 th  Street, Suite 500

Denver, Colorado 80202

Attention:            John Elofson

Email:                               john.elofson@dgslaw.com

 

or to such other address as the Company or the relevant Purchaser may designate in writing.  All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: (w) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (x) upon actual receipt if sent by email; (y) upon actual receipt if sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or regular mail, if mailed; and (z) upon actual receipt when delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

 

Section 6.06                              Entire Agreement .  This Agreement is intended by the parties to this Agreement as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of such parties in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or the other Transaction Documents with respect to the rights granted by the Company or any of its Affiliates or each Purchaser or any of their Affiliates set forth herein or therein.  This Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the other agreements and documents referred to herein or therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

Section 6.07                              Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .  This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement), will be construed in accordance with and governed by the Laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.  The parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in New York County and appellate courts thereof for the purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of, or relating to, this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, the use of proceeds of the Purchased Securities and the transactions contemplated hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents and irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such court.  The parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such dispute brought in such court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute.  Each of the parties to this Agreement agrees that a judgment in any such dispute may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

 

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Section 6.08                              Waiver of Jury Trial .  THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES TO CAUSE ITS AFFILIATES TO WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (a) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR (b) IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO IN RESPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE.  THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

Section 6.09                              Execution in Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement. An electronic signature shall be deemed to be an original signature.

 

ARTICLE VII
CLOSING CONDITIONS

 

Section 7.01                              Conditions to Each Purchaser’s Obligations at Closing .  The obligation of each Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions (any of which may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be waived in writing by such Purchaser, in whole or in part):

 

(a)                                  The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements, obligations, and conditions contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with by it on or before the Closing.

 

(b)                                  The Company shall have delivered to each Purchaser all Transaction Documents, certificates, instruments and other deliverable items required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.03 .

 

(c)                                   The Company shall have paid all fees and expenses due to the Purchasers under the Fee Letter, subject to the limitations provided therein.

 

(d)                                  No default or event of default under the Company’s Existing Credit Agreement shall exist, and any necessary amendments or consents relating to the Existing Credit Agreement to effect the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and this Agreement shall be in effect on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

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(e)                                   The Purchasers shall have received a true and correct fully-executed copy of the Purchase Agreement, including all exhibits and schedules thereto.  No provision of such agreement shall have been waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in any respect by the Company in a manner materially adverse to the Purchasers, without the approval of the Purchasers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), it being understood that any modification to the definition of Material Adverse Effect contained in the Purchase Agreement shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Purchasers. The first closing of the Acquisition shall be consummated concurrently with the Closing in accordance with applicable law and on the terms described in the Purchase Agreement without giving effect to any waiver, modification or consent thereunder that is materially adverse to the interests of the Purchasers, unless approved by the Purchasers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), it being understood that any modification to the definition of Material Adverse Effect contained in the Purchase Agreement shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the Purchasers, and each Purchaser shall be in its reasonable judgment satisfied that all conditions precedent under the Purchase Agreement have been satisfied.

 

(f)                                    (i) Since May 2, 2016, there shall not have occurred any event that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) and (ii) since December 31, 2015, there shall not have been any material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, condition (financial or otherwise), stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company (and its Subsidiaries, if any, taken as a whole).

 

(g)                                   No Governmental Authority (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, or deemed applicable any Law (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), or issued or granted any final and non-appealable Order (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), that is in effect and that has the effect of permanently enjoining, making illegal, or otherwise prohibiting or preventing the consummation of the Acquisition or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, no Governmental Authority shall have threatened in writing to enact, issue, promulgate, make applicable, or grant any such Law or Order, and all approvals of Governmental Authorities required under the Purchase Agreement to complete the initial closing of the Acquisition shall have been received.

 

(h)                                  The Company shall have represented to the Purchasers on the Closing Date that at 6 p.m. New York City time on the Closing Date, the Company shall have no indebtedness for borrowed money other than (i) up to $10 million of indebtedness for borrowed money under the Existing Credit Agreement and any other indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by a lien, and (ii) the Notes; and any existing liens relating to the assets to be acquired pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (other than liens arising under operating agreements or otherwise in the ordinary course of business and that do not relate to indebtedness for borrowed money) shall have been terminated or released.

