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 12, 2018

 

Jones Energy, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-36006

 

80-0907968

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission File
Number)

 

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

 

807 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 350
Austin, Texas

 

78746

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (512) 328-2953

 

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 x

 

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. x

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01                                            Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Purchase Agreement

 

On February 12, 2018, Jones Energy Holdings, LLC (“JEH”), Jones Energy Finance Corp. (“JEFC” and together with JEH, the “Issuers”), Jones Energy, Inc. (“Jones Energy” or the “Company”) and JEH’s material subsidiaries, other than JEFC (the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with the Parent, the “Guarantors”), entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (the “Initial Purchaser”) pursuant to which the Issuers agreed to sell $450,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9.25% senior secured first lien notes due 2023 (the “New First Lien Notes”) at an offering price equal to 97.526% of par. The New First Lien Notes were offered and sold in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The New First Lien Notes were resold to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions under which the Issuers and the Guarantors, on one hand, and the Initial Purchaser, on the other, have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The Issuers also agreed not to issue certain debt securities for a period of 60 days after February 12, 2018 without the prior consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC.

 

Jones Energy used the net proceeds from the offering to repay all but $25 million of the outstanding borrowings under JEH’s existing senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and will use net proceeds from the offering to fund drilling and completion activities, and for other general corporate purposes, which may include limited repurchases of the Issuers’ existing 6.75% senior notes due 2022 and 9.25% senior notes due 2023 (the “Existing Notes”).

 

The foregoing description of the Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”) as Exhibit 1.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Security Agreements

 

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Report have the meaning set forth in the Indenture (as defined below).

 

In connection with the issuance of the New First Lien Notes and pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, on February 14, 2018, JEH and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors entered into an Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement with the Collateral Agent (the “JEH Collateral Agreement”) and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement with the Collateral Agent (together with the JEH Collateral Agreement, the “Collateral Agreements”). Pursuant to the Collateral Agreements, JEH and the Guarantors granted to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the holders of the New First Lien Notes and the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, a first-lien security interest in all of its right and title in the Collateral, consisting of substantially all of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ real and personal assets and property, as collateral security for their obligations under the New First Lien Notes, the Revolving Credit Facility and the other Priority Lien Obligations, subject to certain permitted liens and exceptions as further described in the Indenture and the Collateral Agreements; provided, that the obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility and the obligations under any commodity hedging arrangements and cash management arrangements permitted to be secured on a first-lien basis under the Revolving Credit Facility have “first-out” status to the extent of the value of the Collateral.

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Collateral Agreements do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Collateral Agreements, copies of which are filed with this Report as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 and are incorporated by reference herein.

 

1



 

Amendment to Credit Agreement

 

On February 14, 2018, in connection with the offering and sale of the New First Lien Notes and the repayment of all but $25 million of the outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, JEH entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009, among JEH, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders signatory thereto (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”). Among other things, the Amendment (i) permits the issuance of the New First Lien Notes and additional senior secured notes in an aggregate principal amount, together with the New First Lien Notes, not to exceed $700.0 million, (ii) permits the incurrence of liens securing the New First Lien Notes pursuant to the terms of a collateral agency agreement, (iii) reduces the borrowing base to $50.0 million, and (iv) suspends testing of the senior secured leverage ratio until March 31, 2019.

 

The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is filed with this Report as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Report contains 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 Report that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this Report specifically include the expected use of proceeds from the offering of the New First Lien Notes.  These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company based on management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current economic and market conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements.

 

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

 

The information set forth below under Item 2.03 of this Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

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

 

Indenture

 

On February 14, 2018, the Issuers, the Guarantors, UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent, entered into an Indenture pursuant to which the Issuers issued the New First Lien Notes (the “Indenture”).

 

The New First Lien Notes are first-lien senior secured obligations of the Issuers. The New First Lien Notes are guaranteed on a first-lien senior secured basis by the Issuers and by each of the Issuers’ current Restricted Subsidiaries (except JEFC, because it is an Issuer, and two immaterial Subsidiaries). The New First Lien Notes are secured by first-priority Liens (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and to Permitted Collateral Liens) on substantially all assets and property, whether real, personal or mixed of the Issuers and the Grantors, other than certain excluded assets, granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations, which include the New First Lien Notes, the secured parties under the Revolving Credit Facility, and any other Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Assets held by any of the Issuers’ Unrestricted Subsidiaries are not pledged as collateral to secure the New First Lien Notes or the guarantees thereunder.

 

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Ranking

 

The New First Lien Notes are:

 

·                   the senior obligations of the Issuers;

 

·                   secured equally and ratably on a first-priority basis (subject to Permitted Collateral Liens), subject to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, with all other Priority Lien Obligations by a Lien on the Collateral owned or held by the Issuers;

 

·                   equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior Indebtedness of either of the Issuers, including any future First Out Debt and the Existing Notes;

 

·                   effectively junior, pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement, to the extent of the value of the Collateral, to Obligations under any First Out Credit Facility;

 

·                   effectively junior to all existing and future secured Indebtedness of the Issuers or any of its Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens on assets other than the Collateral, to the extent of the value of such assets;

 

·                   structurally junior to the Indebtedness and other liabilities of existing and future Subsidiaries of the Issuers that do not guarantee the New First Lien Notes;

 

·                   effectively senior, to the extent of the value of the Collateral, to all existing and future unsecured Indebtedness of the Issuers, including the Existing Notes;

 

·                   effectively senior, pursuant to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, to the extent of the value of the Collateral, to any future Junior Lien Obligations; and

 

·                   senior in right of payment to any future subordinated Indebtedness of either of the Issuers.

 

Maturity and Interest

 

The New First Lien Notes will mature on the earliest of (i) March 15, 2023, (ii) December 31, 2021, if on such date $50.0 million or more in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 remain outstanding, and (iii) December 15, 2022, if on such date $50.0 million or more in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9.25% Senior Notes due 2023 remain outstanding. Interest on the New First Lien Notes accrues at the rate of 9.250% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15, with the first payment due on September 15, 2018.

 

Redemption

 

At any time prior to March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of New First Lien Notes issued under the Indenture, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 109.25% of the principal amount of the New First Lien Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of holders of the New First Lien Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering; provided that (1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of New First Lien Notes originally issued under the indenture (excluding New First Lien Notes held by JEH and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and (2) the redemption occurs within 180 days after the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

 

At any time prior to March 15, 2020, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the New First Lien Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New First Lien Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of holders of the New First Lien Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

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On or after March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the New First Lien Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the New First Lien Notes redeemed, to the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of holders of the New First Lien Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

 

Percentage

 

2020

 

106.938

%

2021

 

104.625

%

2022

 

102.313

%

2023 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

Unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the New First Lien Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

Change of Control

 

If a Change of Control occurs, each holder of New First Lien Notes will have the right, except as provided below, to require JEH to repurchase all or any part of that holder’s New First Lien Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the terms set forth in the Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, JEH will offer to make a cash payment (a ‘‘Change of Control Payment’’) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the New First Lien Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the ‘‘Change of Control Purchase Date’’), subject to the rights of holders of the New First Lien Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

Events of Default

 

The Indenture sets forth certain Events of Default which are customary for an offering of the same type as the New First Lien Notes. In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Company, JEH or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of JEH that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding New First Lien Notes, the accrued interest thereon together with any premium, will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding New First Lien Notes, the accrued interest thereon together with any premium, may declare all the New First Lien Notes to be due and payable immediately.

 

Certain Covenants

 

The Indenture that governs the New First Lien Notes contains covenants that are customary for an offering of the same type as the New First Lien Notes and which, among other things, limit the Issuers’ ability and the ability of the Issuers’ Restricted Subsidiaries to:

 

·                   pay dividends on capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire capital stock, the Existing Notes, Junior Lien Obligations or subordinated indebtedness or make loans, investments or other restricted payments;

 

·                   incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of issue certain types of preferred equity;

 

·                   transfer or sell assets;

 

·                   create liens;

 

·                   enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments from Restricted Subsidiaries to the Issuers;

 

·                   consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the Issuers’ assets;

 

·                   engage in transactions with affiliates; and

 

·                   create unrestricted subsidiaries.

 

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The foregoing description of the Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, a copy of which is filed with this Report as Exhibit 4.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 8.01                                            Other Events.

 

On February 12, 2018, Jones Energy issued a press release announcing the pricing of the New First Lien Notes. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report.

 

Item 9.01                                            Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)                                  Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

1.1

 

Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2018, by and among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, Jones Energy Finance Corp., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and the Guarantors (as defined therein).

4.1

 

Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2018, by and among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, Jones Energy Finance Corp., Jones Energy, Inc., each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined therein), UMB Bank, N.A., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2018, made by each of the Grantors (as defined therein) in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2018, made by Jones Energy, Inc. in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

10.3

 

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement dated as of February 14, 2018, among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, as borrower, Jones Energy, Inc., Jones Energy, LLC, Nosley Assets, LLC Nosley SCOOP, LLC, Nosley Acquisition, LLC and Jones Energy Finance Corp., as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.

99.1

 

Press Release of Jones Energy, Inc. dated February 12, 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.

 

 

JONES ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 16, 2018

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

6


Exhibit 1.1

 

Execution Version

 

$450,000,000

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023

 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

February 12, 2018

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
Eleven Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10010-3629

 

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

1.                                       Introductory. Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ JEH LLC ”), and Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and, together with JEH LLC, the “ Issuers ”), agree with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (the “ Purchaser ”), subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to the Purchaser an aggregate $450,000,000 principal amount of their 9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”) to be issued under an indenture, dated the Closing Date (the “ Indenture ”), between the Issuers, the Guarantors (as defined below) and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). The Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ” and, together with the Notes, the “ Offered Securities ”) as to the payment of principal and interest by Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), Nosley Assets, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Jones Energy, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, Nosley SCOOP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Nosley Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (each a “ Guarantor ” and, collectively, the “ Guarantors ”).

 

As described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular (each as defined below), the Offered Securities will be secured on a first-priority basis by the liens on certain of the assets of the Issuers and the Guarantors.

 

Pursuant to:

 

·       a collateral agency agreement that will be entered into as of the Closing Date (the “ Collateral Agency Agreement ”) among JEH LLC, each of the other grantors and guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as collateral agent (the “ Collateral Agent ”), Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the other secured representatives from time to time party thereto;

 

·       the other security agreements and documents that will be entered into as of the Closing Date among the Collateral Agent and each grantor and guarantor from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “ Security Documents ”);

 

·       deeds of trust and mortgages (collectively, the “ Mortgages ”) encumbering the interests of the Issuers and other grantors in certain real property (each such property, a “ Mortgaged Property ” and, collectively, the “ Mortgaged Properties ”), to be made and delivered by

 



 

the Issuers and other grantors as required by the Indenture in favor of the Collateral Agent; and

 

·       any supplements or other instruments or documents or agreements entered into, made or delivered in connection with any of the foregoing or to secure any additional Collateral (as defined below), in each case as each of the foregoing may from time to time be amended (together with the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Documents and the Mortgages, collectively, the “ Collateral Documents ”),

 

the respective obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under the Indenture and the Offered Securities will be secured by first-priority liens on the Collateral described in the Indenture and set forth in the respective Collateral Document.

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Collateral ” and “ Permitted Liens ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term under the heading “Description of Notes” in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular.

 

This Agreement, the Offered Securities, the Indenture and the Collateral Documents are collectively referred to as the “ Transaction Documents ,” and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are herein referred to as the “ Transactions .”

 

Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agrees with the Purchaser as follows:

 

2.                                       Representations and Warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Purchaser that:

 

(a)                                  Offering Circular; Certain Defined Terms . The Issuers have prepared or will prepare a Preliminary Offering Circular and a Final Offering Circular.

 

For purposes of this Agreement:

 

Applicable Time ” means 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of this Agreement.

 

Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.

 

Commission ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Exchange Act ” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Final Offering Circular ” means the final offering circular relating to the Offered Securities to be offered by the Purchaser that discloses the offering price and other final terms of the Offered Securities and is dated as of the date of this Agreement (even if finalized and issued subsequent to the date of this Agreement).

 

Free Writing Communication ” means a written communication (as such term is defined in Rule 405) that constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Offered Securities and is made by means other than the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular.

 

General Disclosure Package ” means the Preliminary Offering Circular together with any Issuer Free Writing Communication existing at the Applicable Time and the information in which is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule A hereto.

 

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Issuer Free Writing Communication ” means a Free Writing Communication prepared by or on behalf of the Issuers, used or referred to by the Issuers or containing a description of the final terms of the Offered Securities or of their offering, in the form retained in the Issuers’ records.

 

Preliminary Offering Circular ” means the preliminary offering circular, dated February 5, 2018, relating to the Offered Securities to be offered by the Purchaser, as amended or supplemented.

 

Rules and Regulations ” means the rules and regulations of the Commission.

 

Securities Act ” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Securities Laws ” means, collectively, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“ Sarbanes-Oxley ”), the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Rules and Regulations, the auditing principles, rules, standards and practices applicable to auditors of “issuers” (as defined in Sarbanes-Oxley) promulgated or approved by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“ PCAOB ”) and, as applicable, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“ Exchange Rules ”).

 

Supplemental Marketing Material ” means any Issuer Free Writing Communication other than any Issuer Free Writing Communication specified in Schedule A hereto. Supplemental Marketing Materials include, but are not limited to, the electronic Bloomberg roadshow slides and the accompanying audio recording.

 

Unless otherwise specified, a reference to a “rule” is to the indicated rule under the Securities Act.

 

(b)                                  Disclosure . As of the date of this Agreement, the Preliminary Offering Circular does not and, as of the Closing Date, the Final Offering Circular will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. At the Applicable Time, and as of the Closing Date, neither (i) the General Disclosure Package, nor (ii) any individual Supplemental Marketing Material, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included, or will include, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, or will omit, to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding two sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Preliminary Offering Circular, the Final Offering Circular, the General Disclosure Package or any Supplemental Marketing Material based upon information furnished to the Issuers by the Purchaser specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information is that described as such in Section 8(b)  hereof.

 

(c)                                   Incorporated Documents . The documents incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and, when taken together with the General Disclosure Package, none of such documents contained any 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.

 

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(d)                                  Good Standing of the Issuers and the Guarantors .

 

(i)                                      JEH LLC . JEH LLC has been duly formed and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with limited liability company power and authority to own or lease its properties, as the case may be, and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package; and JEH LLC is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability company in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Issuers and the Guarantors taken as a whole or on the performance by the Issuers and the Guarantors of their obligations under this Agreement (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”).

 

(ii)                                   Finance Corp . Finance Corp. has been duly incorporated and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own or lease its properties, as the case may be, and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package; and Finance Corp. is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(iii)                                Guarantors . Each of the Guarantors has been duly incorporated or formed, as applicable, and is existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware or Texas, as applicable, with corporate limited liability company power, as applicable, and authority to own or lease its properties, as the case may be, and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package; and each of the Guarantors is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or foreign limited liability company in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Parent has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassesable, and all of the limited liability company interests in each of the Guarantors other than the Parent have been duly and validly authorized and issued and, under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the Texas Business Organizations Code, as applicable, the owners of such limited liability company interests have no obligation to make further payments to the Guarantors for their purchase of such limited liability company interests or contributions to the Guarantors solely by reason of their ownership of such limited liability company interests or their status as members of such Guarantors, and no personal liability for the debts, obligations and liabilities of such Guarantors, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being members of such Guarantors in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of each Guarantor; and the limited liability company interests of each Guarantor, as applicable, owned by JEH LLC, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects except (A) as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and (B) Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture).

 

(e)                                   Corporate Structure . Nosley Assets, LLC, Jones Energy, LLC, Nosley SCOOP, LLC, Nosley Acquisition, LLC, CCPR Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and JRJ

 

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Opco, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and, with respect to JEH LLC, Finance Corp., are the only subsidiaries, direct or indirect, of the Issuers.

 

(f)                                    Indenture; Security Interests .  The Indenture has been duly authorized; the Offered Securities have been duly authorized; and when the Offered Securities are delivered and paid for pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date, the Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered, such Offered Securities will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered, and the Indenture and such Offered Securities will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles, the discretion of  the court before which any proceeding may be brought, implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing and the benefits and security provided by the Indenture; when the Offered Securities are so delivered and paid for, all filings, including recordation of filing for recordation of the Indenture and the Collateral Documents and other actions necessary or desirable to protect and perfect a first priority security interest (subject to no liens except as provided in the Indenture) in all of the properties and assets of the Issuers and the Guarantors, specifically or generally described or referred to in the Indenture as being subject to the lien thereof (“ Encumbered Assets ”) in favor of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Offered Securities will have been duly made or taken in each place in which such filing or recording is required to create, protect, preserve and perfect the security interest created by the Indenture and the Collateral Documents and will be in full force and effect, and all taxes and recording and filing fees required to be paid with respect to the execution, recording or filing of the Indenture and the Collateral Documents and the issuance of the Offered Securities will have been paid; and when the Offered Securities are so delivered and paid for, and all required filings of the Indenture and the Collateral Documents are made and all other such actions taken, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent will have a valid and perfected first priority security interest (subject to no liens except as provided in the Indenture) in the Encumbered Assets enforceable against all creditors of the Issuers, subject only to the exceptions referred to in the Indenture.

 

(g)                                   Collateral Documents . Each of the Collateral Documents has been duly authorized by the Issuers and the Guarantors to the extent party thereto and, on the Closing Date, the Collateral Documents will have been duly executed and delivered by the Issuers and the Guarantors to the extent party thereto. When the Collateral Documents have each been duly executed and delivered, the Collateral Documents will be valid and binding agreements of the Issuers and the Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against the Issuers and the Guarantors party thereto in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. The Collateral Documents, when duly executed and delivered, will create valid and enforceable security interests or mortgage liens in the collateral to which they relate.

 

(h)                                  Security Interest . The security interests of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the holders of the Offered Securities and the liens on the rights of the Issuers and the Guarantors in the Collateral will constitute a valid and perfected security interest in all Collateral that can be perfected by the filing of a UCC-1 financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (the “ UCC ”) as in effect in any jurisdiction, and the liens have the priority described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular subject in priority only to the Permitted Liens. As of the Closing Date, the filing of all necessary UCC financing statements in the proper filing offices and other filings and actions contemplated by the Collateral Documents, will have

 

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been duly made or taken and will be in full force and effect, in each case, to the extent required by the Collateral Documents. As of the Closing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have possession and/or control (within the meaning of the UCC) of all Collateral for which the Collateral Documents require such possession and/or control as of the Closing Date.

 

(i)                                      No Restrictions on Subsidiaries .  No Guarantor is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends or distributions to the Issuers, from making any other distribution on such Guarantor’s capital stock or equity interests, from repaying to the Issuers any loans or advances to such Guarantor from the Issuers or from transferring any of such Guarantor’s property or assets to the Issuers or any other Guarantor of the Issuers, except as described in or contemplated in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular (in each case, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

(j)                                     Guarantee . The Guarantee by each Guarantor has been duly authorized by such Guarantor; and, when the Offered Securities are delivered and paid for pursuant to this Agreement on the Closing Date and issued, executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Guarantee of each Guarantor endorsed thereon will have been duly executed and delivered by each such Guarantor, will conform to the description thereof contained in the Final Offering Circular and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of such Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(k)                                  Absence of Further Requirements . No consent, approval, authorization, or order of, or filing or registration with, any person (including any governmental agency or body or any court) is required for the consummation of the Transactions, issuance and sale of the Offered Securities by the Issuers and the Guarantors or the execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture, the Collateral Documents and this Agreement, except (i) the filing of any UCC financing statements or similar filings in foreign jurisdictions in connection with the Collateral Documents, (ii) recordation of mortgages and other liens, (iv) for such consents that have been obtained or made, (iv) such as may be required under applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws, and (iv) for such other consents, approvals, authorizations or orders as would not adversely affect the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby and as would not have a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the ability of the Issuers and the Guarantors to perform their obligations under the Offered Securities, the Indenture, the Collateral Documents or this Agreement.

 

(l)                                      Independent Accountants . PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, who has certified certain financial statements of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the PCAOB and as required by the Securities Act.

 

(m)                              Independent Reserve Engineers . Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc. (“ CGA ”), the reserve engineer that prepared reserve reports on estimated net proved oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids reserves held by the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was, as of the date of preparation of such reserve reports, and is, as of the date hereof, an independent petroleum engineer with respect to the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries.

 

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(n)                                  Reserve Report Information . The oil and natural gas proved reserve estimates of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular are derived from reports that have been prepared by CGA, and such estimates fairly reflect, in all material respects, the oil and natural gas reserves attributable to the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries at the dates indicated therein and are prepared in accordance, in all material respects, with Commission guidelines applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.

 

(o)                                  Title to Real and Personal Property . The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) to, or have valid and marketable rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries, (ii) could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) are created under or permitted by the Indenture and that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009, among JEH LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders thereto from time to time, as amended through the date hereof (the “ Credit Agreement ”). The Purchaser acknowledges and agree that the representation set forth in this Section 2(o) does not relate to oil and gas properties, which are exclusively set forth in Section 2(p).

 

(p)                                  Title to Oil and Gas Properties . Each of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries has good and defensible title to all of its oil and gas properties in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects, except (i) such as are described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, (ii) such as are created under or permitted by the Indenture and the Credit Agreement or (iii) such as do not materially interfere with the use of the properties of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole; and all of the leases and subleases under which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries holds or uses properties described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular are in full force and effect, with such exceptions as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries thereof to the continued possession or use of the leased or subleased premises, except for such claims that, if successfully asserted, would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided however, that the enforceability of such leases and subleases, as the case may be, may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

(q)                                  Rights-of-Way . The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries have such consents, easements, rights-of-way or licenses from any person (“ rights-of-way ”) as are necessary to enable the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses in the manner described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, except for such rights-of-way the failure of which to obtain would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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The rights-of-way owned by the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries are subject only to such qualifications, reservations and encumbrances as may be set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular or as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(r)                                     Absence of Defaults and Conflicts Resulting from Transaction . The execution, delivery and performance by the Issuers and the Guarantors of the Indenture, the Collateral Documents and this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities and the consummation of the Transactions will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule  or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; a “ Debt Repayment Triggering Event ” means any event or condition that gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the counterparty to the agreements set forth on Schedule E (the “ Specified Contracts ”) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of any indebtedness under the Specified Contracts by the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries.

 

(s)                                    No Violation or Default . None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is in violation or default of (i) any provision of its charter or bylaws or comparable constituting documents; (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject; or (iii)any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to such Issuer, Guarantor or subsidiary of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over such Issuer, Guarantor or subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(t)                                     Purchase Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuers and the Guarantors.

 

(u)                                  Due Authorization .  Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby has been duly and validly taken.

 

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(v)                                  Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries possess all licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except where the failure to possess the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(w)                                Absence of Labor Dispute . Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no labor disturbance or dispute with the employees of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, contemplated or threatened, and none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of its or its respective subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers.

 

(x)                                  Environmental Laws . (i) The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries (a) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and the common law relating to pollution or the protection of the environment, natural resources or human health or safety, including those relating to the generation, storage, treatment, use, handling, transportation, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (b) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (c) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice, (d) are not conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation or other corrective action pursuant to any Environmental Law at any location, and (e) are not a party to any order, decree or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Environmental Law, and (ii) there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) except as described in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular (a) there are no proceedings that are pending, or that are known to be contemplated, against the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws in which a governmental entity 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 Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries are not aware of any facts or issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws, including the Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries and (c) none of the Issuers, the

 

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Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries anticipates material capital expenditures relating to any Environmental Laws.

 

(y)                                  Hazardous Materials . There has been no storage, generation, transportation, use, handling, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials by or caused by the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Issuers, the Guarantors or their respective subsidiaries, any other entity (including any predecessor) for whose acts or omissions the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is or could reasonably be expected to be liable) at, on, under or from any property or facility now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries, or at, on, under or from any other property or facility, in violation of any Environmental Laws or in a manner or amount or to a location that could reasonably be expected to result in any liability under any Environmental Law, except for any violation or liability which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. “ Hazardous Materials ” means any material, chemical, substance, waste, pollutant, contaminant, compound, mixture, or constituent thereof, in any form or amount, including petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) and petroleum products, natural gas liquids, asbestos and asbestos containing materials, naturally occurring radioactive materials, brine, and drilling mud, regulated or which can give rise to liability under any Environmental Law. “ Release ” means any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing, or migrating in, into or through the environment, or in, into from or through any building or structure. Except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries has received notice that it has been named as a “potentially responsible party” for a release of hazardous substances from a facility listed on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

 

(z)                                   Compliance with ERISA. Except, in each case, for any such matter as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), for which the Issuers or any member of their “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)) would have any liability (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, as applicable, has been satisfied (without taking into account any waiver thereof or extension of any amortization period); (iv) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan); (v) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and (vi) none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default).

 

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(aa)                           Disclosure Controls . The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries maintain “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

(bb)                           Accounting Controls. The Issuers and the Guarantors maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States (“ GAAP ”) and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.  Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, there has been no material weakness identified in the internal control over financial reporting of the Issuers.

 

(cc)                             Insurance. The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as are reasonably adequate to protect the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries and their respective businesses; and none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance or (ii) any 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 at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

 

(dd)                           No Unlawful Payments. None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; or (iii) made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

(ee)                             Compliance with Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective 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 Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, threatened.

 

(ff)                               Compliance with OFAC. None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries

 

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(i) is currently subject to any sanctions imposed by the United States (including any administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”) or (ii) will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person in any manner that will result in a violation of any economic sanctions imposed by the United States (including any administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, or the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or the United Kingdom (including sanctions administered or controlled by Her Majesty’s Treasury) (collectively, “ Sanctions ” and such persons, “ Sanction Persons ”) by, or could result in the imposition of Sanctions against, any person (including any person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries, is a person that is, or is 50% or more owned or otherwise controlled by a person that is: (i) the subject of any Sanctions; or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions that broadly prohibit dealings with that country or territory (currently, Cuba, Iran, Crimea, North Korea, and Syria) (collectively, “ Sanctioned Countries ” and each, a “ Sanctioned Country ”). Except as has been disclosed to the Purchaser or is not material to the analysis under any Sanctions, none of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries have engaged in any dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a Sanctioned Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, in the preceding three years, nor do the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries have any plans to increase their dealings or transactions with Sanctioned Persons, or with or in Sanctioned Countries.

 

(gg)                             FCPA. None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and each of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, each director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries has conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

 

(hh)                           Accurate Disclosure . The statements in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular under the headings “Benefit Plan Investor Considerations,” “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” and “Description of Notes” insofar as such statements summarize legal matters, agreements, documents or proceedings discussed therein, fairly summarize the matters therein described.

 

(ii)                                   Absence of Manipulation. None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective affiliates has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, in

 

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stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Issuers to facilitate the sale or resale of the Offered Securities.

 

(jj)                                 Forward-Looking Statements .  No forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

(kk)                           Statistical and Market-Related Data . Nothing has come to the attention of the Issuers or the Guarantors that has caused the Issuers or the Guarantors to believe that the statistical and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

 

(ll)                                   Sarbanes-Oxley Act .  There is and has been no failure on the part of the Issuers or the Guarantors or, to the knowledge of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any of the Issuers’ or the Guarantors’ directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.

 

(mm)                   Litigation .  Except as described in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, suits or proceedings pending to which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or to which any property of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to such Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; to the knowledge of the Issuers and the Guarantors, no such investigations, actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others; and (i) there are no current or pending legal, governmental or regulatory actions, suits or proceedings that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular that are not so described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular that are not so filed as exhibits to the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular.

 

(nn)                           Financial Statements of the Parent . The historical combined financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; all such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and any supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the information required to be stated therein.  The unaudited pro forma financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular give effect to assumptions made on a reasonable basis as set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular; and the assumptions used in preparing the unaudited pro forma financial statements

 

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included in the General Disclosure Package provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly attributable to the transactions or events described therein, the related pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions, and the pro forma columns therein reflect the proper application of those adjustments to the corresponding historical financial statement amounts. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G under the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. All other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular has been derived from the accounting records of the Parent and its consolidated respective subsidiaries and presents fairly in all material respects the information shown thereby.

 

(oo)                           Taxes. The Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed by them through the date hereof, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all taxes with respect to such tax returns (or such taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves for such taxes have been established), except to the extent that the failure to file such tax returns and/or pay such taxes would not, individually and in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(pp)                           No Material Adverse Change in Business . Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Parent and the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Parent included or incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Circular, (i) there has not been any material change in the capital stock or membership interests, as applicable, short-term debt or long-term debt of the Parent or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, or JEH LLC and any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, or any dividend or distribution of any kind (other than tax distributions under the limited liability company agreement of JEH LLC that are materially consistent with the disclosure related thereto contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular) declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Parent or JEH LLC on any class of capital stock or membership interests, as applicable, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Parent, JEH LLC and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) none of the Parent, JEH LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is material to the Parent, JEH LLC and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Parent, JEH LLC and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) none of the Parent, JEH LLC or any of their respective subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the Parent, JEH LLC and their respective subsidiaries taken as a whole and that is either from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular.

 

(qq)                           Investment Company Act . None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, each will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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(rr)                                 Ratings . Subsequent to the Applicable Time, there shall not have been any decrease in the rating of any of the Issuers’ debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act) or any notice given of any intended or potential decrease in any such rating or of a possible change in any such rating that does not indicate the direction of the possible change.

 

(ss)                               Class of Securities Not Listed . No securities of the same class (within the meaning of Rule 144A(d)(3)) as the Offered Securities are listed on any national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.

 

(tt)                                 No Registration . The offer and sale of the Offered Securities in the manner contemplated by this Agreement will be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by reason of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation S thereunder; and it is not necessary to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(uu)                           No General Solicitation; No Directed Selling Efforts . None of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective affiliates, or any person acting on its or their behalf, has, directly or indirectly, made offers or sales of any security, or solicited offers to buy, any security under circumstances that would require the registration of the Offered Securities under the Securities Act. None of the Issuers, the Guarantors, any of their respective affiliates,  or any person acting on its or their behalf has: (i) engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of the Offered Securities or (ii) engaged in any directed selling efforts (within the meaning of Regulation S) with respect to the Offered Securities; and each of the JEH Parties, their respective Affiliates and each person acting on its or their behalf has complied with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S.

 

3.                                       Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Securities. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Issuers agree to sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase from the Issuers, at a purchase price of 96.196% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest from February 14, 2018 to the Closing Date, all of the Offered Securities.

 

The Issuers will deliver against payment of the purchase price the Offered Securities to be offered and sold by the Purchaser in reliance on Regulation S (the “ Regulation S Securities ”) in the form of one or more permanent global securities in registered form without interest coupons (the “ Regulation S Global Securities ”) which will be deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) for the respective accounts of the DTC participants for the Euroclear System (“ Euroclear ”), and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“ Clearstream ”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The Issuers will deliver against payment of the purchase price the Offered Securities to be purchased by the Purchaser hereunder and to be offered and sold by the Purchaser in reliance on Rule 144A (the “ 144A Securities ”) in the form of one permanent global security in definitive form without interest coupons (the “ Restricted Global Securities ”) deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The Regulation S Global Securities and the Restricted Global Securities shall be assigned separate CUSIP numbers. The Restricted Global Securities shall include the legend regarding restrictions on transfer set forth under “Transfer Restrictions” in the Final Offering Circular. Until the termination of the distribution compliance period (as defined in Regulation S) with respect to the offering of the Offered Securities, interests in the Regulation S Global Securities may only be held by the DTC participants for Euroclear and Clearstream. Interests in any permanent global Securities will be held only in book-entry form

 

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through Euroclear, Clearstream or DTC, as the case may be, except in the limited circumstances described in the Final Offering Circular.

