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): February 15, 2018

 

ION Geophysical Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

1-12691
(Commission file number)

22-2286646
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

2105 CityWest Blvd, Suite 100

Houston, Texas 77042-2839

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

 

(281) 933-3339
 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01    Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On February 16, 2018, I ON Geophysical Corporation (the “Company”) entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as representative of the underwriters named therein (the “Underwriters”), relating to an underwritten public offering of 1,820,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the “Common Stock”), and warrants to purchase 1,820,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Warrants”). Each share of Common Stock is being sold together with a warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, at a price to the public of $27.50 per share and related warrant.  The Warrants will be exercisable commencing on the issuance date at an exercise price equal to $33.60 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustments provided under the terms of the Warrants. The Warrants expire on March 21, 2019.

 

The Underwriting Agreement includes customary representations, warranties and covenants by the Company and customary conditions to closing, obligations of the parties and termination provisions. Additionally, under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or to contribute to payments the Underwriters may be required to make in respect of these liabilities.

 

The Shares and Warrants to be sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement were registered under the Securities Act, pursuant to registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-213769). A prospectus supplement relating to the offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The closing of the offering is expected to take place on or about February 21, 2018, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

 

Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the Company and its directors and officers have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Company’s securities held by them for a period ending 90 days after the date of the final prospectus supplement relating to the Offering without first obtaining the written consent of the Representative.

 

A copy of the Underwriting Agreement and Form of Warrant is attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and Exhibit 10.1, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the material terms of the Underwriting Agreement and Form of Warrant and do not purport to be complete and are qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits.

 

A copy of the legal opinion and consent of Locke Lord LLP relating to the Shares is attached hereto as Exhibit 5.1.

 

Item 7.01     Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

The Company issued a press release on February 15, 2018 announcing the launch of the public offering and a press release on February 16, 2018 announcing the pricing of the public offering. The press releases are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the information in this Item 7.01 disclosure, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 and the information set forth therein, is deemed to have been furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

1.1

 

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2018, by and between ION Geophysical Corporation and the Underwriters

5.1

 

Opinion of Locke Lord LLP regarding the legality of the Common Stock

10.1

 

Form of Warrant

23.1

 

Consent of Locke Lord LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)

99.1

 

Press release dated February 15, 2018

99.2

 

Press release dated February 16, 2018

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: February 16, 2018

 

 

 

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Steven Bate

 

 

Steven Bate

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 1.1

 

1,820,000 Shares of Common Stock

 

Warrants to Purchase 1,820,000 Shares of Common Stock

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

February 16, 2018

 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.,

as Representative of the several

Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto

c/o Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

85 Broad Street

New York, New York 10004

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

ION Geophysical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, to sell to you and the other underwriters named on Schedule I to this Agreement (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom you are acting as Representative (the “ Representative ”), an aggregate of (i) 1,820,000 shares (the “ Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “ Common Stock ”) and (ii) warrants to purchase 1,820,000 shares of Common Stock (the “ Warrants ”). The respective amounts of the Securities to be purchased by each of the several Underwriters are set forth opposite their names on Schedule I hereto.  The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is hereinafter referred to as the “ Warrant Shares .”  The Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are collectively called the “ Securities .”

 

The Shares and the Warrants shall be sold together as a fixed combination, each consisting of one share of Common Stock and one Warrant, each Warrant being exercisable to purchase one share of Common Stock. The Shares and Warrants shall be immediately separable and transferable upon issuance. The terms of the Warrants are set forth in the form of Warrant attached hereto as Exhibit E .

 

The Company also proposes to issue to the Representative in its individual capacity, the warrants referred to in Section 1(b) to purchase up to an aggregate of 18,200 shares of Common Stock.

 

The Company has prepared and filed in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and the published rules and regulations thereunder (the “ Rules ”) adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-213769), including a related

 



 

prospectus dated November 23, 2016 (the “ Base Prospectus ”) relating to common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants to purchase common stock, subscription rights to purchase common stock, purchase contracts or units of the Company that may be sold from time to time by the Company in accordance with Rule 415 of the Securities Act, and such amendments thereof as may have been required to the date of this Agreement. Copies of such Registration Statement (including all amendments thereof and all documents deemed incorporated by reference therein) and of the related Base Prospectus have heretofore been delivered by the Company or are otherwise available to you.

 

The term “ Registration Statement ” as used in this Agreement means the registration statement, including all exhibits, financial schedules and all documents and information deemed to be part of the Registration Statement by incorporation by reference or otherwise, as amended from time to time, including the information (if any) contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and deemed to be part thereof at the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A of the Rules.

 

If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Rules (the “ 462(b) Registration Statement ”), then any reference herein to the Registration Statement shall also be deemed to include such 462(b) Registration Statement.  The term “ Preliminary Prospectus ” means the Base Prospectus, together with any preliminary prospectus supplement used or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules, in the form provided to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Securities.  The term “Prospectus” means the Base Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments or further supplements to such prospectus, and including, without limitation, the final prospectus supplement, filed pursuant to and within the time limits described in Rule 424(b) with the Commission in connection with the proposed sale of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement through the date of such Prospectus Supplement. The term “ Effective Date ” shall mean each date that the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective. Unless otherwise stated herein, any reference herein to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) and the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein, including pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, which were filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), on or before the date hereof or are so filed hereafter. Any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any such document filed or to be filed under the Exchange Act after the date of the Registration Statement, any such Preliminary Prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, and deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.

 

The Company understands that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities, as set forth in and pursuant to the Statutory Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) and the Prospectus, as soon after the Effective Date and the date of this Agreement as the Representative deems advisable.  The Company hereby confirms that the Underwriters and dealers have been authorized to distribute or cause to be distributed each Preliminary Prospectus,

 

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and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) and are authorized to distribute the Prospectus (as from time to time amended or supplemented if the Company furnishes amendments or supplements thereto to the Underwriters).

 

1.     Sale, Purchase, Delivery and Payment for the Securities .  On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements contained in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this Agreement:

 

(a)              The Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of $26.1250 per share of Common Stock and Related Warrant (the “ Initial Price ”), the number of Shares and Warrants set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter under the column “Number of Shares and Warrants to be Purchased from the Company” on Schedule I to this Agreement, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 8 hereof.

 

(b)              Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, the Shares and the Warrants shall be made at the offices of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the third business day following the date of this Agreement or at such time on such other date, not later than ten (10) business days after the date of this Agreement, as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative (such time and date of delivery and payment is called the “ Closing Date ”).

 

(c)               On the Closing Date, the Company agrees to issue to Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., for its own account and not as representative of the several Underwriters, warrants (the “ Representative’s Warrants ”) to purchase an aggregate of 18,200 shares of Common Stock (“ Representative’s Warrant Shares ”) at an exercise price equal to $33.60 per share of Common Stock as set forth opposite the name of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. under the column “Number of Representative’s Warrants to Be Delivered” on Schedule I of this Agreement. The Representative’s Warrants shall be substantially identical to the form of Warrant filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and attached hereto as Exhibit E .

 

(d)               Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds or by certified or official bank check or checks payable in New York Clearing House (same day) funds drawn to the order of the Company, against delivery of the respective certificates to the Representative for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities to be purchased by them.

 

(e)               Certificates evidencing the Shares shall be registered in such names and shall be in such denominations as the Representative shall request at least two full business days before the Closing Date, and shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representative through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) for the account of such Underwriter.  The Company will cause the certificates representing the Shares and the Warrants to be made available for checking and packaging, at such place as is designated by the Representative, on the full business day before the Closing Date.

 

2.     Representations and Warranties of the Company .  The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

 

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(a)           The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, including the transaction requirements set forth in General Instruction I.B.1 of such form. The Company is not, and has not been for at least 12 calendar months prior to the filing of the Registration Statement, a shell company. The Company filed with the Commission the Registration Statement on such Form, including a Base Prospectus, for registration under the Securities Act of the offering and sale of the Securities, and the Company has prepared and used a Preliminary Prospectus in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities.  When the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto was or is declared effective and as of the date of the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement, it (i) complied or will comply, in all material respects, with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and (ii) did not or will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. When any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as part of the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules) and when any amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission, such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus as amended or supplemented complied in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Rules and did not or will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. If applicable, each Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering was identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the representations and warranties in this paragraph 2(a) shall apply to statements in, or omissions from, the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information herein or otherwise furnished in writing by the Representative on behalf of the several Underwriters specifically for use in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. With respect to the preceding sentence, the Company acknowledges that the only information furnished in writing by the Representative for use in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus consists of the following: the concession figure appearing in the fourth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” and the information concerning market making by the Underwriters, short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales by the Underwriters contained in the eleventh paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” in the Prospectus (collectively, the “ Underwriting Information ”).

 

(b)           As of the Applicable Time (as hereinafter defined), neither of (i) the price to the public and the number of Securities offered and sold, as indicated on the cover page of the Prospectus and the Statutory Prospectus (as hereinafter defined), all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (ii) any individual Issuer Free Writing Prospectus when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included, includes or will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,

 

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that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions in the General Disclosure Package made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

 

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (as hereinafter defined), including any electronic road show (including without limitation any “bona fide electronic road show” as defined in Rule 433(h)(5) under the Securities Act) (each, a “ Road Show ”) (i) is identified in Schedule III hereto and (iii) complied when issued, and complies, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

As used in this Section and elsewhere in this Agreement:

 

Applicable Time ” means 8:00 AM (Eastern time) on the date of this Underwriting Agreement.

 

Statutory Prospectus ” as of any time means the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Securities that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof.

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means each “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the offering of the Securities, including, without limitation, each Road Show.

 

(c)           The Registration Statement is effective under the Securities Act and no stop order preventing or suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or suspending or preventing the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules, has been issued by the Commission and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, are threatened under the Securities Act. Any required filing of any Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus and any supplement thereto pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules has been or will be made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rule 424(b).  Any material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) or Rule 163(b)(2) of the Rules has been or will be made in the manner and within the time period required by such Rules.

 

(d)           The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, at the time they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and any further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, when such documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the

 

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rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

(e)           Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus.