 

(i)                                      The Company shall have represented to the Purchasers on the Closing Date that the borrowing base under the Existing Credit Agreement in effect immediately following closing of the Acquisition is at least $125 million.

 

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(j)            The Purchasers shall have received, at least five business days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the PATRIOT Act.

 

(k)           There shall be no default or event of default under this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents.

 

(l)            The Company shall have represented to the Purchasers on the Closing Date that it is in compliance with its obligations under clause D of the Commitment Letter.

 

(m)          (i) the Specified Representations shall be true and correct when made and as of the Closing Date (except that Specified Representations made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only); and (ii) the Specified Purchase Agreement Representations shall be true and correct when made and as of the Closing Date, in each case as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except that Specified Purchase Agreement Representations made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only).

 

Section 7.02          Conditions to the Company’s Obligations at Closing .  The obligation of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to any Purchaser is subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions (any of which may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, be waived in writing by the Company, in whole or in part, it being understood that if one or more of such conditions are not satisfied with respect to certain Purchaser(s), the Company may, but need not, waive such conditions with respect to other Purchaser(s)):

 

(a)           the representations and warranties of such Purchaser contained in Article IV of this Agreement shall be true and correct when made and as of the Closing Date (except that representations made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only);

 

(b)           such Purchaser shall have paid their applicable Securities Purchase Price in accordance with Section 2.04(a) ;

 

(c)           such Purchaser shall have delivered to the Company all Transaction Documents, certificates, instruments and other deliverable items required to be delivered pursuant to Section 2.04 ; and

 

(d)           no Governmental Authority (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, or deemed applicable any Law (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), or issued or granted any final and non-appealable Order (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), that is in effect and that has the effect of permanently enjoining, making illegal, or otherwise prohibiting or preventing the consummation of the Acquisition or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, no Governmental Authority shall have threatened in writing to enact, issue, promulgate, make applicable, or grant

 

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any such Law or Order, and all approvals of Governmental Authorities required under the Purchase Agreement to complete the initial closing of the Acquisition shall have been received.

 

ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.01          Indemnification by the Company .  The Company agrees to indemnify each Purchaser and its Representatives (collectively, “ Purchaser Related Parties ”) from costs, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all actions, suits, proceedings (including any investigations, litigation or inquiries), demands, and causes of action, and, in connection therewith, and promptly upon demand, pay or reimburse each of them for all costs, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and all other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such matter that may be incurred by them or asserted against or involve any of them as a result of, arising out of, or in any way related to the breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Company contained herein; provided that, that no Purchaser Related Party shall be entitled to recover special, consequential or punitive damages, except for any such special, consequential or punitive damages included in any third party claim in connection with which such Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification.

 

Section 8.02          Additional Limitations on Indemnification . The Company’s maximum aggregate liability under this Article VIII will be limited to the aggregate initial principal amount of the Senior Notes.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any damages otherwise indemnifiable under this Article VIII shall be reduced by the amount of insurance proceeds actually recovered by a Company Related Party in respect of such damages (net of costs of collection, deductibles and retro-premium adjustments). Damages shall be determined without duplication of recovery by reason of the state of facts giving rise to such damages constituting a breach of more than one representation, warranty, covenant or agreement.  Any claim for indemnification relating to a breach of a representation and warranty must be made prior to the earlier of the expiration of such representation and warranty or any survival period set forth in Section 6.02 .