 

Payment for the Regulation S Securities and the 144A Securities shall be made by the Purchaser in Federal (same day) funds by wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to the Purchaser drawn to the order of the Purchaser at the office of Latham & Watkins LLP, 811 Main Street, Suite 3700, Houston, Texas 77002, at 10 a.m., New York time, on February 14, 2018 or at such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter as the Purchaser and the Issuers determine, such time being herein referred to as the “ Closing Date ,” against delivery to the Trustee as custodian for DTC of (i) the Regulation S Global Securities representing all of the Regulation S Securities for the respective accounts of the DTC participants for Euroclear and Clearstream and (ii) the Restricted Global Securities representing all of the 144A Securities. The Regulation S Global Securities and the Restricted Global Securities will be made available for checking at the above office of Latham & Watkins LLP, 811 Main Street, Suite 3700, Houston, Texas 77002 at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date.

 

4.                                       Representations by Purchaser; Resale by Purchaser.

 

(a)                                  The Purchaser represents and warrants to the Issuers and the Guarantors that it is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

(b)                                  The Purchaser acknowledges that the Offered Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold except (i) pursuant to Rule 144A or any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, if available, or (ii) to non-U.S. persons outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S. The Purchaser represents and agrees that it has offered and sold the Offered Securities, and will offer and sell the Offered Securities (i) as part of its distribution at any time and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering and the Closing Date, only in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 144A. Accordingly, neither the Purchaser nor its affiliates, nor any persons acting on its or their behalf, have engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Offered Securities, and the Purchaser, its affiliates and all persons acting on its or their behalf have complied and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S. The Purchaser agrees that, at or prior to confirmation of sale of the Offered Securities, other than a sale pursuant to Rule 144A, the Purchaser will have sent to each distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration that purchases the Offered Securities from it during the restricted period a confirmation or notice to substantially the following effect:

 

“The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the date of the commencement of the offering and the closing date, except in either case in accordance with Regulation S (or Rule 144A if available) under the Securities Act. Terms used above have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.”

 

Terms used in this subsection (b) have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.

 

(c)                                   The Purchaser agrees that it and each of its affiliates has not entered and will not enter into any contractual arrangement with respect to the distribution of the Offered Securities except with the prior written consent of the Issuers and the Guarantors.

 

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(d)                                  The Purchaser hereby represents and agrees that it has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for use of, any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Offered Securities other than (i) the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular, (ii) any written communication that contains either (A) no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) or (B) “issuer information” that was included in the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular, (iii) any written communication listed on Schedule C , (iv) any written communication prepared by the Purchaser and approved by the Issuers in advance in writing or (v) any written communication relating to or that contains the terms of the Offered Securities and/or other information that was included in the Final Offering Circular.

 

(e)                                   The Purchaser agrees that it and each of its affiliates will not offer or sell the Offered Securities in the United States by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c). The Purchaser agrees, with respect to resales made in reliance on Rule 144A of any of the Offered Securities, to deliver either with the confirmation of such resale or otherwise prior to settlement of such resale a notice to the effect that the resale of such Offered Securities has been made in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 144A.

 

(f)                                    The Purchaser represents and agrees that, solely in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities, it has not offered, sold or otherwise made available and will not offer, sell or otherwise make available any of the Offered Securities to any retail investor in the European Economic Area.  For the purposes of this provision:

 

(i)                                      the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following: (A) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); (B) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (C) not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC; and

 

(ii)                                   the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Offered Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Offered Securities.

 

(g)                                   The Purchaser represents and agrees that:

 

(i)                                      (A) it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business and (B) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell the Offered Securities other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue of the Offered Securities would otherwise constitute a contravention of Section 19 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “ FSMA ”) by the Issuers;

 

(ii)                                   it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in

 

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investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Offered Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Issuers or the Guarantors; and

 

(iii)                                it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Offered Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

5.                                       Certain Agreements of the Issuers and the Guarantors. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors agrees with the Purchaser that:

 

(a)                                  Amendments and Supplements to Offering Circular . The Issuers and the Guarantors will advise the Purchaser of any proposal to amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular and will furnish the Purchaser copies of such documents within a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed use, and will not use any such document to which the Purchaser or counsel for the Purchaser shall reasonably object. If, at any time prior to the completion of the resale of the Offered Securities by the Purchaser, there occurs an event or development as a result of which any document included in the Preliminary Offering Circular, the Final Offering Circular, the General Disclosure Package or any Supplemental Marketing Material, if republished immediately following such event or development, included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Issuers and the Guarantors promptly will notify the Purchaser of such event and promptly will prepare and furnish, at its own expense, to the Purchaser and the dealers and to any other dealers at the request of the Purchaser, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission. Neither the Purchaser’s consent to, nor the Purchaser’s delivery to offerees or investors of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section 7 .

 

(b)                                  Furnishing of Offering Circulars . The Issuers and the Guarantors will furnish to the Purchaser copies of the Preliminary Offering Circular, each other document comprising a part of the General Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Circular, all amendments and supplements to such documents and each item of Supplemental Marketing Material, in each case as soon as available and in such quantities as the Purchaser reasonably requests. At any time when the Issuers are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d), the Issuers and the Guarantors will promptly furnish or cause to be furnished to the Purchaser and, upon request of holders and prospective purchasers of the Offered Securities, to such holders and purchasers, copies of the information required to be delivered to holders and prospective purchasers of the Offered Securities pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) (or any successor provision thereto) in order to permit compliance with Rule 144A in connection with resales by such holders of the Offered Securities. The Issuers will pay the expenses of distributing to the Purchaser all such documents.

 

(c)                                   Blue Sky Qualifications . The Issuers and the Guarantors will arrange for the qualification of the Offered Securities for sale and the determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States and Canada as the Purchaser designates and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the resale of the Offered Securities by the Purchaser, provided that neither of the Issuers will be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of

 

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process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

 

(d)                                  Reporting Requirements . For so long as the Offered Securities remain outstanding, the Issuers and the Guarantors will furnish to the Purchaser, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of the Parent’s annual report to the Parent’s stockholders for such year; and the Issuers and the Guarantors will furnish to the Purchaser (i) as soon as available, a copy of each report and any definitive proxy statement of the Parent filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act or mailed to the Parent’s stockholders, and (ii) from time to time, such other information concerning the Issuers and the Guarantors as the Purchaser may reasonably request. However, so long as the Parent is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is timely filing reports with the Commission on its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system, the Issuers and the Guarantors are not required to furnish such reports or statements to the Purchaser.

 

(e)                                   Transfer Restrictions . During the period of one year after the Closing Date, the Issuers will, upon request, furnish to the Purchaser and any holder of Offered Securities a copy of the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Offered Securities.

 

(f)                                    No Resales by Affiliates . During the period of one year after the Closing Date, the Issuers will not, and will not permit any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) to, resell any of the Offered Securities that have been reacquired by any of them.

 

(g)                                   Payment of Expenses . The Issuers and the Guarantors will pay all expenses incidental to the performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement and the Indenture, including but not limited to (i) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its professional advisers; (ii) all expenses in connection with the execution, issue, authentication, packaging and initial delivery of the Offered Securities, the preparation and printing of this Agreement, the Offered Securities, the Indenture, the Collateral Documents, the Preliminary Offering Circular, any other documents comprising any part of the General Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Circular, all amendments and supplements thereto, each item of Supplemental Marketing Material and any other document relating to the issuance, offer, sale and delivery of the Offered Securities; (iii) any expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel to the Purchaser) incurred in connection with qualification of the Offered Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions in the United States and Canada as the Purchaser designates and the preparation and printing of memoranda relating thereto, (v) any fees charged by investment rating agencies for the rating of the Securities, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Collateral Agent and the Collateral Agent’s counsel in connection with the Collateral Documents and the Indenture; (vii) all filing costs and expenses relating to the perfection of the security interests in the Collateral, as set forth in the Collateral Documents (including the fees and expenses of counsel for the Purchaser as to these matters) and (viii) expenses incurred in distributing the Preliminary Offering Circular, any other documents comprising any part of the General Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Circular (including any amendments and supplements thereto) and any Supplemental Marketing Material to the Purchaser. The Issuers and the Guarantors will also pay or reimburse the Purchaser (to the extent incurred by them) for costs and expenses of the Purchaser and the officers and employees of the Issuers and any other expenses of the Purchaser, the Issuers and the Guarantors relating to investor presentations on any “road show” in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Securities including, without limitation, any travel expenses of the officers and employees of the Issuers and the Guarantors and any other expenses of the Issuers and the Guarantors, provided however, that the expenses related to the chartering of airplanes shall be paid 50% by the Issuers and 50% by the Purchaser.

 

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(h)                                  Use of Proceeds . The Issuers will use the net proceeds received in connection with this offering in the manner described in the “Use of Proceeds” section of the General Disclosure Package.

 

(i)                                      Absence of Manipulation . In connection with the offering, until the Purchaser shall have notified the Issuers of the completion of the resale of the Offered Securities, neither the Issuers, the Guarantors, nor any of their respective affiliates will, either alone or with one or more other persons, bid for or purchase for any account in which it or any of its affiliates has a beneficial interest any Offered Securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any Offered Securities; and neither it nor any of its affiliates will make bids or purchases for the purpose of creating actual, or apparent, active trading in, or of raising the price of, the Offered Securities.

 

(j)                                     Restriction on Sale of Securities . For a period of 60 days after the date hereof, none of the Issuers or the Guarantors (but only for so long as such Guarantors actually guarantee the Offered Securities) will, directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions with respect to any United States dollar-denominated debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Issuers or such Guarantor and having a maturity of more than one year from the date of issue or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any of the Offered Securities (“ Lock-Up Securities ”): (i) offer, sell, issue, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of Lock-Up Securities, (ii) offer, sell, issue, contract to sell, contract to purchase or grant any option, right or warrant to purchase Lock-Up Securities, (iii) enter into any swap, hedge or any other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequences of ownership of Lock-Up Securities, (iv) establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position in Lock-Up Securities within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (v) file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Lock-Up Securities or publicly disclose the intention to take any such action, without the prior written consent of the Purchaser, in each case, except for (x) exchanges of the Issuers’ existing 6.75% senior notes due 2022 and/or 9.25% senior notes due 2023 for newly-issued senior secured second-lien notes and (y) issuances of senior secured second-lien notes. None of the Issuers or the Guarantors will at any time directly or indirectly, take any action referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above with respect to any securities under circumstances where such offer, sale, pledge, contract or disposition would cause the exemption afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or the safe harbor of Regulation S thereunder to cease to be applicable to the offer and sale of the Offered Securities.

 

6.                                       Free Writing Communications .

 

(a)                                  Issuer Free Writing Communications . Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Purchaser, and the Purchaser represents and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Issuers and the Purchaser, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Offered Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Communication.

 

(b)                                  Term Sheets . The Issuers consent to the use by the Purchaser of a Free Writing Communication that (i) contains only (A) information describing the preliminary terms of the Offered Securities or their offering or (B) information that describes the final terms of the Offered Securities or their offering and that is included in or is subsequently included in the Final Offering Circular, including by means of a pricing term sheet in the form of Schedule A-1 hereto, or (ii) does not contain any material information about the Issuers, the Guarantors or their securities that was provided by or on behalf of the Issuers or the Guarantors, it being understood and agreed that each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be responsible to the Purchaser

 

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for liability arising from any inaccuracy in such Free Writing Communications referred to in clause (i) or (ii) as compared with the information in the Preliminary Offering Circular, the Final Offering Circular or the General Disclosure Package.

 

7.                                       Conditions of the Obligations of the Purchaser . The obligations of the Purchaser to purchase and pay for the Offered Securities will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors herein (as though made on the Closing Date), to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Issuers and the Guarantors made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Issuers and the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions precedent:

 

(a)                                  No Material Adverse Change . Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, properties or prospects of the Issuers and the Guarantors taken as a whole which, in the judgment of the Purchaser, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Issuers or the Guarantors by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)), or any public announcement that any such organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the Issuers or the Guarantors (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating) or any announcement that the Issuers or the Guarantors have been placed on negative outlook; (iii) any change in U.S. or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Purchaser, impractical to market or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Offered Securities, whether in the primary market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market, (iv) any suspension or material limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum or maximum prices for trading on such exchange; (v) or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Issuers or the Guarantors on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (vi) any banking moratorium declared by any U.S. federal or New York authorities; (vii) any major disruption of settlements of securities, payment, or clearance services in the United States or any other country where such securities are listed or (viii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or act of terrorism involving the United States, any declaration of war by Congress or any other national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of the Purchaser, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or emergency is such as to make it in the judgment of the Purchaser impractical or inadvisable to market the Offered Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Offered Securities.

 

(b)                                  No Legal Impediment to Issuance. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Offered Securities; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Offered Securities.

 

(c)                                   Accountants’ Comfort Letter . The Purchaser shall have received letters, dated, respectively, the date hereof and the Closing Date, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, confirming that they are a registered public accounting firm and independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Laws, in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser concerning

 

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the financial information with respect to the Parent and its subsidiaries set forth in the General Disclosure Package.

 

(d)                                  CGA Comfort Letter . The Purchaser shall have received letters, dated, respectively, the date hereof and the Closing Date, of CGA, (i) confirming that as of the date of its reserve reports for the years ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, it was an independent reserve engineer for the Parent and its subsidiaries, and that, as of the date of such letter, no information had come to its attention that could reasonably have been expected to cause it to withdraw its reserve reports and (ii) otherwise in form and substance acceptable to the Purchaser.

 

(e)                                   Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors . Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors, shall have furnished to the Purchaser, at the request of the Issuers, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Purchaser, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Purchaser, to the effect set forth in Schedule B hereto:

 

(f)                                    Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Purchaser . Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Purchaser, shall have furnished to the Purchaser, at the request of the Purchaser, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Purchaser with respect to such matters as the Purchaser may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

 

(g)                                   Officers’ Certificate . The Purchaser shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an executive officer of the Issuers and the Guarantors and a principal financial or accounting officer of the Issuers and the Guarantors in which such officers shall state (i) that the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Agreement are true and correct, (ii) that the Issuers and the Guarantors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, and (iii) that, subsequent to the date hereof, there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, properties or prospects of the Issuers and the Guarantors taken as a whole except as set forth in the General Disclosure Package or as described in such certificate.

 

(h)                                  CFO Certificate . The Purchaser shall have received, on the date hereof and the Closing Date, a certificate addressed to the Purchaser of the Chief Financial Officer of the Parent, in substantially the form attached hereto as Schedule D .

 

(i)                                      DTC Eligibility . The Offered Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

 

(j)                                     Indenture . The Purchaser shall have received a counterpart of the Indenture that shall have been validly executed and delivered by each of the Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

(k)                                  Collateral Documents . The Purchaser shall have received fully executed copies of the Collateral Documents required to be entered into by the Issuers or the Guarantors on the Closing Date. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Purchaser reasonable evidence of the effectiveness of the security contemplated by such Collateral Documents and, to the extent required by the Indenture to be completed on the Closing Date, the perfection of the security

 

22



 

interests created thereby, including, without limitation, the filing of UCC financing statements, recordations with other appropriate jurisdictions, offices and bodies, delivery of certificated securities or other possessory collateral, the execution and delivery of control agreements, if any (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Indenture)), and copies of a customary lien search report by a party reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, dated a date reasonably near to the Closing Date, listing all effective financing statements which name any of the Issuers or Guarantors (under its present name and any previous names used in the last five years) as the debtor.

 

(l)                                      Good Standing . The Purchaser shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Issuers and the Guarantors in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing as foreign entities in such other jurisdictions as the Purchaser may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors will furnish the Purchaser with such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Purchaser reasonably request. The Purchaser may in its sole discretion waive on behalf of the Purchaser compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Purchaser hereunder, whether in respect of the Closing Date or otherwise.

 

8.                                       Indemnification and Contribution . (a)  Indemnification of Purchaser . The Issuers and the Guarantors will indemnify and hold harmless the Purchaser, its officers, employees, agents, partners, members, directors and its affiliates and each person, if any, who controls the Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, to which such Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other Federal or state statutory law or regulation or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular, in each case as amended or supplemented, or any Issuer Free Writing Communication (including with limitation, any Supplemental Marketing Material), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the Issuers and the Guarantors will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers by the Purchaser specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

 

(b)                                  Indemnification of the Issuers and the Guarantors . The Purchaser will indemnify and hold harmless each of the Issuers, the Guarantors, each of their respective directors and each of their respective officers and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers or the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each, a “ Purchaser Indemnified Party ”), against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred) to which such Purchaser Indemnified Party may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other Federal or state statutory law or regulation or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue

 

23



 

statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Circular or the Final Offering Circular, in each case as amended or supplemented, or any Issuer Free Writing Communication or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, 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 reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers by the Purchaser specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Purchaser consists of (i) the following information in the Preliminary Offering Circular and the Final Offering Circular furnished by the Purchaser: the third paragraph, the second sentence of the ninth paragraph and the eleventh paragraph, in each case under the caption “Plan of Distribution;” provided, however, that the Purchaser shall not be liable for any losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of or based upon the Issuers’ failure to perform its obligations under Section 5(a)  of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                   Actions against Parties; Notification . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement includes (i) an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d)                                  Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers on the one hand and the Purchaser on the other from the offering of the Offered Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Purchaser on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by

 

24



 

the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Purchaser on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Issuers bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the Purchaser from the Issuers under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers and the Guarantors or the Purchaser and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), the Purchaser shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Offered Securities purchased by it were resold exceeds the amount of any damages which the Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. The Purchaser’s obligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations and not joint. The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Purchaser agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(d)  were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Purchaser was 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 in this Section 8(d) .

 

9.                                       [Reserved].

 

10.                                Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Issuers, the Guarantors or their respective officers and of the Purchaser set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of the Purchaser, the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Offered Securities. Except as set forth in the next sentence, if for any reason the purchase of the Offered Securities by the Purchaser is not consummated, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not have any obligation to reimburse the Purchaser. If the purchase of the Offered Securities by the Purchaser is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the occurrence of any event specified in clause (iii), (iv), (vi), (vii) or (viii) of Section 7(a) , the Issuers and the Guarantors will reimburse the Purchaser for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities.

 

11.                                Notices. All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if sent to the Purchaser will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to the Purchaser, c/o Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Eleven Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010-3629, Attention: LCD-IBD, or, if sent to the Issuers or the Guarantors, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to Jones Energy, Inc., 807 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 350, Austin, Texas 78746, Attention: Robert J. Brooks, with a copy to Mollie H. Duckworth at Baker Botts L.L.P., 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Suite 1500, Austin, Texas 78701; provided, however, that any notice to the Purchaser pursuant to Section 8 will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to the Purchaser.

 

12.                                Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the controlling persons referred to in Section 8 , and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder, except that holders of Offered Securities shall be

 

25



 

entitled to enforce the agreements for their benefit contained in the second and third sentences of Section 5(b)  hereof against the Issuers as if such holders were parties thereto.

 

13.                                [Reserved].

 

14.                                Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

15.                                Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Issuers and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that:

 

(a)                                  No Other Relationship . The Purchaser has been retained solely to act in connection with the initial purchase, offering and resale of the Offered Securities and that no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Issuers or the Guarantors and the Purchaser has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Preliminary Offering Circular, or the Final Offering Circular, irrespective of whether the Purchaser has advised or is advising the Issuers or the Guarantors on other matters;

 

(b)                                  Arm’s-Length Negotiations . The purchase price of the Offered Securities set forth in this Agreement was established by the Issuers and the Guarantors following discussions and arms-length negotiations with the Purchaser and the Issuers and the Guarantors are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)                                   Absence of Obligation to Disclose . The Issuers and the Guarantors have been advised that the Purchaser and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Issuers or the Guarantors and that the Purchaser has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Issuers or the Guarantors by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship; and

 

(d)                                  Waiver . The Issuers and the Guarantors waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims they may have against the Purchaser for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agree that the Purchaser shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to the Issuers or the Guarantors in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of the Issuers, including equityholders, employees or creditors of the Issuers or the Guarantors.

 

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

 

The Issuers and the Guarantors hereby submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Issuers and the Guarantors irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit or proceeding in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

26



 

If the foregoing is in accordance with the Purchaser’s understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Purchaser in accordance with its terms.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

NOSLEY ASSETS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]

 



 

 

NOSLEY SCOOP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

NOSLEY ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]

 



 

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

 

CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Sean Tobin

 

Name: Sean Tobin

 

Title: Director

 

 

[Signature Page to Purchase Agreement]

 



 

SCHEDULE A

 

Issuer Free Writing Communications (included in the General Disclosure Package)

 

1.                                       Final term sheet, dated February 12, 2018, for the Offered Securities, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C-1.

 

B- 1



 

SCHEDULE A-1

 

PRICING TERM SHEET

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

$450,000,000 9.250% SENIOR SECURED FIRST LIEN NOTES DUE 2023

 

Pricing Term Sheet, dated February 12, 2018, to the Preliminary Offering Circular, dated February 5, 2018 (as supplemented and amended by the Supplement to the Preliminary Offering Circular, dated February 8, 2018, and Supplement No. 2 to the Preliminary Offering Circular, dated February 12, 2018, the “ Preliminary Offering Circular ”), of Jones Energy Holdings, LLC and Jones Energy Finance Corp. (together, the “ Issuers ”). This Pricing Term Sheet is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Preliminary Offering Circular. The information in this Pricing Term Sheet supplements the Preliminary Offering Circular and supersedes the information in the Preliminary Offering Circular to the extent it is inconsistent with the information in the Preliminary Offering Circular. Capitalized terms used in this Pricing Term Sheet but not defined have the meanings given them in the Preliminary Offering Circular.

 

Issuers

 

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC and Jones Energy Finance Corp.

 

 

 

Title of Securities

 

9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023

 

 

 

Aggregate Principal Amount

 

$450,000,000

 

 

 

Gross Proceeds

 

$438,867,000.00

 

 

 

Ratings*

 

B2 (Moody’s) / B (Fitch)

 

 

 

Distribution

 

144A/Regulation S for life

 

 

 

Maturity Date

 

The notes will mature on the earliest of (i) March 15, 2023,

(ii) December 31, 2021, if on such date $50.0 million or more in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 remain outstanding and (iii) December 15, 2022, if on such date $50.0 million or more in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 9.25% Senior Notes due 2023 remain outstanding.

 

 

 

Issue Price

 

97.526%, plus accrued interest, if any, from February 14, 2018

 

 

 

Coupon

 

9.250%

 

 

 

Yield to Maturity

 

9.875%

 

 

 

Spread to Benchmark Treasury

 

+728 basis points

 

 

 

Benchmark Treasury

 

1.50% UST due March 31, 2023

 

 

 

Interest Payment Dates

 

Each March 15 and September 15, commencing September 15, 2018

 

 

 

Record Dates

 

March 1 and September 1 of each year

 

 

 

Trade Date

 

February 12, 2018

 

 

 

Settlement Date

 

February 14, 2018 (T+2)

 

 

 

Optional Redemption

 

At any time on or after March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem some or all of the notes at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption on the notes redeemed, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below:

 



 

 

 

Date

 

Percentage

 

 

 

2020

 

106.938

%

 

 

2021

 

104.625

%

 

 

2022

 

102.313

%

 

 

2023 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

 

 

Optional Redemption with Equity Proceeds

 

Up to 35% at 109.25% prior to March 15, 2020, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

 

 

Make-Whole Redemption

 

Applicable Premium calculated with T+50bps, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, prior to March 15, 2020.

 

 

 

Change of Control

 

Upon certain kinds of changes of control, noteholder put at 101%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

 

 

Sole Bookrunner

 

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

 

 

 

CUSIP Numbers

 

144A CUSIP: 48019T AF1

 

 

Regulation S CUSIP: U48008 AC7

 

 

 

ISIN Numbers

 

144 ISIN: US48019TAF12

 

 

Regulation S ISIN: USU48008AC75

 

 

 

Denominations

 

Minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof

 

 

 

Potential purchases by existing principal stockholders

 

One or more affiliates of Q Investments, LP (collectively, “Q Investments”), one of our principal stockholders and an affiliate of Scott McCarty, one of our directors, has indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of $45 million of notes in this offering at the issue price. However, because indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC may determine to sell more, fewer, or no notes in this offering to Q Investments, or Q Investments may determine to purchase more, fewer, or no notes in this offering. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will receive the same discounts and commissions on any notes purchased by Q Investments they will on any other notes sold in this offering.

 


*Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

 

Changes from Preliminary Offering Circular, as amended by Supplement No. 2 to Preliminary Offering Circular

 

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

 

The terms of the notes set forth in the Preliminary Offering Circular are amended hereby to reflect the following changes (with deletions indicated by strikethrough text and additions indicated by bold underlined text).

 

Certain Covenants

 

Restricted Payments

 

[. . .]

 



 

The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

 

[. . .]

 

(4)                                          (a) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (with any such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value being deemed substantially concurrent if the making of such Restricted Payment occurs not more than 90 days after such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value), (b) the repurchase or exchange of Existing Unsecured Notes on or after the date of the indenture in exchange for, or with the proceeds of, First Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations and (c) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under clause (4)(b) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”;

 

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

 

[. . .]

 

The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or issuances of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):

 

[. . .]

 

(4) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of:

 

[. . .]

 

(b)                                          additional Junior Lien Debt; provided that such Indebtedness does not (i)  provide for the payment of cash interest in excess of 13.0% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and (ii) exceed in aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (excluding the amount of any Indebtedness incurred as interest paid “in-kind”) $250.0 million (it being understood that such Indebtedness , for the avoidance of doubt, may be issued in exchange for Existing Unsecured Notes ) ;

 

[. . .]

 

Certain Definitions

 

Permitted Business Investments” means Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and gas through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or

 



 

satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, consisting of the following or similar investments or agreements (i) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbon properties or any interest therein or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems or ancillary real property interests, (ii) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral interests, processing agreements, developments agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts , subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies) with third parties, and (iii) direct or indirect ownership interests or Investments in drilling rigs, fracturing units and other related equipment (including transportation equipment) ; provided that in no event shall any Permitted Business Investment include Investments in joint ventures or similar arrangements .

 

Permitted Investments

 

[. . .]

 

(9)                                  [Reserved.] repurchases of the notes ;

 

[. . .]

 

(16)                                      any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, including the prepayment of expenses in the ordinary course on behalf of working interests owners in Oil and Gas Properties operated by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

Permitted Liens

 

[. . .]

 

(14)                                   Liens arising in the ordinary course in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that such Liens are limited to the property that is subject to such Production Payments and Reserve Sales

 

(15)                                   Liens arising in the ordinary course under oil and gas leases or subleases, assignments, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, licenses, sublicenses and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided , however , in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

 



 

Priority Lien Debt ” means, collectively, First-Out Debt , a nd First Lien Debt , and Excess First-Out Obligations .

 

This material is strictly confidential and has been prepared by the Issuers solely for use in connection with the proposed offering of the securities described in the Preliminary Offering Circular. This material is personal to each offeree and does not constitute an offer to any other person or the public generally to subscribe for or otherwise acquire the securities. Please refer to the Preliminary Offering Circular for a complete description.

 

The securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are being offered only (1) to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (2) outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act, and this communication is only being distributed to such persons.

 

This communication is not an offer to sell the securities and it is not a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

 

Any disclaimer or notices that may appear on this Pricing Term Sheet below the text of this legend are not applicable to this Pricing Term Sheet and should be disregarded. Such disclaimers or other notices were automatically generated as a result of this communication being sent via Bloomberg or another e-mail system.

 

No PRIIPs KID. Not for retail investors in the EEA. No PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA.

 

B-1- 1



 

SCHEDULE B

 

FORM OF OPINION OF ISSUERS’ COUNSEL

 

(i)                                      Assuming (i) the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Purchaser set forth in the Purchase Agreement and (ii) the due performance and compliance by the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Purchaser of their respective covenants and agreements set forth in the Purchase Agreement, (a) the offer, sale and delivery of the Offered Securities to the Purchaser and (b) the initial resale of the Offered Securities by the Purchaser, each in the manner contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the General Disclosure Package, do not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, provided, however, that such counsel need not express any opinion as to any subsequent reoffer or resale of any of the Offered Securities; and it is not necessary to qualify the Indenture, or any indenture in respect thereof, under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

(ii)                                   Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(iii)                                Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors is validly existing as a limited liability company or corporation, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized with full limited liability company or corporate power and authority, as the case may be, to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign entity and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction set forth opposite its name on an annex to be attached to such counsel’s opinion.

 

(iv)                               The Company owns 90.3% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in JEH LLC (“JEH LLC Units”); the JEH LLC Units have been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are owned by the Company, free and clear of any liens, encumbrances, charges or security interests (each, a “ Lien ”)  in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Company as the debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Final Offering Circular). Under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ DLLCA ”), the Company has no obligation to make further payments to JEH LLC for its purchase of such limited liability company interests or contributions to JEH LLC solely by reason of its ownership of such limited liability company interests or its status as a member of JEH LLC, and no personal liability for the debts, obligations and liabilities of JEH LLC, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being a member of JEH LLC in accordance with the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of JEH LLC, as amended.

 

(v)                                  JEH LLC owns 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Finance Corp. (the “ Finance Corp Shares ”); the Finance Corp. Shares have been duly and validly authorized and issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by JEH LLC, free and clear of any Liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming Finance Corp. as the debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Final Offering Circular).

 

(vi)                               All the outstanding membership interests or other equity interests in each of the Subsidiary Guarantors(1) and each of their respective subsidiaries have been duly and validly authorized and issued and, under the DLLCA and the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “ TBOC ”), as applicable, the owners of such limited liability company interests have no obligation to make further payments to the Subsidiary Guarantors for their purchase of such limited liability company interests or contributions to the Subsidiary Guarantors solely by reason of their ownership of such limited liability company interests or their status as members of such Subsidiary

 


(1)  NTD: To refer to Nosley Assets, LLC, Jones Energy, LLC, Nosley SCOOP, LLC and Nosley Acquisition, LLC.

 

C- 1



 

Guarantors, and no personal liability for the debts, obligations and liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantors, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, solely by reason of being members of such Guarantors in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of each Subsidiary Guarantor and are owned directly or indirectly by JEH LLC, free and clear of any Liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware or the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Texas, as applicable, naming such Subsidiary Guarantor as the debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, as applicable, other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Final Offering Circular).

 

(vii)                            Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors has all requisite corporate or limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver each of the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and Collateral Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder; and all corporate or limited liability company action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by the Issuers and the Guarantors of the Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby has been validly taken.

 

(viii)                         The statements in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular under the heading “Description of Notes,” insofar as they constitute descriptions of agreements or refer to statements of law or legal conclusions, are accurate in all material respects.  The Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular.

 

(ix)                               The statements in the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular under the heading “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”, insofar as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the materials described therein in all material respects.

 

(x)                                  None of the execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement, the Collateral Documents or the Indenture, the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities, or the consummation of any other of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, will (A) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which any of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of any of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject other than Permitted Liens (as defined in the Final Offering Circular), (B) constitute a violation of the provisions of the bylaws, limited liability company agreement or other organizational documents of any of the Issuers or the Guarantors; or (C) result in a violation of the DLLCA, the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “ DGCL ”), the laws of the State of Texas or the federal laws of the United States of America applicable to any of the Issuers or the Guarantors, except, in the case of clauses (A) and (C) above, for such conflict, breach, violation, default or Lien that would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except with respect to clause (C), for federal or state securities laws or anti-fraud laws.

 

(xi)                               The Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as applicable, of the Issuers and the Guarantors, and has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Issuers and the Guarantors.

 

(xii)                            The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as applicable, of the Issuers and the Guarantors, and has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Issuers and the Guarantors, and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee) is a valid and legally binding agreement of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms.

 

(xiii)                         The Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Issuers and have been validly executed by each of the Issuers. When the Notes have been duly authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Purchaser under the Purchase Agreement,

 

C- 2



 

and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against them in accordance with their respective terms.

 

(xiv)                        The Guarantees have been duly authorized by each of the Guarantors.  When the Notes have been duly issued and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Purchaser under the Purchase Agreement, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture by the Trustee, the Guarantees will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors enforceable against them in accordance with their respective terms.