 

If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the subsequent time, not misleading, the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representative and has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

 

(f)            The financial statements of the Company (including all notes and schedules thereto) included in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus and Prospectus present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, including each entity, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association or other business organization controlled directly or indirectly by the Company (each, a “ subsidiary ”), at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; and such financial statements and related schedules and notes thereto, and the unaudited financial information filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved.  The summary and selected financial data, if any, included in the Statutory Prospectus and Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein as at the respective dates and for the respective periods specified and have been presented on a basis consistent with the consolidated financial statements set forth in the Prospectus and other financial information.

 

(g)           The Registration Statement initially became effective within three years of the date hereof.  If, immediately prior to the third anniversary of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, any of the Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters, the Company will, prior to that third anniversary file, if it has not already done so, a new shelf registration statement relating to the Securities, in a form satisfactory to the Representative, will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective within 180 days after that third anniversary, and will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Securities to continue as contemplated in the expired Registration

 

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Statement.  References herein to the registration statement relating to the Securities shall include such new shelf registration statement.

 

(h)           This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

(i)            Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, no holder of any security of the Company has any right, which has not been waived, to have any security owned by such holder included in the Registration Statement or to demand registration of any security owned by such holder for a period of 90 days after the date of this Agreement.  Each director and executive officer of the Company and each stockholder of the Company listed on Schedule II hereto has delivered to the Representative his enforceable written lock-up agreement in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A hereto (“ Lock-Up Agreement ”).

 

(j)            All necessary corporate action has been duly and validly taken by the Company and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Warrants and the Representative’s Warrants, the issuance and sale of the Shares and Warrants and the delivery of the Representative’s Warrants by the Company.

 

(k)           The Company has not taken, nor will it take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or which might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, or which has constituted or which might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Stock or any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Shares.

 

(l)            The Shares, Warrant Shares and the Representative’s Warrant Shares have been duly authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

(m)          Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package, the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or listing on the New York Stock Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange is contemplating terminating such registration or quotation.

 

(n)           The books, records and accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries accurately and fairly reflect, the transactions in, and dispositions of, the assets of, and the results of operations of, the Company and its subsidiaries.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances 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 accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 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.

 

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(o)           Except as described in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no material off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K) that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

(p)           There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of its directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including, without limitation, Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

 

(q)           Neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any of its affiliates (within the meaning of Rule 5121(f)(1) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”)) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, or is an associated person (within the meaning of Article I, Section 1(ee) of the By-laws of FINRA) of, any member firm of FINRA.

 

(r)            None of the Company, its directors or its officers has distributed nor will  distribute prior to the later of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) completion of the distribution of the Shares and the Warrants, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement and other materials, if any, permitted by the Securities Act and consistent with Section 4(d) below.

 

(s)            There is no document, contract or other agreement required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required by the Securities Act or Rules.  Each description of a contract, document or other agreement in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus accurately reflects in all respects the terms of the underlying contract, document or other agreement.  Each contract, document or other agreement described in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus or listed in the Exhibits to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable by and against the Company or its subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with its terms.  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, if a subsidiary is a party, nor to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default in the observance or performance of any term or obligation to be performed by it under any such agreement, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a default, in any such case which default or event, individually or in the aggregate, would have any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, consolidated financial position, consolidated stockholders’ equity or consolidated results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).  No default exists, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default, in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition, by the Company or its subsidiary, if a subsidiary is a party thereto, of any other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Company or its properties or business or a subsidiary or its properties or business may be bound or affected which default or event, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(t)            Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Statutory Prospectus any material loss or material interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Statutory Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Statutory Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than (A) the issuance or grant of securities pursuant to employee equity incentive plans or pursuant to the exercise of outstanding options, warrants or rights or (B) the repurchase of shares of capital stock pursuant to agreements providing for an option to repurchase or a right of first refusal on behalf of the Company, in each case as such (1) equity incentive plans, (2) outstanding options, warrants or rights, and (3) agreements are described in the Statutory Prospectus) or long-term debt (other than regular payments pursuant to obligations disclosed in or contemplated by the Pricing Prospectus) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a Material Adverse Effect, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Statutory Prospectus.

 

(u)           The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all personal property (other than Intellectual Property Rights and Intellectual Property Assets, which are addressed in Section 2(ff) hereof) owned by them, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects, except such as are described in the Statutory Prospectus or such as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property or buildings by the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

(v)           The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Statutory Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, which jurisdictions are the states of Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, and North Dakota, and the province of Alberta, Canada except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing in any such jurisdiction would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; each subsidiary of the Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation, limited or general partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; and none of the Company’s subsidiaries is a “significant subsidiary” (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act).

 

(w)          The Company has an authorized capitalization described as “Actual” in the table included under the caption “Capitalization” in the Statutory Prospectus and all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description of the Common Stock of the

 

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Company contained in the Statutory Prospectus and Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except for directors’ qualifying shares and except as otherwise set forth in the Statutory Prospectus) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims.

 

(x)           The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, and will conform to the description of the Common Stock contained in the Prospectus.  The Warrants to be sold by the Company to the Underwriters, and the Representative’s Warrants to be delivered by the Company to the Representative, hereunder have been duly authorized, and when executed and delivered by the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms and will conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. The Warrant Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder, and the Representative’s Warrant Shares to be delivered by the Company to the Representative hereunder, have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance pursuant to the terms of the Warrants, and when issued by the Company upon valid exercise of the Warrants and the Representative’s Warrants, as the case may be, and payment of the exercise price, will be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, and will conform to the description of Common Stock contained in the Prospectus.

 

(y)           The issue and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company and the Representative’s Warrants to be delivered by the Company to the Representative and the compliance by the Company with this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this agreement will not (A) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, 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, (B) result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or (C) result in any violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, except in the case of (A) and (C), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Securities by the Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein contemplated, except (X) the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities, (Y) such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws, FINRA, or The New York Stock Exchange in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters, or (Z) where the failure to obtain any such consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(z)                                   Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (A) in violation of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (B) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, except in the case of (B) for such defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(aa)                           The statements set forth in the Statutory Prospectus and Prospectus under the caption “Description of Capital Stock”, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Securities, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.

 

(bb)                           Other than as set forth in the Statutory Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

 

(cc)                             The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company and the application of the proceeds thereof, will not be an “investment company”, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”).

 

(dd)                           (i) At the earliest time after the filing of the Registration Statement that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Rules) of the Securities and (ii) at the date hereof , the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules, including (but not limited to) the Company or any other subsidiary in the preceding three years not having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or having been made the subject of a judicial or administrative decree or order as described in Rule 405 of the Rules.

 

(ee)                             Grant Thornton LLP (the “ Auditor ”), which has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

(ff)                               The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess the valid  right to use all (i) valid and enforceable patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark registrations, service marks, service mark registrations, Internet domain name registrations, copyrights, copyright registrations, licenses,  trade secret rights (“ Intellectual Property Rights ”) and (ii) inventions, software, works of authorships, trademarks, service marks, trade names, databases, formulae, know how, Internet domain names and other intellectual property (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary confidential information, systems, or procedures) (collectively, “ Intellectual Property Assets ”) necessary to conduct their respective businesses as currently conducted, and as proposed to be conducted and described in the General

 

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Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.  The Company and its subsidiaries have not received any opinion from their legal counsel concluding that any activities of their respective businesses infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate, valid and enforceable Intellectual Property Rights of any other person, and have not received written notice of any challenge, which is to their knowledge still pending, by any other person to the rights of the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual Property Rights or Intellectual Property Assets owned or used by the Company or its subsidiaries. To the Company’s knowledge, the Company and its subsidiaries’ respective businesses as now conducted do not give rise to any infringement of, any misappropriation of, or other violation of, any valid and enforceable Intellectual Property Rights of any other person.  All licenses for the use of the Intellectual Property Rights described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are valid, binding upon, and enforceable by or against the parties thereto in accordance to its terms.  The Company has complied in all material respects with, and is not in breach nor has received any asserted or threatened claim of breach of any Intellectual Property license, and the Company has no knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by any other person to any Intellectual Property license.  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package, no claim has been made against the Company alleging the infringement by the Company of any patent, trademark, service mark, trade name, copyright, trade secret, license in or other intellectual property right or franchise right of any person.  The Company has taken all reasonable steps to protect, maintain and safeguard its Intellectual Property Rights, including the execution of appropriate nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in the loss or impairment of or payment of any additional amounts with respect to, nor require the consent of any other person in respect of, the Company’s right to own, use, or hold for use any of the Intellectual Property Rights as owned, used or held for use in the conduct of the business as currently conducted.  With respect to the use of the software in the Company’s business as it is currently conducted, the Company has not experienced any material defects in such software including any material error or omission in the processing of any transactions other than defects which have been corrected, and to the Company’s knowledge, no such software contains any device or feature designed to disrupt, disable, or otherwise impair the functioning of any software or is subject to the terms of any “open source” or other similar license that provides for the source code of the software to be publicly distributed or dedicated to the public.  The Company has at all times complied with all applicable laws relating to privacy, data protection, and the collection and use of personal information collected, used, or held for use by the Company in the conduct of the Company’s business.  No claims have been asserted or threatened against the Company alleging a violation of any person’s privacy or personal information or data rights and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not breach or otherwise cause any violation of any law related to privacy, data protection, or the collection and use of personal information collected, used, or held for use by the Company in the conduct of the Company’s business.  The Company takes reasonable measures to ensure that such information is protected against unauthorized access, use, modification, or other misuse.  The Company has taken all necessary actions to obtain ownership of all works of authorship and inventions made by its employees, consultants and contractors during the time they were employed by or under contract with the Company and which relate to the Company’s business. All founders and key employees have signed confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with the Company.

 

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(gg)                             No material labor dispute with the employees of the Company exists, or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent; and no employees of the Company are subject to a collective bargaining agreement.

 

(hh)                           Except as described in the Statutory Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right (other than rights which have been waived in writing or otherwise satisfied) 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 the Registration Statement or in any securities being registered pursuant to any other registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act.

 

(ii)                                   Except as described in the Statutory Prospectus and the Registration Statement, the Company has not sold or issued any shares of Common Stock during the six-month period preceding the date of the Prospectus, including any sales pursuant to Rule 144A under, or Regulation D or S of, the Securities Act, other than shares issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock option plans or other employee compensation plans or pursuant to outstanding options, rights or warrants.

 

(jj)                                 Since the date as of which information is given in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus and except as described in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company has not (A) incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (B) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business or (C) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock.