 

Section 8.03          Indemnification Procedure .  Promptly after any Purchaser Related Party (hereinafter, the “ Indemnified Party ”) has received notice of any indemnifiable claim hereunder, or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by a third person, which the Indemnified Party believes in good faith is an indemnifiable claim under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall give the indemnitor hereunder (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) written notice of such claim or the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding, but failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. Such notice shall state the nature and the basis of such claim to the extent then known.  The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend and settle, at its own expense and by its own counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party, any such matter as long as the Indemnifying Party pursues the same diligently and in good faith. If the Indemnifying Party undertakes to defend or settle, it shall promptly notify the Indemnified

 

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Party of its intention to do so, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in all commercially reasonable respects in the defense thereof and the settlement thereof. Such cooperation shall include, but shall not be limited to, furnishing the Indemnifying Party with any books, records and other information reasonably requested by the Indemnifying Party and in the Indemnified Party’s possession or control.  Such cooperation of the Indemnified Party shall be at the cost of the Indemnifying Party.  After the Indemnifying Party has notified the Indemnified Party of its intention to undertake to defend or settle any such asserted liability, and for so long as the Indemnifying Party diligently pursues such defense, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any additional legal expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with any defense or settlement of such asserted liability; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall be entitled (i) at its expense, to participate in the defense of such asserted liability and the negotiations of the settlement thereof and (ii) if (A) the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense or employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party or (B) if the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and counsel to the Indemnified Party (including in house counsel) shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party or if the interests of the Indemnified Party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to select one firm of separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the Indemnifying Party as incurred.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither the Indemnifying Party nor the Indemnified Party shall settle any indemnified claim without the consent of the other (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete release from liability of, and does not include any admission of wrongdoing or malfeasance by such other party.  The remedies provided for in this Article VIII are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to a party at law or in equity or otherwise.

 

ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION

 

Section 9.01          Termination of the Agreement Prior to Closing .

 

(a)           All commitments and obligations of the Purchasers under this Agreement will terminate on the earliest of (i) 11:59 p.m. Denver, Colorado time on June 30, 2016 and (ii) the valid termination of the Purchase Agreement, unless in each case, the Closing Date has occurred, with such earliest date referred to as the “ Termination Date ”.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date by the mutual written consent of the Company and the Purchasers.

 

Section 9.02          Effect of Termination Prior to Closing .  In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.01 , this Agreement shall forthwith become void and there shall be no liability on the part of any party hereto as to which such termination has occurred;

 

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provided, however , that nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any willful and material breach of this Agreement.

 

[ Signature page follows. ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

 

COMPANY:

 

 

 

SYNERGY RESOURCES CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lynn A. Peterson

 

Name:

Lynn A. Peterson

 

Title:

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

PURCHASERS :

 

 

 

 

 

MTP ENERGY MASTER FUND LTD

 

By: MTP Energy Management LLC, its Investment Advisor

 

By: Magnetar Financial LLC, its Sole Member

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Turro

 

Name:

Michael Turro

 

Title:

Chief Compliance Office

 

 

 

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

By: GSO Capital Partners LP, as Sub-Adviser

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Marisa J. Beeney

 

Name:

Marisa J. Beeney

 

Title:

Authorized Person

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 



 

Schedule 2.01

Purchasers’ Commitments

 

Purchaser

 

Total Principal Amount
Purchased

 

 

 

 

 

MTP ENERGY MASTER FUND LTD

 

$

40,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

FS ENERGY AND POWER FUND

 

$

40,000,000

 

 

Purchaser Addresses

 

If to MTP Energy Master Fund Ltd:

 

MTP Energy Master Fund Ltd

1603 Orrington Ave., 13th Floor

Evanston, IL 60201

Attn: Chief Legal Officer

Email: MTP_Notices@magnetar.com

Phone: (847) 905-4400

 

If to FS Energy and Power Fund:

 

GSO Capital Partners LP

345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor,

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Valerie Kritsberg or Robert Horn

Email: Valerie.Kritsberg@gsocap.com or Robert.Horn@gsocap.com

CC: gsolegal@gsocap.com

 

with a copy to:

 

FS Energy and Power Fund

Franklin Square Capital Partners

201 Rouse Boulevard,

Philadelphia, PA 19112

 


Exhibit 16.1

 

June 14, 2016

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have read Item 4.01 of Form 8-K dated June 14, 2016 of Synergy Resources Corporation and are in agreement with the statements contained in the second, third and fourth paragraphs of such item.  We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.

 

 

 

EKS&H LLLP