 

(xv)                           No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any Delaware, Texas, New York or federal court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over any of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the DGCL, the DLLCA, the laws of the State of Texas, the laws of the State of New York or federal law is required in connection with the due execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture or the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities by the Issuers and the Guarantors and the performance by the Issuers and the Guarantors of their respective obligations thereunder, except such as may be required under applicable states securities or “Blue Sky” laws, as to which we express no opinion or for such consents that have been obtained or made.

 

(xvi)                        Each of the Collateral Documents has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as applicable, of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors party thereto, and has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Issuers and the Guarantors party thereto, and each of the Collateral Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with their respective terms.

 

(xvii)                     The Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement and the Parent Collateral Agreement are effective to create a valid security interest (the “ Article 9 Security Interest ”) in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement and the Parent Collateral Agreement), in the Collateral (as defined in the Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement and the Parent Collateral Agreement) in which any of the Issuers and the Guarantors party thereto have an interest that is of a type in which a security interest may be created under Article 9 of the New York UCC (the “ NY-UCC ”)  (such Collateral, the “ Article 9 Collateral ”). Upon the proper filing of the Delaware Financing Statements in the Delaware Filing Office, the Article 9 Security Interest granted by the Parent, the Issuers and the Guarantors, as applicable, in that portion of the Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware will be perfected.

 

In addition, such counsel shall state that it has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Issuers and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent auditors of the Issuers and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent reserve engineers of the Issuers and the Guarantors and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ representatives, at which the contents of the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular and related matters were discussed.  Although such counsel has not independently verified, is not passing upon, and is not assuming any responsibility for or expressing any opinion regarding the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in, the General Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Circular (except to the extent specified in paragraphs (viii) and (ix) above), based on the foregoing in the course of acting as counsel to the Issuers and the Guarantors in this transaction (and relying as to materiality as to factual matters on officers, employees and other representatives of the Issuers and the Guarantors), no facts have come to such counsel’s attention that have caused such counsel to believe that:

 

·                   the General Disclosure Package, as of the Execution Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or

 

·                   the Final Offering Circular, as of its date and as of the date hereof, included or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

it being understood that in each case we have not been asked to, and do not, express any belief with respect to (a) the financial statements and schedules or other financial or accounting information contained or included or

 

C- 3



 

incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, (b) the summary reserve report of the independent reserve engineer and reserve information contained or included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom or (c) representations and warranties and other statements of fact contained in the exhibits to documents incorporated by reference therein.

 

In rendering such opinion, such counsel may (i) rely in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers and employees of the Company and the Issuers and upon information obtained from public officials, (ii) assume that all documents submitted to such counsel as originals are authentic, that all copies submitted to such counsel conform to the originals thereof, and that the signatures on all documents examined by such counsel are genuine, (iii) state that its opinion is limited to matters governed by federal law, the laws of the State of New York, the Texas Limited Liability Company Act, the DGCL and the DLLCA, (iv) with respect to the opinions expressed as to the good standing or due qualification or registration as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, of the Issuers and the Guarantors and each of their respective subsidiaries, state that such opinions are based upon certificates of good standing provided by the Secretary of State of the state of formation and certificates of foreign qualification or registration provided by the Secretary of State of the states listed on an annex to be attached to such counsel’s opinion (each of which shall be dated as of a date not more than fourteen days prior to the Closing Date and shall be provided to counsel to the Purchaser), (v) state that they express no opinion with respect to (A) any permits to own or operate any real or personal property or (B) state or local taxes or tax statutes to which any of the members of Issuers or the Guarantors may be subject; and (vi) with respect to the opinions expressed in paragraphs (vi), (vii) and (viii) relating to the existence of any lien for which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code is on file, rely solely upon such counsel’s review of reports, dated as of recent dates, prepared by CT Lien Solutions, a Wolters Kluwer Company, purporting to describe all financing statements on file as of the dates thereof in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, naming any of the Issuers or the Guarantors as debtor.

 

C- 4



 

SCHEDULE C

 

WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

 

None.

 

D- 1



 

SCHEDULE D

 

FORM OF CFO CERTIFICATE

 

The undersigned, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (and together with its subsidiaries, the “ Company ”), in his capacity as such, hereby certifies pursuant to Section 7(h) of the Purchase Agreement, dated February 12, 2018 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), by and among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ JEH LLC ”), Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with JEH LLC, the “ Issuers ”), the guarantor parties thereto and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC (the “ Purchaser ”), that as of the date hereof:

 

1.                                       I am providing this certificate in connection with the offering by the Issuers (the “ Offering ”) of an aggregate of $450,000,000 principal amount of the Issuers’ Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023 by the means of [a preliminary offering circular dated February 5, 2018 (and together with any amendments or supplements thereto and the information incorporated by reference therein, the “ Preliminary Offering Circular ”)][a final offering circular dated February 12, 2018 (and together with the information incorporated by reference therein, the “ Final Offering Circular ”)].

 

2.                                       I am the duly elected, qualified and acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company, familiar with the accounting, operations and records systems of the Company, and I am providing this certificate to the Purchaser based on my examination of the Company’s financial records and schedules.

 

3.                                       I have read the [Preliminary Offering Circular][Final Offering Circular].

 

4.                                       No consolidated financial statements of the Company as of any date or for any period subsequent to September 30, 2017 are available.

 

5.                                       I supervised, or members of my staff who are responsible for the Company’s financial and accounting matters have supervised, the compilation of and reviewed the circled information contained in the attached Exhibit A , which is included in the [Preliminary Offering Circular][Final Offering Circular], has not been confirmed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, is based upon assumptions that I or such members of my staff believe are reasonable and consistent with the operations of the Company in the ordinary course of business and represents the Company’s current preliminary estimates based upon year-end analysis, review and reconciliations of the Company’s financials accounts and records, which year-end analysis, review and reconciliations have not yet been finalized.  Such information is, to my knowledge, correct and accurate in all material respects, and the financial data presented therein is accurately derived from the Company’s accounting records.

 

6.                                       Furthermore, I supervised, or members of my staff who are responsible for the Company’s financial and accounting matters have supervised, the comparison of the circled information contained in the attached Exhibit A as of or for the period indicated with the corresponding information shown in or derived from the Company’s accounting records and found them to be in agreement (except for differences caused by rounding).  No facts have come to my attention that have caused me to believe that the financial data presented in the attached Exhibit A are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States on a basis substantially consistent

 

E- 1



 

with that of the consolidated financial statements of the Company audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and included in the [Preliminary Offering Circular][Final Offering Circular] .

 

Baker Botts L.L.P. and Latham & Watkins LLP are each entitled to rely on this certificate in connection with the opinions that they are rendering pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Purchaser is entitled to use this certificate to assist in conducting and documenting its investigation of the affairs of the Issuers in connection with the offering of the Senior Secured First Lien Notes covered by the [Preliminary Offering Circular][Final Offering Circular], and reference may be made to this certificate in the Purchase Agreement or in any list of closing documents pertaining to the Offering. This certificate may not be otherwise used, circulated, quoted or referred to without the Company’s prior written consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, nor may it be filed with the SEC or referred to in the [Preliminary Offering Circular][Final Offering Circular].

 

E- 2



 

SCHEDULE E

 

SCHEDULED CONTRACTS

 

1.               Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009, among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, as amended or restated.

 

2.               Indenture, dated April 1, 2014, among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, Jones Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

 

3.               Indenture, dated February 23, 2015 among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, Jones Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee.

 

E- 1


Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC,

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.,

 

JONES ENERGY, INC.,

 

AND EACH OF THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

 

9.250% SENIOR SECURED FIRST LIEN NOTES DUE 2023

 


 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of February 14, 2018

 


 

UMB BANK, N.A.,

 

as Trustee

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Collateral Agent

 


 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

 

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

1

 

Section 1.02

Other Definitions

49

 

Section 1.03

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

49

 

Section 1.04

Rules of Construction

50

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES

50

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Form and Dating

50

 

Section 2.02

Execution and Authentication

51

 

Section 2.03

Registrar and Paying Agent

52

 

Section 2.04

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

52

 

Section 2.05

Holder Lists

53

 

Section 2.06

Transfer and Exchange

53

 

Section 2.07

Replacement Notes

65

 

Section 2.08

Outstanding Notes

65

 

Section 2.09

Treasury Notes

66

 

Section 2.10

Temporary Notes

66

 

Section 2.11

Cancellation

66

 

Section 2.12

Defaulted Interest

66

 

Section 2.13

CUSIP Numbers

67

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

67

 

 

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Notices to Trustee

67

 

Section 3.02

Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed

67

 

Section 3.03

Notice of Redemption

68

 

Section 3.04

Effect of Notice of Redemption

68

 

Section 3.05

Deposit of Redemption Price

69

 

Section 3.06

Notes Redeemed in Part

69

 

Section 3.07

Optional Redemption

69

 

Section 3.08

Mandatory Redemption

70

 

Section 3.09

Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds

71

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

73

 

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Payment of Notes

73

 

Section 4.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

73

 

Section 4.03

Reports

73

 

Section 4.04

Compliance Certificate

75

 

Section 4.05

Taxes

75

 

Section 4.06

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

75

 

Section 4.07

Restricted Payments

75

 

i



 

 

Section 4.08

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

81

 

Section 4.09

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

83

 

Section 4.10

Asset Sales

87

 

Section 4.11

Transactions with Affiliates

90

 

Section 4.12

Liens

92

 

Section 4.13

Business Activities

92

 

Section 4.14

Organizational Existence

92

 

Section 4.15

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control

93

 

Section 4.16

Additional Note Guarantees

95

 

Section 4.17

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

95

 

Section 4.18

Covenant Suspension

96

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS

97

 

 

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets

97

 

Section 5.02

Successor Issuer Substituted

98

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

98

 

 

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Events of Default

98

 

Section 6.02

Acceleration

101

 

Section 6.03

Other Remedies

102

 

Section 6.04

Waiver of Past Defaults

103

 

Section 6.05

Control by Majority

103

 

Section 6.06

Limitation on Suits

103

 

Section 6.07

Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment

104

 

Section 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

104

 

Section 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

104

 

Section 6.10

Priorities

105

 

Section 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

105

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

105

 

 

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Duties of Trustee

105

 

Section 7.02

Rights of Trustee

106

 

Section 7.03

Individual Rights of Trustee

107

 

Section 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

108

 

Section 7.05

Notice of Defaults

108

 

Section 7.06

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes

108

 

Section 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

109

 

Section 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

110

 

Section 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

111

 

Section 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

111

 

Section 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers

111

 

ii



 

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

111

 

 

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

111

 

Section 8.02

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

111

 

Section 8.03

Covenant Defeasance

112

 

Section 8.04

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

113

 

Section 8.05

Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

114

 

Section 8.06

Repayment to Issuers

114

 

Section 8.07

Reinstatement

115

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

115

 

 

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Without Consent of Holders of Notes

115

 

Section 9.02

With Consent of Holders of Notes

116

 

Section 9.03

[Reserved]

118

 

Section 9.04

Revocation and Effect of Consents

118

 

Section 9.05

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

118

 

Section 9.06

Trustee and Collateral Agent to Sign Amendments, etc.

118

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10 NOTE GUARANTEES

119

 

 

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Guarantee

119

 

Section 10.02

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

120

 

Section 10.03

Execution and Delivery of Notation of Note Guarantee

120

 

Section 10.04

Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

121

 

Section 10.05

Releases

121

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

122

 

 

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Satisfaction and Discharge

122

 

Section 11.02

Application of Trust Money

123

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS

124

 

 

 

 

 

Section 12.01

Authorization

124

 

Section 12.02

Notices

124

 

Section 12.03

Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes

125

 

Section 12.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

125

 

Section 12.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

126

 

Section 12.06

Rules by Trustee and Agents

126

 

Section 12.07

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Members

126

 

Section 12.08

Governing Law

126

 

Section 12.09

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

127

 

Section 12.10

Successors

127

 

Section 12.11

Severability

127

 

Section 12.12

Counterpart Originals

127

 

Section 12.13

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

127

 

Section 12.14

Payment Date Other Than a Business Day

127

 

iii



 

 

Section 12.15

Evidence of Action by Holders

127

 

Section 12.16

U.S.A. Patriot Act

128

 

Section 12.17

Force Majeure

128

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 13 COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

128

 

 

 

 

 

Section 13.01

Security Interest

128

 

Section 13.02

Post-Date of this Indenture Collateral Requirements

129

 

Section 13.03

Further Assurances; Liens on Additional Property

130

 

Section 13.04

Intercreditor Agreement

132

 

Section 13.05

Collateral Agency Agreement

132

 

Section 13.06

Release of Liens in Respect of Notes

133

 

Section 13.07

Collateral Agent

134

 

Section 13.08

Insurance

134

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

FORM OF NOTE

 

Exhibit B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Exhibit C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

Exhibit D

FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

 

Exhibit E

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

Exhibit F

FORM OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

 

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INDENTURE dated as of February 14, 2018 among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined), UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent.

 

The Issuers, the Parent, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”):

 

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE

 

Section 1.01          Definitions .

 

144A Global Note means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

Acquired Debt means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

(1)           Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and

 

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

 

Additional Notes means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes issued in respect thereof) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

 

Additional Secured Debt Designation ” means the written agreement of the Priority Lien Representative of holders of any Series of Priority Lien Debt or the Junior Lien Representative of holders of any Series of Junior Lien Debt, as applicable, as set forth in the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Priority Lien Debt or Series of Junior Lien Debt, for the benefit of (i) all holders of existing and future Priority Lien Debt, the Collateral Agent and each existing and future holder of Priority Liens, in the case of each additional Series of Priority Lien Debt (or First-Out Credit Facility) and (ii) all holders of each existing and future Series of Junior Lien Debt, the applicable Junior Lien Collateral Agent and each existing and future holder of Junior Liens, in the case of each Series of Junior Lien Debt:

 

(1)           in the case of any additional Series of Priority Lien Debt, that all such Priority Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Priority Liens at any time granted by the Issuers or any Guarantor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Priority Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting

 



 

collateral for such Series of Priority Lien Debt, and that all such Priority Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of all holders of Priority Lien Obligations, equally and ratably;

 

(2)           in the case of any additional Series of Junior Lien Debt, that all such Junior Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Junior Liens at any time granted by the Issuers or any Guarantor to secure any Obligations in respect of such Series of Junior Lien Debt, whether or not upon property otherwise constituting collateral for such Series of Junior Lien Debt, and that all such Junior Liens will be enforceable by the Junior Lien Collateral Agent for the benefit of all holders of Junior Lien Obligations, equally and ratably;

 

(3)           that such Priority Lien Representative or Junior Lien Representative, as applicable, and the holders of Obligations in respect of such Series of Priority Lien Debt or Series of Junior Lien Debt, as applicable, are bound by the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Priority Liens and Junior Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of Priority Liens and Junior Liens; and

 

(4)           appointing the Collateral Agent or the Junior Lien Collateral Agent, as applicable, and consenting to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the performance by the Collateral Agent or the Junior Lien Collateral Agent, as applicable, of, and directing the Collateral Agent or the Junior Lien Collateral Agent, as applicable, to perform, its obligations under the Collateral Agency Agreement or applicable security documents, as applicable, and the Intercreditor Agreement, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination,

 

(a)                                 the sum of:

 

(i)                                     the discounted future net revenues from Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated in a Reserve Report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, which Reserve Report is prepared or reviewed by independent petroleum engineers as to Proved Reserves accounting for at least 80% of all such discounted future net revenues and by the Company’s petroleum engineers with respect to any other Proved Reserves covered by such report, as increased by , as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

 

(A)                               estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired since the date of such year-end reserve report; and

 

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(B)                               estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since the date of such year-end Reserve Report due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions;

 

and decreased by , as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue attributable to:

 

(C)                               estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end Reserve Report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end Reserve Report; and

 

(D)                               reductions in estimated Proved Reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end Reserve Report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of Proved Reserves since such year-end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions;

 

in the case of the preceding clauses (A) through (D), calculated on a pre-tax basis in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such Person’s year-end reserve report) and estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Company for that purpose;

 

(ii)                                  the capitalized costs that are attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no Proved Reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available;

 

(iii)                               the Consolidated Net Working Capital of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the last day of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available; and

 

(iv)                              the greater of:

 

(A)                               the net book value; and

 

3



 

(B)                               the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries);

 

in each case, of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the last day of the date of the Company’s most recent quarterly or annual period for which internal financial statements are available; provided that if no such appraisal has been performed, the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal and only clause (a)(iv)(A) of this definition shall apply;

 

minus , to the extent not otherwise taken into account in this clause (a),

 

(b)                                 the sum of:

 

(i)                                     minority interests;

 

(ii)                                  any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the last day of the Company’s most recent annual or quarterly period for which internal financial statements are available;

 

(iii)                               the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year-end Reserve Report), attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and

 

(iv)                              the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

 

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full costs method or a similar method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting. For the avoidance of doubt, “Proved Reserves” shall include any reserves attributable to natural gas liquids.

 

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

 

4



 

otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.

 

Agent means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

Applicable Premium means, with respect to any Note at any time, the greater of:

 

(1)                                  1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

 

(2)                                  the excess of:

 

(a)                                  the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of the Note at March 15, 2020 (such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07(d) hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through March 15, 2020 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), over

 

(a)                                  the principal amount of the Note.

 

Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

Asset Sale ” means:

 

(1)                                  the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.15 and/or by Section 5.01 and not by Section 4.10.

 

(2)                                  the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

 

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

 

(1)                                  any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $5.0 million;

 

(2)                                  a disposition of assets between or among the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

5



 

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

 

(4)                                  the sale, lease or other disposition of products, services or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business (including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Company, no longer economically practicable to maintain or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as whole);

 

(5)                                  licenses and sublicenses by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of software or intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6)                                  any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)                                  the granting of Liens not prohibited by Section 4.12 and dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

(8)                                  the sale or other disposition of cash, Cash Equivalents or other financial instruments;

 

(9)                                  a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 or a Permitted Investment;

 

(10)                           sale or other disposition of Hydrocarbons or other mineral products in the ordinary course of business;

 

(11)                           an Asset Swap;

 

(12)                           the abandonment of Oil and Gas Properties or the forfeiture of such properties, owned or held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a manner that is customary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

(13)                           any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto;

 

(14)                           any sale or other disposition of Equity Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than any such Equity Interests constituting Collateral);

 

(15)                           the early termination or unwinding of any Hedging Obligations; and

 

6



 

(16)                           sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights by the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any Qualified DrillCo Agreement.

 

Asset Swap means any substantially contemporaneous (and in any event occurring within 180 days of each other) purchase and sale or exchange of any assets or properties used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any net cash received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 if then in effect.

 

Bankruptcy Code ” means Title 11 of the United States Code.

 

Bankruptcy Law means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have corresponding meanings. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed not to Beneficially Own securities that are the subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement, amalgamation agreement, arrangement agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.

 

Board of Directors means:

 

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

 

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

 

(3)                                  with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

 

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

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for as long as the Parent is the managing member of the Company, references to the Board of Directors of the Company shall mean the Board of Directors of Parent.

 

7



 

Board Resolution means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Business Day means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or another place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.

 

Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any lease (whether entered into before or after the date of this Indenture) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the date of this Indenture will be deemed not to represent a Capital Lease Obligation.

 

Capital Stock means:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(4)                                  any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person,

 

but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

 

Cash Equivalents ” means:

 

(1)                                  United States dollars;

 

(2)                                  securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

 

(3)                                  certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not

 

8



 

exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any domestic commercial bank or any branch or agency of a non-U.S. bank licensed to conduct business in the United States, in each case having combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million and a short term deposit rating of no lower than “A2” or “P2” by S&P or Moody’s, respectively;

 

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

 

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

 

(6)                                  money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

 

Cash Management Arrangement ” means with respect to any Person, any obligations of such person in respect of treasury management arrangements including any of the following products, services or facilities: (a) demand deposit or operating account relationships or other cash management services including, without limitation, any services provided in connection with operating, collections, payroll, trust, or other depository or disbursement accounts, including automated clearinghouse fund transfer services, e-payable, electronic funds transfer, wire transfer, controlled disbursement, overdraft, depository, information reporting, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts, interstate depository network services, lockbox and stop payment services; (b) treasury management line of credit, commercial credit card, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including, without limitation, stored value cards and non-card e-payables services; and (c) leases and other banking products or services, other than letters of credit issued under the First-Out Credit Facility.

 

Cash Management Obligation ” means obligations with respect to any Cash Management Arrangement.

 

Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

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

 

(2)                                  the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;

 

(3)                                  the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any Person (including any “person” (as defined above)), excluding the Qualifying Owners, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or

 

9



 

indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like;

 

(4)                                  the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any Person (including any “person” (as defined above)), excluding the Qualifying Owners identified in clause (1) of the definition of Qualifying Owners, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Parent, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like, at a time when the Parent is the managing member of, or otherwise controls the management of, the Company;

 

(5)                                  the occurrence of any other event that constitutes a “Change of Control” as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of July 29, 2013 among the Parent, the Company and the Members named therein, as in effect on the date of this Indenture; and

 

(6)                                  the occurrence of any other event that constitutes a “change of control” or similar event under any First Lien Document.

 

Clearstream means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

 

Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and any successor statute thereto, in each case, as amended from time to time.

 

Collateral ” means all assets and property, whether real, personal or mixed, wherever located and whether now owned or at any time acquired after the date of this Indenture by the Company or any Guarantor as to which a Lien is granted under the Security Documents to secure the Priority Lien Obligations, in each case other than Excluded Assets.

 

Collateral Agency Agreement” means the Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of the date of this Indenture, among the Company, the grantors and Guarantors from time to time party hereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as First-Out Representative, UMB Bank, N.A., as First Lien Representative, the Collateral Agent and any Priority Lien Representative of a Series of Priority Lien Debt that executes and delivers a Collateral Agency Joinder.

 

Collateral Agency Joinder ” means a joinder to the Collateral Agency Agreement in the form required thereunder.

 

Collateral Agent ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as collateral agent under the Collateral Agency Agreement, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement and thereafter means the successor serving thereafter.

 

Commission or “ SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company ” means Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, and any and all successors thereto.

 

10



 

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

 

(1)                                  an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(5)                                  if such Person accounts for its oil and natural gas operations using successful efforts or a similar method of accounting, consolidated exploration and abandonment expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

(6)                                  non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business; and minus

 

(7)                                  to the extent increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments,

 

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

 

Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP and without any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends or distributions; provided that:

 

11



 

(1)                                  any gain (losses) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business or any gain (loss) upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person will be excluded;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(5)                                  unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815 will be excluded;

 

(6)                                  any asset impairment write-downs on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines will be excluded;

 

(7)                                  any extraordinary or nonrecurring gains or losses, together with any related provision for taxes or Permitted Tax Distributions on such gains or losses will be excluded;

 

(8)                                  income or loss attributable to discontinued operations (including, without limitation, operations disposed of during such period whether or not such operations were classified as discontinued) will be excluded;

 

(9)                                  all gains or deferred financing costs written off, and premiums paid, in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness will be excluded;

 

(10)                           any non-cash compensation charge arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity based awards will be excluded; and

 

(11)                           an amount equal to the Permitted Tax Distributions paid for such period will be excluded.

 

12



 

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

 

continuing means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.

 

Controlling Priority Lien Representative ” means (a) at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the Shifting Control Date, and (ii) the date of the Discharge of First-Out Obligations, the Credit Agreement Agent or (b) on or any time after the earlier of (i) the Shifting Control Date and (ii) the date of the Discharge of First-Out Obligations, the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders.

 

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof (except with respect to payments on the Notes and any exchange, transfer or surrender of the Notes, in which case this address will be UMB Bank, N.A., 5555 San Felipe, Suite 870, Houston, Texas 77056, Attention: Corporate Trust Officer) or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuers.

 

Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009, as amended, by and among the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and issuing bank, and certain financial institutions, as lenders, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended or modified in any manner or reserved, refunded, replaced or refinanced by any First-Out Credit Facility.

 

Credit Agreement Agent ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, initially, and any other agent or representative of the First-Out Secured Parties then most recently designated in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, together with its successors in such capacity for purposes of administration of loans and collateral.

 

Custodian means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

 

Customary Recourse Exceptions ” means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

 

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Default means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

Definitive Note means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

 

Depositary means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

Designated Non-cash Consideration ” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation and executed by the principal financial officer and one other Officer of the Company, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

DIP Financing ” means financing to be provided by one or more lenders under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Discharge of First Lien Obligations ” means the occurrence of all of the following:

 

(1)                                  termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would                                         constitute First Lien Obligations;

 

(2)                                  payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if    any) on all First Lien Obligations; and

 

(3)                                  payment in full in cash of all other First Lien Obligations (other than any                                           obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other           liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior   to such time) that are outstanding and unpaid at the time that each of the events described                                              in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above shall have occurred;

 

provided that, if, at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred, the Company or any Guarantor enters into any Note Document evidencing a First Lien Obligation which incurrence is not prohibited by the applicable Priority Lien Documents, then such Discharge of First Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of the Collateral Agency Agreement with respect to such new First Lien Obligation (other than with respect to any actions taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First Lien Obligations), and, from and after the date on which the Company designates such Indebtedness as First Lien Obligations in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement, the

 

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obligations under such Note Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as First Lien Obligations for all purposes of the Collateral Agency Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Discharge of First-Out Obligations ” means the occurrence of all of the following:

 

(1)                                  termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would constitute First-Out Obligations (other than Excess First-Out Obligations);

 

(2)                                  payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all First-Out Obligations (other than any undrawn letters of credit and other than Excess First-Out Obligations);

 

(3)                                  discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (i) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (ii) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of liens under the terms of the Credit Agreement or First-Out Credit Facility, as applicable) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting First-Out Obligations (other than Excess First-Out Obligations);

 

(4)                                  (i) payment in full in cash of all First-Out Hedging Obligations (other than First-Out Hedging Obligations constituting Excess First-Out Obligations) that are secured by a Priority Lien and the termination of all First-Out Hedging Contracts relating thereto, (ii) the novation of all transactions entered into thereunder or pursuant thereto on terms and to counterparties acceptable to the applicable First-Out Hedging Counterparties or (iii) the establishment of other arrangements with respect to such First-Out Hedging Obligations as may be acceptable to the applicable First-Out Hedging Counterparties (and communicated to the Collateral Agent);

 

(5)                                  payment in full in cash of all other First-Out Obligations (other than Excess First-Out Obligations and any obligations for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities in respect of which no claim or demand for payment has been made at or prior to such time) that are outstanding and unpaid at the time that each of the events described in clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) above shall have occurred;

 

provided that, if, at any time after the Discharge of First-Out Obligations has occurred, the Company or any Guarantor enters into any First-Out Document evidencing a First-Out Obligation which incurrence is not prohibited by the applicable Priority Lien Documents, then such Discharge of First-Out Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of the Collateral Agency Agreement with respect to such new First-Out Obligation (other than with respect to any actions taken as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of First-Out Obligations), and, from and after the date on which the Company designate such Indebtedness as First-Out Obligations in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement, the obligations under such First-Out Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as First-Out Obligations for all purposes of the Collateral Agency Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth in the Collateral

 

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Agency Agreement, and any First Lien Obligations shall be deemed to have been at all times First Lien Obligations and at no time First-Out Obligations.

 

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

 

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

 

Domestic Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

Enforcement Action ” means, with respect to any Series of Priority Lien Debt, (a) the taking of any action to enforce any Lien in respect of the Collateral, including the institution of any foreclosure proceedings, the noticing of any public or private sale or other disposition under the Bankruptcy Code or any attempt to vacate or obtain relief from a stay or other injunction restricting any other action described in this definition, (b) the exercise of any right or remedy provided to a secured creditor on account of a Lien under the Priority Lien Documents (including, in either case, any delivery of any notice to seek to obtain payment directly from any account debtor of the Company or any Guarantor or the taking of any action or the exercise of any right or remedy in respect of the setoff or recoupment against, collection or foreclosure on or marshalling of the Collateral or proceeds of Collateral), under applicable law, at equity, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, including the acceptance of Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of a Lien, (c) the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, license, or other disposition as a secured creditor on account of a Lien of all or any portion of the Collateral, by private or public sale (judicial or non-judicial) or any other means, (d) the solicitation of bids from third parties to conduct the liquidation of all or a portion of Collateral as a secured creditor on account of a Lien, (e) the exercise of any other enforcement right relating to the Collateral (including the exercise of any voting rights relating to any capital stock composing a portion of the Collateral) whether under the Priority Lien Documents, under applicable law of any jurisdiction, in equity, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, or otherwise, or (f) the appointment of a receiver, manager or interim receiver of all or any portion of the Collateral or

 

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the commencement of, or the joinder with any creditor in commencing, any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against the Company or any Guarantor or any assets of the Company or any Guarantor.

 

Equity Interests of any Person means (1) any and all Capital Stock of such Person and (2) all rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) such Capital Stock of such Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Equity Interests, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Equity Interests.

 

Equity Offering means a sale of Equity Interests of the Parent (other than Disqualified Stock and other than to a Subsidiary of the Parent) made for cash on a primary basis by the Parent after the date of this Indenture, the proceeds of which are contributed to the Company.

 

Euroclear means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

 

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Excess First-Out Obligations ” means First-Out Obligations (including for this purpose any Indebtedness that, but for having been incurred in an amount exceeding the principal amount permitted under Section 4.09(b)(1), would otherwise constitute First-Out Obligations) for the principal amount of loans, letters of credit and reimbursement obligations for drawn letters of credit under the Credit Agreement or any other First-Out Credit Facility (other than such Obligations constituting First-Out Hedging Obligations owing to any First-Out Hedging Counterparty and First-Out Cash Management Obligations) in excess of the amount permitted to be incurred and so secured under the terms of each applicable Priority Lien Document including under Section 4.09(b)(1) (as in effect on the date of the issuance of the notes).

 

Excluded Account ” means (i) any deposit account, securities account or commodities account exclusively used for payroll, taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments, (ii) any deposit account, trust account, escrow account or security deposit established pursuant to statutory obligations or for the payment of taxes or holding funds in trust for third parties in the ordinary course of business and (iii) any account in which the aggregate amount on deposit (or, in the case of any securities account, the total fair market value of all securities held in such account) does not exceed $1,000,000 as of the end of any business day.

 

Excluded Assets ” means:

 

(1)                                  any property or assets (including any Oil and Gas Properties) held by our Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(2)                                  any Equity Interests in any Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(3)                                  any Equity Interests of the Company owned by the Parent (provided that the Parent will covenant not to permit any Lien to exist on such Equity Interests other than certain Permitted Liens);

 

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(4)                                  any lease (other than an oil and gas lease), license, contract or agreement to which the Issuers or any Guarantor is a party, any of its rights or interests thereunder, and all property subject thereto, if and only for so long as the grant of a Lien under the security documents will constitute or result in a termination under, or a default or breach thereof that would give the other party thereto the right to terminate, any such lease, license, contract or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law or principles of equity); provided that such lease, license, contract, agreement, rights, interests or property will cease to be an Excluded Asset immediately and automatically at such time as such consequences will no longer result;

 

(5)                                  assets securing purchase money obligations or Capital Lease Obligations permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, solely to the extent the documentation relating thereto prohibits such assets from being Collateral and no Lien on those assets secures any other Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Guarantor other than such purchase money obligations or Capital Lease Obligations or other Indebtedness owing with respect to property or equipment financed by the same financing source pursuant to customary cross collateral arrangements;

 

(6)                                  any trucks, service vehicles, automobiles, rolling stock, boats, vessels or other registered mobile equipment or equipment covered by certificates of title or ownership of the Issuers or any Guarantor;

 

(7)                                  any parcel of real property (other than any Oil and Gas Properties) owned by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors that has a Fair Market Value not exceeding $5.0 million;

 

(8)                                  collateral that is or may be provided to certain Hedging Obligation counterparties, certain banking product and account providers or issuers of letters of credit pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents rather than generally to the Priority Lien Secured Parties or to the Priority Lien Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties as a whole;

 

(9)                                  any Equity Interests of a Foreign Subsidiary or any Domestic Subsidiary that has no material assets other than the Equity Interests of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries (such Domestic Subsidiary being a “ FSHCO ”), in each case in excess of 65% of the voting rights of all outstanding Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO and any Equity Interests issued by any Foreign Subsidiaries or any FSHCO other than Foreign Subsidiaries and FSHCOs directly owned by the Issuers or any Guarantor;

 

(10)                           cash or securities of the Issuers or any Guarantor pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance or return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(11)                           any intent-to-use trademark or service mark application to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of such intent-to-use trademark or service mark application under applicable federal law; and

 

(12)                           Excluded Accounts.