 

(kk)                           The Company is insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as the Company believes are adequate; 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 at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ll)                                   The Company and each of its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, orders, judgments, decrees, permits or other legal requirements of any governmental authority, including without limitation any international, national, state, provincial, regional, or local authority, relating to the protection of human health or safety, the environment, or natural resources, or to hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (“ Environmental Laws ”) applicable to such entity, which compliance includes, without limitation, obtaining, maintaining and complying with all permits and authorizations and approvals required by Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, and (ii) have not received notice of any actual or alleged violation of Environmental Laws, or of any potential liability for or other obligation concerning the presence, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except in the case of either (i) or (ii) where the failure to comply or the potential liability or obligation would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse

 

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Effect. Except as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (A) there are no proceedings that are pending, or known to be contemplated, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under Environmental Laws in which a governmental authority is also a party, other than such proceedings regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (B) the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company and its subsidiaries, and (C) none of the Company and its subsidiaries anticipates incurring material capital expenditures relating to compliance with Environmental Laws.

 

(mm)                   In the ordinary course of its business, the Company periodically reviews the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which the Company identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws, or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties).  On the basis of such review, the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and liabilities would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(nn)                           The Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to the Company and has been designed by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective and the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting.

 

(oo)                           Except as disclosed in the Statutory Prospectus, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Statutory Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

(pp)                           The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects.

 

(qq)                           The statistical and market-related data included under the captions “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

 

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Results of Operations” and “Business” included or incorporated by reference in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from estimates and sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.

 

(rr)                                 Except as described in the Statutory Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed all material federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all material taxes due thereon. To the Company’s knowledge, no material tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

(ss)                               Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, or employee, agent or representative of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, (A) has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any “government official” (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) to influence official action or secure an improper advantage, or (B) has violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintain and will continue to maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve material compliance with such laws and with the representation and warranty contained herein.

 

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

 

(uu)                           Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

(vv)                           The Company and each of its subsidiaries has all requisite corporate power and authority, and all necessary authorizations, approvals, consents, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental or regulatory bodies or any other person or entity

 

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(collectively, the “ Permits ”), to own, lease and license its assets and properties and conduct its business, all of which are valid and in full force and effect, except where the lack of such Permits, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed in all material respects all of its obligations with respect to such Permits, and to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of the rights of the Company thereunder except where such revocation or termination, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Except as may be required under the Securities Act and state and foreign Blue Sky laws, no other Permits are required to enter into, deliver and perform this Agreement and to issue and sell the Securities.

 

(ww)                       The Company has fulfilled its obligations, if any, under the minimum funding standards of Section 302 of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”) and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each “plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and such regulations and published interpretations in which its employees are eligible to participate and each such plan is in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and such regulations and published interpretations. No “Reportable Event” (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any “Pension Plan” (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company could have any liability.

 

3.                                       Conditions of the Underwriters’ Obligations .  The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement are several and not joint.  The respective obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Securities are subject to each of the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)                                  Notification that the Registration Statement has become effective shall have been received by the Representative and the Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 4(a) of this Agreement and any material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with such rule.

 

(b)                                  No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus or any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules), shall have been or shall be in effect and no order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission, and any requests for additional information on the part of the Commission (to be included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise) shall have been complied with to the satisfaction of the Commission and the Representative.  If the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 430A, Rule 430A information previously omitted from the effective Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A shall have been transmitted to the Commission for filing pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the prescribed time period and the Company shall have provided evidence satisfactory to the Underwriters of such timely filing, or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been promptly filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.

 

(c)                                   The representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement and in the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 3(d) shall be true and correct when made and

 

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on and as of the Closing Date as if made on such date. The Company shall have performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all the conditions contained in this Agreement required to be performed or satisfied by them at or before such Closing Date.

 

(d)                                  The Representative shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, addressed to the Representative and dated such Closing Date, of the chief executive or chief operating officer and the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company to the effect that: (i) the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company in this Agreement were true and correct when made and are true and correct as of such Closing Date; (ii) the Company has performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions contained herein; (iii) they have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package, and any individual Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and, in their opinion (A) as of the Effective Date the Registration Statement and Prospectus did not include, and as of the Applicable Time, neither (i) the General Disclosure Package, nor (ii) any individual Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included,  any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B) since the Effective Date no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or otherwise required an amendment to the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus; (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and, to their knowledge, no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending under the Securities Act and (v) there has not occurred any material adverse change in the assets, properties, condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole.

 

(e)                                   The Representative shall have received: (i) simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement a signed letter from the Auditor addressed to the Representative and dated the date of this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Disclosure Package, and (ii) on the Closing Date, a signed letter from the Auditor addressed to the Representative and dated the date of the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

(f)                                    The Representative shall have received on the Closing Date from Locke Lord LLP, counsel for the Company, an opinion, addressed to the Representative and dated the Closing Date, in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B .

 

(g)                                   The Representative shall have received on the Closing Date from Sanjay Shenoy, the Company’s internal intellectual property counsel, an opinion, addressed to the Representative and dated the Closing Date, in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C .

 

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(h)                                  The Representative shall have received on the Closing Date from the General Counsel of the Company, an opinion, addressed to the Representative and dated the Closing Date, in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D .

 

(i)                                      The Representative shall have received on the Closing Date from Proskauer Rose LLP, counsel for the Representative, an opinion, addressed to the Representative and dated the Closing Date, which shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative.

 

(j)                                     All proceedings taken in connection with the sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative, and their counsel.

 

(k)  The Representative shall have received copies of the Lock-up Agreements executed by each entity or person listed on Schedule II hereto.

 

(l)   The Shares and Warrant Shares shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

 

(m)                              The Representative shall be reasonably satisfied that since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there shall not have been any material change in the capital stock of the Company or any material change in the indebtedness (other than in the ordinary course of business) of the Company, (ii) except as set forth or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, no material oral or written agreement or other transaction shall have been entered into by the Company that is not in the ordinary course of business or that could reasonably be expected to result in a material reduction in the future earnings of the Company, (iii) no loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company shall have been sustained that had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) no legal or governmental action, suit or proceeding affecting the Company or any of its properties that is material to the Company or that affects or could reasonably be expected to affect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been instituted or threatened and (v) there shall not have been any material change in the assets, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), or in the results of operations, business affairs or business prospects of the Company or its subsidiaries considered as a whole that makes it impractical or inadvisable in the Representative’s judgment to proceed with the purchase or offering of the Securities as contemplated hereby.

 

(n)                                  The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing in such other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication, from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

 

(o)                                  The Company shall have provided a notice to BGP Inc., China National Petroleum Corporation (“ BGP ”) pursuant to Section 12(c) of that certain Investor Rights Agreement, dated March 25, 2010 between BGP and the Company (the “ Investor Rights Agreement ”), and shall have satisfied the requirements of such agreement.

 

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(p)                                  On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received electronic copies of the Warrants executed by the Company.

 

(q)                                  On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received electronic copies of the Representative’s Warrants executed by the Company.

 

(r)                                     The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Representative such further certificates or documents as the Representative shall have reasonably requested.

 

4.                                       Covenants and other Agreements of the Company and the Underwriters .

 

(a) The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

 

(i)                                      The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement, if not effective at the time of execution of this Agreement, and any amendments thereto, to become effective as promptly as possible.  The Company shall prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative and file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by the Rules. The Company will file with the Commission all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses in the time and manner required under Rules 433(d) or 163(b)(2), as the case may be.

 

(ii)                                   The Company shall promptly advise the Representative in writing (A) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall have become effective or any supplement to the Prospectus shall have been filed, (B) of any request by the Commission for any amendment of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for any additional information, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules, or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and (D) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares or Warrants for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.  The Company shall not file any amendment of the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus unless the Company has furnished the Representative a copy for its review prior to filing and shall not file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably object.  The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

 

(iii)                                If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities (or, in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act and the, any event occurs as a result of which

 

19



 

the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or the Rules, the Company promptly shall prepare and file with the Commission, subject to the second sentence of paragraph (ii) of this Section 4(a), an amendment or supplement which shall correct such statement or omission or an amendment which shall effect such compliance.

 

(iv)                               If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or would omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representative and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

 

(v)                                  The Company shall make generally available to its security holders and to the Representative as soon as practicable, but not later than 45 days after the end of the 12-month period beginning at the end of the fiscal quarter of the Company during which the Effective Date occurs (or 90 days if such 12-month period coincides with the Company’s fiscal year), an earning statement (which need not be audited) of the Company, covering such 12-month period, which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 158 of the Rules.

 

(vi)                               The Company shall furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement (including all exhibits thereto and amendments thereof) and to each other Underwriter a copy of the Registration Statement (without exhibits thereto) and all amendments thereof and, so long as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required by the Securities Act or the Rules, as many copies of any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto as the Representative may reasonably request.  If applicable, the copies of the Registration Statement, preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and Prospectus and each amendment and supplement thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

(vii)                            The Company shall cooperate with the Representative and their counsel in endeavoring to qualify the Securities for offer and sale in connection

 

20


 


 

with the offering under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may designate and shall maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith, as a condition thereof, to qualify as a foreign corporation or to execute a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction or subject itself to taxation as doing business in any jurisdiction.

 

(viii)                         The Company, during the period when the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) of the Rules) is required to be delivered under the Securities Act and the Rules or the Exchange Act, will file all reports and other documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(ix)                               Without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., for a period of 90 days after the date of this Agreement, the Company and each of its individual directors and executive officers shall not issue, sell or register with the Commission (other than on Form S-8 or on any successor form), or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the Company (or any securities convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable for equity securities of the Company), except for the issuance of the Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, the issuance of shares pursuant to the Company’s existing stock option plan or bonus plan as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and the issuance of shares to BGP at no less than the Initial Price in the minimum amount required to satisfy the Company’s obligations pursuant to Section 12 of the Investor Rights Agreement.

 

(x)                                  On or before completion of this offering, the Company shall make all filings required under applicable securities laws and by the New York Stock Exchange (including any required registration under the Exchange Act).

 

(xi)                               Prior to the Closing Date, the Company will issue no press release or other communications directly or indirectly and hold no press conference with respect to the Company, the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of any of them, or the offering of the Securities without the prior written consent of the Representative unless in the judgment of the Company and its counsel, and after notification to the Representative, such press release or communication is required by law.