 

Existing Indebtedness means all Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

 

Existing Unsecured Notes ” means (i) the 6.75% Senior Notes due 2022 outstanding on the date of this offering memorandum and (ii) the 9.250% Senior Notes due 2023 outstanding on the date of this offering memorandum.

 

Fair Market Value means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company in the case of amounts of $25.0 million or more and otherwise by an officer of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

 

FASB ASC 815 ” means Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging .

 

First Lien Debt ” means (a) the Notes issued on the date of this Indenture and the related Note Guarantees thereof and (b) additional Indebtedness that was incurred pursuant to clause (b)(1), (b)(3)(A), (b)(3)(B) or (b)(6) (insofar as such Indebtedness incurred under clause (b)(6) refunds, refinances, extends, replaces, renews or defeases Indebtedness originally incurred under clauses (b)(3)(A) or (b)(3)(B)) of Section 4.09 and any guarantees thereof that are secured equally and ratably with the First Lien Obligations by a Priority Lien that is permitted to be incurred and so secured under the terms of each applicable Priority Lien Document; provided , in the case of any additional Indebtedness referred to in this clause (b), that:

 

(1)                                  such Indebtedness does not mature and does not have any mandatory or scheduled payments or sinking fund obligations prior to the maturity date of the Notes (except as a result of a customary change of control or asset sale repurchase offer provisions),

 

(2)                                  the Maximum Premium payable pursuant to the agreements governing such Indebtedness does not exceed the Maximum Premium payable in respect of the Notes;

 

(3)                                  on or prior to the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or any Guarantor, such Indebtedness is designated by the Company, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to each Priority Lien Representative and the Collateral Agent, as both “Priority Lien Debt” and “First Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Priority Lien Documents,

 

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(4)                                  a Priority Lien Representative is designated with respect to such Indebtedness and executes and delivers to the Collateral Agent (i) an Additional Secured Debt Designation on behalf of itself and all holders of such Indebtedness and (ii) a Collateral Agency Joinder on behalf of itself and all holders of such Indebtedness,

 

(5)                                  all requirements set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Collateral Agent’s Lien to secure such additional Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this clause (b) will be conclusively established, absent manifest error, if the Company delivers to the Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such Indebtedness is “First Lien Debt”), and

 

(6)                                  such Indebtedness (other than any DIP Financing that is permitted by the Intercreditor Agreement) is pari passu in right of payment (it being understood that there may be different tranches of First Lien Debt with different maturities and amortization profiles, but the principal amount of Indebtedness under all such tranches must in all other respects be pari passu in right of payment) and does not have any senior or junior rights with respect to the application of proceeds from Collateral other than as provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

First Lien Documents ” means the Note Documents and any additional indenture, credit agreement or other agreement pursuant to which any other First Lien Debt is incurred and secured in accordance with the terms of each applicable Priority Lien Document, and the Security Documents related thereto (other than any Security Documents that do not secure First Lien Obligations).

 

First Lien Obligations ” means the First Lien Debt and all other obligations (as defined under the applicable First Lien Document) in respect thereof.

 

First Lien Representative ” means (a) the Trustee, in the case of the notes and (b) in the case of any other Series of First Lien Debt, the agent or trustee who maintains the transfer register for such Series of First Lien Debt and is appointed as a representative of such Series of First Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the applicable Security Documents) pursuant to the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of First Lien Debt and that executes and delivers an Additional Secured Debt Designation and a Collateral Agency Joinder in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

First Lien Standstill Period ” means the period of 60 consecutive days commencing on the date on which the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders has delivered a notice to the Priority Lien Representative for the First-Out Debtholders that the acceleration of any Priority Lien Debt has occurred and is continuing; provided that such period shall be extended so long as the Credit Agreement Agent has instructed (or shall be seeking relief from any stay or other prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding otherwise precluding the Credit Agreement Agent from instructing) the Collateral Agent to commence an

 

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Enforcement Action under the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement. and the Collateral Agent (acting at the written direction of the Credit Agreement Agent as the then Controlling Priority Lien Representative) is diligently pursuing (or shall be seeking relief from any stay or other prohibition in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding otherwise precluding the Collateral Agent from so diligently pursuing) an Enforcement Action against a material portion of the Collateral.

 

First-Out Cash Management Arrangements ” means a Cash Management Arrangement with a First-Out Cash Management Counterparty which creates First-Out Cash Management Obligations.

 

First-Out Cash Management Counterparty ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “First-Out Cash Management Obligations.”

 

First-Out Cash Management Obligations ” means all Cash Management Obligations owing to any First-Out Secured Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person that was a First-Out Secured Party or an Affiliate thereof at the time the Cash Management Arrangements which created such Cash Management Obligations were entered into (each such Person, a “ First-Out Cash Management Counterparty ”).

 

First-Out Credit Facility ” means the Credit Agreement or any other Indebtedness that refunds, refinances or replaces the Credit Agreement or any other First-Out Credit Facility, in each case, in whole or in part from time to time following this Indenture’s execution; provided that (a) in the case of any other such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness complies with the definition of First-Out Debt and (b)  the Maximum Premium payable pursuant to the agreements governing such Credit Agreement or other Indebtedness does not exceed the Maximum Premium payable in respect of the Notes.

 

First-Out Debt ” means (a) Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement (including the undrawn amount of letters of credit whether or not then available to be drawn) incurred under Section 4.09(b)(1) and any guarantees thereof (provided the Credit Agreement continues to meet the requirements for a First-Out Credit Facility), (b) First-Out Cash Management Obligations, (c) First-Out Hedging Obligations and (d) Indebtedness under any other First-Out Credit Facility (including the undrawn amount of letters of credit whether or not then available to be drawn) incurred under Section 4.09(b)(1) and any guarantees thereof; provided , in the case of this clause (d), that:

 

(1)                                  on or prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is designated by the Company, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to each Priority Lien Representative and the Collateral Agent, as both “Priority Lien Debt” and “First-Out Debt” for the purposes of the Priority Lien Documents;

 

(2)                                  the Credit Agreement Agent under such First-Out Credit Facility shall have duly executed and delivered to the Collateral Agent on behalf of itself and all holders of Indebtedness thereunder (i) an Additional Secured Debt Designation and (ii) a Collateral Agency Joinder;

 

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(3)                                  the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Priority Lien Obligations, after giving effect to such First-Out Credit Facility, shall not exceed the Priority Lien Cap; and

 

(4)                                  all requirements set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Collateral Agent’s Lien to secure such Indebtedness are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this clause (4) will be conclusively established, absent manifest error, if the Company delivers to the Collateral Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such debt constitutes First-Out Debt).

 

First-Out Documents ” means, collectively, documentation in respect of the Credit Agreement (including any other First-Out Credit Facility), each First-Out Hedging Contract and each First-Out Cash Management Arrangement pursuant to which any First-Out Debt is incurred and secured in accordance with the terms of each applicable Priority Lien Document, and the Security Documents related thereto (other than any Security Documents that do not secure First-Out Obligations).

 

First-Out Hedging Contracts ” means a Hedging Contract with a First-Out Hedging Counterparty giving rise to any First-Out Hedging Obligations.

 

First-Out Hedging Counterparty ” means (a) the Credit Agreement Agent or any other First-Out Representative or any of their respective Affiliates, (b) any Person that is or was a lender under the Credit Agreement or any other First-Out Credit Facility or any Affiliate of such lender, in each case, at the time the Hedging Contract(s) which created such Hedging Obligations were entered into, (c) each counterparty to a Hedging Contract in effect on the date of this Indenture and (d) any other Person whose corporate rating at the time of entering into the Hedging Contract is A-1 or higher by S&P or whose senior unsecured long-term debt obligations at the time of entering into the Hedging Contract are rated A- or higher by S&P or, in each case, an equivalent rating by another internationally recognized statistical rating organization of similar standing (or whose obligations under the Hedging Contract are guaranteed by another Person satisfying the foregoing ratings criteria).

 

First-Out Hedging Obligations ” means all Hedging Obligations owing to any First-Out Hedging Counterparty.

 

First-Out Obligations ” means the First-Out Debt and all other obligations (as defined in the applicable First-Out Document) in respect thereof.

 

First-Out Representative ” means (a) in the case of the obligations under the Credit Agreement (and First-Out Hedging Obligations and First-Out Cash Management Obligations constituting “Obligations” thereunder), the Credit Agreement Agent or (b) in the case of any other First-Out Credit Facility (and First-Out Hedging Obligations and First-Out Cash Management Obligations constituting “Obligations” thereunder), the agent, trustee or other counterparty who is appointed as a representative of such First-Out Debt (for purposes related to

 

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the administration of the applicable Security Documents) pursuant to such First-Out Credit Facility and that executes and delivers an Additional Secured Debt Designation and a Collateral Agency Joinder.

 

First-Out Secured Parties ” means each holder of a First-Out Obligation, including each First-Out Representative and the Collateral Agent.

 

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness or issues, repurchases or redeems Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Preferred Stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period (except that in making such calculation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility outstanding on the Calculation Date will be deemed to be (i) the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such four-quarter period or such shorter period for which such credit facility was outstanding or (ii) if such revolving credit facility was created after the end of such four-quarter period, the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the period from the date of creation of such revolving credit facility to the Calculation Date, provided that such average daily balance shall take into account any repayment of Indebtedness under such revolving credit facility to the extent of any related commitment termination). For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by the chief financial or accounting officer of the Company; provided that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to Consolidated Cash Flow, including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC) and that are set forth in an Officers’ Certificate signed by the chief financial or accounting officer that states (a) the amount of each such adjustment and (b) that such adjustments are based on the reasonable good faith belief of the officers executing such Officers’ Certificate at the time of such execution and the factual basis on which such good faith belief is based.

 

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

 

(1)           acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted

 

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Subsidiaries, and including all related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, or that are to be made on the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(6)           if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness, if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

 

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

 

(1)           the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding (i) any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and (ii) write-off of deferred financing costs), but including amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; plus

 

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

 

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(3)           any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

 

(4)           all dividends or distributions, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Stock of such Person or any series of Preferred Stock of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends or distributions on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person (other than Disqualified Stock) or to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person,

 

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

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.

 

Global Note Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

 

Global Notes means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as applicable, and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4) or 2.06(d)(2) hereof.

 

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

 

Guarantee means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise). When used as a verb, “ Guarantee ” has a correlative meaning.

 

Guarantors ” means the Parent and any Subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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Hedging Obligations means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person under any (a) Interest Rate Agreement and (b) Oil and Gas Hedging Contract.

 

Holder means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

 

Hydrocarbon Interests” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous Hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

 

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

 

Immaterial Subsidiary ” means, as of any date, any Restricted Subsidiary with total assets (based on Fair Market Value) as of such date, are less than $2.0 million, or together with all other such Immaterial Subsidiaries, with total assets (based on Fair Market Value) of less than $10.0 million; provided that a Restricted Subsidiary will not be considered to be an Immaterial Subsidiary if such, directly or indirectly, Guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company.

 

Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

 

(1)           in respect of borrowed money;

 

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

 

(3)           in respect of bankers’ acceptances;

 

(4)           representing Capital Lease Obligations; or

 

(5)           representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed,

 

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes (i) all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), provided that the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the lesser of (x) the Fair Market Value of such asset as such date of determination and (y) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person and (ii) to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person (including, with respect to any Production Payment, any warranties or guarantees of production or payment by such Person with respect to

 

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such Production Payment, but excluding other contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such Production Payment). Subject to the preceding sentence, neither Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.

 

In addition, “Indebtedness” of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the preceding paragraph that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

 

(1)           such Indebtedness is the obligation of a partnership or joint venture that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (a “ Joint Venture ”);

 

(2)           such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner of the Joint Venture (a “ Joint Venture General Partner ”); and

 

(3)           there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, with respect to the payment of such Indebtedness to property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; and then such Indebtedness shall be included in an amount not to exceed:

 

(a)           the lesser of (i) the net assets of the Joint Venture General Partner and (ii) the amount of such obligations to the extent that there is recourse, by contract or operation of law, to the property or assets of such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person; or

 

(b)           if less than the amount determined pursuant to clause (a) immediately above, the actual amount of such Indebtedness that is recourse to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, if the Indebtedness is evidenced by a writing and is for a determinable amount and the related interest expense shall be included in Fixed Charges to the extent actually paid by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, “Indebtedness” of a Person shall not include:

 

(1)           accrued expenses, royalties and trade payables;

 

(2)           any obligations under Interest Rate Agreements and Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts;

 

(3)           any obligation arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, Guarantees, adjustment of purchase price, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such Indebtedness is not reflected on the face of the balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(4)           any obligation arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument (except in the case of daylight

 

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overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five business days of incurrence;

 

(5)           in-kind obligations relating to net oil or natural gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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

 

(7)           any obligation of such Person in respect of a farm-in agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property;

 

(8)           any repayment or reimbursement obligation of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Customary Recourse Exceptions, unless and until an event or circumstance occurs that triggers the Person’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s direct repayment or reimbursement obligation (as opposed to contingent or performance obligations) to the lender or other Person to whom such obligation is actually owed, in which case the amount of such direct payment or reimbursement obligation shall constitute Indebtedness; and

 

(9)           any obligations owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any Qualified DrillCo Agreement.

 

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

 

Indirect Participant means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

Initial Notes means the first $450 million aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” means:

 

(1)           any case or proceeding commenced by or against the Company or any Guarantor under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any Guarantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any Guarantor or any similar case or

 

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proceeding relative to the Company or any Guarantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

(2)           any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any Guarantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

(3)           any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any Guarantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

 

Intercreditor Agreement ” means an intercreditor agreement executed among the Collateral Agent, the Credit Agreement Agent, each Junior Lien Representative and the Company and the other parties from time to time party thereto in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit F, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Interest Rate Agreement ” means any interest rate swap agreement (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates and is not for speculative purposes.

 

Investments means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities (excluding any interest in an oil or natural gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law), together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the Section 4.07 Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

Junior Lien ” means a Lien, junior to the Priority Liens as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement, granted by the Company or any Guarantor to secure Junior Lien Obligations

 

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(including Liens on such Collateral under the security documents associated with any Junior Lien Substitute Facility).

 

Junior Lien Collateral ” means all “collateral,” as defined in any Junior Lien Document, and any other assets of any grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Junior Lien Obligations.

 

Junior Lien Collateral Agent ” means the collateral agent or trustee or other representative of lenders or holders of Junior Lien Obligations designated pursuant to the terms of the Junior Lien Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement, in each case, together with its successors and assigns.

 

Junior Lien Debt ” means any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness owing to the Company or its Subsidiaries) of the Company or any Guarantor (including any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof to the extent permitted by the Intercreditor Agreement) that is secured by a Junior Lien that was permitted to be incurred under clauses (b)(1), (b)(4)(A), (b)(4)(B) or (b)(6) (insofar as such Indebtedness incurred under clause (b)(6) refunds, refinances, extends, replaces, renews or defeases Indebtedness originally incurred under clauses (b)(3)(A), (b)(3)(B), (b)(4)(A) or (b)(4)(B)) of Section 4.09 and is also permitted to be incurred and so secured under each applicable Priority Lien Document; provided that, in the case of any Indebtedness referred to in this definition:

 

(1)           such Indebtedness does not mature and does not have any mandatory or scheduled payments or sinking fund obligations prior to 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes (except as a result of a customary change of control or asset sale repurchase offer provisions);

 

(2)           on or before the date on which the first such Indebtedness is incurred by the Company or any Guarantor, the Company shall deliver to each Priority Lien Representative and Junior Lien Representative complete copies of each applicable Junior Lien Document (which shall provide that each secured party with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subject to and bound by the Intercreditor Agreement), along with an Officers’ Certificate certifying as to such Junior Lien Documents and identifying the obligations constituting Junior Lien Obligations;

 

(3)           on or before the date on which any such Indebtedness is incurred by the Company or any Guarantor, such Indebtedness is designated by the Company, in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Junior Lien Representative and Collateral Agent as “Junior Lien Debt,” and such Officers’ Certificate also certifies that such Indebtedness is permitted and with respect to any other requirements set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(4)           a Junior Lien Representative is designated with respect to such Indebtedness and executes and delivers an Additional Secured Debt Designation on behalf of itself and all holders of such Indebtedness;

 

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(5)           all relevant filings and recordations necessary to ensure that such Indebtedness is secured by the collateral in accordance with the applicable security documents are authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded in each appropriate jurisdiction (provided that this clause (5) may be satisfied on a post-closing basis if permitted by the Junior Lien Representative); and

 

(6)           all other requirements set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement or applicable security documents as to the confirmation, grant or perfection of the Liens of the holders of Junior Lien Debt to secure such Indebtedness or Obligations in respect thereof are satisfied (and the satisfaction of such requirements and the other provisions of this clause (6) will be conclusively established if the Company delivers to the Junior Lien Representative an Officers’ Certificate stating that such requirements and other provisions have been satisfied and that such Indebtedness is “Junior Lien Debt”).

 

Junior Lien Documents ” means, collectively, any indenture, credit agreement or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which Junior Lien Debt is incurred and the documents pursuant to which Junior Lien Obligations are granted.

 

Junior Lien Obligations ” means Junior Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof.

 

Junior Lien Representative ” means in the case of any Series of Junior Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Junior Lien Debt who is appointed as a representative of the Junior Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the security documents) pursuant to the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Junior Lien Debt, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

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

 

LLC Agreement ” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company dated as of July 26, 2013 as in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

Maximum Premium ” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, the maximum make-whole, prepayment premium or similar payments payable in respect of such Indebtedness, determined as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness to which such payments apply.

 

Modified ACNTA ” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets calculated as of a date not more than 30 days prior to the date of determination (the “ calculation date ”), on the following basis:

 

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(1)           in lieu of commodity pricing of future net revenues based on SEC guidelines, Strip Prices shall be used after giving effect to commodity derivatives contracts in effect as of the date of determination, as determined in good faith by the Company,

 

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

 

(3)           Consolidated Net Working Capital will be calculated without including net cash proceeds of the Notes.

 

Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to the ratings business thereof.

 

Mortgages ” means all mortgages, deeds of trust and similar documents, instruments and agreements (and all amendments, modifications and supplements thereof) creating, evidencing, perfecting or otherwise establishing the Liens on Oil and Gas Properties and other related assets to secure payment of the Priority Lien Obligations or any part thereof.

 

Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash proceeds and Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale but excluding any non-cash consideration deemed to be cash for purposes of Section 4.10 hereof), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable (including, for this purpose, any associated Permitted Tax Distributions) as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than revolving credit Indebtedness under a credit facility, secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve for adjustment or indemnification obligations in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established in accordance with GAAP.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness:

 

(1)           as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions; and

 

(2)           as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary), except for Customary Recourse Exceptions.

 

Non-U.S. Person means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

 

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Note Documents ” means this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees, the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Note Guarantee means any Guarantee by a Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, as provided in Article 10 hereof.

 

Notes has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

 

NYMEX ” means the New York Mercantile Exchange.

 

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

 

Officer means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

 

Officers’ Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of each of the Company and Finance Corp., in the case of the Company by two of the Officers of the Company and in the case of Finance Corp. by two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or Finance Corp, as the case may be, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.

 

Oil and Gas Business means (i) the acquisition, exploration, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other Hydrocarbon properties, (ii) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing (but not refining), storage, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties, (iii) any business relating to exploration for or development, production, treatment, processing (but not refining), storage, transportation or marketing of oil, gas and other minerals and products produced in association therewith and (iv) any activity that is ancillary to or necessary or appropriate for the activities described in clauses (i) through (iii) of this definition.

 

Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts ” means any puts, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons to be used, produced, processed or sold by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiary that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in Hydrocarbons prices and not for speculative purposes.

 

Oil and Gas Properties ” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests, (b) the properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests, (c) all presently existing or future

 

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unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests, (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests, (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, gas processing plants and pipeline systems and any related infrastructure to any thereof, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

 

Opinion of Counsel means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. Such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, the Parent, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

 

Parent ” means Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the direct or indirect parent of the Company, and any and all successors thereto.

 

Participant means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of any other Person existing at the time (a) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) such Person was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, either

 

(1)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of

 

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the applicable four-quarter period, the Company or such Person (if the Company is not the survivor in the transaction) would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof, or

 

(2)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or such Person (if the Company is not the survivor in the transaction) is equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

 

Permitted Business Investments” means Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business as a means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and gas through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, consisting of the following or similar investments or agreements (i) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other Hydrocarbon properties or any interest therein or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems or ancillary real property interests, (ii) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral interests, processing agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts and other similar agreements with third parties, and (iii) direct or indirect ownership interests or Investments in drilling rigs, fracturing units and other related equipment (including transportation equipment); provided that in no event shall any Permitted Business Investment include Investments in joint ventures or similar arrangements.

 

Permitted Collateral Liens ” means Liens in clauses (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (10), (11), (12), (14), (15) and (16) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” that, by operation of law, have priority over the Priority Liens.

 

Permitted Investments ” means:

 

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

 

(2)           any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

 

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

 

(a)           such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

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

 

(4)           any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10, including pursuant to an Asset Swap;

 

(5)           any acquisition of assets or Capital Stock solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or a direct or indirect parent of the Company;

 

(6)           any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (a) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (b) litigation, arbitration or other disputes;

 

(7)           Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

(8)           loans or advances to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2.5 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(9)           [Reserved];

 

(10)         any Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred by Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(11)         any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the date of this Indenture and any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to a binding commitment existing on, the date of this Indenture; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (a) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the date of this Indenture or (b) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(12)         Investments acquired after the date of this Indenture as a result of the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of another Person, including by way of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(13)         Permitted Business Investments;

 

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

 

(15)         endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(16)         any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, including the prepayment of expenses in the ordinary course on behalf of working interests owners in Oil and Gas Properties operated by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(17)         Guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under oil and natural gas exploration, development, joint operating, and related agreements and licenses, concessions or operating leases related to the Oil and Gas Business; and

 

(18)         other Investments having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) that are at the time outstanding that do not exceed the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Modified ACNTA; provided , however , that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (18) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (18) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Permitted Liens ” means:

 

(1)           Liens securing First-Out Obligations, First Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations ;

 

(2)           Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;

 

(3)           Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged

 

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with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(4)           Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such acquisition and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

 

(5)           Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, insurance, surety or appeal bonds, workers’ compensation obligations, bid, plugging and abandonment and performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens to secure letters of credit issued to assure payment of such obligations);

 

(6)           Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4) covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness and any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.09(b)(4);

 

(7)           Liens existing on the date of this Indenture (other than Liens described in another clause of this definition);

 

(8)           [Reserved];

 

(9)           Liens to secure any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture that refinances or replaces Indebtedness that was secured under clauses (3), (4), or (7) of this definition (or any Lien replacing or extending the foregoing Liens); provided , however , that:

 

(a)           the new Lien is limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien ( plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

 

(b)           the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged with such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

 

(10)         Liens on insurance policies and proceeds thereof, or other deposits, to secure insurance premium financings;

 

(11)         filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements as a precautionary measure in connection with operating leases;

 

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(12)         bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff, Liens arising out of judgments or awards not constituting an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;

 

(13)         Liens on cash, Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness;

 

(14)         Liens arising in the ordinary course in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that such Liens are limited to the property that is subject to such Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

 

(15)         Liens arising in the ordinary course under oil and gas leases or subleases, assignments, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of Hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, operating agreements, royalties, working interests, net profits interests, joint interest billing arrangements, participation agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, licenses, sublicenses and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided , however , in all instances that such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

 

(16)         Liens to secure performance of Hedging Obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(17)         Liens with respect to Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that does not exceed in aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $10.0 million.

 

Permitted Payments to Parent ” means, without duplication as to amounts:

 

(1)           payments to any parent companies of the Company (i) to pay reasonable accounting, legal, investment banking fees and administrative expenses (including director and officer insurance) of such parent companies when due and (ii) to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain their corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to directors, officers and employees of any direct parent of the Company and general corporate overhead expenses of any direct parent of the Company to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and

 

(2)           dividends or distributions paid to such parent companies, if applicable, in amounts equal to amounts required for such parent companies, if applicable, to pay

 

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interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company incurred in accordance with Section 4.09.

 

Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

 

(1)           the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged ( plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness, and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

 

(2)           such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, that is (a) later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged or (b) more than 90 days after the final maturity date of the Notes;

 

(3)           if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, as applicable, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of the Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

 

(4)           such Indebtedness is not incurred (other than by way of a Guarantee) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp.) if the Company is the issuer or other primary obligor on the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

 

Permitted Tax Distributions ” means (1) for any calendar year or portion thereof during which the Company is a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, payments and distributions to the members or partners of the Company, on or prior to each estimated tax payment date as well as each other applicable due date, in an amount not to exceed the product of (i) the total aggregate taxable income of the Company and its Subsidiaries which is allocable to its members or partners as a result of the operations or activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the relevant period, multiplied by (ii) the highest combined marginal federal, state and local income tax rates applicable to any member or partner of the Company (or, if any of them are themselves a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, their members or partners) and (2) without duplication, any other payment or distribution permitted by Section 4.4 of the LLC Agreement. For purposes of clause (i) above, the taxable income of the Company shall be determined by disregarding any adjustment to the taxable income of any

 

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member or partner of the Company that arises under Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the Code.

 

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

 

Preferred Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all preferred or preference stock or other similar Equity Interests (however designated) of such Person whether outstanding or issued after the date of this Indenture.

 

Present Value ” means, as of any date of determination, the discounted net present value, on a pre-income tax basis, of projected future cash flows from the production of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ Proved Reserves, which is:

 

(1)           calculated in accordance with the SEC guidelines but using Strip Prices for crude oil (WTI Cushing), for natural gas liquids (Mont Belvieu) and natural gas (Henry Hub), with such price held flat for each subsequent year, quoted on the New York Mercantile Exchange (or its successor) on such date of determination;

 

(2)           discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%;

 

(3)           as set forth in the Reserve Report mostly recently delivered under Section 4.03;

 

(4)           adjusted to give effect to the Hedging Contracts permitted by this Agreement as in effect on the date of such determination; and

 

(5)           in all cases, adjusted to give pro forma effect to all dispositions and acquisitions completed since the date of the applicable Reserve Report.

 

Priority Lien ” means a Lien granted by the Company or any other Guarantor in favor of the Collateral Agent, at any time, upon any Property of the Company or such other Guarantor to secure Priority Lien Obligations.

 

Priority Lien Cap ” means, as of any date, (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Priority Lien Debt permitted to be incurred under this Indenture as in effect on the date of issuance of the Notes, plus (b) the amount of all Hedging Obligations, to the extent such Hedging Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (c) the amount of all Cash Management Obligations, to the extent such Cash Management Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens, plus (d) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest (excluding any interest paid-in-kind), outstanding fees and expenses, and such other amounts, to the extent such Obligations are secured by the Priority Liens.

 

Priority Lien Collateral Agent ” means the Collateral Agent.

 

Priority Lien Debt ” means First-Out Debt, First Lien Debt and Excess First-Out Obligations.

 

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Priority Lien Debt Default ” means any event or condition (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, and whether or not notice has been given or time has elapsed) which, under the terms of any Priority Lien Document governing any Series of Priority Lien Debt, in each case after giving effect to any applicable grace periods, causes, or permits holders of Priority Lien Debt outstanding thereunder to cause, the Priority Lien Debt outstanding thereunder to become immediately due and payable.

 

Priority Lien Documents ” means, collectively, the First Lien Documents and the First-Out Documents.

 

Priority Lien Obligations ” means all Priority Lien Debt and all other obligations (as defined in the applicable Priority Lien Document) in respect of or in connection with Priority Lien Debt together with Hedging Obligations and the Cash Management Obligations (in each case to the extent that such obligations are secured by Priority Liens), including all obligations for amounts payable to the Collateral Agent (including for expenses and indemnities) under the Collateral Agency Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents.

 

Priority Lien Representative ” means (1) in the case of the Notes, the Trustee, (2) in the case of the Credit Agreement (including any other First-Out Credit Facility), the First-Out Hedging Obligations and the First-Out Cash Management Obligations constituting Obligations thereunder, the Credit Agreement Agent or (3) in the case of any other Series of Priority Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Priority Lien Debt who (A) is appointed as a Priority Lien Representative of such Series of Priority Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the applicable Security Documents) pursuant to the indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Priority Lien Debt, together with its successors in such capacity and (B) has executed and delivered an Additional Secured Debt Designation and a Collateral Agency Joinder in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Priority Lien Secured Party ” means, at any time, the Priority Lien Collateral Agent, each agent, trustee, lender, note holder or issuing bank under Priority Lien Debt, each holder, provider or obligee of any Hedging Obligations and the Cash Management Obligations, in each case to the extent that such Obligations are secured by Priority Liens, the beneficiaries of each indemnification obligation undertaken by any Grantor under any Priority Lien Document, each other Person that provides letters of credit, guarantees or other credit support related thereto under any Priority Lien Document and each other holder of, or obligee in respect of, any Priority Lien Obligations, in each case to the extent designated as a secured party (or a party entitled to the benefits of the security) under any Priority Lien Document outstanding at such time.

 

Private Placement Legend means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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

 

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Production Payments and Reserve Sales means the grant or transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, Production Payment, partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Property ” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

Proved Reserves ” has the meaning assigned to the term “Proved Oil and Gas Reserves” under Rule 4-10(22) of Regulation S-X.

 

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

 

Qualified DrillCo Agreement ” means an agreement pursuant to which a non-Affiliated Person (a “ DrillCo Investor ”) agrees to provide the funding necessary to drill and complete one or more oil or natural gas wells on the Company’s or any Guarantor’s Oil and Gas Property; provided , (a) the DrillCo Investor is conveyed not greater than a 90% working interest in any well (proportionately reduced to the Company’s actual working in interest in such well); (b) the DrillCo Investor’s initial working interest for the wells in any tranche or group of well is reduced to a retained working interest of not more than 20% (proportionately reduced to the Company’s actual working in interest in such well) at such time as the DrillCo Investor has received the greater of (i) a return on invested capital of not greater than 145% with respect to all of the wells in such tranche or group and (ii) an internal rate of return of not greater than 15% (calculated on a per annum basis); (c) at all times the Company or its Subsidiary shall remain the operator of such wells; (d) at no time will the DrillCo Investor have any interest in any oil and gas lease outside of the wellbore for which it has agreed to fund drilling and completion costs and expenses; and (e) no more than 120 drill sites within the WAB Properties may be subject to any Qualified Drillco Agreement and no more than 60 drill sites with the SCOOP/STACK Assets may be subject to any Qualified Drillco Agreement.

 

Qualifying Owners ” means, collectively, (a) Metalmark Capital Partners (C) II, L.P., any fund, investment account, or other investment vehicle managed by Metalmark Capital Management II LLC, any Affiliate of Metalmark Capital Partners (C) II, L.P., a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities are, directly or indirectly, held by Metalmark Capital Partners II GP, L.P., and any individuals that are Affiliates of Metalmark Capital Partners (C) II, L.P., (b) Jones Energy Management, LLC and any Affiliate of Jones Energy Management, LLC, a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities are, directly or indirectly, held by Jones

 

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Energy Management, LLC; (c) the Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries, and (d) JVL Advisors, L.L.C. and any Affiliate of JVL Advisors, L.L.C.; provided in the case of each of clauses (a) through (d), other than any operating portfolio company.

 

Regulation S means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Regulation S Global Note means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

 

Reporting Default means a Default described in Section 6.01(d).

 

Required First Lien Debtholders ” means, at any time, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all First Lien Debt then outstanding. For purposes of this definition, First Lien Debt registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, the Company or any Affiliate of the Company will be deemed not to be outstanding.

 

Required First-Out Debtholders ” means (a) for so long as there are no loans or letters of credit or unused commitments under the Credit Agreement, the First-Out Hedging Counterparties holding the majority of the net termination amount (which shall not be less than zero) that would be payable by the Company or any Subsidiary as of the date of determination to the First-Out Hedging Counterparties upon termination of all First-Out Hedging Contracts and (b) at such time as there are then loans, letters of credit or unused commitments under the Credit Agreement, the holders of a majority of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of loans outstanding, letters of credit and of unused commitments under the Credit Agreement.

 

Reserve Report ” means a report setting forth the Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and the Guarantors, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses, Present Value of Proved Reserves and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the pricing assumptions consistent with SEC reporting at the time.

 

Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Department of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee), including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Restricted Definitive Note means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

Restricted Global Note means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

 

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Restricted Investment means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Except where expressly stated otherwise, all references to Restricted Subsidiaries refer to Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

Rule 144 means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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

 

Rule 903 means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 904 means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, and any successor to the ratings business thereof.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction ” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any arrangement with any other Person providing for the sale by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to such other Person of any real property or equipment, acquired or placed into service by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such arrangement, whereby such real property or equipment is concurrently leased back by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from such other Person.

 

SCOOP/STACK Assets ” means Oil and Gas Properties held by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in Canadian, Grady and McClain Counties, Oklahoma, as of the date of this Indenture in the area generally known as the SCOOP/STACK play and any Oil and Gas Properties unitized or pooled with such SCOOP/STACK Assets in the ordinary course of business.

 

Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Security Documents ” means the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, each joinder agreement required by the Collateral Agency Agreement, and all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, Mortgages, deeds of trust, control agreements or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Company or any Guarantor creating (or purporting to create) a Priority Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms and the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Series of First Lien Debt ” means, severally, the Notes and each other issue or series of First Lien Debt.

 

Series of Junior Lien Debt means, severally, each issue or series of Junior Lien Debt.

 

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Series of Priority Lien Debt ” means, severally, the Credit Agreement (or any other First-Out Credit Facility), the Notes and each other issue or series of Priority Lien Debt.

 

Shifting Control Date means the date upon which (a) the acceleration of any Priority Lien Debt has occurred and is continuing and (b) the Priority Lien Representative for the Required First Lien Debtholders delivers written notice to the Credit Agreement Agent and the Collateral Agent (in accordance with the notice provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement and specifying both the first day and the last day of the corresponding First Lien Standstill Period) that (1) the conditions under clause (a) have been met, (2) the First Lien Standstill Period has expired and (3) the Required First Lien Debtholders wish to commence or continue an Enforcement Action pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

 

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

 

Strip Prices means, as of any date of determination, the forward month prices for the most comparable hydrocarbon commodity applicable to such future production month for a five year period (or such shorter period if forward month prices are not quoted for a reasonably comparable hydrocarbon commodity for the full five year period), with such prices held constant thereafter based on the last quoted forward month price of such period, as such prices are (i) quoted on the NYMEX (or its successor) as of the calculation date (as defined in the definition of Modified ACNTA) and (ii) adjusted for energy content, quality and basis differentials; provided that with respect to estimated future production for which prices are defined, within the meaning of SEC guidelines, by contractual arrangements excluding escalations based upon future conditions, then such contract prices shall be applied to future production subject to such arrangements.

 

Subsidiary means, with respect to any specified Person:

 

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

 

(2)                                  any partnership or limited liability company of which (a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination

 

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thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

 

Subsidiary Guarantors means the Subsidiaries, other than Finance Corp., signatory to this Indenture and any other Subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

TIA means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

 

Treasury Rate ” means, in respect of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to March 15, 2020; provided , however , that if the period from the redemption date to March 15, 2020, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. The Company will:

 

(1)                                  calculate the Treasury Rate no later than the second (and no earlier than the fourth) Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and

 

(2)                                  prior to such redemption date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

 

Trustee means UMB Bank, N.A., until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

 

Unrestricted Definitive Note means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

Unrestricted Global Note means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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

 

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

 

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(2)                                  is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

 

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

 

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

 

All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

U.S. Person means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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

 

Voting Stock of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of Capital Stock has voting power by reason of any contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person; provided that with respect to the Company or a limited partnership or other entity which does not have a Board of Directors, Voting Stock means the managing membership interest or the Capital Stock of the general partner of such limited partnership or other business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of such Person, as applicable.

 

WAB Properties ” means undeveloped Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries located within Ellis County, Oklahoma and Lipscomb, Hemphill, and Ochiltree Counties, Texas .

 

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

 

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

 

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(2)                                  the then outstanding aggregate amount of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock.

 

Section 1.02                              Other Definitions .

 

Term

 

Defined in 
Section

Affiliate Transaction

 

4.11

Alternate Offer

 

4.15

Asset Sale Offer

 

4.10

Authentication Order

 

2.02

Change of Control Offer

 

4.15

Change of Control Payment

 

4.15

Change of Control Purchase Date

 

4.15

Covenant Defeasance

 

8.03

DTC

 

2.03

Event of Default

 

6.01

Excess Proceeds

 

4.10

incur

 

4.09

Legal Defeasance

 

8.02

Notes Obligations

 

13.01

Offer Amount

 

3.09

Offer Period

 

3.09

Paying Agent

 

2.03

Payment Default

 

6.01

Permitted Debt

 

4.09

Purchase Date

 

3.09

Registrar

 

2.03

Restricted Payments

 

4.07

Suspension Period

 

4.18

 

Section 1.03                              Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

indenture securities ” means the Notes;

 

indenture security Holder ” means a Holder of a Note;

 

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture;

 

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee; and

 

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obligor ” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

Section 1.04                              Rules of Construction .

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)                                  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

 

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

 

(c)                                   “or” is not exclusive;

 

(d)                                  words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(e)                                   “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

 

(f)                                    provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(g)                                   “including” shall be interpreted to mean “including, without limitation,” and the use of the word “including” followed by specific examples shall not be construed as limiting the meaning of the general wording preceding it; and

 

(h)                                  references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

 

ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES

 

Section 2.01                              Form and Dating .

 

(a)                                  General . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the

 

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express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

(b)                                  Global Notes . Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

(c)                                   Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable . The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

Section 2.02                              Execution and Authentication .

 

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for each Issuer by manual, facsimile or electronically transmitted signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

 

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuers signed by an Officer of each Issuer (an “ Authentication Order ”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Issuers pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuers shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to original issuance thereof, the following information:

 

(a)                                  the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

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(b)                                  the issue price, the issue date (and the corresponding date from which interest shall accrue thereon and the first interest payment date therefor) and the CUSIP and/or ISIN number of such Additional Notes; and

 

(c)                                   whether such Additional Notes shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2.06 relating to Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Section 2.03                              Registrar and Paying Agent .

 

The Issuers will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“ Registrar ”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“ Paying Agent ”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuers will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Issuers or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent (at its office in New York, New York indicated in the definition of Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in Section 1.01 hereof) and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

 

Section 2.04                              Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust .

 

The Issuers will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Issuers or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all

 

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money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuers, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

Section 2.05          Holder Lists .

 

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 2.06          Transfer and Exchange .

 

(a)           Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes if:

 

(1)           the Depositary (A) notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

 

(2)           the Issuers, at their option but subject to the Depositary’s requirements, notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the Definitive Notes; or

 

(3)           there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default and the Depositary notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange such Global Note for Definitive Notes.

 

Upon the occurrence of the preceding events in (1), (2) or (3) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) or (c) hereof.

 

(b)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes . The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer

 

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comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

(1)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note . Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

 

(2)           All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

 

(A)          both:

 

(i)            a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(ii)           instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

 

(B)          both:

 

(i)            a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

 

(ii)           instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above.

 

Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the

 

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Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

 

(3)           Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)          if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

 

(B)          if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

 

(4)           Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note . A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and either the transfer is pursuant to an Exchange Offer or a sale under a Shelf Registration Statement or the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)            the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

 

(ii)           if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(b)(4), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(4) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(4).

 

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

 

(c)           Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes .

 

(1)           Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)          if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

 

(B)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

(F)           if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

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(G)          if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

(2)           Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if either the transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer or a sale pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, or the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)            if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

(ii)           if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(c)(2), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(3)           Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note,

 

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then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

(d)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests .

 

(1)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

 

(A)          if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

 

(B)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(C)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

 

(D)          if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

 

(E)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

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(F)           if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

 

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.

 

(2)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if either the transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer or a sale pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, or the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)            if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

(ii)           if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this Section 2.06(d)(2), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

 

(3)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note

 

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and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

 

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (2) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

 

(e)           Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

 

(1)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

 

(A)          if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

(B)          if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

(C)          if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

 

(2)           Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if either the transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer or a sale pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, or the Registrar receives the following:

 

(i)            if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a

 

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certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

 

(ii)           if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

and, in each such case set forth in this 2.06(e)(2), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

 

(3)           Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

 

(f)            Legends. In addition to the legend appearing on the face of the form of the Notes in Exhibit A hereto relating to original issue discount, the following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

 

(1)           Private Placement Legend .

 

(A)          Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE ‘‘SECURITIES ACT’’) AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A ‘‘QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER’’ (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A ‘‘QIB’’), (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS NOTE FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ‘‘ACCREDITED INVESTOR’’ (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN ‘‘IAI’’), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE

 

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DATE (THE ‘‘RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE’’) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY),] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S] RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHO THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) TO AN IAI THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER OF LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO THE TRUSTEE THE CERTIFICATE SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER (THE FORM OF WHICH CERTIFICATE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS ‘‘OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,’’ ‘‘UNITED STATES’’ AND ‘‘U.S. PERSON’’ HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

(B)          Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(2)           Global Note Legend . Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS.

 

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(g)           Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for beneficial interests in another Global Note or Definitive Notes, or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the

 

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form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

 

(h)           General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges .

 

(1)           To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

 

(2)           No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

 

(3)           All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(4)           Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers will be required:

 

(A)          to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

 

(B)          to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

 

(C)          to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

 

(5)           Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(6)           The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

 

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(7)           All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile or electronic image scan.

 

(8)           Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary. The Trustee may treat and consider the person in whose name each Note is registered in the registration books as the Holder and absolute owner of such Note for all purposes whatsoever. The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among members or beneficial owners in any Global Notes) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.07          Replacement Notes .

 

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

 

Section 2.08          Outstanding Notes .

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuers or an Affiliate of the Issuers holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

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If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuers, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on a redemption date or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

 

Section 2.09          Treasury Notes .

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

 

Section 2.10          Temporary Notes .

 

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

Section 2.11          Cancellation .

 

The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes in accordance with its retention policy then in effect. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

Section 2.12          Defaulted Interest .

 

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus , to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuers will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuers will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of

 

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the Issuers) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.13          CUSIP Numbers .

 

The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

Section 3.01          Notices to Trustee .

 

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, they must furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days prior to the giving of notice of a redemption, written notice setting forth:

 

(a)           the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

 

(b)           the redemption date;

 

(c)           the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

 

(d)           the redemption price (if then determined and otherwise the method of determination).

 

Section 3.02          Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed .

 

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Notes issued in global form pursuant to Article 2 hereof, by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law) unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part.

 

In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

 

The Trustee will promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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Section 3.03          Notice of Redemption .

 

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be given more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 hereof.

 

The notice will identify the Notes (including series, date of issue, maturity date, certificate numbers and “CUSIP” numbers) to be redeemed and will state:

 

(a)           the redemption date;

 

(b)           the redemption price (if then determined and otherwise the method of determination);

 

(c)           if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(d)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(e)           that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(f)            that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(g)           the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

 

(h)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

 

(i)            any condition precedent to such redemption.

 

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ names and at the Issuers’ expense; provided , however , that the Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof requests that the Trustee give such notice and sets forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

Section 3.04          Effect of Notice of Redemption .

 

Once notice of redemption is given in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption without condition will become irrevocably due and payable (subject to

 

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satisfaction of any condition thereto) on the redemption date at the redemption price. If a condition to a redemption is not satisfied or waived by the Issuers, the Issuers will give prompt notice of that fact and the redemption notice will be of no force or effect. Failure to give notice or any defect in notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

Section 3.05          Deposit of Redemption Price .

 

No later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the redemption date, the Issuers will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed.

 

If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption is not so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Section 3.06          Notes Redeemed in Part .

 

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07          Optional Redemption .

 

(a)           At any time prior to March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture, upon notice as provided in this Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 109.250% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering; provided that:

 

(1)           at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under this Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

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

 

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(b)           At any time prior to March 15, 2020, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in this Indenture, at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

 

(1)           100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus

 

(2)           the Applicable Premium as of the redemption date,

 

plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

 

(c)           Except pursuant to Section 3.07(a), (b) or (e), the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to March 15, 2020.

 

(d)           On or after March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in this Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date:

 

Year

 

Percentage

 

2020

 

106.938

%

2021

 

104.625

%

2022

 

102.313

%

2023 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

Unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

(e)           The Issuers may redeem all (but not a portion of) the then outstanding Notes when permitted by, and pursuant to the conditions in, Section 4.15(e) hereof.

 

(f)            Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Article 3.

 

Section 3.08          Mandatory Redemption .

 

The Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

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Section 3.09          Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds .

 

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is required to commence an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders to purchase Notes, it will follow the procedures specified below.

 

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

 

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

 

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

 

(a)           that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(e)           that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

(f)            that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a

 

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depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

 

(g)           that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, electronic image scan, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

 

(h)           that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount allocated to the purchase of Notes in the Asset Sale Offer, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (except that any Notes represented by a Global Note shall be selected by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law) based on the principal amount of Notes surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

 

(i)            that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

 

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer and required to be purchased pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof, or if Notes in an aggregate principal amount less than the Offer Amount allocated to the purchase of Notes in the Asset Sale Offer have been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the depositary for the Asset Sale Offer or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Issuers will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

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ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS

 

Section 4.01          Payment of Notes .

 

The Issuers will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuers or a Subsidiary of the Company, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, then due.

 

The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; and they will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.02          Maintenance of Office or Agency .

 

The Issuers will maintain in the City and State of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers fail to maintain any such required office or agency or fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligation to maintain an office or agency in the City and State of New York for such purposes. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

Section 4.03          Reports .

 

(a)           Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Parent will furnish to the Trustee and Holders of the Notes, within the time periods specified in the rule of the SEC with respect to such filings:

 

(1)           all quarterly and annual financial and other information with respect to the Parent and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Parent were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Parent’s independent registered public accounting firm;

 

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

 

(3)           within 60 days following the end of each fiscal year and the end of the second fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Company, the Company shall furnish or make available to the Trustee and each Holder:  (a) a Reserve Report evaluating, as of the immediately preceding December 31 (or January 1) or June 30, as applicable, the Proved Reserves of the Company and the Guarantors, which Reserve Report, in the case of each December 31 (or January 1) report shall be prepared or audited by the Company’s independent reserve engineers and in the case of each other Reserve Report may be prepared internally by the Company or by the Company’s independent reserve engineers; and (b) an Officers’ Certificate certifying that in all material respects: (i) such Reserve Report has been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 (or January 1) Reserve Report; (ii) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct in all material respects; and (iii) none of the Proved Reserves included in such Reserve Report have been transferred, assigned or otherwise disposed of since the date of such Reserve Report except for those Oil and Gas Properties described in such certificate as having been disposed of.

 

provided that the filing of the foregoing with the SEC for public availability on the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor) shall be deemed to satisfy the Parent’s delivery obligation with respect to the foregoing. The financial information required by clause (1) of this Section 4.03(a) shall be accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the Parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand. Any reports, certificates or financial information delivered to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee is not responsible or obligated to review for sufficiency, accuracy or any other purpose the information contained therein.

 

At any time that any of the Company’s subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the annual and quarterly financial information required by this Section 4.03 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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

 

(b)           The Company and the Guarantors shall furnish to the Holders and Beneficial Owners of the Notes and to prospective investors, broker-dealers and securities

 

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analysts, upon their request, any information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Notes are not freely transferable under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.04          Compliance Certificate .

 

(a)           The Issuers and each Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date of this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto).

 

(b)           So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer of the Company or Finance Corp. becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, a written statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

Section 4.05          Taxes .

 

The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.06          Stay, Extension and Usury Laws .

 

Each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

Section 4.07          Restricted Payments .

 

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

 

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(1)           declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

 

(2)           repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;

 

(3)           make any payment on or with respect to, or repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Junior Lien Debt, the Existing Unsecured Notes (including any unsecured Indebtedness incurred to refinance any such Indebtedness) or Indebtedness that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding (a) any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement for value of Junior Lien Debt or Existing Unsecured Notes (or unsecured Indebtedness incurred to refinance any such Indebtedness) solely in exchange for, or with the proceeds of, Junior Lien Debt or unsecured Indebtedness, (c) Junior Lien Debt, Existing Unsecured Notes (or unsecured Indebtedness incurred to refinance any such Indebtedness) or Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, in each case, repurchased, redeemed, defeased or otherwise acquired or retired for value in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, and (d) any payment of any installment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof); or

 

(4)           make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) of this Section 4.07(a) being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”),

 

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

 

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

 

(B)          the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

 

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(C)          such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (12) of Section 4.07(b)), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(i)            50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2018 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

 

(ii)           100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the Fair Market Value of Oil and Gas Properties or securities other than cash (including Capital Stock of Persons, other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, engaged primarily in the Oil and Gas Business), in each case received by the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and net cash proceeds received from an issuance or sale of such Equity Interests to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination)); plus

 

(iii)          to the extent not already included in Consolidated Net Income for such period, if any Restricted Investment that was made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture is sold for cash (other than to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company) or otherwise cancelled, liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment resulting from such sale, liquidation or repayment (less any out-of-pocket costs incurred in connection with any such sale); plus

 

(iv)          the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the date of this Indenture of any such Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the Fair Market Value of any other property (other than such Equity Interests), distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange and excluding the net cash

 

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proceeds from the conversion or exchange financed, directly or indirectly, using funds borrowed from the Company or any Subsidiary), together with the net proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon such conversion or exchange; plus

 

(v)           to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such after the date of this Indenture is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or otherwise disposes of all of substantially all of its properties or assets to or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, the lesser of, as of the date of such redesignation, merger, consolidation, transfer, disposition or liquidation, (A) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Restricted Investment in such Subsidiary (or of the properties or assets disposed of, as applicable) as of the date of such redesignation, merger, consolidation, transfer, disposition or liquidation and (B) such Fair Market Value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture; plus

 

(vi)          any dividends or distributions received in cash by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after the date of the this Indenture from an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company, to the extent that such dividends or distributions were not otherwise included in the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period .

 

(b)           The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

 

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

 

(2)           the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of or with the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company (with any such sale or contribution being deemed substantially concurrent if the making of such Restricted Payment occurs not more than 90 days after such sale or contribution); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will not be considered to be net proceeds of Equity Interests for purposes of clause (4)(C)(ii) of Section 4.07(a) and will not be considered to be net cash proceeds from an Equity Offering for purposes of Section 3.07 hereof;

 

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(3)           the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

(4)           (a) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness (with any such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value being deemed substantially concurrent if the making of such Restricted Payment occurs not more than 90 days after such incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness), (b) the repurchase or exchange of Existing Unsecured Notes on or after the date of this Indenture in exchange for, or with the proceeds of, Junior Lien Obligations and (c) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of any incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09(b)(4)(B);

 

(5)           repurchases, redemptions, defeasance or other acquisition for value of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor, in each case, at a purchase price not greater than (i) 101% of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in the event of a Change of Control or (ii) 100% of the principal amount of such Indebtedness in the event of an Asset Sale, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, to the extent required by the terms of such Indebtedness, but only if:

 

(A)          in the case of a Change of Control, the Company has first complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under the provisions described in Section 4.15; or

 

(B)          in the case of an Asset Sale, the Company has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations in accordance with Section 4.10;

 

(6)           so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Parent, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Parent, the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries, or the redemption of any Equity Interests of the Company held by the Parent in connection with the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Parent held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the Parent, the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) $10.0 million plus (b) on each January 1 of each calendar year, an additional $2.5 million minus (c) the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests under this clause (6) from the date of this Indenture to (and including) such date of determination;

 

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(7)           the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock or other equity options to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of those stock or other equity options and any repurchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests is made in lieu of or to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with any exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants, incentives or other rights to acquire Equity Interests;

 

(8)           so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

 

(9)           payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants or (ii) the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;

 

(10)         Permitted Payments to Parent;

 

(11)         Permitted Tax Distributions; and

 

(12)         so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, (a) Restricted Payments since the date of this Indenture not to exceed $25.0 million and (b) after such time as the average net production attributable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries first equals or exceeds 25,000 Boe/d for a period of at least two consecutive fiscal quarters, additional Restricted Payments used to repurchase, redeem, defease, acquire or retire for value any Existing Unsecured Notes in aggregate purchase price since the date of this Indenture not to exceed $25.0 million.

 

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment (or, in the case of a dividend or distribution, on the date of declaration) of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined, in the case of amounts in excess of $10.0 million, by an Officer of the Company and, in the case of amounts in excess of $40.0 million, by the Board of Directors of the Company whose resolution with respect thereto will be delivered to the Trustee.

 

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Section 4.08          Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

 

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

 

(1)           pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the priority that any series of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary has in receiving dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions before dividends, distributions or liquidating distributions are paid in respect of common stock of such Restricted Subsidiary shall not constitute a restriction on the ability to make dividends or distributions on Capital Stock for purposes of this Section 4.08;

 

(2)           make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to other Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

 

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

 

(b)           The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

 

(1)           agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and any First-Out Credit Facility as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the encumbrances or restrictions contained in the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture;

 

(2)           the Note Documents;

 

(3)           agreements governing other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the encumbrances or restrictions contained therein are not, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees or the Credit Agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture

 

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(4)           applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

 

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

 

(6)           customary non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or in licenses, easements or leases, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(7)           purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a);

 

(8)           any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

 

(9)           Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are, in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

 

(10)         Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(11)         provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements (including agreements entered into in connection with a Restricted Investment) entered into with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;

 

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(12)         encumbrances or restrictions applicable only to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary;

 

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

 

(14)         customary encumbrances and restrictions contained in agreements of the types described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investments”;

 

(15)         agreements governing Hedging Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(16)         any encumbrance or restriction with respect to an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to or by reason of an agreement that the Unrestricted Subsidiary is a party to or entered into before the date on which such Unrestricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such agreement was not entered into in anticipation of the Unrestricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and any such encumbrance or restriction does not extend to any assets or property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets and property of such Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets or property that may be subject to such encumbrance or restriction, an encumbrance or restriction on a specified asset or property or group or type of assets or property may also apply to all improvements, additions, repairs, attachments or accessions thereto, assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto, parts, replacements and substitutions therefor, and all products and proceeds thereof, including dividends, distributions, interest and increases in respect thereof.

 

Section 4.09          Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock .

 

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, Guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “ incur ”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock; provided , however , that the Issuers may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or such Preferred Stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.25 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or the Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

 

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(b)           Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or issuances of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):

 

(1)           Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Guarantor under any First-Out Credit Facility (including any Cash Management Obligations secured by the Collateral securing such First-Out Credit Facility), First Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations up to an aggregate principal amount together with the aggregate principal amount of all other such Indebtedness at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (1) not to exceed $50.0 million (with outstanding letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the stated amount thereof but excluding the amount of any Cash Management Obligations);

 

(2)           the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness or any Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

 

(3)           the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of:

 

(A)          the Notes issued on the date of this Indenture and any related Note Guarantee; and

 

(B)          after such time as the average net production attributable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries first equals or exceeds 25,000 Boe/d for a period of at least two consecutive fiscal quarters, additional First Lien Debt in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred under this Section 4.09(b)(3)(B), not to exceed $100.0 million; provided that such First Lien Debt does not provide for the payment of cash interest in excess of 11.5% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months;

 

(4)           the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of:

 

(A)          Junior Lien Debt, all of the net proceeds of which are used to repurchase, refinance, replace, defease or discharge, or which is exchanged for, Existing Unsecured Notes; provided that, after giving effect to such incurrence, (i) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) or (ii) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company is equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such incurrence; and

 

(B)          additional Junior Lien Debt; provided that such Indebtedness does not (i) provide for the payment of cash interest in excess of 13.0% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and (ii) exceed in aggregate principal amount at any time

 

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outstanding (including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred under this Section 4.09(b)(4)(B) but excluding the amount of any Indebtedness incurred as interest paid “in-kind”) $250.0 million (it being understood that such Indebtedness may be issued in exchange for Existing Unsecured Notes);

 

(5)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (5), not to exceed the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 2.5% of the Company’s Modified ACNTA determined on the date of such incurrence;

 

(6)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Disqualified Stock of the Company, in each case that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clause (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) or (13) of this Section 4.09(b);

 

(7)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that:

 

(A)          if the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

(B)          (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (7);

 

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(8)           the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Preferred Stock; provided , however , that:

 

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

 

(B)          any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

 

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (8);

 

(9)           Cash Management Obligations;

 

(10)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(11)         the Guarantee by the Issuers or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the guaranteed Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the Guarantee must be subordinated or pari passu , as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

 

(12)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of self-insurance obligations or bid, plugging and abandonment, appeal, reimbursement, performance, surety and similar bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and any Guarantees or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations and workers’ compensation claims in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(13)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness or the issuance by the Company of any Disqualified Stock in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock issued pursuant to this clause (13), not to exceed the greater of (i) $25.0 million and (ii) 2.5% of the Company’s Modified ACNTA determined as of the date of such incurrence or issuance.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (2) through (13) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the

 

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Company will be permitted to divide, classify and reclassify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later redivide or reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. The accrual of interest or Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock dividends or distributions, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness not secured by a Lien in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends or distributions on Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock in the form of additional securities of the same class of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued to the extent required by the definition of such term.

 

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

 

(a)           the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

 

(b)           the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness; and

 

(c)           in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

 

(1)           the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and

 

(2)           the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person.

 

Section 4.10          Asset Sales .

 

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

 

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

 

(b)           at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and all other Asset Sales since the date of this Indenture is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(1)           any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent secured by a Lien on any asset or property of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries

 

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(other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed or otherwise forgiven by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a novation, indemnity or other agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from or indemnifies the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary against further liability;

 

(2)           with respect to any Asset Sale of oil and natural gas properties by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary where the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary retains an interest in such property, the aggregate costs and expenses, expressed as a dollar amount, of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary related to the exploration, development, completion or production of such properties and activities related thereto which the transferee (or an Affiliate thereof) agrees to pay;

 

(3)           any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 30 days of the Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

 

(4)           any Capital Stock or assets of the kind referred to in clause (2) or (4) of Section 4.10(c); and

 

(5)           any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.10(b)(5), not to exceed an amount equal to 4.0% of the Company’s Modified ACNTA (determined at the time of receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration), with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

(c)           Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary) may apply such Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:

 

(1)           to repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem or retire any Priority Lien Debt or other outstanding Priority Lien Obligations; provided that, if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall so repay, redeem or reduce any First Lien Debt other than the Notes, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will redeem or equally and ratably repurchase (or offer to repurchase) the Notes as provided either, at the Company’s option, under Section 3.07 through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at a purchase price at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer (as defined below)) to all Holders to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of notes that would otherwise be prepaid to the date of such repurchases;

 

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(2)           to acquire all or substantially all of the assets, or any Capital Stock, of one or more other Persons primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(3)           to make capital expenditures in respect of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Business; or

 

(4)           to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business.

 

The requirement of clause (2) or (4) of Section 4.10(c) shall be deemed to be satisfied if a bona fide binding contract committing to make the investment, acquisition or expenditure referred to therein is entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Company within the time period specified in the preceding paragraph and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied in accordance with such contract within 180 days following the date such agreement is entered into.

 

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary) may invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

 

Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.10(c) will constitute “ Excess Proceeds .” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, within five days thereof, the Company will make an offer (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”) to all Holders of Notes or other First Lien Debt containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase, prepay or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase, prepay or redeem, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of such First Lien Debt ( plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith) that may be purchased, prepaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase, prepayment or redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of such First Lien Debt on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of such First Lien Debt tendered in such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds allocated to the purchase of such First Lien Debt, the Trustee will select such First Lien Debt to be purchased on a pro rata basis (except that any such First Lien Debt represented by a Note in global form will be selected by such method as DTC or its nominee or successor may require or, where such nominee or successor is the Trustee, a method that most nearly approximates pro rata selection as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate unless otherwise required by law), based on the amounts tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only such First Lien Debt in denominations of $2,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased). Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

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The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of such First Lien Debt pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Section 3.09 or this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

 

Section 4.11          Transactions with Affiliates .

 

(a)           The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or Guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), involving aggregate consideration in excess of $5.0 million, unless:

 

(1)           the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or, if in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; and

 

(2)           the Company delivers to the Trustee, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliated Transactions complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company, if any.

 

(b)           The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

 

(1)           any employment or consulting agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification, compensation or severance agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Company in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

 

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

 

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

 

(4)           payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursements of expenses (pursuant to indemnity arrangements or otherwise) of officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;

 

(5)           any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company;

 

(6)           Permitted Investments (other than under clauses (3), (9) or (13) of the definition thereof) and Restricted Payments that do not violate the provisions of Section 4.07 hereof;

 

(7)           Permitted Payments to Parent and Permitted Tax Distributions;

 

(8)           transactions effected in accordance with the terms of the agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary described in the offering circular relating to the issuance of the outstanding Notes under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” as such agreements are in effect on the date of this Indenture, and any amendment or replacement of any of such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is not materially less advantageous to the Company, taken as a whole, than the agreement so amended or replaced;

 

(9)           advances to or reimbursements of expenses incurred by employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

 

(10)         transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any other Person, a director of which is also on the Board of Directors of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and such common director is the sole cause for such other Person to be deemed an Affiliate of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as the case may be, on any transaction with such other Person;

 

(11)         in the case of contracts for exploring for, producing, marketing, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, or other operational contracts, any such contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture (a) which are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the good faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company or the senior management

 

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thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party and (b) with respect to which the Company has complied with clause (2) of Section 4.11(a); and

 

(12)         any transaction in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction meets the requirements of clause (1) of Section 4.11(a).

 

Section 4.12          Liens .

 

The Company will not and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired.

 

Section 4.13          Business Activities .

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than the Oil and Gas Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole.

 

Finance Corp. may not incur Indebtedness unless (1) the Company is a co-issuer or guarantor of such Indebtedness or (2) the net proceeds of such Indebtedness are loaned to the Company, used to acquire outstanding debt securities issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or used to repay Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as permitted under Section 4.09. Finance Corp. may not engage in any business not related directly or indirectly to obtaining money or arranging financing for the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Section 4.14          Organizational Existence .

 

Except as otherwise permitted by Article 5 and Section 10.04 hereof, the Parent and the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

 

(a)           its corporate or limited liability company existence, and the corporate, limited liability company or other existence of each of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Parent, the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(b)           the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Parent, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its

 

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Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 4.15          Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control .

 

(a)           Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “ Change of Control Purchase Date ”), subject to the rights of Holders of the Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date (the “ Change of Control Payment ”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will send a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

 

(1)           that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

 

(2)           the purchase price and the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

 

(b)           Promptly following the expiration of the Change of Control Offer, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer. Promptly after such acceptance, the Issuers will, on the Change of Control Purchase Date:

 

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

 

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

 

The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Purchase Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, it will make such payment through the facilities of DTC), and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any. The Company will announce to the Holders of the Notes the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Purchase Date.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, (2) notice of redemption of all outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price, or (3) in connection with or in contemplation of any publicly disclosed Change of Control, the Issuers have made an offer to purchase (an “ Alternate Offer ”) any and all Notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and have purchased all Notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer is made.