 

(xii)                            The Company will apply the net proceeds from the offering of the Securities in the manner set forth under “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

 

(xiii)                      The Company agrees to reserve and keep available for the exercise of the Warrants such number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as are sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrants for the Warrant Shares.

 

21



 

(b)                                             The Company agrees to pay, or reimburse if paid by the Representative, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, all costs and expenses incident to the public offering of the Securities and the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement including those relating to:  (i) the preparation, printing, reproduction filing and distribution of the Registration Statement including all exhibits thereto, each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, all amendments and supplements thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein, and the printing, filing and distribution of this Agreement; (ii) the preparation and delivery of certificates for the Shares and Warrants to the Underwriters; (iii) the registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various jurisdictions referred to in Section 4(a)(vii), including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such registration and qualification and the preparation, printing, distribution and shipment of preliminary and supplementary Blue Sky memoranda; (iv) the furnishing (including costs of shipping and mailing) to the Representative and to the Underwriters of copies of each Preliminary Prospectus,  the Prospectus and all amendments or supplements to the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and of the several documents required by this Section to be so furnished, as may be reasonably requested for use in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities by the Underwriters or by dealers to whom Securities may be sold; (v) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters up to $20,000, in connection with FINRA’s review of the terms of the public offering; (vi) inclusion of the Shares and the Warrant Shares for listing on the New York Stock Exchange; (vii) all transfer taxes, if any, with respect to the sale and delivery of the Securities by the Company to the Underwriters and (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Representative (including related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters), provided that, excluding expenses related to Blue Sky and FINRA filings, such costs and expenses shall not exceed $180,000 without the Company’s prior approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

(c)                                   The Company acknowledges and agrees that each of the Underwriters has acted and is acting solely in the capacity of a principal in an arm’s length transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor, agent or fiduciary to the Company or any other person.  Additionally, the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters have not and will not advise the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction.  The Company has consulted with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company or any other person with respect thereto, whether arising prior to or after the date hereof.  Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions have been and will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.  The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary duty to the company or any other person in connection with any such transaction or the process leading thereto.

 

22



 

(d)                                           The Company represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representative, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission.  The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Act applicable to any  Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely  filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping.  The Company represents that is has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions set forth in Rule 433 of the Rules to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any Road Show.

 

5.                                       Indemnification .

 

(a)                                  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several (including any reasonable investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted), to which they, or any of them, may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus,  the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer-information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Rules, any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky application or other information or other documents executed by the Company filed in any state or other jurisdiction to qualify any or all of the Securities under the securities laws thereof (any such application, document or information being hereinafter referred to as a “ Blue Sky Application ”) or arise out of or are based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that such indemnity shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any person controlling such Underwriter) on account of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising from the sale of the Securities to any person by such Underwriter if such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was made in such preliminary prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Statutory Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or such amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Blue Sky Application in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have.

 

(b)                                                    Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each director of the Company, and each officer of the Company who signs the Registration Statement, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such party may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in

 

23



 

respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Statutory Prospectus or the Prospectus or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information; provided, however, that the obligation of each Underwriter to indemnify the Company (including any controlling person, director or officer thereof) shall be limited to the amount of the underwriting discount and commissions applicable to the Securities to be purchased by such Underwriter hereunder.

 

(c)                                                     Any party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Section will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party or parties under this Section, notify each such indemnifying party of the commencement of such action, suit or proceeding, enclosing a copy of all papers served.  No indemnification provided for in Section 5(a) or 5(b) shall be available to any party who shall fail to give notice as provided in this Section 5(c) if the party to whom notice was not given was unaware of the proceeding to which such notice would have related and was prejudiced by the failure to give such notice but the omission so to notify such indemnifying party of any such action, suit or proceeding shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under this Section.  In case any such action, suit or proceeding shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof and the approval by the indemnified party of such counsel, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses, except as provided below and except for the reasonable costs of investigation subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof.  The indemnified party shall have the right to employ its counsel in any such action, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the employment of counsel by such indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnifying parties, (ii) the indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (iii) the indemnifying parties shall not have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of the commencement thereof, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying parties.  An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any action, suit, and proceeding or claim effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

24



 

6.                                       Contribution .  In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in Section 5(a) or 5(b) is due in accordance with its terms but for any reason is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect to any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (including any investigation, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claims asserted, but after deducting any contribution received by any person entitled hereunder to contribution from any person who may be liable for contribution) incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or, if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions, which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above.  The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, no Underwriter (except as may be provided in the Agreement Among Underwriters) shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting discounts and commissions applicable to the Securities purchased by such Underwriter. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 6, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company including any person who, with his or her consent, is named in the Registration Statement as about to become a director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.  Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this Section 6, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission so to notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have hereunder or otherwise than under this Section 6.  No party shall be liable for contribution with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or claim settled without its written consent.  The

 

25



 

Underwriter’s obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 6 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting commitments and not joint.

 

7.                                       Termination .

 

(a)                                             This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Securities to be purchased on a Closing Date by the Representative by notifying the Company at any time at or before a Closing Date in the absolute discretion of the Representative if: (i) there has occurred any material adverse change in the securities markets or any event, act or occurrence that has materially disrupted, or in the opinion of the Representative, will in the future materially disrupt, the securities markets or there shall be such a material adverse change in general financial, political or economic conditions or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, inadvisable or impracticable to market the Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities; (ii) there has occurred any outbreak or material escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism or other calamity or crisis the effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, inadvisable or impracticable to market the Securities or enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities; (iii) trading in the Shares or any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. or the NASDAQ has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities have been required, by any of said exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, FINRA, or any other governmental or regulatory authority; or (iv) a banking moratorium has been declared by any state or Federal authority; or (v) in the judgment of the Representative, there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the assets, properties, condition, financial or otherwise, or in the results of operations, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

(b)                                             If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to any of its provisions, the Company shall not be under any liability to any Underwriter, and no Underwriter shall be under any liability to the Company, except that (y) if this Agreement is terminated by the Representative or the Underwriters because of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their counsel) incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities or in contemplation of performing their obligations hereunder and (z) no Underwriter who shall have failed or refused to purchase the Securities agreed to be purchased by it under this Agreement, without some reason sufficient hereunder to justify cancellation or termination of its obligations under this Agreement, shall be relieved of liability to the Company or to the other Underwriters for damages occasioned by its failure or refusal.

 

8.                                       Substitution of Underwriters .  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase on any Closing Date the Securities agreed to be purchased hereunder on such Closing Date, the Representative shall have the right, within 36 hours thereafter, to make

 

26



 

arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase such Securities on the terms contained herein.  If, however, the Representative shall not have completed such arrangements within such 36-hour period, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Underwriters to purchase such Securities on such terms.  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representative and the Company as provided above, the aggregate number of Securities which remains unpurchased on such Closing Date does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Securities that all the Underwriters are obligated to purchase on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such date and, in addition, to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.  In any such case, either the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period of not more than seven days in order to effect any necessary changes and arrangements (including any necessary amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any other documents), and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in the opinion of the Company and the Underwriters and their counsel may thereby be made necessary.

 

If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representative and the Company as provided above, the aggregate number of such Securities which remains unpurchased exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of all the Securities to be purchased at such date, then this Agreement shall terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter to the Company, and without liability on the part of the Company, except as provided in Sections  4(b), 5, 6 and 7.  The provisions of this Section 8 shall not in any way affect the liability of any defaulting Underwriter to the Company or the nondefaulting Underwriters arising out of such default.  The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section 8 with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.

 

9.             Miscellaneous .  The respective agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the Company or the or any of their respective officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Sections 5 and 6 hereof, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.  In addition, the provisions of Sections 4(b), 5, 6 and 7 shall survive the termination or cancellation of this Agreement.

 

This Agreement has been and is made for the benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and the and their respective successors and assigns, and, to the extent expressed herein, for the benefit of persons controlling any of the Underwriters, or the Company, and

 

27



 

directors and officers of the Company, and their respective successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement.  The term “successors and assigns” shall not include any purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter merely because of such purchase.

 

All notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and mailed or delivered or by telephone or telegraph if subsequently confirmed in writing, (a) if to the Representative, c/o Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 Attention:  Equity Capital Markets, with a copy to Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, New York 10004 Attention:  General Counsel, and to Proskauer Rose LLP, Eleven Times Square, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Stuart Bressman and (b) if to the Company, to its agent for service as such agent’s address appears on the cover page of the Registration Statement with a copy to the Company, 2105 CityWest Blvd. Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77042-2839 Attention: General Counsel, and to Locke Lord LLP, Eric Johnson, 600 Travis Street, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77002.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among us.

 

[ Signature page follows]

 

28



 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brian Hanson

 

 

Title: President and CEO

 

 

 

 

Confirmed:

 

 

 

OPPENHEIMER & CO. INC.

 

 

 

 

 

Acting severally on behalf of itself

 

and as representative of the several

 

Underwriters named in Schedule I annexed

 

hereto.

 

 

 

By: OPPENHEIMER & CO. INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Eric Helenek

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 



 

SCHEDULE I

 

Name

 

Number of
Shares to
Be 
Purchased

 

Number 
of 
Warrants 
to Be 
Purchased

 

Number of 
Representative’s
Warrants to be 
Delivered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

 

1,638,000

 

1,638,000

 

18,200

 

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

 

182,000

 

182,000

 

 

 

Total

 

1,820,000

 

1,820,000

 

18,200

 

 

Sch I - 1



 

SCHEDULE II

 

Lock-up Signatories

 

R. Brian Hanson

Steven A. Bate

Colin T. Hulme

Scott P. Schwausch

Matt Powers

Christopher T. Usher

Kenneth G. Williamson

James M. Lapeyre, Jr.

David H. Barr

Hao Huimin

Michael C. Jennings

Franklin Myers

S. James Nelson, Jr.

John N. Seitz

 



 

SCHEDULE III

 

Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses

 

None.