 

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(e)           In the event that Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer and the Company (or any third party making the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer in lieu of the Company as described in paragraph (c) above) purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuers will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment (or Alternate Offer price, in the case of an Alternate Offer) plus , to the extent not included in such payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

 

Section 4.16          Additional Note Guarantees .

 

If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Restricted Subsidiary, other than a Foreign Subsidiary, after the date of this Indenture, then that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto and delivering an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee within 30 Business Days after the date that Subsidiary was acquired or created; provided that the foregoing requirement shall not apply to any newly acquired or created Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary until such time as it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary.

 

Section 4.17          Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

 

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation that will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07(a) hereof and/or represent a Permitted Investment under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant.

 

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The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

The foregoing notwithstanding, during the suspension of certain covenants pursuant to Section 4.18, the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this Section 4.17.

 

Section 4.18          Covenant Suspension .

 

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture or of the Notes to the contrary, if at any time following the date of this Indenture (a) the Notes are rated Baa3 or better by Moody’s or BBB- or better by S&P (or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the control of the Company, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency), (b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under this Indenture and (c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect, then Sections 3.09, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 and 5.01(a)(4) of this Indenture will be suspended and no Default or Event of Default shall result from any failure to comply with any of the provisions of such Sections.

 

During any period that the foregoing Sections have been suspended (the “ Suspension Period ”), the Company’s Board of Directors may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4.17 hereof.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if subsequently the ratings assigned to the Notes by both such rating agencies should be below Baa3 and BBB-, the foregoing covenants will be reinstituted as of and from the earliest date both such ratings were below investment grade. Calculations under the reinstated Section 4.07 hereof will be made as if Section 4.07 had been in effect since the date of this Indenture except that no Default will be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of a Restricted Payment made while that covenant was suspended. Furthermore, all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(2).

 

In addition, for purposes of Section 4.11, all agreements and arrangements entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate of the Company during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been entered into prior to the date of this Indenture and permitted by clause (8) of Section 4.11, and for purposes of Section 4.08, all contracts entered into during the Suspension Period that contain any of the restrictions contemplated by Section 4.08 will be deemed to have been existing on the date of this Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS

 

Section 5.01          Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets .

 

(a)           Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the survivor), or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

 

(1)           either: (a) such Issuer is the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided , however , that Finance Corp. may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a corporation satisfying such requirement so long as the Company is not a corporation;

 

(2)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

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

 

(4)           in the case of a transaction involving the Company and not Finance Corp., immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, either

 

(A)          the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); or

 

(B)          the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made, is equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(5)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) shall take such action (or agree to take such action) as may be necessary to cause any property or assets that constitute Collateral owned by or

 

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transferred to such Person to be subject to a Priority Lien in the manner and to the extent required under the Note Documents and shall deliver an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability of any amendments, supplements or other instruments with respect to the Note Documents to be executed, delivered, filed and recorded, as applicable, and such other matters as the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, may reasonably request; and

 

(6)           such Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding anything contained in this Indenture to the contrary, in the event the Company becomes a corporation or the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any consolidation or merger (permitted in accordance with the terms of this Indenture) is a corporation, Finance Corp. may be merged into the Company or it may be dissolved and cease to be an Issuer.

 

(c)           This Section 5.01 will not apply to (1) any statutory conversion of the Company to a corporation or (2) any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of properties or assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries. Clause (4) of Section 5.01(a) will not apply to any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into one of its Restricted Subsidiaries solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Company in another jurisdiction.

 

Section 5.02          Successor Issuer Substituted .

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of an Issuer in accordance with the foregoing in which such Issuer is not the surviving entity, the surviving Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which such Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to an “Issuer” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the predecessor Issuer), and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such surviving Person had been named as the predecessor Issuer herein, and thereafter (except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s properties or assets), such Issuer will be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.

 

ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

Section 6.01          Events of Default .

 

Each of the following is an “ Event of Default ”:

 

(a)           default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

 

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(b)           default in the payment when due (at Stated Maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

 

(c)           failure by the Issuers to comply with the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 or 5.01 hereof;

 

(d)           failure by the Parent for 180 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with Section 4.03;

 

(e)           failure by the Parent, the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with any of their other agreements in this Indenture;

 

(f)            default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Parent, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Parent, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

 

(1)           is caused by a failure to pay principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “ Payment Default ”); or

 

(2)           results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

 

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more; provided , however , that if, prior to any acceleration of the Notes, (i) any such Payment Default is cured or waived, (ii) any such acceleration is rescinded, or (iii) such Indebtedness is repaid during the 10 Business Day period commencing upon the end of any applicable grace period for such Payment Default or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, any Default or Event of Default (but not any acceleration of the Notes) caused by such Payment Default or acceleration shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment, decree or applicable law;

 

(g)           failure by the Parent, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $25.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed, for a period of 60 days;

 

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(h)           The Parent, the Company, Finance Corp. or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

 

(1)           commences a voluntary case,

 

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

 

(3)           consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

(4)           makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

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

 

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

 

(1)           is for relief against the Parent, the Company, Finance Corp. or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(2)           appoints a custodian of the Parent, the Company, Finance Corp. or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Parent, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

 

(3)           orders the liquidation of the Parent, the Company, Finance Corp. or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

 

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

 

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

 

(k)           the occurrence of the following:

 

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(1)           except as permitted by the Note Documents, any Priority Lien Document establishing the Priority Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent ceases for any reason to be enforceable; provided that it will not be an Event of Default under this clause (k)(1) if the sole result of the failure of one or more Priority Lien Documents to be fully enforceable is that any Priority Lien purported to be granted under such Priority Lien Documents on Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, having a Fair Market Value of not more than $25.0 million, ceases to be an enforceable and perfected Priority Lien; provided, further, that if such failure is susceptible to cure, no Event of Default shall arise with respect thereto until 45 days after any officer of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary becomes aware of such failure, which failure has not been cured during such time period;

 

(2)           except as permitted by the Note Documents, any Priority Lien purported to be granted under any Priority Lien Document on Collateral, individually or in the aggregate, having a Fair Market Value in excess of $25.0 million, ceases to be an enforceable and perfected first-priority Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and Permitted Collateral Liens); provided that if such failure is susceptible to cure, no Event of Default shall arise with respect thereto until 45 days after any officer of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary becomes aware of such failure, which failure has not been cured during such time period; and

 

(3)           the Company or any other grantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any of them, denies or disaffirms, in writing, any obligation of the Company or any other grantor set forth in or arising under any Priority Lien Document establishing Priority Liens.

 

Section 6.02          Acceleration .

 

(a)           In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to the Parent, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes, the accrued interest thereon together with any premium, will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, the accrued interest thereon together with any premium, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.

 

(b)           If the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity date, in each case, as a result of an Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)) on or after March 15, 2020, the amount of principal of, accrued and unpaid interest and premium on the Notes that becomes due and payable shall equal the redemption price applicable with respect to an optional redemption of the Notes, in effect on the date of such acceleration as if such acceleration were an optional redemption of the Notes accelerated. If the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their stated maturity date, in each case, as

 

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a result of an Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)) prior to March 15, 2020, the amount of principal of, accrued and unpaid interest and premium on the Notes that becomes due and payable shall equal 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium in effect on the date of such acceleration, as if such acceleration were an optional redemption of the Notes accelerated.

 

(c)           Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that if the Notes are accelerated or otherwise become due prior to their maturity date, in each case, in respect of any Event of Default (including, but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a bankruptcy or insolvency event (including the acceleration of claims by operation of law)), the premium applicable with respect to an optional redemption of the Notes (which, for all purposes Section 6.01, shall be understood to include the applicable redemption price) will also be due and payable as though the Notes were optionally redeemed and shall constitute part of the Obligations, in view of the impracticability and extreme difficulty of ascertaining actual damages and by mutual agreement of the parties as to a reasonable calculation of each Holder’s lost profits as a result thereof. Any premium payable above shall be presumed to be the liquidated damages sustained by each Holder as the result of the early redemption and the Issuers agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. The premium shall also be payable in the event the Notes (and/or this Indenture) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. THE ISSUERS EXPRESSLY WAIVE (TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY LAWFULLY DO SO) THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Issuers expressly agree (to the fullest extent it may lawfully do so) that: (A) the premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel; (B) the premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made; (C) there has been a course of conduct between Holders and the Issuers giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the premium; and (D) the Issuers shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this paragraph. The Issuers expressly acknowledge that its agreement to pay the premium to Holders as herein described is a material inducement to Holders to purchase the Notes.

 

Section 6.03          Other Remedies .

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

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Section 6.04          Waiver of Past Defaults .

 

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except as provided in Section 9.02. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.05          Control by Majority .

 

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to either the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, or exercising any trust or power conferred on either the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable; provided , however , that either the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, may require indemnity satisfactory to it to be furnished prior to taking any action and provided further that either the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law, this Indenture or other Note Documents, that either the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable, determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve either the Trustee or the Collateral Agent in personal liability.

 

Section 6.06          Limitation on Suits .

 

No Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

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

 

(b)           Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(c)           such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(d)           the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

(e)           during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

 

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a

 

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Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains priority or preference over such other Holders).

 

Section 6.07          Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment .

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 6.08          Collection Suit by Trustee .

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

Section 6.09          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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Section 6.10          Priorities .

 

If the Trustee or Collateral Agent collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall, subject to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement, pay out the money in the following order:

 

First : (i) to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection and (ii) to the Collateral Agent, all fees, expenses, indemnities and other amounts payable to the Collateral Agent under the Collateral Agency Agreement, this Indenture and other Note Documents;

 

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

 

Third : to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

Section 6.11          Undertaking for Costs .

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE

 

Section 7.01          Duties of Trustee .

 

(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

(b)           Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)           the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are

 

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specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)           in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(1)           this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

 

(2)           the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)           the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

 

(d)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)           No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)            The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 7.02          Rights of Trustee .

 

(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

 

(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes

 

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or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

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

 

(d)           The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

(e)           Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

 

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

 

(g)           The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of a Default or an Event of Default except as provided in Section 7.05 hereof.

 

(h)           In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood or such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(i)            The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(j)            The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

(k)           The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 7.03          Individual Rights of Trustee .

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any

 

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conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

Section 7.04          Trustee’s Disclaimer .

 

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication. The Trustee or any of its respective affiliates, officers or directors or any other person or entity associated with Trustee has not independently verified and makes no representation or warranty as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Indenture or the Notes. The Trustee has not participated in the drafting of the Indenture and nothing contained herein should be relied upon as a promise or representation by the Trustee as to future results or events nor should not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trustee. No officers or directors or any other person or employee associated with Trustee shall have any personal liability for the obligations of the Issuer or guarantors under this Indenture or the Notes for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of the Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 7.05          Notice of Defaults .

 

The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have any notice of any Event of Default, except failure to receive any of the payments required to be made to the Trustee, unless the Trustee shall be specifically notified in writing by the Company or by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes, and in the absence of such notice the Trustee may conclusively assume no default exists. Upon receipt of such notice, the Trustee will mail to Holders of the Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

 

Section 7.06          Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes .

 

(a)           Within 60 days after each May 1 beginning with the May 1 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA

 

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§313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted).

 

(b)           A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of the Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Issuers.

 

Section 7.07          Compensation and Indemnity .

 

(a)           The Issuers will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and performance of services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents, advisors and counsel.

 

(b)           The Issuers and the Guarantors will indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Trustee harmless from and against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs or expenses that the Trustee may suffer or incur arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuers, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee will notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers will not relieve the Issuers or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and advisors and the Issuers will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel and advisors. None of the Issuers or any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(c)           The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

(d)           To secure the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07 and the other Note Documents (for the fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Collateral Agent), the Trustee and the Collateral Agent will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

(e)           When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for

 

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the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

(f)            No provision of the documents shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties thereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

Section 7.08          Replacement of Trustee .

 

(a)           A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

(b)           The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)           the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

 

(2)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)           a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)           the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

(c)           If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

 

(d)           If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(e)           If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(f)            A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and

 

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duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

 

Section 7.09          Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.10          Eligibility; Disqualification .

 

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).

 

Section 7.11          Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers .

 

The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 8.01          Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

 

The Issuers may at any time, at the option of their respective Boards of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

 

Section 8.02          Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

 

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose,

 

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Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

(a)           the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

 

(b)           the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

 

(c)           the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(d)           this Article 8.

 

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

Section 8.03          Covenant Defeasance .

 

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their respective obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17 and 4.19 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01(a) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”) (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Issuers and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (j) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

 

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Section 8.04          Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

 

(a)           the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date ( provided that if such redemption is made as provided in Section 3.07(b), (x) the amount of cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, that must be irrevocably deposited will be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the depositor must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined on such date);

 

(b)           in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

 

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

 

(2)           since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(c)           in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(d)           no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit (and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness), and the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

 

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(e)           such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

 

(f)            the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Notes over the other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuers or others; and

 

(g)           the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

Section 8.05          Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “ Trustee ”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuers will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 8.06          Repayment to Issuers .

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, any Note and

 

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remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuers.

 

Section 8.07          Reinstatement .

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

Section 9.01          Without Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees:

 

(a)           to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

(b)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

 

(c)           to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of the Issuers’ or such Guarantor’s properties or assets, as applicable;

 

(d)           to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of

 

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any Holder, including to comply with requirements of the SEC or DTC in order to maintain the transferability of the Notes pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S;

 

(e)           to make, complete or confirm any grant of Collateral permitted or required by any of the applicable Note Documents, including to secure additional Priority Lien Debt;

 

(f)            to release, discharge, terminate or subordinate Liens on Collateral in accordance with the applicable Note Document and to confirm and evidence any such release, discharge, termination or subordination;

 

(g)           to make any changes with respect to the applicable Note Documents, as provided in the Intercreditor Agreement or the Collateral Agency Agreement;

 

(h)           to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Circular ;

 

(i)            to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

 

(j)            to secure the Notes or the Note Guarantees pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.12 hereof;

 

(k)           to add any additional Guarantor or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Note Guarantee, in each case as provided in this Indenture; or

 

(l)            to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under Note Documents of a successor Trustee or Collateral Agent.

 

Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent of the documents described in Section 7.02 and 9.06 hereof, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent will join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent will be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Section 9.02          With Consent of Holders of Notes .

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Documents with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Section 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the applicable Note Documents may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including consents obtained in

 

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connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes), in each case in addition to any required consent of holders of other Priority Lien Obligations that may be required with respect to an amendment of or waiver under a Security Document, the Collateral Agency Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement. Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under Section 6.04 or this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

 

(a)           reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(b)           reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (other than provisions under the minimum required notice period set forth in Section 3.03 or the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15);

 

(c)           reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

 

(d)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

(e)           make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

 

(f)            make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of the Notes to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on, the Notes;

 

(g)           release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

 

(h)           make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.

 

Without the consent of the Holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and affected thereby, no amendment or waiver may release all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Lien of the applicable indenture and the applicable Security Documents with respect to such Notes.

 

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by a resolution of their respective Boards of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee and the Collateral Agent of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent of the consent of the Holders of the Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent of the documents described in Section 7.02 and 9.06 hereof, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent will join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the

 

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execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects either the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee and the Collateral Agent may, each in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

 

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of the Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will send to the Holders of the Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

Section 9.03          [Reserved]

 

Section 9.04          Revocation and Effect of Consents .

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

Section 9.05          Notation on or Exchange of Notes .

 

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Section 9.06          Trustee and Collateral Agent to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee and the Collateral Agent will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof, in the case of the Trustee) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an

 

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Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and the other Note Documents, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation enforceable against the Issuers and the Guarantors.

 

ARTICLE 10
NOTE GUARANTEES

 

Section 10.01       Guarantee .

 

(a)           Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally Guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and each of their successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

(1)           the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders, the Collateral Agent or the Trustee hereunder or under any other Note Document will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

(2)           in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

 

Failing payment when due of any amount so Guaranteed or any performance so Guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a Guarantee of payment and not a Guarantee of collection.

 

(b)           The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

 

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(c)           If any Holder, the Collateral Agent or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of them to the Trustee, Collateral Agent or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

 

(d)           Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations Guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations Guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, Collateral Agent and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations Guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

 

Section 10.02       Limitation on Guarantor Liability .

 

Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

Section 10.03       Execution and Delivery of Notation of Note Guarantee .

 

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture, or a supplement thereto, will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

 

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

 

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If an Officer whose signature is on the notation of its Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which such notation of its Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

 

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

Section 10.04       Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of, in one or more related transactions, all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor, unless:

 

(a)           immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(b)           either:

 

(1)           subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under its Note Guarantee and this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; or

 

(2)           with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, such transaction or series of transactions does not violate Section 4.10 hereof.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee of the Guarantor and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the notations of Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

Section 10.05       Releases .

 

The Note Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released:

 

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(a)           in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of that Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof;

 

(b)           in connection with any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate Section 4.10 hereof and such Guarantor ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the sale or other disposition; or

 

(c)           upon designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or any Subsidiary Guarantor becomes an Immaterial Subsidiary.

 

In addition, the Note Guarantees of all Guarantors shall be released upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof.

 

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

Section 11.01       Satisfaction and Discharge .

 

This Indenture will be satisfied and discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the Notes and as otherwise specified in this Article 11), when:

 

(a)           either:

 

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

 

(2)           all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise and either an Issuer or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient,

 

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without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the date of Stated Maturity or redemption ( provided that if such redemption is made as provided Section 3.07(b), (x) the amount of cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, that must be irrevocably deposited will be determined using an assumed Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of such deposit and (y) the depositor must irrevocably deposit or cause to be deposited additional money on the redemption date as necessary to pay the Applicable Premium as determined by such date);

 

(b)           in respect of subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing or securing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument to which either Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which either Issuer or any Guarantor is bound (other than with respect to the borrowing of funds to be applied concurrently to make the deposit required to effect such satisfaction and discharge and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and in each case the granting of Liens to secure such borrowings);

 

(c)           the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by the Issuers under this Indenture and the other Note Documents; and

 

(d)           the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at Stated Maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.

 

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (2) of clause (a) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.02       Application of Trust Money .

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, or interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.01       Authorization .

 

Each Priority Lien Secured Party (other than the Collateral Agent) has authorized and directed the Collateral Agent to enter into this Indenture for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties.

 

Section 12.02       Notices .

 

Any notice or communication by the Issuers, any Guarantor, the Collateral Agent or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), electronic image scan, facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

 

If to any of the Issuers and the Guarantors:

 

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

807 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 350

Austin, Texas 78746

Facsimile No.: (512) 328-5394

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

If to the Trustee:

 

UMB Bank, N.A.

5555 San Felipe, Suite 870,

Houston, Texas 77056

Facsimile No.: (816) 691-6872

Attention: Corporate Trust Officer

 

If to the Collateral Agent:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent

Corporate Trust Services

 

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9062 Old Annapolis Road

Columbia, MD 21045

Attention of: Lance Yeagle or Jason Prisco — Jones Energy

E-mail: CTSBankDebtAdministrationTeam@wellsfargo.com

 

The Issuers, any Guarantor, the Collateral Agent or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by electronic image scan or facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar, except that all notices and communications to the Depositary as a Holder shall be given in the manner it prescribes, notwithstanding anything to the contrary indication herein. Any notice or communication will also be so given to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is given in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

If the Issuers send a notice or communication to Holders, it will send a copy to the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and each Agent at the same time.

 

Section 12.03       Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes .

 

Holders may communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA §312(c).

 

Section 12.04       Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent .

 

Upon any request or application by the Issuers to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable to take any action under this Indenture or the other Note Documents, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee or Collateral Agent, as applicable:

 

(a)           an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture and the other Note Documents relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

 

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(b)           an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee or the Collateral Agent, as applicable (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

 

Section 12.05       Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion .

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture or the other Note Documents must include:

 

(a)           a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(b)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(c)           a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

(d)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

 

Section 12.06       Rules by Trustee and Agents .

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

Section 12.07       No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Members .

 

No director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or member or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 12.08       Governing Law .

 

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

 

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Section 12.09       No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements .

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

Section 12.10       Successors .

 

All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes will bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

 

Section 12.11       Severability .

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 12.12       Counterpart Originals .

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture, and each party hereto may sign any number of separate copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 12.13       Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

Section 12.14       Payment Date Other Than a Business Day .

 

If any scheduled payment with respect to any principal of, premium, if any, on, or interest on any Note is due on a day which is not a Business Day, then the payment need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such date, and no interest will accrue for the intervening period.

 

Section 12.15       Evidence of Action by Holders .

 

Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Notes may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of

 

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instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustee, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Notes evidenced by a Global Note, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

 

Section 12.16       U.S.A. Patriot Act .

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify and record information that identities each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

Section 12.17       Force Majeure .

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

ARTICLE 13
COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

 

Section 13.01       Security Interest .

 

(a)           The due and punctual payment of the Obligations on the Notes and the Obligations of the Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guarantees, when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an interest payment date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any (to the extent permitted by law), on the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and performance of all other obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Holders, the Collateral Agent or the Trustee under the Note Documents, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder (collectively, the “ Notes Obligations ”), are secured, as provided in the Security Documents.  The Company and each of the Guarantors consent and agree to be bound by the terms of the Security Documents to which they are parties, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and agree to perform their obligations thereunder in accordance therewith. The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree that the Collateral Agent shall hold the Collateral (directly or through co-trustees or agents) on behalf of and for the benefit of all of the Holders and the other holders of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

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(b)           Each Holder, by its acceptance thereof and of the Subsidiary Guarantees, consents and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and the Security Documents (including, without limitation, the provisions providing for foreclosure and release of Collateral and amendments to the Security Documents) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and authorizes and appoints UMB Bank, N.A. as the Trustee and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as the Collateral Agent. Each Holder authorizes and directs the Collateral Agent to enter into the Note Documents (including any amendments thereto contemplated by Section 7.1 of the Collateral Agency Agreement and any security documents to secure additional Priority Lien Debt in accordance with Section 3.8 of the Collateral Agency Agreement) and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, including, without limitation, the limitations on duties of the Collateral Agent provided in Section 5.12 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  The Trustee, the Collateral Agent and each Holder, by accepting the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees of the Guarantors, acknowledges that, as more fully set forth in the Security Documents, the Collateral as now or hereafter constituted shall be held for the benefit of all the holders of Priority Lien Obligations, subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, if  any, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee, and the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents is subject to and qualified and limited in all respects by the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement , if any, and the Security Documents and actions that may be taken thereunder.

 

Section 13.02       Post-Date of this Indenture Collateral Requirements .

 

(a)           Within 60 days following the Date of this Indenture, the Company shall, or shall cause the applicable Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent (1) as mortgagee or beneficiary, as applicable, such Mortgages or other Security Documents, and any supplements or amendments related thereto, together with satisfactory evidence of the completion (or satisfactory arrangements for the completion) of all recordings and filings of such Mortgages or other Security Documents in the proper recorders’ offices or appropriate public records (and payment of any taxes or fees in connection therewith) as may be necessary to create a valid, perfected first-priority Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and to Permitted Collateral Liens), on or against (i) Proved Reserves associated with the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) all of the Equity Interests in (x) all direct material Domestic Subsidiaries of the Company and the Guarantors and (y) the Guarantors and (iii) substantially all other material personal property of the Company and the Guarantors, including operating equipment, accounts receivable, inventory, contract rights, general intangibles and all products, proceeds and other interests relating to the ownership, operation and/or production of Oil and Gas Properties but will not include the Excluded Assets and (2) an opinion or opinions of counsel (each, subject to customary assumptions and qualifications) with respect to the authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of such Mortgages and other Security Documents, and to the effect that the Collateral Agent has a valid and perfected Lien (subject Permitted Collateral Liens) with respect to the real property that is subject to each applicable Mortgage or other Security Document.

 

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(b)           Any Security Documents entered into after the Date of this Indenture shall be substantially in the form of the corresponding security document securing the Priority Lien Obligations, or to the extent there is no such corresponding security document, the corresponding security documents securing the Priority Lien Obligations in place on the Date of this Indenture, in each case, with such changes are reasonably necessary to reflect the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and with such deletions or modifications of representations, warranties and covenants as are customary with respect to security documents establishing Liens securing publicly traded debt securities, all as certified to the Collateral Agent pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

Section 13.03       Further Assurances; Liens on Additional Property .

 

(a)           The Company and each of the Guarantors shall do or cause to be done all acts and things that may be required to assure and confirm that the Collateral Agent holds, for the benefit of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations, duly created and enforceable and perfected first priority Liens upon the Collateral (including any property or assets constituting Collateral that are acquired or otherwise become, or are required by any Priority Lien Document to become, Collateral after the Date of this Indenture), in each case, as contemplated by, and with the Lien priority required under, the Priority Lien Documents and in connection with any merger, consolidation or sale of assets of the Company or any Guarantor, the property and assets of the Person which is consolidated or merged with or into the Company or any Guarantor, to the extent that they are property or assets of the types which would constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, shall be treated as after-acquired property and the Company or such Guarantor shall take such action as may be reasonably necessary to cause such property and assets to be made subject to the Priority Liens, in the manner and to the extent required under the Priority Lien Documents.

 

(b)           Upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent (acting at the written direction of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative) or any Priority Lien Representative at any time and from time to time, the Company and each of the Guarantors shall promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such Security Documents, instruments, certificates, notices and other documents, and take such other actions as shall be required, or that the Collateral Agent (acting at the written direction of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative) may reasonably request, to create, perfect, protect, assure or enforce the Liens and benefits intended to be conferred, in each case as contemplated by the Priority Lien Documents for the benefit of the holders of Priority Lien Obligations; provided , that no such Security Document, instrument or other document shall be materially more burdensome upon the Company and the Guarantors than the Priority Lien Documents executed and delivered (or required to be executed and delivered promptly after the Date of this Indenture) by the Company and the Guarantors in connection with the issuance of the Notes on the Date of this Indenture (it being understood that the Collateral Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to determine whether such a document is materially burdensome and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to this determination).

 

(c)           From and after the Date of this Indenture, if the Company or any Guarantor acquires any Property that constitutes collateral for any Priority Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations, if and to the extent that any Priority Lien Document or Junior Lien Document, as

 

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applicable, requires any supplemental security document for such collateral or other actions to achieve a perfected Lien on such collateral, the Company shall, or shall cause the applicable Guarantor to, promptly (but in any event no later than the date that is 20 Business Days after which such supplemental security documents are executed and delivered (or other action taken) under such Priority Lien Documents or Junior Lien Documents, as applicable), to the extent permitted by applicable law, execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent appropriate Security Documents (or amendments thereto) in such form as shall be necessary to grant the Collateral Agent a valid and enforceable perfected first-priority Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and to Permitted Collateral Liens) on such Collateral or take such other actions in favor of the Collateral Agent as shall be reasonably necessary to grant a valid and enforceable perfected first-priority Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and to Permitted Collateral Liens) on such Collateral to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes and holders of any other Priority Lien Obligations, subject to the terms of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Note Documents. Additionally, subject to this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Note Documents, if the Company or any Guarantor creates any additional Lien upon any Property that would constitute Collateral, or takes any additional actions to perfect any existing Lien on Collateral, in each case for the benefit of the holders of any Priority Lien Obligations or the holders of Junior Lien Obligations, after the Date of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, must, to the extent permitted by applicable law, within 20 Business Days after such Lien is granted or other action taken, grant a valid and enforceable perfected first-priority Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and to Permitted Collateral Liens) upon such Property, or take such additional perfection actions, as applicable, for the benefit of the Holders and obtain all related deliverables as those delivered to any other Priority Lien Representative or Junior Lien Collateral Agent, as applicable, in each case as security for the Obligations.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Lien on any Collateral is perfected by the possession or control of such Collateral or of any account in which such Collateral is held, and if such Collateral or any such account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the Collateral Agent, or of agents or bailees of the Collateral Agent, the perfection actions and related deliverables described in this Section 13.03(c) shall not be required.

 

(d)           Following satisfaction of the delivery requirements set forth in Section 12.02(a), the Company will cause there to be at all times valid and perfected Priority Liens securing the Priority Lien Obligations on Oil and Gas Properties on not less than (i) 90% of the Present Value of Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as evaluated in the Reserve Report most recently delivered under Section 4.03, after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production since the date of such Reserve Report and (ii) 90% of the book value of Oil and Gas Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than Oil and Gas Properties to which Proved Reserves are attributable as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter (including the fiscal year end) for which financial statements are available, in each case, subject to the grace periods for filing a Mortgage and perfecting a lien thereon provided in Section 13.03(e) below.  Concurrently with the delivery of the Reserve Report pursuant to Section 4.03, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying, as of the date of such certificate, as to whether such requirement has been satisfied.

 

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(e)           In the event the requirement in Section 13.03(d) has not been satisfied, then the Company shall, or shall cause the applicable Guarantor to, within thirty (30) days of delivery of the certificate required under Section 13.03(d), execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent: (i) such executed Mortgages or amendments or supplements to prior Mortgages naming the Collateral Agent, as mortgagee or beneficiary, as may be necessary to cause the minimum mortgage requirement to be satisfied, (ii) satisfactory evidence of the filing of such Mortgages, amendments or supplements in the proper recorders’ offices or appropriate public records (and payment of any taxes or fees in connection therewith) and (iii) local counsel opinion or opinions (each, subject to customary assumptions and qualifications) to the effect that the Collateral Agent has a valid and perfected Lien (subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and to Permitted Collateral Liens) with respect to the real property that is subject to the applicable Mortgage; provided that, to the extent Mortgages have previously been recorded in the public records of the state applicable to such additional Mortgages or amendments or supplements to prior Mortgages, no such opinion shall be required unless a corresponding opinion will be delivered to the Collateral Agent.

 

(f)            The Company will deliver to the Trustee copies of all documents delivered to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

Section 13.04       Intercreditor Agreement .

 

This Article 13 and the provisions of each other Security Document are subject to the terms, conditions and benefits set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement. The Company and each Guarantor consents to, and agrees to be bound by, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and to perform its obligations thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.  Each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes (a) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement and (b) authorizes and instructs the Priority Lien Agent on behalf of each Holder to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement as Priority Lien Representative (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) on behalf of such Holders as Priority Lien Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement). In addition, each Holder authorizes and instructs the Collateral Agent to enter into any amendments or joinders to the Intercreditor Agreement, without the consent of any Holder or the Trustee, to add additional Indebtedness as Priority Lien Debt or Junior Lien Debt and add other parties (or any authorized agent or trustee therefor) holding such Indebtedness thereto.

 

Section 13.05       Collateral Agency Agreement .

 

This Indenture, including this Article 13, and the provisions  of each other Security Document are subject to the terms, conditions and benefits set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement. The Company and each Guarantor consents to, and agrees to be bound by, the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement, as the same may be in effect from time to time, and to perform its obligations thereunder in accordance with the terms therewith.  Each Holder, by its acceptance of the Notes (a) agrees that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement and (b) authorizes and instructs the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Holders of the Notes and each other holder of Priority Lien Obligations to

 

132



 

enter into the Collateral Agency Agreement as Collateral Agent on behalf of such holders of Priority Lien Obligations and to take such actions in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement as may be required by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative from time to time.  In addition, each Holder authorizes and instructs the Collateral Agent to enter into any amendments or joinders to the Collateral Agency Agreement, without the consent of any Holder or the Trustee, to add additional Indebtedness as Priority Lien Obligations and add other parties (or any authorized agent or trustee therefor) holding such Indebtedness thereto.

 

Section 13.06       Release of Liens in Respect of Notes .

 

The Collateral Agent’s Priority Liens upon the Collateral will no longer secure the Notes outstanding under this Indenture or any other Notes Obligations, and the right of the Holders to the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Agent’s Priority Liens on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged:

 

(1)           upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 8 hereof;

 

(2)           upon a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of the Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof;

 

(3)           upon payment in full in cash and discharge of all Notes outstanding under this Indenture and all other Notes Obligations that are outstanding, due and payable under this Indenture and the other Note Documents at the time the Notes are paid in full in cash and discharged (other than contingent indemnity obligations for which no claim has been made);

 

(4)           as to any Collateral of the Company or a Guarantor that is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Company or any Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after such sale, transfer or disposition) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a transaction or other circumstance that complies with Section 4.10 hereof (other than the obligation to apply proceeds of such Asset Sale as provided in Section 4.10 hereof) and is not prohibited by all of the other Note Documents, at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition or to the extent of the interest sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of; provided that the Collateral Agent’s Liens upon the Collateral will not be released pursuant to this clause (4) if the sale or disposition is subject to Section 5.01;

 

(5)           in whole or in part, with the consent of the Holders of the requisite percentage of Notes in accordance with Article 9 hereof;

 

(6)           with respect to the assets of any Guarantor, at the time that such Guarantor is released from its Note Guarantee in accordance with Section 10.05; or

 

(7)           if and to the extent required by this Indenture or Section 4.01 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

In addition, the Collateral Agent’s Liens on the Collateral will be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.1 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

133



 

Section 13.07       Collateral Agent .

 

(a)           The Collateral Agent will hold (directly or through co-trustees or agents) and will be entitled to enforce at the direction of the Controlling Priority Lien Representative, all Liens on the Collateral created by the Security Documents.

 

(b)           Except as provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement or as directed by the Controlling Priority Lien Representative in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral Agent will not be obligated:

 

(i)            to act upon directions purported to be delivered to it by any Person;

 

(ii)           take any Enforcement Action; or

 

(iii)          to take any other action whatsoever with regard to any or all of the Security Documents, the Liens created thereby or the Collateral.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral Agent will not commence any Enforcement Action or otherwise take any action or proceeding against any of the Collateral unless and until it shall have been directed by written notice from the Controlling Priority Lien Representative and then only in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, if any. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Collateral Agency Agreement, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Priority Lien Debt Default under the applicable Priority Lien Documents, the Credit Agreement Agent, at any time that it is acting as Controlling Priority Lien Representative under the Collateral Agency Agreement, will not direct the Collateral Agent or otherwise take any action under the Collateral Agency Agreement as Controlling Priority Lien Representative unless and until it shall have been directed by written notice of an Act of First-Out Debtholders and then only in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

The parties acknowledge that all of the rights, protections, immunities and powers (including, without limitation, the right to indemnification) applicable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent under the Collateral Agency Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference and shall be applicable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent under this Indenture as if fully set forth herein.

 

It is understood that any reference to the Collateral Agent taking any action, making any determinations, requests, directions, consents or elections, deeming any action or document reasonable, appropriate or satisfactory, exercising discretion, or exercising any rights or duties under this Indenture shall be pursuant to written direction from the Controlling Priority Lien Representative (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement).

 

Section 13.08       Insurance .

 

The Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

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(a)           maintain insurance at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers, to such extent and against such risks (and with such deductibles, retentions and exclusions), including fire and other risks insured against, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations; and

 

(b)           maintain such other insurance as may be required by law.

 

[ Signature pages follow ]

 

135



 

SIGNATURES

 

Dated as of February 14, 2018

 

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NOSLEY ASSETS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

[ Signature page to Indenture ]

 



 

 

NOSLEY SCOOP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NOSLEY ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/  Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

UMB BANK, N.A. ,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Mauri J. Cowen

 

 

Name: Mauri J. Cowen

 

 

Title:Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Pinzon

 

 

Name: Michael Pinzon

 

 

Title: Vice President

 

[ Signature page to Indenture ]

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Face of Note]

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 


 

CUSIP/ISIN [ · ]/[ · ]

 

9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023

 

No.                                                                                                                                                                 $               

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC
JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

promise to pay, jointly and severally, to                                       or registered assigns,

 

the principal sum of                    DOLLARS [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on the attached Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note] on March 15, 2023.

 

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15

 

Record Dates: March 1 and September 1

 

Dated:                           , 2018

 

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

A- 1



 

This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

UMB Bank, N.A.

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

A- 2



 

[BACK OF NOTE]

 

9.250% SENIOR SECURED FIRST LIEN NOTES DUE 2023

 

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

(1)                                  I NTEREST . Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), and Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), jointly and severally promise to pay or cause to be paid interest on the unpaid principal amount of this Note at 9.250% per annum. The Issuers will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year (each, an “ Interest Payment Date ”), beginning September 15, 2018. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payment to be made on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that, if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; and they will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

(2)                                  M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest), if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 1 and September 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

A- 3



 

(3)                                  P AYING A GENT AND R EGISTRAR . Initially, UMB Bank, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

(4)                                  I NDENTURE . The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 14, 2018 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Issuers, the Parent, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Collateral Agent and the Trustee. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are secured obligations of the Issuers. The Notes will be secured by Priority Liens on the Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents. The rights of the Holders of the Notes with respect to the Collateral will be subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Security Documents. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

(5)                                  O PTIONAL R EDEMPTION .

 

(a)                                  At any time prior to March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 109.250% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date), with an amount of cash not greater than the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, provided that:

 

(A)                                at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes originally issued under the Indenture (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

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

 

(b)                                  At any time prior to March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

 

(c)                                   The Issuers may redeem all (but not a portion of) the then outstanding Notes when permitted by, and pursuant to the conditions in, Section 4.15(e) of the Indenture.

 

A- 4



 

(d)                                  Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to March 15, 2020.

 

(e)                                   On or after March 15, 2020, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem all or a part of the Notes, upon notice as provided in the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelvemonth period beginning on March 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date:

 

Year

 

Percentage

 

2020

 

106.938

%

2021

 

104.625

%

2022

 

102.313

%

2023 and thereafter

 

100.000

%

 

Unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable redemption date.

 

(6)                                  M ANDATORY R EDEMPTION . The Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

(7)                                  R EPURCHASE AT THE O PTION OF H OLDER .

 

(a)                                  If there is a Change of Control, the Issuers may be required to make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the “ Change of Control Payment ”), as further described in the Indenture. Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

 

(b)                                  If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales, within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, the Company may be required to make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes, as specified further in the Indenture.

 

A- 5



 

(c)                                   Holders of Definitive Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive offer materials from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “ Option of Holder to Elect Purchase ” attached to the Notes.

 

(8)                                  N OTICE OF R EDEMPTION . At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail (or sent electronically if DTC is the recipient), a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be given more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 thereof. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed.

 

(9)                                  D ENOMINATIONS , T RANSFER , E XCHANGE . The Notes are in registered form in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any transfer taxes or similar governmental charges permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

 

(10)                           P ERSONS D EEMED O WNERS . The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered Holders have rights under the Indenture.

 

(11)                           SECURITY AND COLLATERAL . The Notes will be entitled to the benefits of certain Collateral pledges for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents subject to the rights of holders of certain Indebtedness under the Intercreditor Agreement. Reference is hereby made to the Security Documents for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and obligations thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Holders. The Company agrees, and each Holder by accepting a Note agrees, to the provisions contained in the Security Documents and the Indenture and authorizes the Collateral Agent to give them effect and appoints the Collateral Agent as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

 

(12)                           A MENDMENT , S UPPLEMENT AND W AIVER . Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class,

 

A- 6



 

and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of Notes, the Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented for certain purposes specified in the Indenture.

 

(13)                           D EFAULTS AND R EMEDIES . In the case of an Event of Default specified in the Indenture arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Parent, the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default specified in the Indenture occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all the Holders, rescind an acceleration or waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except as provided in the Indenture. The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually an Officers’ Certificate regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers are required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a written statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

 

(14)                           T RUSTEE D EALINGS WITH C OMPANY . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

(15)                           N O R ECOURSE A GAINST O THERS . No director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or member or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

(16)                           A UTHENTICATION . This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

A- 7



 

(17)                           A BBREVIATIONS . Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

(18)                           CUSIP N UMBERS . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

(19)                           GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

 

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

 

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

Jones Energy Finance Corp.

807 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 350

Austin, Texas 78746

Facsimile No.: (512) 328-5394

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

A- 8



 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:

 

 

(Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint

 

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

 


*                                          Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A- 9



 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

o Section 4.10               o Section 4.15

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Signature:

 

 

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Identification No.:

 

 

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A- 10



 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of 
decrease in 
Principal 
Amount of this 
Global Note

 

Amount of 
increase in 
Principal 
Amount of this 
Global Note

 

Principal 
Amount of this 
Global Note 
following such 
decrease (or 
increase)

 

Signature of 
authorized 
officer of 
Trustee or
 Custodian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


*                                          This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A- 11



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

Jones Energy Finance Corp.

807 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 350

Austin, Texas 78746

 

UMB Bank, N.A.

5555 San Felipe, Suite 870,

Houston, Texas 77056

Attention: Corporate Trust Officer

 

Re: 9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2018 (the “ Indenture ”), among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

                        , (the “ Transferor ”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                        in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Transfer ”), to                        (the “ Transferee ”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

 

B- 1



 

1.                                       o Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

2.                                       o Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than a Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

3.                                       o Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S . The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

 

(a)                                  o such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

 

B- 2



 

OR

 

(b)                                  o such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

 

OR

 

(c)                                   o such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

 

OR

 

4.                                       o Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note .

 

(a)                                  o Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144 . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(b)                                  o Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

(c)                                   o Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption . (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B- 3



 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

B- 4



 

ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.                                       The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

 

[CHECK ONE OF ( A ) OR ( B )]

 

(a)                                  o a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)                                      o 144A Global Note (CUSIP [  ·  ]), or

 

(ii)                                   o Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [  ·  ]), or

 

(b)                                  o a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.                                       After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

 

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a)                                  o a beneficial interest in the:

 

(i)                                      o 144A Global Note (CUSIP [  ·  ]), or

 

(ii)                                   o Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP [  ·  ]), or

 

(iii)                                o Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP [  ·  ]); or

 

(b)                                  o a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c)                                   o an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

 

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B- 5



 

EXHIBIT C

 

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

 

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

Jones Energy Finance Corp.

807 Las Cimas Parkway, Suite 350

Austin, Texas 78746

 

UMB Bank, N.A.

5555 San Felipe, Suite 870,

Houston, Texas 77056

Attention: Corporate Trust Officer

 

Re: 9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023

 

(CUSIP [                                                 ])

 

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2018 (the “ Indenture ”), among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

, (the “ Owner ”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $             in such Note[s] or interests (the “ Exchange ”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

1.                                       Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

 

(a)                                  o Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(b)                                  o Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial

 

C- 1



 

interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(c)                                   o Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

(d)                                  o Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

2.                                       Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

 

(a)                                  o Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

(b)                                  o Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note . In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] o 144A Global Note, o

 

C- 2



 

Regulation S Global Note, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

C- 3



 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE]

 

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2018 (the “ Indenture ”), among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Parent ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee (the “ Trustee ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, premium, if any, on, and interest on, the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders, the Collateral Agent or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes, to the Collateral Agent and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

D- 1



 

EXHIBIT E

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

 

S UPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), dated as of,                 among                (the “ Guaranteeing Subsidiary ”), a subsidiary of Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), the Company, Jones Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and together with the Company, the “ Issuers ” and individually an “ Issuer ”), the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein), UMB Bank, N.A., as Trustee (the “ Trustee ), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H

 

WHEREAS, the Issuers have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of February 14, 2018 providing for the issuance of 9.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2023 (the “ Notes ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “ Note Guarantee ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Collateral Agent are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

E- 1



 

1.                                       CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

2.                                       AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

 

3.                                       NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or member or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture or the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

4.                                       NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

5.                                       COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

 

6.                                       EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

7.                                       THE TRUSTEE AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT. Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Issuers.

 

E- 2



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

 

Dated:

 

,

 

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

[EXISTING GUARANTORS]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

UMB BANK, N.A. ,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK , NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory

 

E- 3



 

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

[See attached.]

 

G- 1


Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

each of the Grantors (as defined herein)

 

in favor of

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

Dated as of February 14, 2018

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I Definitions

2

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

2

Section 1.02

Other Definitional Provisions; References

5

Section 1.03

Computation of Time Periods

5

 

 

ARTICLE II [Reserved]

5

 

 

ARTICLE III Grant of Security Interest

5

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Grant of Security Interest

5

Section 3.02

Transfer of Pledged Securities

8

Section 3.03

Grantors Remains Liable under Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles

8

 

 

ARTICLE IV Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents

9

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents

9

Section 4.02

No Subrogation, Contribution or Reimbursement

11

 

 

ARTICLE V Representations and Warranties

12

 

 

 

Section 5.01

[Reserved]

12

Section 5.02

Benefit to the Grantor

12

Section 5.03

[Reserved]

12

Section 5.04

Title; No Other Liens

12

Section 5.05

Perfected First Priority Liens

12

Section 5.06

Legal Name, Organizational Status, Chief Executive Office

13

Section 5.07

Prior Names

13

Section 5.08

Pledged Securities

13

Section 5.09

Goods

13

Section 5.10

Instruments and Chattel Paper

13

Section 5.11

Truth of Information; Accounts

13

Section 5.12

Governmental Obligors

14

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI Covenants

14

 

 

 

Section 6.01

[Reserved]

14

Section 6.02

Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation

14

Section 6.03

Maintenance of Records

15

Section 6.04

[Reserved]

15

Section 6.05

[Reserved]

15

Section 6.06

Changes in Locations, Name, etc.

15

Section 6.07

[Reserved]

15

Section 6.08

Limitations on Dispositions of Collateral

15

Section 6.09

Pledged Securities

15

Section 6.10

Reserved

16

Section 6.11

Analysis of Accounts, Etc.

16

Section 6.12

Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper

17

Section 6.13

[Reserved]

17

 

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Section 6.14

Commercial Tort Claims

17

 

 

ARTICLE VII Remedial Provisions

17

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Pledged Securities

17

Section 7.02

Collections on Accounts, Etc.

18

Section 7.03

Proceeds

19

Section 7.04

UCC and Other Remedies

19

Section 7.05

Private Sales of Pledged Securities

20

Section 7.06

Waiver; Deficiency

21

Section 7.07

Non-Judicial Enforcement

21

 

 

ARTICLE VIII The Collateral Agent

21

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, Etc.

21

Section 8.02

Duty of Collateral Agent

23

Section 8.03

Execution of Financing Statements

23

Section 8.04

Authority of Collateral Agent

24

 

 

ARTICLE IX Subordination of Indebtedness

24

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Subordination of All Grantor Claims

24

Section 9.02

Claims in Bankruptcy

24

Section 9.03

Payments Held in Trust

25

Section 9.04

Liens Subordinate

25

Section 9.05

Notation of Records

25

 

 

ARTICLE X Miscellaneous

25

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Waiver

25

Section 10.02

Notices

25

Section 10.03

Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, Etc.

26

Section 10.04

Amendments in Writing

27

Section 10.05

Successors and Assigns

27

Section 10.06

Invalidity

27

Section 10.07

Counterparts

27

Section 10.08

Survival

27

Section 10.09

Captions

27

Section 10.10

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction

27

Section 10.11

Acknowledgments

29

Section 10.12

Additional Grantors

29

Section 10.13

Set-Off

30

Section 10.14

Releases

30

Section 10.15

Reinstatement

30

Section 10.16

Acceptance

31

Section 10.17

Amendment and Restatement

31

Section 10.18

No Oral Agreements

31

Section 10.19

Collateral Agent

31

 

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SCHEDULES:

 

1.                                       Notice Addresses of Grantors

 

2.                                       Description of Pledged Securities

 

3.                                       Commercial Tort Claims

 

4.                                       Filings and Other Actions Required to Perfect Security Interests

 

5.                                       Legal Name, Location of Jurisdiction of Organization, Organizational Identification Number, Taxpayor Identification Number and Chief Executive Office

 

6.                                       Prior Names, Prior Chief Executive Office, Location of Tangible Assets

 

ANNEX:

 

1.                                       Form of Assumption Agreement

 

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This AMENDED AND RESTATED COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of February 14, 2018, is made by Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”) and each of its Subsidiaries that is a signatory hereto (the Borrower and each such Subsidiary that is a signatory hereto, together with any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that becomes a party hereto from time to time after the date hereof, the “ Grantors ”), in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (such capitalized term and other capitalized terms used in this Agreement as hereinafter defined).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among the Borrower, each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ” and individually, a “ Lender ”) and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”), the Lenders have extended commitments to make loans to the Borrower and to participate in letters of credit issued thereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Agreement) have entered into or may enter into certain Permitted Swap Agreements (as defined in the Credit Agreement);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Agreement) have entered into or may enter into arrangements for certain Bank Products (as defined in the Credit Agreement) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), among the Borrower, the other Grantors party thereto from time to time and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Borrower issued notes thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Grantors may incur Additional Priority Lien Debt and Priority Lien Obligations (each as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Agency Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Collateral Agent has agreed to act as collateral agent on behalf of all present and future Priority Lien Secured Parties (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) with respect to the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) and is entering into this Agreement in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the other Grantors are engaged in related businesses, and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the extensions of credit and the incurrence of the Priority Lien Obligations;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement the Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009, by the Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries party thereto in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (as amended, restated, or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “ Existing Borrower GCA ”); and

 



 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by Amendment No. 12 (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the parties to the Existing Borrower GCA wish to, and do hereby, amend and restate the Existing Borrower GCA (to the extent such provisions therein relate to the granting of a security interest or the provision of Collateral), and the Grantors that are not party to the Existing Borrower GCA wish to become a Grantor hereunder as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce each Priority Lien Secured Party to enter into the applicable Priority Lien Documents (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) and to induce the Priority Lien Secured Parties to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower thereunder and the extension of financial accommodations under the Permitted Swap Agreements and with respect to the Bank Products referred to above, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions

 

Section 1.01           Definitions .

 

(a)           As used in this Agreement (as defined below), each term defined herein shall have the meaning indicated herein.  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Collateral Agency Agreement, or, if not defined therein, have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms as well as all uncapitalized terms which are defined in the UCC (as defined below) on the date hereof are used herein as so defined: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Payment Intangibles, Proceeds, Supporting Obligations, and Tangible Chattel Paper.

 

(b)           The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Account Debtor ” shall mean a Person (other than any Grantor) obligated on an Account, Chattel Paper, or General Intangible.

 

Agreement ” shall mean this Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Cash Collateral Accounts ” shall mean all Deposit Accounts held with the Collateral Agent as cash collateral for letters of credit in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

 

Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01.

 

Collateral Agency Agreement ” means that certain Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the other Grantors party thereto from time to time, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and each other secured representative party thereto from time to time, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Collateral Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

Contracts ” shall mean all contracts to which any Grantor now is, or hereafter will be bound, or to which such Grantor is or hereafter will be a party, beneficiary or assignee and all exhibits, schedules and other attachments to such contracts, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.

 

Contract Documents ” shall mean all Instruments, Chattel Paper, letters of credit, bonds, guarantees or similar documents evidencing, representing, arising from or existing in respect of, relating to, securing or otherwise supporting the payment of, the Contract Rights.

 

Contract Rights ” shall mean (i) all (A) of any Grantor’s rights to payment under any Contract or Contract Document and (B) payments due and to become due to any Grantor under any Contract or Contract Document, in each case whether as contractual obligations, damages or otherwise; (ii) all of any Grantor’s claims, rights, powers, or privileges and remedies under any Contract or Contract Document; and (iii) all of any Grantor’s rights under any Contract or Contract Document to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive any notice, consent, waiver or approval together with full power and authority with respect to any Contract or Contract Document to demand, receive, enforce or collect any of the foregoing rights or any Property which is the subject of any Contract or Contract Document, to enforce or execute any checks, or other instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action which, as requested by the Collateral Agent, may be necessary or advisable in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Dollars ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Excluded Accounts ” shall mean (a) any Deposit Account, securities account or commodities account exclusively used for payroll, taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments, (b) any Deposit Account, trust account, escrow account or security deposit established pursuant to statutory obligations or for the payment of taxes or holding funds in trust for third parties in the ordinary course of business and (c) any Deposit Account, securities account or commodities account in which the aggregate amount on deposit (or, in the case of any securities account, the total fair market value of all securities held in such account) does not exceed $1,000,000 as of the end of any Business Day.

 

Excluded Certificated Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Contracts ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Equity ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Governmental Permits ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Perfection Assets ” shall mean, collectively (a) any Excluded Accounts and (b) any Property (i) in which a security interest cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing

 

3



 

statement under the UCC and (ii) with respect to which the Controlling Priority Lien Representative has determined, and continues to maintain, in its reasonable discretion that the cost of perfecting a security interest in such Property outweighs any benefit that would be received by the Secured Parties therefrom; provided that any such Property shall immediately and automatically cease to constitute “Excluded Perfection Assets” if, at any time, the Controlling Priority Lien Representative determines in its reasonable discretion that the cost of perfecting a security interest in such Property no longer outweighs the benefit that would be received by the Secured Parties therefrom.

 

Excluded PMSI Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Real Property ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Exempt Goods ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.09.

 

Exempt Instruments and Chattel Paper ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.10.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Governmental Permits ” shall mean any franchise, permit, certificate, license or authorization of any Governmental Authority.

 

Issuers ” shall mean, collectively, each Grantor or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is an issuer of any Equity Interest.

 

Obligations ” shall mean, collectively, all Priority Lien Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Priority Lien Document, no Excluded Swap Obligations shall be “Obligations”.

 

Permitted Swap Agreement ” shall mean any Swap Agreement entered into by any Grantor with any Hedge Bank.

 

Pledged Securities ” shall mean: (i) all of the Grantors’ interests in and to the Equity Interests or other ownership interests of any Issuer, including, without limitation, the Equity Interests described or referred to in Schedule 2; and (ii) (a) the certificates or instruments, if any, representing such Equity Interests, (b) all dividends (cash, stock or otherwise), cash, instruments, rights to subscribe, purchase or sell and all other rights and Property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such Equity Interests, (c) all replacements, additions to and substitutions for any of the Property referred to in this definition, including, without limitation, claims against third parties, (d) the proceeds, interest, profits and other income of or on any of the Property referred to in this definition and (e) all books and records relating to any of the Property referred to in this definition.

 

Priority Lien Documents ” has the meaning given to such term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” shall mean, collectively, all Priority Lien Secured Parties.

 

4



 

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

 

Security Termination ” shall mean the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code, as it may be amended, from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

 

Section 1.02                              Other Definitional Provisions; References .  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.  The gender of all words shall include the masculine, feminine, and neuter, as appropriate.  The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular article, section or subsection.  Any reference herein to a Section shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Section of this Agreement unless otherwise stated herein.  Any reference herein to an exhibit, schedule or annex shall be deemed to refer to the applicable exhibit, schedule or annex attached hereto unless otherwise stated herein.  Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

Section 1.03                              Computation of Time Periods .  In this Agreement, with respect to the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding.”

 

ARTICLE II
[Reserved]

 

ARTICLE III
Grant of Security Interest

 

Section 3.01                              Grant of Security Interest .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor hereby pledges, assigns and transfers to the Collateral Agent, and grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of the following Property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest and whether now existing or hereafter coming into existence (collectively, the “ Collateral ”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations:

 

(1)                                  all Accounts and Payment Intangibles;

 

5



 

(2)                                  all Chattel Paper (whether Tangible Chattel Paper or Electronic Chattel Paper);

 

(3)                                  all Commercial Tort Claims described on Schedule 3 hereto;

 

(4)                                  all Cash Collateral Accounts;

 

(5)                                  all Documents;

 

(6)                                  all General Intangibles (including, without limitation, rights in and under any Swap Agreements);

 

(7)                                  all Goods (including, without limitation, all Inventory and all Equipment, but excluding all Fixtures);

 

(8)                                  all Instruments;

 

(9)                                  all Investment Property;

 

(10)                           all Letter-of-Credit Rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing);

 

(11)                           all Pledged Securities;

 

(12)                           all Supporting Obligations;

 

(13)                           all cash and Money;

 

(14)                           all Deposit Accounts (other than accounts exclusively used for payroll, taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments), Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts;

 

(15)                           all Governmental Permits, Contracts and Contract Rights;

 

(16)                           all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and

 

(17)                           to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security, guarantees and other Supporting Obligations given with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 3.01(a) and other than to the extent set forth in this Section 3.01(b), the following Property shall be excluded from the lien and security interest granted hereunder (and shall, as applicable, not be included as “Collateral”, “Inventory”, “Equipment”, “General Intangibles”, “Investment Property”, “Proceeds”, “Instruments” or “Chattel Paper” for the purposes of this Agreement): (i) any Contract, Contract Document or other document (and any Contract Rights arising thereunder) to which any of the Grantors is a party and any Governmental Permit held by a Grantor, in any case to the extent (but only to the extent) that a Grantor is prohibited from granting a security interest in, pledge of, or charge, mortgage or lien upon any such Property by reason of (A) an existing and

 

6



 

enforceable negative pledge or anti-assignment provision or (B) any Governmental Requirement to which such Grantor or its Property is subject (all such Contracts, Contract Documents, and other documents being the “ Excluded Contracts ”) and all such Governmental Permits being the “ Excluded Governmental Permits ”); provided, however , that (x) the exclusion from the lien and security interest granted by such Grantor hereunder of any Contract Rights or Governmental Permit of any of the Grantors under one or more of the Excluded Contracts or Excluded Governmental Permits shall not limit, restrict or impair the grant by such Grantor of the lien and security interest in any Accounts or receivables arising under any such Excluded Contract or Excluded Governmental Permits or any payments due or to become due thereunder, and (y) any Excluded Contract or Excluded Governmental Permit shall automatically cease to be excluded from this Section 3.01(b) (and shall automatically be subject to the lien and security interest granted hereby and to the terms and provisions of this Agreement as “Collateral”), to the extent that (1) either of the prohibitions discussed in clause (A) and (B) above is ineffective or subsequently rendered ineffective under Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC or under any other Governmental Requirement or is otherwise no longer in effect, or (2) the applicable Grantor has obtained the consent of the other parties to such Excluded Contract to the creation of a lien and security interest in, such Excluded Contract; (ii) as to each Grantor, more than 65% of the outstanding voting stock of (A) any entity that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision thereto) (“ Foreign Subsidiary ”) and (B) any Subsidiary of a Grantor that has no Property other than Equity Interests in Foreign Subsidiaries (any such stock being the “ Excluded Equity ”); (iii) any Property of any Grantor which is subject to a Capital Lease Obligation (as defined in the Indenture), purchase money obligation or other debt obligation if and to the extent that (A) such Capital Lease Obligation, purchase money obligation or other debt obligation was incurred in accordance with the terms of the Priority Lien Documents and the agreements or documents granting or governing such Capital Lease Obligation, purchase money obligation or other debt obligation validly prohibit, or otherwise require any consent with respect to the granting of a Lien in the Property securing such purchase money obligation or other debt obligation and (B) such restriction described in clause (A) above relates only to the asset or assets acquired by any Grantor and attachments and accessions thereto, improvements thereof or substitutions therefor or other Property or equipment financed by the same financing source pursuant to customary cross collateral arrangements; provided that all proceeds paid or payable to any Grantor from any sale, transfer or assignment or other voluntary or involuntary disposition of such assets and all rights to receive such proceeds shall be included in the Collateral to the extent not otherwise required to be paid to the holder of such Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations or other debt obligations secured by such assets (all such property being the “ Excluded PMSI Collateral ”); (iv)  any real property (other than any Oil and Gas Property) owned by any Grantor that has a Fair Market Value (as defined in the Indenture) not exceeding $5,000,000 (all such property being the “ Excluded Real Property ”); (v) [reserved]; (vi) any motor vehicles, aircraft, rolling stock or other assets subject to certificate-of-title statutes (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Oil and Gas Properties) (all such property being the “ Excluded Certificated Collateral ”); (ix) Collateral that is or may be provided to certain Hedging Obligation (as defined in the Indenture) counterparties, certain banking product and account providers or issuers of letters of credit pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents rather than generally to the Priority Lien Secured Parties or to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties as a whole; (x) cash or securities of any Grantor pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts,

 

7



 

performance or return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (xi)  any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a Trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, solely to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law; and (xii) any Equity Interests in any Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture), other than Equity Interests owned by any Grantor in any Unrestricted SCOOP/STACK Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture); provided, however, that any Proceeds received by any Grantor on account of any Excluded Contracts, Excluded Governmental Permits, Excluded Equity, Excluded PMSI Collateral, Excluded Real Property, Excluded Certificated Collateral or any other Property excluded under clauses (i) through (xii) above shall constitute Collateral unless any assets or Property constituting such Proceeds are themselves subject to the exclusions set forth in clauses (i) through (xii) above.

 

Section 3.02                              Transfer of Pledged Securities .  All certificates and instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities shall be delivered to and held pursuant hereto by the Collateral Agent or a Person designated by the Collateral Agent and, in the case of an instrument or certificate in registered form, shall be duly endorsed to the Collateral Agent or in blank by an effective endorsement (whether on the certificate or instrument or on a separate writing), and accompanied by any required transfer tax stamps to effect the pledge of the Pledged Securities to the Collateral Agent.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, all Pledged Securities must be delivered or transferred in such manner, and each Grantor shall take all such further action as may be requested by the Collateral Agent, as to permit the Collateral Agent to be a “protected purchaser” to the extent of its security interest as provided in Section 8-303 of the UCC (if the Collateral Agent otherwise qualifies as a protected purchaser).

 

Section 3.03                              Grantors Remains Liable under Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles .  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Collateral Agent or any such other Secured Party of any payment relating to such Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible, pursuant hereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

8



 

ARTICLE IV
Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents

 

Section 4.01                              Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that the obligations undertaken by it under this Agreement involve the provision of collateral security for the obligations of Persons other than such Grantor and that until Security Termination has occurred such Grantor’s provision of collateral security for the Obligations are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances.  In full recognition and furtherance of the foregoing, each Grantor understands and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law and except as may otherwise be expressly and specifically provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents, that each Grantor shall remain obligated hereunder (including, without limitation, with respect to the collateral security provided by such Grantor herein) and the enforceability and effectiveness of this Agreement and the liability of such Grantor, and the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents shall not be affected, limited, reduced, discharged or terminated in any way:

 

(i)                                      notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Grantor and without notice to or further assent by any Grantor, (A) any demand for payment of any of the Obligations made by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may be rescinded by the Collateral Agent or such other Secured Party and any of the Obligations continued; (B) the Obligations, the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by, or any indulgence or forbearance in respect thereof granted by, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party; (C) any Priority Lien Document, any Permitted Swap Agreement and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Collateral Agent (or the applicable Secured Parties) may deem advisable from time to time; (D) the Borrower, any other Grantor or any other Person may from time to time accept or enter into new or additional agreements, security documents, guarantees or other instruments in addition to, in exchange for or relative to, any Priority Lien Document or any Permitted Swap Agreement, all or any part of the Obligations or any Collateral now or in the future serving as security for the Obligations; (E) any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released; and (F) any other event (other than Security Termination) shall occur which constitutes a defense or release of sureties generally; and

 

(ii)                                   without regard to, and each Grantor hereby expressly waives to the fullest extent permitted by law any defense now or in the future arising by reason of, (A) the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any Priority Lien Document, any Permitted Swap Agreement, any of the Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (B) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by any Grantor or any other

 

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Person against the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (C) the insolvency, bankruptcy arrangement, reorganization, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of any Grantor or any other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Obligations or the failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to file or enforce a claim in bankruptcy or other proceeding with respect to any Person; or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of any Grantor, or any changes in the shareholders of any Grantor; (D) the fact that any Collateral or Lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Obligations shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other Lien, it being recognized and agreed by each of the Grantors that it is not entering into this Agreement in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectability or value of any of the Collateral for the Obligations; (E) any failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to marshal assets in favor of any Grantor or any other Person, to exhaust any Collateral for all or any part of the Obligations, to pursue or exhaust any right, remedy, power or privilege it may have against any Grantor or any other Person or to take any action whatsoever to mitigate or reduce any Grantor’s liability under this Agreement or any other Priority Lien Document; (F) any law which provides that the obligation of a surety or guarantor must neither be larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal or which reduces a surety’s or guarantor’s obligation in proportion to the principal obligation; (G) the possibility that the Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the aggregate liability of such Grantor under this Agreement; or (H) any other circumstance or act whatsoever, which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge or defense of the Borrower for the Obligations, or of such Grantor under any guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or with respect to the collateral security provided by such Grantor herein, or which might be available to a surety or guarantor, in bankruptcy or in any other instance.