 



 

Exhibit A

 

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

February [ · ], 2018

 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

As Representative of the Several Underwriters

c/o Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

85 Broad Street

New York, New York 10004

 

Re:          Public Offering of ION Geophysical Corporation

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, a holder of common stock, par value $0.01 (“ Common Stock ”), or rights to acquire Common Stock, ION Geophysical Corporation (the “ Company ”) understands that you , as Representative of the several Underwriters, propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with the Company, providing for the public offering (the “ Public Offering ”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriters ”), of shares of securities of the Company (the “ Securities ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

 

In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees for the benefit of the Company, you and the other Underwriters that, without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, during the period ending 90 days (the “ Lock-Up Period ”) after the date of the prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”), directly or indirectly (1) offer, pledge, assign, encumber, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, any shares of Common Stock, $0.01 per share par value, of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock owned either of record or beneficially (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) by the undersigned on the date hereof or hereafter acquired or (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing. In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. on behalf of the Underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of

 

1



 

the Prospectus, make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The foregoing shall not apply to (w) Common Stock to be transferred as a gift or gifts (provided that any donee thereof agrees in writing to be bound by the terms hereof), (x) the sale of the Securities to be sold pursuant to the Prospectus, (y) sales pursuant to any written contract, instruction or plan that satisfies all of the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (a “ Rule 10b5-1 Plan ”) currently in effect on the date hereof and (z) the establishment of any Rule 10b5-Plan (provided, however, that no sales of Securities or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Securities, shall be made pursuant to such a Rule 10b5-1 Plan prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, as the same may be extended pursuant to the provisions hereof; and provided further, that no party is required to publicly announce, file, or report the establishment of such Rule 10b5-1 Plan in any public report, announcement, or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act during the Lock-Up Period and does not otherwise voluntarily effect any such public report, announcement, or filing regarding such Rule 10b5-1 Plan); further provided, with respect to clauses (w), (y) and (z) above, that no filing or public disclosure, reporting any sale, transfer or other disposition of shares of Common Stock or any reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock by any party, shall be required, or voluntarily made, under the Exchange Act, in connection with such sale, transfer, disposition or reduction.

 

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

 

The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, the undersigned shall be released form all obligations under this Letter Agreement.

 

The undersigned, whether or not participating in the Offering, understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.

 



 

This lock-up agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

[Name of Officer or Director]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 



 

Exhibit B

 

FORM OF COMPANY COUNSEL OPINION

 



 

Exhibit C

 

FORM OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY COUNSEL OPINION

 



 

Exhibit D

 

FORM OF GENERAL COUNSEL OPINION

 



 

Exhibit E

 

FORM OF WARRANT

 


Exhibit 5.1

 

 

2800 JPMorgan Chase Tower, 600 Travis

Houston, TX 77002

Telephone:  713-226-1200

Fax:  713-223-3717

www.lockelord.com

 

 

 

 

February 15, 2018

 

ION Geophysical Corporation

2105 CityWest Blvd., Suite 100

Houston, Texas 77042

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

You have requested our opinion, as counsel to Ion Geophysical Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), with respect to certain matters in connection with the offering by the Company of 1,820,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 (the “ Shares ”), plus warrants (the “ Warrants ”) to purchase an additional 1,820,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “ Warrant Shares ”) pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-213769) (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Act ”) and declared effective on December 2, 2016, the prospectus included within the Registration Statement (the “ Base Prospectus ”), and the prospectus supplement dated February 15, 2018 filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Rules and Regulations of the Act (the “ Prospectus Supplement ”) The Base Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement are collectively referred to as the “ Prospectus .” The Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are to be sold by the Company as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

We have examined those records and documents as we have deemed necessary, including but not limited to originals, photocopies or conformed copies of: (i) the Registration Statement (including the exhibits thereto); (ii) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, each as amended to date; (iii) the corporate proceedings of the Company; and (iv) all other certificates, agreements and documents that we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed in this letter. In addition, we have made those other examinations of law and fact as we considered necessary to form a basis for our opinions.

 

As to certain questions of fact material to our opinions that we have not independently established, we have relied upon representations of public officials and upon certificates from officers of the Company.

 

In rendering the following opinions, we have assumed: (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) the genuineness of all signatures on all documents reviewed by us; (iii) the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals; (iv) the conformity to authentic originals of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies; and (v) each natural person signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so. We have also assumed the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of such documents.

 

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications herein stated, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) provided that the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and duly delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment therefor, the Warrants, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity), and (iii) the Warrant Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

The opinions expressed in this letter are limited to the laws of the State of Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal securities laws of the United States of America.

 



 

Please note that we are opining only as to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion should be inferred as to any other matters.

 

We consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included as a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not admit that this firm is in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

This opinion is rendered on the date hereof and we disclaim any duty to advise you regarding any changes in the matters addressed herein.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Locke Lord LLP

 

LOCKE LORD LLP

 


Exhibit 10.1

 

FORM OF WARRANT

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

Warrant No.:

Number of Shares of Common Stock:

Date of Issuance:  February 21, 2018 (“ Issuance Date ”)

 

Ion Geophysical Corporation, a company organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Company ”), hereby certifies that, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, [HOLDER], the registered holder hereof or its permitted assigns (the “ Holder ”), is entitled, subject to the terms set forth below, to purchase from the Company, at the Exercise Price (as defined below) then in effect, at any time or times on or after February 21, 2018 (the “ Initial Exercisability Date ”), but not after 11:59 p.m., New York time, on the Expiration Date, (as defined below),                (             )fully paid non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as defined below), subject to adjustment as provided herein (the “ Warrant Shares ”).  Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms in this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (including any Warrants to Purchase Common Stock issued in exchange, transfer or replacement hereof, this “ Warrant ”), shall have the meanings set forth in Section 16.  This Warrant is one of the Warrants to Purchase Common Stock (the “ Warrants ”) issued pursuant to (i) that certain Underwriting Agreement, dated as of February 16, 2018 (the “ Subscription Date ”) by and between the Company and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., as representative of the underwriters named therein (ii) the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File number 333-213769) (the “ Registration Statement ”) and (iii) the Company’s prospectus supplement dated as of February 16, 2018.

 

1.                                       EXERCISE OF WARRANT.

 

(a)          Mechanics of Exercise .  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof (including, without limitation, the limitations set forth in Section 1(f)), this Warrant may be exercised by the Holder at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercisability Date, in whole or in part, by delivery (whether via facsimile, electronic mail or otherwise) of a written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Exercise Notice ”), of the Holder’s election to exercise this Warrant.  Within one (1) Trading Day following the delivery of the Exercise Notice, the Holder shall make payment to the Company of an amount equal to the Exercise Price in effect on the date of such exercise multiplied by the number of Warrant Shares as to which this Warrant is being exercised (the “ Aggregate Exercise Price ”) in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds or, if the provisions of Section 1(d) are applicable, by notifying the Company that this Warrant is being exercised pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined in Section 1(d)).  The Holder shall not be required to deliver the original Warrant in order to effect an exercise hereunder, nor shall any ink-original signature or medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) with respect to any Exercise Notice be required.  Execution and delivery of the Exercise Notice with respect to less than all of the Warrant Shares shall have the

 



 

same effect as cancellation of the original Warrant and issuance of a new Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining number of Warrant Shares and the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company.  On or before the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Holder has delivered the applicable Exercise Notice, the Company shall transmit by facsimile or electronic mail an acknowledgment of confirmation of receipt of the Exercise Notice, in the form attached to the Exercise Notice, to the Holder and the Company’s transfer agent (the “ Transfer Agent ”).  So long as the Holder delivers the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) on or prior to the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Exercise Notice has been delivered to the Company, then on or prior to the earlier of (i) the second (2 nd ) Trading Day and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period, in each case following the date on which the Exercise Notice has been delivered to the Company, or, if the Holder does not deliver the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) on or prior to the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Exercise Notice has been delivered to the Company, then on or prior to the first (1 st ) Trading Day following the date on which the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) is delivered (such earlier date, the “ Share Delivery Date ”), the Company shall (X) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system, or (Y) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, issue and dispatch by overnight courier to the address as specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise.  The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent and all fees and expenses with respect to the issuance of Warrant Shares via DTC, if any, including without limitation for same day processing.  Upon delivery of the Exercise Notice, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record and beneficial owner of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date such Warrant Shares are credited to the Holder’s DTC account or the date of delivery of the certificates evidencing such Warrant Shares, as the case may be.  If this Warrant is physically delivered to the Company in connection with any exercise pursuant to this Section 1(a) and the number of Warrant Shares represented by this Warrant submitted for exercise is greater than the number of Warrant Shares being acquired upon an exercise, then the Company shall as soon as practicable and in no event later than three (3) Trading Days after any exercise and at its own expense, issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares issuable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant, less the number of Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant is exercised.  No fractional Warrant Shares are to be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, but rather the number of Warrant Shares to be issued shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.  The Company shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and

 

2



 

expenses of the Transfer Agent) which may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Warrant Shares upon exercise of this Warrant.  The Company’s obligations to issue and deliver Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions hereof are absolute and unconditional, irrespective of any action or inaction by the Holder to enforce the same, any waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof, the recovery of any judgment against any Person or any action to enforce the same, or any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, limitation or termination; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to deliver Warrant Shares with respect to an exercise prior to the Holder’s delivery of the Aggregate Exercise Price (or notice of a Cashless Exercise) with respect to such exercise.

 

(b)          Exercise Price .  For purposes of this Warrant, “ Exercise Price ” means $33.60 per share, subject to adjustment as provided herein.

 

(c)           Company’s Failure to Timely Deliver Securities .  If either (I) the Company shall fail for any reason or for no reason on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date, (x) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to issue to the Holder a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled and register such Common Stock on the Company’s share register or (y) if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, to credit the Holder’s balance account with DTC, for such number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise of this Warrant or (II) a registration statement (which may be the Registration Statement) covering the issuance or resale of the Warrant Shares that are the subject of the Exercise Notice (the “ Exercise Notice Warrant Shares ”) is not available for the issuance or resale, as applicable, of such Exercise Notice Warrant Shares and (x) the Company fails to promptly, but in no event later than one (1) Business Day after such registration statement becomes unavailable, to so notify the Holder and (y) the Company is unable to deliver the Exercise Notice Warrant Shares electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Exercise Notice Warrant Shares to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system (the event described in the immediately foregoing clause (II) is hereinafter referred to as a “ Notice Failure ” and, together with the event described in clause (I) above, an “ Exercise Failure ”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to the Holder, if on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date either (I) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to the Holder and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or, if the Transfer Agent is participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit the Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon the Holder’s exercise hereunder or pursuant to the Company’s obligation pursuant to clause (ii) below or (II) a Notice Failure occurs, and if on or after such Trading Day the Holder purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of shares of Common Stock issuable upon such exercise that the Holder anticipated receiving from the Company (a “ Buy-In ”), then the Company shall, within three (3) Trading Days after the Holder’s request and in the Holder’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for

 

3



 

the shares of Common Stock so purchased (the “ Buy-In Price ”), at which point the Company’s obligation to deliver such certificate (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) or credit such Holder’s balance account with DTC for such shares of Common Stock shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit such Holder’s balance account with DTC, as applicable, and pay cash to the Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock, times (B) any trading price of the Common Stock selected by the Holder in writing as in effect at any time during the period beginning on the applicable Exercise Date and ending on the applicable Share Delivery Date. Nothing shall limit the Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver certificates representing Warrant Shares (or to electronically deliver such Warrant Shares) upon the exercise of this Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.  While this Warrant is outstanding, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to participate in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program.  In addition to the foregoing rights, (i) if the Company fails to deliver the applicable number of Warrant Shares upon an exercise pursuant to Section 1 by the applicable Share Delivery Date, then the Holder shall have the right to rescind such exercise in whole or in part and retain and/or have the Company return, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the rescission of an exercise shall not affect the Company’s obligation to make any payments that have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise, and (ii) if a registration statement (which may be the Registration Statement) covering the issuance or resale of the Warrant Shares that are subject to an Exercise Notice is not available for the issuance or resale, as applicable, of such Exercise Notice Warrant Shares and the Holder has submitted an Exercise Notice prior to receiving notice of the non-availability of such registration statement and the Company has not already delivered the Warrant Shares underlying such Exercise Notice electronically without any restrictive legend by crediting such aggregate number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit / Withdrawal At Custodian system, the Holder shall have the option, by delivery of notice to the Company, to (x) rescind such Exercise Notice in whole or in part and retain or have returned, as the case may be, any portion of this Warrant that has not been exercised pursuant to such Exercise Notice; provided that the rescission of an Exercise Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligation to make any payments that have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to this Section 1(c) or otherwise, and/or (y) switch some or all of such Exercise Notice from a cash exercise to a Cashless Exercise.

 

(d)          Cashless Exercise .  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if a registration statement (which may be the Registration Statement) covering the issuance or resale of the Exercise Notice Warrant Shares is not available for the issuance or resale, as applicable, of such Exercise Notice Warrant Shares, the Holder may, in its sole discretion, exercise this Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the “Net Number” of shares of Common Stock determined according to the following formula (a “ Cashless Exercise ”):

 

4



 

Net Number = (A x B) - (A x C)

B

 

For purposes of the foregoing formula:

 

A= the total number of shares with respect to which this Warrant is then being exercised.

 

B= as applicable: (i) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Exercise Notice if such Exercise Notice is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b)(64) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) at the option of the Holder, either (y) the Weighted Average Price on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise or (z)   the Bid Price of the Common Stock as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Exercise Notice if such Exercise Notice is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof or (iii) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Exercise Notice if the date of such Exercise Notice is a Trading Day and such Exercise Notice is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 1(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day.

 

C= the Exercise Price then in effect for the applicable Warrant Shares at the time of such exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the Company acknowledges and agrees that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised, and the holding period of the Warrants being exercised may be tacked on to the holding period of the Warrant Shares.  The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 1(d).

 

(e)           Disputes .  In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall promptly issue to the Holder the number of Warrant Shares that are not disputed and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 11.

 

(f)            Beneficial Ownership .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not effect the exercise of any portion of this Warrant, and

 

5



 

the Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Warrant and any such exercise shall be null and void and treated as if never made, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, the Holder together with the other Attribution Parties collectively would beneficially own in excess of [4.99][9.99]% (the “ Maximum Percentage ”) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise.  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and the other Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Holder and all other Attribution Parties plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (A) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of the other Attribution Parties and (B) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants, including the other Warrants) beneficially owned by the Holder or any other Attribution Party subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained in this Section 1(f).  For purposes of this Section 1(f), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ 1934 Act ”).  For purposes of this Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock the Holder may acquire upon the exercise of this Warrant without exceeding the Maximum Percentage, the Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (x) the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), as the case may be, (y) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding (the “ Reported Outstanding Share Number ”).  If the Company receives an Exercise Notice from the Holder at a time when the actual number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is less than the Reported Outstanding Share Number, the Company shall (i) notify the Holder in writing of the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding and, to the extent that such Exercise Notice would otherwise cause the Holder’s beneficial ownership, as determined pursuant to this Section 1(f), to exceed the Maximum Percentage, the Holder must notify the Company of a reduced number of Warrant Shares to be purchased pursuant to such Exercise Notice (the number of shares by which such purchase is reduced, the “ Reduction Shares ”) and (ii) as soon as reasonably practicable, the Company shall return to the Holder any exercise price paid by the Holder for the Reduction Shares.  For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of the Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing or by electronic mail to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder and any other Attribution Party since the date as of which the Reported Outstanding Share Number was reported.  In the event that the issuance of Common Stock to the Holder upon exercise of this Warrant results in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties being deemed to beneficially own, in the aggregate, more than the Maximum Percentage of the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock (as determined under Section

 

6



 

13(d) of the 1934 Act), the number of shares so issued by which the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties’ aggregate beneficial ownership exceeds the Maximum Percentage (the “ Excess Shares ”) shall be deemed null and void and shall be cancelled ab initio, and the Holder shall not have the power to vote or to transfer the Excess Shares.  As soon as reasonably practicable after the issuance of the Excess Shares has been deemed null and void, the Company shall return to the Holder the exercise price paid by the Holder for the Excess Shares.  Upon delivery of a written notice to the Company, the Holder may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of [4.99][9.99]% as specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase in the Maximum Percentage will not be effective until the sixty-first (61 st ) day after such notice is delivered to the Company and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply only to the Holder and the other Attribution Parties and not to any other holder of Warrants that is not an Attribution Party of the Holder.  For purposes of clarity, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the terms of this Warrant in excess of the Maximum Percentage shall not be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Holder for any purpose including for purposes of Section 13(d) or Rule 16a-1(a)(1) of the 1934 Act.  No prior inability to exercise this Warrant pursuant to this paragraph shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this paragraph with respect to any subsequent determination of exercisability.  The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 1(f) to the extent necessary to correct this paragraph or any portion of this paragraph which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended beneficial ownership limitation contained in this Section 1(f) or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation.  The limitation contained in this paragraph may not be waived and shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

(g)           Required Reserve Amount .  So long as this Warrant remains outstanding, the Company shall at all times keep reserved for issuance under this Warrant a number of shares of Common Stock at least equal to 100% of the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as shall be necessary to satisfy the Company’s obligation to issue shares of Common Stock under the Warrants then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercise) (the “ Required Reserve Amount ”); provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock reserved pursuant to this Section 1(g) be reduced other than in connection with any exercise of Warrants or such other event covered by Section 2(c) below.  The Required Reserve Amount (including, without limitation, each increase in the number of shares so reserved) shall be allocated pro rata among the holders of the Warrants based on the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Warrants held by each holder thereof on the Issuance Date (without regard to any limitations on exercise) (the “ Authorized Share Allocation ”).  In the event that a holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder’s Warrants, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such holder’s Authorized Share Allocation.  Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any Warrants shall be allocated to the remaining holders of Warrants, pro rata based on the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants then held by such holders thereof (without regard to any limitations on exercise).

 

7



 

(h)          Insufficient Authorized Shares .  If at any time while this Warrant remains outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance the Required Reserve Amount (an “ Authorized Share Failure ”), then the Company shall promptly take all action reasonably necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for this Warrant then outstanding.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock.  In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its board of directors to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such time of an Authorized Share Failure, the Company is able to obtain the written consent of a majority of the shares of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock to approve the increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, the Company may satisfy this obligation by obtaining such consent and submitting for filing with the SEC an Information Statement on Schedule 14C.

 

2.                                       ADJUSTMENT OF EXERCISE PRICE AND NUMBER OF WARRANT SHARES .  The Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

 

(a)          Intentionally omitted .

 

(b)          Voluntary Adjustment By Company .  The Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c)           Adjustment Upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock .  If the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced and the number of Warrant Shares will be proportionately increased.  If the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares will be proportionately decreased.  Any adjustment under this Section 2(c) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

 

(d)          Other Events .  If any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 2 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with

 

8



 

equity features), then the Company’s Board of Directors will make an appropriate adjustment in the Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares, as mutually determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Required Holders, so as to protect the rights of the Holder; provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 2(d) will increase the Exercise Price or decrease the number of Warrant Shares as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 2.

 

3.                                       RIGHTS UPON DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS .  In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 2 above, if, on or after the Subscription Date and on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property, options, evidence of indebtedness or any other assets by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “ Distribution ”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution ( provided , however , that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution (and beneficial ownership) to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such Distribution (and any Distributions declared or made on such initial Distribution or on any subsequent Distribution held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

4.                                       PURCHASE RIGHTS; FUNDAMENTAL TRANSACTIONS .

 

(a)                                  Purchase Rights .  In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 2 above, if at any time on or after the Subscription Date and on or prior to the Expiration Date the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “ Purchase Rights ”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations or restrictions on exercise of this Warrant, including without limitation, the Maximum Percentage) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be

 

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determined for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights ( provided , however , that to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (and shall not be entitled to beneficial ownership of such Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right (and beneficial ownership) to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time or times as its right thereto would not result in the Holder and the other Attribution Parties exceeding the Maximum Percentage, at which time or times the Holder shall be granted such right (and any Purchase Right granted, issued or sold on such initial Purchase Right or on any subsequent Purchase Right to be held similarly in abeyance) to the same extent as if there had been no such limitation).

 

(b)                                  Fundamental Transaction .  The Company shall not enter into or be party to a Fundamental Transaction unless the Successor Entity assumes in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(b), including agreements to deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant, including, without limitation, which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such adjustments to the number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction).  Upon the consummation of each Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company (so that from and after the date of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, the provisions of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the Successor Entity), and may exercise every right and power of the Company and shall assume all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant with the same effect as if such Successor Entity had been named as the Company herein. Upon consummation of each Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall deliver to the Holder confirmation that there shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant at any time after the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, in lieu of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 3 and 4(a) above, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction, such shares of common stock (or its equivalent) of the Successor Entity (including its Parent Entity) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant), as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and without limiting Section 1(f) hereof, the Holder may elect, at its sole option, by delivery of written notice to the Company to waive this Section 4(b) to permit the Fundamental Transaction without the

 

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assumption of this Warrant.  In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of each Fundamental Transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to insure that the Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon an exercise of this Warrant at any time after the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction but prior to the Expiration Date, in lieu of the shares of the Common Stock (or other securities, cash, assets or other property (except such items still issuable under Sections 3 and 4(a) above, which shall continue to be receivable thereafter)) issuable upon the exercise of the Warrant prior to such Fundamental Transaction, such shares of stock, securities, cash, assets or any other property whatsoever (including warrants or other purchase or subscription rights) (collectively, the “Corporate Event Consideration”) which the Holder would have been entitled to receive upon the happening of the applicable Fundamental Transaction had this Warrant been exercised immediately prior to the applicable Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant). The provision made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder. The provisions of this Section 4(b) shall apply similarly and equally to successive Fundamental Transactions and Corporate Events. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Change of Control , at the request of the Holder delivered before the 30th day after such Change of Control, the Company (or the Successor Entity) shall purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder, within five (5) Business Days after such request (or, if later, on the effective date of the Change of Control), an amount equal to the Black Scholes Value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the effective date of such Change of Control, payable in cash; provided , however , that, if the Change of Control is not within the Company’s control, including not approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity, as of the date of consummation of such Change of Control, the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Change of Control, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Change of Control.

 

5.               NONCIRCUMVENTION .  The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issuance or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, and will at all times in good faith carry out all of the provisions of this Warrant and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holder.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (i) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant above the Exercise Price then in effect, (ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant, and (iii) shall, so long as any of the Warrants are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available

 

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out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the exercise of the Warrants, the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the exercise of the Warrants then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on exercise).

 

6.                                       WARRANT HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER .  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Holder, solely in such Person’s capacity as a holder of this Warrant, shall not be entitled to vote or receive dividends or be deemed the holder of capital stock of the Company for any purpose, nor shall anything contained in this Warrant be construed to confer upon the Holder, solely in such Person’s capacity as the Holder of this Warrant, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any right to vote, give or withhold consent to any corporate action (whether any reorganization, issue of stock, reclassification of stock, consolidation, merger, conveyance or otherwise), receive notice of meetings, receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, prior to the issuance to the Holder of the Warrant Shares which such Person is then entitled to receive upon the due exercise of this Warrant.  In addition, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any liabilities on the Holder to purchase any securities (upon exercise of this Warrant or otherwise) or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.  Notwithstanding this Section 6, the Company shall provide the Holder with copies of the same notices and other information given to the stockholders of the Company generally, contemporaneously with the giving thereof to the stockholders.

 

7.                                       REISSUANCE OF WARRANTS .

 

(a)          Transfer of Warrant .  If this Warrant is to be transferred, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company, whereupon the Company will forthwith issue and deliver upon the order of the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)), registered as the Holder may request, representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares being transferred by the Holder and, if less than the total number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant is being transferred, a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) to the Holder representing the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares not being transferred.

 

(b)          Lost, Stolen or Mutilated Warrant .  Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant, and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of any indemnification undertaking by the Holder to the Company in customary form (but without the obligation to post a bond) and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Holder a new Warrant (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant.

 

(c)           Exchangeable for Multiple Warrants .  This Warrant is exchangeable, upon the surrender hereof by the Holder at the principal office of the Company, for a new Warrant or Warrants (in accordance with Section 7(d)) representing in the aggregate the right to purchase the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant, and each such new

 

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Warrant will represent the right to purchase such portion of such Warrant Shares as is designated by the Holder at the time of such surrender.

 

(d)          Issuance of New Warrants .  Whenever the Company is required to issue a new Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Warrant, such new Warrant (i) shall be of like tenor with this Warrant, (ii) shall represent, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant, the right to purchase the Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant (or in the case of a new Warrant being issued pursuant to Section 7(a) or Section 7(c), the Warrant Shares designated by the Holder which, when added to the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the other new Warrants issued in connection with such issuance, does not exceed the number of Warrant Shares then underlying this Warrant), (iii) shall have an issuance date, as indicated on the face of such new Warrant which is the same as the Issuance Date, and (iv) shall have the same rights and conditions as this Warrant.

 

8.                                       NOTICES .  Whenever notice is required to be given under this Warrant, including, without limitation, an Exercise Notice, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice shall be given in writing, (i) if delivered (a) from within the domestic United States, by first-class registered or certified airmail, or nationally recognized overnight express courier, postage prepaid, electronic mail or by facsimile or (b) from outside the United States, by International Federal Express, electronic mail or facsimile, and (ii) will be deemed given (A) if delivered by first-class registered or certified mail domestic, three (3) Business Days after so mailed, (B) if delivered by nationally recognized overnight carrier, one (1) Business Day after so mailed, (C) if delivered by International Federal Express, two  (2) Business Days after so mailed and (D) on the time of transmission, if delivered by electronic mail to each of the email addresses specified in this Section 8 prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Trading Day, (E) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if delivered by electronic mail to each of the email addresses specified in this Section 8 on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any Trading Day and (E) if delivered by facsimile, upon electronic confirmation of receipt of such facsimile, and will be delivered and addressed as follows:

 

(i)                                      if to the Company, to:

 

Ion Geophysical Corporation
2105 CityWest Blvd., Suite 100
Attention: General Counsel

Email:   matt.powers@iongeo.com

 

(ii)                                   if to the Holder, at such address or other contact information delivered by the Holder to Company or as is on the books and records of the Company.

 

The Company shall provide the Holder with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to this Warrant, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefor.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will give written notice

 

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to the Holder (i) immediately upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the shares of Common Stock, (B) with respect to any grants, issuances or sales of any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property to holders of shares of Common Stock or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation; provided in each case that such information shall be made known to the public prior to or in conjunction with such notice being provided to the Holder.  It is expressly understood and agreed that the time of exercise specified by the Holder in each Exercise Notice shall be definitive and may not be disputed or challenged by the Company.

 

9.                                       AMENDMENT AND WAIVER .  Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Warrant may be amended or waived and the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed by it, only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the Holder.

 

10.                                GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL .  This Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and performance of this Warrant shall be governed by, the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of New York or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of New York. The Company hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan, for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper.  The Company hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to the Company at the address set forth in Section 8(i) above or such other address as the Company subsequently delivers to the Holder and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed or operate to preclude the Holder from bringing suit or taking other legal action against the Company in any other jurisdiction to collect on the Company’s obligations to the Holder, to realize on any collateral or any other security for such obligations, or to enforce a judgment or other court ruling in favor of the Holder.  If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.  THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE

 

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HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS WARRANT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

11.                                DISPUTE RESOLUTION .  In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Exercise Price or the arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares, the Company shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations via facsimile or electronic mail within two (2) Business Days of receipt of the Exercise Notice or other event giving rise to such dispute, as the case may be, to the Holder.  If the Holder and the Company are unable to agree upon such determination or calculation of the Exercise Price or the Warrant Shares within three (3) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the Holder, then the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days submit via facsimile or electronic mail (a) the disputed determination of the Exercise Price to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by the Company and approved by the Holder  or (b) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Warrant Shares to the Company’s independent, outside accountant.  The Company shall cause at its expense the investment bank or the accountant, as the case may be, to perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Company and the Holder of the results no later than ten (10) Business Days from the time it receives the disputed determinations or calculations.  Such investment bank’s or accountant’s determination or calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error.

 

12.                                REMEDIES, OTHER OBLIGATIONS, BREACHES AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF .  The remedies provided in this Warrant shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Warrant and any other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and nothing herein shall limit the right of the Holder to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Warrant.  The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate.  The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, the holder of this Warrant shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required.

 

13.                                TRANSFER .  This Warrant and the Warrant Shares may be offered for sale, sold, transferred, pledged or assigned without the consent of the Company.

 

14.                                SEVERABILITY; CONSTRUCTION; HEADINGS .  If any provision of this Warrant is prohibited by law or otherwise determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the provision that would otherwise be prohibited, invalid or unenforceable shall be deemed amended to apply to the broadest extent that it would be valid and enforceable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of such provision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Warrant so long as this Warrant as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter hereof and the prohibited nature, invalidity or unenforceability of the provision(s) in question does not substantially impair the respective expectations or reciprocal obligations of the parties or the practical realization of the benefits that would otherwise be

 

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conferred upon the parties.  The parties will endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s) with a valid provision(s), the effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited, invalid or unenforceable provision(s).  This Warrant shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and the Holder and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof.  The headings of this Warrant are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Warrant.

 

15.                                DISCLOSURE .  Upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Warrant, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, the Company shall contemporaneously with any such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, nonpublic information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise.  In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, the Company so shall indicate to such Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, the Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, nonpublic information relating to the Company or its subsidiaries.

 

16.                                CERTAIN DEFINITIONS .  For purposes of this Warrant, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)          Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, it being understood for purposes of this definition that “control” of a Person means the power directly or indirectly either to vote 10% or more of the stock having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person or direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

 

(b)          Attribution Parties ” means, collectively, the following Persons and entities: (i) any investment vehicle, including, any funds, feeder funds or managed accounts, currently, or from time to time after the Subscription Date, directly or indirectly managed or advised by the Holder’s investment manager or any of its Affiliates or principals, (ii) any direct or indirect Affiliates of the Holder or any of the foregoing, (iii) any Person acting or who could be deemed to be acting as a Group together with the Holder or any of the foregoing and (iv) any other Persons whose beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock would or could be aggregated with the Holder’s and the other Attribution Parties for purposes of Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act.  For clarity, the purpose of the foregoing is to subject collectively the Holder and all other Attribution Parties to the Maximum Percentage.

 

(c)           Bid Price ” means, for any security as of the particular time of determination, the bid price for such security on the Principal Market as reported by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the bid price of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, or if the foregoing does not apply, the bid price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as

 

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reported by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, or, if no bid price is reported for such security by Bloomberg as of such time of determination, the average of the bid prices of any market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink Sheets LLC) as of such time of determination.  If the Bid Price cannot be calculated for a security as of the particular time of determination on any of the foregoing bases, the Bid Price of such security as of such time of determination shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder.  If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 11. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(d)          Black Scholes Value ” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg determined as of the day immediately following the first public announcement of the applicable Change of Control, or, if the Change of Control is not publicly announced, the date the Change of Control is consummated, for pricing purposes and reflecting (i) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of this Warrant as of such date of request, (ii) an expected volatility equal to the lesser of 75% and the 90-day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Change of Control,  (iii) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (a) the highest Weighted Average Price during the five (5) Trading Days prior to the closing of the Change of Control and (b) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Change of Control, (iv) a zero cost of borrow and (v) a 360 day annualization factor.

 

(e)           Bloomberg ” means Bloomberg Financial Markets.

 

(f)            Business Day ” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

(g)           Change of Control ” means any Fundamental Transaction other than (i) any reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of the Common Stock in which holders of the Company’s voting power immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification continue after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification to hold publicly traded securities and, directly or indirectly, are, in all material respect, the holders of the voting power of the surviving entity (or entities with the authority or voting power to elect the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a corporation) of such entity or entities) after such reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification, (ii) pursuant to a migratory merger effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Company or (iii) a merger in connection with a bona fide acquisition by the Company of any Person in which (x) the gross consideration paid, directly or indirectly, by the Company in such acquisition is not greater than 20% of the Company’s market capitalization as calculated on the date of the consummation of such merger and (y) such merger does not contemplate a change to

 

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the identity of a majority of the board of directors of the Company. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any transaction or series of transaction that, directly or indirectly, results in the Company or the Successor Entity not having Common Stock or common stock, as applicable, registered under the 1934 Act and listed on an Eligible Market shall be deemed a Change of Control.

 

(h)          Closing Bid Price ” and “ Closing Sale Price ” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price, as the case may be, then the last bid price or the last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, is reported for such security by Bloomberg, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in the OTC Link or “pink sheets” by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink OTC Markets Inc.).  If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price, as the case may be, of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder.  If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 11.  All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

(i)              Common Stock ” means (i) the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such Common Stock shall have been changed or any capital stock resulting from a reclassification of such Common Stock.

 

(j)             Convertible Securities ” means any stock or securities (other than Options) directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock.

 

(k)          Eligible Market ” means The NASDAQ Capital Market, the NYSE American LLC, The NASDAQ Global Select Market, The NASDAQ Global Market or The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

(l)              Expiration Date ” means March 21, 2019.

 

(m)      Fundamental Transaction ” means (A) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, (i) consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the Company is the

 

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surviving corporation) another Subject Entity, or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) to one or more Subject Entities, or (iii) make, or allow one or more Subject Entities to make, or allow the Company to be subject to or have its shares of Common Stock be subject to or party to one or more Subject Entities making, a purchase, tender or exchange offer that is accepted by the holders of at least either (x) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entities making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that all Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such purchase, tender or exchange offer, become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (iv) consummate a stock purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off or scheme of arrangement) with one or more Subject Entities whereby all such Subject Entities, individually or in the aggregate, acquire, either (x) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all the Subject Entities making or party to, or Affiliated with any Subject Entity making or party to, such stock purchase agreement or other business combination were not outstanding; or (z) such number of shares of Common Stock such that the Subject Entities become collectively the beneficial owners (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) of at least 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or (v) reorganize, recapitalize or reclassify its shares of Common Stock, (B) that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, allow any Subject Entity individually or the Subject Entities in the aggregate to be or become the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, whether through acquisition, purchase, assignment, conveyance, tender, tender offer, exchange, reduction in outstanding shares of Common Stock, merger, consolidation, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, scheme of arrangement, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification or otherwise in any manner whatsoever, of either (x) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, (y) at least 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock not held by all such Subject Entities as of the Subscription Date calculated as if any shares of Common Stock held by all such Subject Entities were not outstanding, or (z) a percentage of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company sufficient to allow such Subject Entities to effect a statutory short form merger or other transaction requiring other stockholders of the Company to surrender their Common Stock without approval of the stockholders of the Company or (C) directly or indirectly, including through subsidiaries, Affiliates or otherwise, in one or more related transactions, the issuance of or the entering into any other instrument or transaction structured in a manner to circumvent, or that circumvents, the intent of this definition in which case this definition shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this definition to the extent

 

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necessary to correct this definition or any portion of this definition which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended treatment of such instrument or transaction.

 

(n)          Group ” means a “group” as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and as defined in Rule 13d-5 thereunder.

 

(o)          Options ” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

 

(p)          Parent Entity ” of a Person means an entity that, directly or indirectly, controls the applicable Person, including such entity whose common stock or equivalent equity security is quoted or listed on an Eligible Market (or, if so elected by the Holder, any other market, exchange or quotation system), or, if there is more than one such Person or such entity, the Person or such entity designated by the Holder or in the absence of such designation, such Person or entity with the largest public market capitalization as of the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction.

 

(q)          Person ” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity and a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(r)             Principal Market ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

 

(s)            Required Holders ” means the holders of the Warrants representing at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants then outstanding.

 

(t)             “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, for the Company’s primary trading market or quotation system with respect to the Common Stock that is in effect on the date of receipt of an applicable Exercise Notice.

 

(u)          Subject Entity ” means any Person, Persons or Group or any Affiliate or associate of any such Person, Persons or Group.

 

(v)          Successor Entity ” means one or more Person or Persons (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Company or Parent Entity) formed by, resulting from or surviving any Fundamental Transaction or one or more Person or Persons (or, if so elected by the Holder, the Company or the Parent Entity) with which such Fundamental Transaction shall have been entered into.

 

(w)        Trading Day ” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded.

 

(x)          Transaction Documents ” means any agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Holder, as applicable.

 

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(y)          Weighted Average Price ” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as the Principal Market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg through its “Volume at Price” function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official open of trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time (or such other time as such market publicly announces is the official close of trading), as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest Closing Bid Price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the OTC Link or “pink sheets” by OTC Markets Group Inc. (formerly Pink OTC Markets Inc.).  If the Weighted Average Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Weighted Average Price of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the Holder.  If the Company and the Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 11 with the term “Weighted Average Price” being substituted for the term “Exercise Price.” All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or other similar transaction during the applicable calculation period.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be duly executed as of the Issuance Date set out above.

 

 

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

 

TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

The undersigned holder hereby exercises the right to purchase                   shares of Common Stock (“ Warrant Shares ”) of Ion Geophysical Corporation, a company organized under the laws of Delaware (the “ Company ”), evidenced by the attached Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (the “ Warrant ”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.

 

1.  Form of Exercise Price.  The Holder intends that payment of the Exercise Price shall be made as:

 

            a “ Cash Exercise” with respect to                   Warrant Shares; and/or

 

            a “Cashless Exercise” with respect to                 Warrant Shares.

 

2.  Payment of Exercise Price.  In the event that the holder has elected a Cash Exercise with respect to some or all of the Warrant Shares to be issued pursuant hereto, the holder shall pay the Aggregate Exercise Price in the sum of $                    to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

3.  Delivery of Warrant Shares.  The Company shall deliver to the holder            Warrant Shares in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

Date:                   ,

 

 

 

Name of Registered Holder

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Exercise Notice and hereby directs Computershare Investor Service to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock on or prior to the applicable Share Delivery Date.

 

 

 

 

 

ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

ION announces proposed public offering of common stock and warrants

 

HOUSTON — February 15, 2018 — ION Geophysical Corporation (NYSE: IO), (“ION” or the “Company”) today announced that it intends to offer and sell shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering. The Company also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase additional shares of common stock and warrants offered in the public offering. The offering is subject to market conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the offering.

 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is acting as co-manager for the offering.

 

A shelf registration statement relating to the shares of common stock and the warrants to be issued in the proposed offering was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and is effective. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

 

A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering will be filed with the SEC. The securities may be offered only by means of a prospectus, including a prospectus supplement, forming a part of the effective registration statement. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the securities being offered may also be obtained from Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Attention: Syndicate Prospectus Department, 85 Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or by telephone at (212) 667-8563, or by email at EquityProspectus@opco.com. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will also be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 



 

About ION

 

ION develops and leverages innovative technologies, creating value through data capture, analysis and optimization to enhance critical decision-making, enabling superior returns. For more information, visit iongeo.com.

 

Contacts

 

ION (Investor relations)

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Steve Bate, +1 281.552.3011

steve.bate@iongeo.com

 

ION (Legal)

 

EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Matthew Powers, +1 713.366.7226

matt.powers@iongeo.com

 

The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  Actual results may vary materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Risk factors, which could affect actual results, are disclosed by the Company from time to time in its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

 


Exhibit 99.2

 

 

ION prices $50 million public offering of common stock and warrants

 

HOUSTON — February 16, 2018 — ION Geophysical Corporation (NYSE: IO), (“ION” or the “Company”) today announced that it has priced its underwritten public offering of 1,820,000 shares of its common stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,820,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a public offering price of $27.50 per share and accompanying warrant. The warrants have an exercise price of $33.60 per share, are immediately exercisable and expire on March 21, 2019. The Company expects the gross proceeds from this offering to be $50,050,000, before deducting the underwriting discount and other estimated offering expenses. The Company expects to close the offering, subject to customary conditions, on or about February 21, 2018.

 

ION intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to pay its Senior Secured Third-Priority Lien Notes due May 15, 2018, and to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, working capital or investments in its subsidiaries.

 

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. is acting as the sole book-running manager for the offering. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is acting as co-manager for the offering.

 

The offering of common stock and warrants was made pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and declared effective. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

 

A preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus describing the terms of the proposed offering has been filed with the SEC and a final prospectus supplement will be filed with the SEC. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the securities being offered may also be obtained from Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

 



 

Attention: Syndicate Prospectus Department, 85 Broad Street, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10004, or by telephone at (212) 667-8563, or by email at EquityProspectus@opco.com. Electronic copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will also be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

About ION

 

ION develops and leverages innovative technologies, creating value through data capture, analysis and optimization to enhance critical decision-making, enabling superior returns. For more information, visit iongeo.com.

 

Contacts

 

ION (Investor relations)

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Steve Bate, +1 281.552.3011

steve.bate@iongeo.com

 

ION (Legal)

 

EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Matthew Powers, +1 713.366.7226

matt.powers@iongeo.com

 

The information included herein contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.  Actual results may vary materially from those described in these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Risk factors, which could affect actual results, are disclosed by the Company from time to time in its filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.