 

(b)                                  Each Grantor hereby waives to the extent permitted by law:  (i) except as expressly provided otherwise in any Priority Lien Document, all notices to such Grantor, or to any other Person, including but not limited to, notices of the acceptance of this Agreement, the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or the provision of collateral security provided herein, or the creation, renewal, extension, modification, accrual of any Obligations, or notice of or proof of reliance by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or upon the collateral security provided herein, or of default in the payment or performance of any of the Obligations owed to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party and enforcement of any right or remedy with respect thereto; or notice of any other matters relating thereto; the Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document and the collateral security provided herein and no notice of creation of the Obligations or any extension of credit already or hereafter contracted by or extended to the Borrower need be given to any Grantor; and all dealings between the Borrower and any of the other Grantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document and on the collateral security provided herein; (ii) diligence and demand of payment, presentment, protest, dishonor and notice of dishonor; (iii) any statute of limitations affecting any Grantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof; (iv) all rights of revocation with respect to the Obligations, the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document and the provision of collateral security

 

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herein; and (v) all principles or provisions of law which conflict with the terms of this Agreement and which can, as a matter of law, be waived.

 

(c)                                   When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, join or make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue or exhaust such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower, any other Grantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower, any other Grantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower, any other Grantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Grantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against any Grantor.  For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Obligations or for the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or any Property subject thereto.

 

Section 4.02                              No Subrogation, Contribution or Reimbursement .  Notwithstanding any payment made by any Grantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Grantor by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, no Grantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against the Borrower or any other Grantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations, nor shall any Grantor seek or be entitled to seek any indemnity, exoneration, participation, contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Grantor in respect of payments made by such Grantor hereunder, and each Grantor hereby expressly waives, releases, and agrees not to exercise any and all such rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity and contribution.  Each Grantor further agrees that to the extent that such waiver and release set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity and contribution such Grantor may have against the Borrower, any other Grantor or against any Collateral or security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party shall, until Security Termination has occurred, be junior and subordinate to any rights the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may have against the Borrower and such Grantor and to all right, title and interest the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may have in any Collateral or security or guarantee or right of offset.  The Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, may use, sell or dispose of any item of Collateral or security as it sees fit without regard to any subrogation rights any Grantor may have, and upon any disposition or sale, any rights of subrogation any Grantor may have shall terminate.

 

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ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties

 

To induce the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties to enter into the applicable Priority Lien Documents and to induce the Secured Parties to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party that:

 

Section 5.01                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 5.02                              Benefit to the Grantor .  The Borrower is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes each Grantor, and the Borrower and the other Grantors are engaged in related businesses.  Each Grantor (other than the Borrower) is an Affiliate of the Borrower and its guaranty and surety obligations pursuant to this Agreement reasonably may be expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, it; and it has determined that this Agreement is necessary and convenient to the conduct, promotion and attainment of the business of such Grantor and the Borrower.

 

Section 5.03                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 5.04                              Title; No Other Liens .  Except for the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, such Grantor has good title to all its respective items of the Collateral, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by the Priority Lien Documents (subject to receipt of assignments from ExxonMobil under farmout agreements which are not more than twelve months past first production and subject to receipt of assignments from all other farmors under farmout agreements which are not more than six months past first production).  No effective financing statement or other security instrument or recording with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to this Agreement, the Security Documents or as are filed to secure Liens permitted by the Priority Lien Documents, or as to which a duly authorized termination statement relating to such financing statement or other instrument has been delivered to the Collateral Agent on the date hereof or with respect to which such Lien has been discharged by the Bankruptcy Court.

 

Section 5.05                              Perfected First Priority Liens .  The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings and other actions specified on Schedule 4 (which, in the case of all filings and other documents referred to on said Schedule, have been delivered to the Collateral Agent in completed and, if applicable, duly executed form) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral (other than Excluded Perfection Assets) in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against all creditors of such Grantor and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral (other than Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business) from such Grantor and (b) are prior in right of priority to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof except for Excepted Liens that have priority over the Liens on the Collateral by operation of law and other Liens permitted under the Priority Lien Documents.

 

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Section 5.06                              Legal Name, Organizational Status, Chief Executive Office .  On the date hereof, the correct legal name of such Grantor, such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, organizational number, taxpayor identification number and the location of such Grantor’s chief executive office are specified on Schedule 5.

 

Section 5.07                              Prior Names .  As of the date hereof, Schedule 6 correctly sets forth all names and trade names that such Grantor has used in the last five years.

 

Section 5.08                              Pledged Securities .  The shares (or such other interests) of Pledged Securities pledged by such Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares (or such other interests) of all classes of the Equity Interests of each Issuer owned by such Grantor.  All the shares (or such other interests) of the Pledged Securities have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and such Grantor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good title to, the Pledged Securities pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens or options in favor of any other Person, except the security interest created by this Agreement or any other Security Document and Excepted Liens.

 

Section 5.09                              Goods .  No portion of the Collateral constituting Goods (other than Oil and Gas Properties) having an aggregate value in excess of $2,500,000 is in the possession of a bailee that has issued a negotiable or non-negotiable document covering such Collateral, except any such Collateral (other than Oil and Gas Properties) the aggregate value of which does not exceed $2,500,000 at any time (the “ Exempt Goods ”).

 

Section 5.10                              Instruments and Chattel Paper .  Such Grantor has delivered to the Collateral Agent all Collateral constituting Instruments and Chattel Paper (other than Excluded Perfection Assets), except with respect to any such Collateral, the value of, individually or in the aggregate, does not exceed $2,500,000 (the “ Exempt Instruments and Chattel Paper ”).  No Collateral constituting Chattel Paper or Instruments contains any statement therein to the effect that such Collateral has been assigned to an identified party other than the Collateral Agent, and the grant of a security interest in such Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent hereunder does not violate the rights of any other Person as a secured party.

 

Section 5.11                              Truth of Information; Accounts .  None of the information with respect to the Collateral set forth in any schedule, certificate or other writing at any time heretofore or hereafter furnished by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, or any other information furnished by or on behalf of any Grantor to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  As of the date hereof, the place where each Grantor keeps its records concerning the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles is set forth on Schedule 4.

 

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Section 5.12                              Governmental Obligors .  None of the Account Debtors on such Grantor’s Accounts, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangibles is a Governmental Authority.

 

ARTICLE VI
Covenants

 

Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this Agreement until Security Termination has occurred:

 

Section 6.01                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 6.02                              Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation .

 

(a)                                  Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority described in Section 5.05 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever (other than to the extent such claims and demands are permitted by the Priority Lien Documents).

 

(b)                                  At any time and from time to time, at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly give, execute, deliver, endorse, file or record any and all financing statements, continuation statements, amendments, notices (including, without limitation, notifications to financial institutions and any other Person), contracts, agreements, assignments, certificates, stock powers or other instruments, obtain any and all governmental approvals and consents and take or cause to be taken any and all steps or acts that may be necessary or as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to create, perfect (other than with respect to Excluded Perfection Assets), establish the priority of, or to preserve the validity, perfection (other than with respect to Excluded Perfection Assets) or priority of, the Liens granted by this Agreement or to enable the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce its rights, remedies, powers and privileges under this Agreement with respect to such Liens or to otherwise obtain or preserve the full benefits of this Agreement and the rights, powers and privileges herein granted.

 

(c)                                   Without limiting the obligations of the Grantors under Section 6.02(b), other than with respect to Collateral constituting Excluded Perfection Assets, Exempt Goods and Exempt Instruments and Chattel Paper:  (i) such Grantor shall take or cause to be taken all actions (other than any actions required to be taken by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party) to cause the Collateral Agent to (A) have “control” (within the meaning of Sections 9-104, 9-105, 9-106, and 9-107 of the UCC) over any Collateral constituting Electronic Chattel Paper, Investment Property (including the Pledged Securities), Deposit Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), Securities Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), Commodity Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), or Letter-of-Credit Rights, including, without limitation, executing and delivering any agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, with securities intermediaries, issuers or other Persons in order to establish “control”, and each Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties of such Grantor’s acquisition of any such Collateral, and (B) be a “protected purchaser” (as defined in Section 8-303 of the UCC); (ii) with respect to Collateral other than certificated securities and goods covered by a document in the possession of a Person other than such Grantor or the Collateral Agent, such Grantor shall obtain written acknowledgment that such Person holds possession for the Collateral

 

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Agent’s benefit; and (iii) with respect to any Collateral constituting Goods that are in the possession of a bailee, such Grantor shall provide prompt notice to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties of any such Collateral then in the possession of such bailee, and such Grantor shall take or cause to be taken all actions (other than any actions required to be taken by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party) necessary or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to cause the Collateral Agent to have a perfected security interest in such Collateral under applicable law.

 

(d)                                  This Section 6.02 and the obligations imposed on each Grantor by this Section 6.02 shall be interpreted as broadly as possible in favor of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties in order to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.03                              Maintenance of Records .  Such Grantor will keep and maintain at its own cost and expense reasonably satisfactory and complete records of the Collateral, including, without limitation, a record of all payments received and all credits granted with respect to the Accounts.

 

Section 6.04                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 6.05                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 6.06                              Changes in Locations, Name, etc.   Such Grantor recognizes that financing statements pertaining to the Collateral have been or may be filed where such Grantor is organized.  Without limitation of any other covenant herein, such Grantor will not cause or permit (i) any change to be made in its name, identity or corporate structure or (ii) any change to such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, unless such Grantor shall have first (1) notified the Collateral Agent of such change at least ten (10) days (or such shorter period of time as may be reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent) prior to the effective date of such change, and (2) taken all action for the purpose of maintaining the perfection and priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interests under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.07                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 6.08                              Limitations on Dispositions of Collateral .  The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties do not authorize, and such Grantor agrees not to Dispose of any of the Collateral, except to the extent permitted by the Priority Lien Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Section 6.09                              Pledged Securities .

 

(a)                                  If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any stock certificate or other instrument (including, without limitation, any certificate or instrument representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate or instrument issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any Issuer, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares (or such other interests) of the Pledged Securities, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, hold the same in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and deliver the same forthwith to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received, duly endorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if

 

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required, together with an undated stock power or other equivalent instrument of transfer acceptable to the Collateral Agent covering such certificate or instrument duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with signature guaranteed, to be held by the Collateral Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Obligations.

 

(a)                                  Without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, such Grantor will not (except in each case as permitted by the Priority Lien Documents) (i) unless otherwise permitted hereby, vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any Equity Interest of any nature or to issue any other securities or interests convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any Equity Interests of any nature of any Issuer, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof (except pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted by the Priority Lien Documents), (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof, or any interest therein, except the security interest created by this Agreement or any other Security Document and Excepted Liens or (iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability of such Grantor or the Collateral Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof.

 

(b)                                  In the case of each Grantor that is an Issuer, such Issuer agrees that (i) it will be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to the Pledged Securities issued by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to it, (ii) it will notify the Collateral Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 6.09(a) with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by it and (iii) the terms of Section 7.01(c) and Section 7.05 shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis , with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 7.01(c) or Section 7.05 with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by it.

 

(c)                                   Such Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent such stock powers and other equivalent instruments of transfer as may be required to assure the transferability of and the perfection of the security interest in the Pledged Securities when and as often as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent.

 

(d)                                  The Pledged Securities will at all times constitute not less than 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of the Issuer thereof owned by any Grantor.

 

Section 6.10                              Reserved. .

 

Section 6.11                              Analysis of Accounts, Etc .  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right from time to time to make test verifications of the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and each Grantor, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Collateral Agent may require in connection therewith.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, at any time and from time to time, upon the Collateral Agent’s request and at the expense of each Grantor, such Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent reports showing reconciliations, aging and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, and all original and other documents evidencing, and

 

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relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, including, without limitation, all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

Section 6.12                              Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper .  If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper (other than in each case Excluded Perfection Assets), such Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper shall be immediately delivered to the Collateral Agent, duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Section 6.13                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 6.14                              Commercial Tort Claims .  If such Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim that satisfies the requirements of the following sentence, such Grantor shall, within thirty (30) days from the date upon which such Commercial Tort Claim satisfies such requirements, notify the Collateral Agent in a writing signed by such Grantor containing a brief description thereof, and granting to the Collateral Agent in such writing (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a security interest therein and in the Proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.  The provisions of the preceding sentence shall apply only to a Commercial Tort Claim that satisfies the following requirements:  (i) the monetary value claimed by or payable to the relevant Grantor in connection with such Commercial Tort Claim shall exceed $2,500,000, and (ii) either (A) such Grantor shall have filed a lawsuit or counterclaim or otherwise commenced legal proceedings (including, without limitation, arbitration proceedings) against the Person against whom such Commercial Tort Claim is made, or (B) such Grantor and the Person against whom such Commercial Tort Claim is asserted shall have entered into a settlement agreement with respect to such Commercial Tort Claim.  In addition, to the extent that the existence of any Commercial Tort Claim held or acquired by any Grantor is disclosed by such Grantor in any public filing with the Securities Exchange Commission or any successor thereto or analogous Governmental Authority, or to the extent that the existence of any such Commercial Tort Claim is disclosed in any press release issued by any Grantor, then the relevant Grantor shall, within thirty (30) days from the date upon which such disclosure is made, transmit to the Collateral Agent a writing signed by such Grantor containing a brief description of such Commercial Tort Claim and granting to the Collateral Agent in such writing (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a security interest therein and in the Proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

ARTICLE VII
Remedial Provisions

 

Section 7.01                              Pledged Securities .

 

(a)                                  Unless a Priority Lien Debt Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Grantor of the Collateral Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 7.01(b), each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Securities, to the extent

 

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permitted in the Priority Lien Documents, and to exercise all voting and corporate rights with respect to the Pledged Securities.

 

(b)                                  If a Priority Lien Debt Default shall occur and be continuing, then at any time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion without notice, and subject to the terms and conditions in the Collateral Agency Agreement, (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Pledged Securities and make application thereof to the Obligations in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement, and (ii) any or all of the Pledged Securities shall be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, and the Collateral Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Pledged Securities at any meeting of shareholders (or other equivalent body) of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Pledged Securities as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Securities upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Collateral Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Pledged Securities, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Securities with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Collateral Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for Property actually received by it, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c)                                   Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Pledged Securities pledged by such Grantor hereunder (and each Issuer party hereto hereby agrees) to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Collateral Agent in writing that (x) states that a Priority Lien Debt Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Pledged Securities directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

(d)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, if the Issuer of any Pledged Securities is the subject of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, custodianship or other proceedings under the supervision of any Governmental Authority, then all rights of the Grantor in respect thereof to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which such Grantor would otherwise be entitled to exercise with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by such Issuer shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to exercise any such voting or other consensual rights and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

Section 7.02                              Collections on Accounts, Etc .  The Collateral Agent hereby authorizes each Grantor to collect upon the Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, and the Collateral Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default.  Upon the request of the Collateral Agent at any

 

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time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, each Grantor shall notify the Account Debtors that the applicable Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles have been assigned to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Collateral Agent.  The Collateral Agent may, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, in its own name or in the name of others communicate with the Account Debtors to verify with them to its satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Accounts, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangibles.

 

Section 7.03                              Proceeds .  If required by the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, any payments of Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, when collected or received by each Grantor, and any other cash or non-cash Proceeds received by each Grantor upon the sale or other disposition of any Collateral, shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within two Business Days from the date of sale or other disposition of such Collateral) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly endorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in a collateral account maintained by the Collateral Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties only, as hereinafter provided, and, until so turned over, shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of any such Grantor.  Each deposit of any such Proceeds shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments included in the deposit.  All Proceeds (including, without limitation, Proceeds constituting collections of Accounts, Chattel Paper, or Instruments) while held by the Collateral Agent (or by any Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties) shall continue to be collateral security for all of the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as hereinafter provided.  At such intervals as may be agreed upon by each Grantor and the Collateral Agent, or, if a Priority Lien Debt Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Collateral Agent’s election, the Collateral Agent shall apply all or any part of the funds on deposit in said collateral account on account of the Obligations in such order as the Collateral Agent may elect, and any part of such funds which the Collateral Agent elects not so to apply and deems not required as collateral security for the Obligations shall be paid over from time to time by the Collateral Agent to each Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

 

Section 7.04                              UCC and Other Remedies .

 

(a)                                  Any exercise by Collateral Agent of any of its rights under this Article VII shall be subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement. If a Priority Lien Debt Default shall occur and be continuing, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may exercise in its discretion, in addition to all other rights, remedies, powers and privileges granted to them in this Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement, any Priority Lien Document, and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights, remedies, powers and privileges of a secured party under the UCC (whether the UCC is in effect in the jurisdiction where such rights, remedies, powers or privileges are asserted) or any other applicable law or otherwise available at law or equity.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or

 

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upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk.  The Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released.  If a Priority Lien Debt Default shall occur and be continuing, each Grantor further agrees, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere.  Any such sale or transfer by the Collateral Agent either to itself or to any other Person shall be absolutely free from any claim of right by Grantor, including any equity or right of redemption, stay or appraisal which Grantor has or may have under any rule of law, regulation or statute now existing or hereafter adopted.  Upon any such sale or transfer, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to deliver, assign and transfer to the purchaser or transferee thereof the Collateral so sold or transferred.  The Collateral Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 7.04, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement, and only after such application and after the payment by the Collateral Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615 of the UCC, need the Collateral Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder.  If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

(b)                                  In the event that the Collateral Agent elects not to sell the Collateral, the Collateral Agent retains its rights to dispose of or utilize the Collateral or any part or parts thereof in any manner authorized or permitted by law or in equity, and to apply the proceeds of the same towards payment of the Obligations.  Each and every method of disposition of the Collateral described in this Agreement shall constitute disposition in a commercially reasonable manner.  The Collateral Agent may appoint any Person as agent to perform any act or acts necessary or incident to any sale or transfer of the Collateral, subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Section 7.05                              Private Sales of Pledged Securities .  Each Grantor recognizes that the Collateral Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Securities, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted

 

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group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof.  Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner.  The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Securities for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.  Each Grantor agrees to use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may reasonably be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Securities pursuant to this Section 7.05 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Governmental Requirements.  Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 7.05 will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, that the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 7.05 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants.

 

Section 7.06                              Waiver; Deficiency .  Each Grantor waives and agrees not to assert any rights or privileges which it may acquire under the UCC or any other applicable law.  Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

 

Section 7.07                              Non-Judicial Enforcement .  The Collateral Agent may enforce its rights hereunder without prior judicial process or judicial hearing, and to the extent permitted by law, each Grantor expressly waives any and all legal rights which might otherwise require the Collateral Agent to enforce its rights by judicial process.

 

ARTICLE VIII
The Collateral Agent

 

Section 8.01                              Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, Etc .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all reasonably appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be reasonably necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to or assent by such Grantor, to do any or all of the following, subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement:

 

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(i)                                      unless being disputed under clause (a) of the definition of “Excepted Liens” in the Credit Agreement, pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

 

(ii)                                   execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 7.04 or Section 7.05, any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(iii)                                (A) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (B) take possession of and endorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Account, Instrument, General Intangible, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible or with respect to any other Collateral, and to file any claim or to take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of collecting any all such moneys due under any Account, Instrument or  General Intangible or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable; (C) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (D) sign and endorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (E) receive, change the address for delivery, open and dispose of mail addressed to any Grantor, and to execute, assign and endorse negotiable and other instruments for the payment of money, documents of title or other evidences of payment, shipment or storage for any form of Collateral on behalf of and in the name of any Grantor; (F) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (G) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (H) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; and (I) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

 

Anything in this Section 8.01(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Collateral Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 8.01(a) except in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

(b)                                  If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein within the applicable grace periods, the Collateral Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

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(c)                                   The expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 8.01 shall be payable by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent on demand.

 

(d)                                  Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue and in compliance hereof.  All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

Section 8.02                              Duty of Collateral Agent .  The Collateral Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Collateral Agent deals with similar Property for the account of other customers in similar transactions.  Neither the Collateral Agent, any other Secured Party nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.  The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers.  The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Agent shall be under no duty whatsoever to make or give any presentment, notice of dishonor, protest, demand for performance, notice of non-performance, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, or other notice or demand in connection with any Collateral or the Obligations, or to take any steps necessary to preserve any rights against any Grantor or other Person or ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not it has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters.  Each Grantor, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waives any right of marshaling in respect of any and all Collateral, and waives any right to require the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to proceed against any Grantor or other Person, exhaust any Collateral or enforce any other remedy which the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party now has or may hereafter have against any Grantor or other Person.

 

Section 8.03                              Execution of Financing Statements .  Pursuant to the UCC and any other applicable law, each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent, its counsel or its representative (but the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated), at any time and from time to time, to file or record financing statements, continuation statements, amendments thereto and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor in such form and in such offices to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.  Additionally, each Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent, its counsel or its representative, at any time and from time to time, to file or record such financing statements that describe the Collateral covered thereby as “all assets of the Grantor”, “all personal property of the

 

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Grantor” or words of similar effect.  A photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement or other filing or recording document or instrument for filing or recording in any jurisdiction.

 

Section 8.04                              Authority of Collateral Agent .  Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, be governed by the Collateral Agency Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Grantors, the Collateral Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

ARTICLE IX
Subordination of Indebtedness

 

Section 9.01                              Subordination of All Grantor Claims .  As used herein, the term “Grantor Claims” shall mean all debts and obligations of the Borrower or any other Grantor to another Grantor, whether such debts and obligations now exist or are hereafter incurred or arise, or whether the obligation of the debtor thereon be direct, contingent, primary, secondary, several, joint and several, or otherwise, and irrespective of whether such debts or obligations be evidenced by note, contract, open account, or otherwise, and irrespective of the Person or Persons in whose favor such debts or obligations may, at their inception, have been, or may hereafter be created, or the manner in which they have been or may hereafter be acquired by. After and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, no Grantor shall receive or collect, directly or indirectly, from any obligor in respect thereof any amount upon the Grantor Claims.

 

Section 9.02                              Claims in Bankruptcy .  In the event of receivership, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, debtor’s relief or other insolvency proceedings involving any Grantor, the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have the right to prove their claim in any proceeding, so as to establish their rights hereunder and receive directly from the receiver, trustee or other court custodian, dividends and payments which would otherwise be payable upon Grantor Claims.  Each Grantor hereby assigns such dividends and payments to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties for application against the Obligations as provided under Section 3.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  Should the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party receive, for application upon the Obligations, any such dividend or payment which is otherwise payable to any Grantor, and which, as between such Grantor, shall constitute a credit upon the Grantor Claims, then upon payment in full of the Obligations, the intended recipient shall become subrogated to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties to the extent that such payments to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties on the Grantor Claims have contributed toward the liquidation of the Obligations, and such subrogation shall be with respect to that proportion of the Obligations which would have been unpaid if the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties had not received dividends or payments upon the Grantor Claims.

 

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Section 9.03                              Payments Held in Trust .  In the event that notwithstanding Section 9.01 and Section 9.02, any Grantor should receive any funds, payments, claims or distributions which is prohibited by such Sections, then it agrees: (a) to hold in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties an amount equal to the amount of all funds, payments, claims or distributions so received, and (b) that it shall have absolutely no dominion over the amount of such funds, payments, claims or distributions except to pay them promptly to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties; and each Grantor covenants promptly to pay the same to the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 9.04                              Liens Subordinate .  Each Grantor agrees that, until Security Termination has occurred, any Liens securing payment of the Grantor Claims shall be and remain inferior and subordinate to any Liens securing payment of the Obligations, regardless of whether such encumbrances in favor of such Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party presently exist or are hereafter created or attach.  Until Security Termination has occurred, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, no Grantor shall (a) exercise or enforce any creditor’s right it may have against any debtor in respect of the Grantor Claims, or (b) foreclose, repossess, sequester or otherwise take steps or institute any action or proceeding (judicial or otherwise, including without limitation the commencement of or joinder in any liquidation, bankruptcy, rearrangement, debtor’s relief or insolvency proceeding) to enforce any Lien held by it.

 

Section 9.05                              Notation of Records .  Upon the request of the Collateral Agent, all promissory notes and all accounts receivable ledgers or other evidence of the Grantor Claims accepted by or held by any Grantor shall contain a specific written notice thereon that the indebtedness evidenced thereby is subordinated under the terms of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous

 

Section 10.01                       Waiver .  No failure on the part of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, remedy, power or privilege under any of the Priority Lien Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Priority Lien Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.  The exercise by the Collateral Agent of any one or more of the rights, powers and remedies herein shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights, powers and remedies, including, without limitation, any rights of set-off.

 

Section 10.02                       Notices .  All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be given in the manner and subject to the terms of Section 7.6 of the Collateral Agency Agreement; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Grantor shall be addressed to such Grantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1.

 

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Section 10.03                       Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, Etc .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor agrees to pay or promptly reimburse the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party for all advances, charges, fees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses of holding, preparing for sale and selling, collecting or otherwise realizing upon the Collateral and all attorneys’ fees, legal expenses and court costs) incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the exercise of its respective rights and remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, any advances, charges, costs and expenses that may be incurred in any effort to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or any obligation of any Grantor in respect of the Collateral or in connection with (i) the preservation of the Lien of, or the rights of, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party under this Agreement, (ii) any actual or attempted sale, lease, disposition, exchange, collection, compromise, settlement or other realization in respect of, or care of, the Collateral, including all such costs and expenses incurred in any bankruptcy, reorganization, workout or other similar proceeding, or (iii) collecting against such Grantor under the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents to which such Grantor is a party.

 

(b)                                  Each Grantor agrees to indemnify and pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, fees, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) incurred because of, incident to, or with respect to, the Collateral (including, without limitation, any exercise of rights or remedies in connection therewith) or the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 7.9 of the Collateral Agency Agreement or such other applicable provision of any Priority Lien Document; and THE INDEMNITY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL EXTEND TO EACH PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE PERSONS BEING INDEMNIFIED OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE PERSONS BEING INDEMNIFIED ; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT (I) SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED OR (II) SUCH CLAIMS (OTHER THAN CLAIMS AGAINST THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE ARRANGER OR THE ISSUING BANK) ARE SOLELY BETWEEN PERSONS BEING INDEMNIFIED.  All amounts for which any Grantor is liable pursuant to this Section 10.03 shall be due and payable by such Grantor to the Secured Parties upon demand.

 

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Section 10.04                       Amendments in Writing .  None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Section 10.05                       Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided that, no Grantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent and as otherwise permitted under the Collateral Agency Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents.

 

Section 10.06                       Invalidity .  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any of the Priority Lien Documents to which a Grantor is a party shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or such other Priority Lien Document.

 

Section 10.07                       Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

 

Section 10.08                       Survival .  The obligations of the parties under Section 10.03 shall survive Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent.  To the extent that any payments on the Obligations or proceeds of any Collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Obligations so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Security Document shall continue in full force and effect.  In such event, each Security Document shall be automatically reinstated and each Grantor shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties to effect such reinstatement.

 

Section 10.09                       Captions .  Captions and section headings appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.10                       Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .

 

(a)                                  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)                                  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS TO WHICH A GRANTOR IS A PARTY SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK, AND EACH OF THE SECURED PARTIES, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE GRANTORS HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN

 

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RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  EACH OF THE SECURED PARTIES, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE GRANTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.  THIS SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY SECURED PARTY FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION OVER SUCH GRANTOR IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

 

(c)                                   EACH OF THE SECURED PARTIES, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE GRANTORS IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH PERSON AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED ON ITS SIGNATURE PAGE OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY SECURED PARTY OR GRANTOR TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST SUCH GRANTOR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(d)                                  THE COLLATERAL AGENT, EACH GRANTOR AND EACH SECURED PARTY HEREBY (I) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (II) IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; PROVIDED, THAT, FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS CLAUSE (II) SHALL LIMIT ANY GRANTOR’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.03(B) ABOVE TO THE EXTENT SUCH SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARE INCLUDED IN ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIM IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON IS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION HEREUNDER; (III) CERTIFY THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (IV) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 10.10.

 

28



 

Section 10.11                       Acknowledgments .

 

(a)                                  Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(i)                                      it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents to which it is a party;

 

(ii)                                   neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the Priority Lien Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor or agent, as applicable; and

 

(iii)                                no joint venture is created hereby or by the Priority Lien Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Secured Parties or among the Grantors and the Secured Parties.

 

(b)                                  Each of the parties hereto specifically agrees that it has a duty to read this Agreement and the Security Documents and agrees that it is charged with notice and knowledge of the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents; that it has in fact read this Agreement and is fully informed and has full notice and knowledge of the terms, conditions and effects of this Agreement; that it has been represented by independent legal counsel of its choice throughout the negotiations preceding its execution of this Agreement and the other Security Documents; and has received the advice of its attorney in entering into this Agreement and the other Security Documents; and that it recognizes that certain of the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents result in one party assuming the liability inherent in some aspects of the transaction and relieving the other party of its responsibility for such liability.  Each party hereto agrees and covenants that it will not contest the validity or enforceability of any exculpatory provision of this Agreement and the other Security Documents on the basis that the party had no notice or knowledge of such provision or that the provision is not “conspicuous.”

 

(c)                                   Each Grantor warrants and agrees that each of the waivers and consents set forth in this Agreement are made voluntarily and unconditionally after consultation with outside legal counsel and with full knowledge of their significance and consequences, with the understanding that events giving rise to any defense or right waived may diminish, destroy or otherwise adversely affect rights which such Grantor otherwise may have against the Borrower, any other Grantor, the Secured Parties or any other Person or against any Collateral.  If, notwithstanding the intent of the parties that the terms of this Agreement shall control in any and all circumstances, any such waivers or consents are determined to be unenforceable under applicable law, such waivers and consents shall be effective to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

Section 10.12                       Additional Grantors .  Each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to any Priority Lien Document and is not a signatory hereto shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex I hereto.

 

29



 

Section 10.13                       Set-Off .  Each Grantor agrees that, in addition to (and without limitation of) any right of set-off, bankers’ lien or counterclaim a Secured Party may otherwise have, each Secured Party shall have the right and be entitled (after consultation with the Collateral Agent), at its option, to offset (i) balances held by it or by any of its Affiliates for account of any Grantor or any Subsidiary at any of its offices, in Dollars or in any other currency, and (ii) amounts due and payable to such Lender (or any Affiliate of such Lender) under any Permitted Swap Agreement, against any principal of or interest on any of such Secured Party’s Loans, or any other amount due and payable to such Secured Party hereunder, which is not paid when due (regardless of whether such balances are then due to such Person), in which case it shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Collateral Agent thereof, provided that such Secured Party’s failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity thereof.

 

Section 10.14                       Releases .

 

(a)                                  Release .  The Liens created hereby shall be released automatically (a) in accordance with Sections 4.1 and 4.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement and (b) upon Security Termination. Upon any such release, the Collateral Agent will, at the Grantors’ sole expense, deliver to the Grantors, without any representations, warranties or recourse of any kind whatsoever, any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent hereunder which is subject to such release, and execute and deliver to the Grantors such documents as the Grantors may reasonably request to evidence such release.

 

(b)                                  Retention in Satisfaction .  Except as may be expressly applicable pursuant to Section 9-620 of the UCC, no action taken or omission to act by the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, any exercise of voting or consensual rights or any other action taken or inaction, shall be deemed to constitute a retention of the Collateral in satisfaction of the Obligations or otherwise to be in full satisfaction of the Obligations, and the Obligations shall remain in full force and effect, until the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall have applied payments (including, without limitation, collections from Collateral) towards the Obligations in the full amount then outstanding or until such subsequent time as is provided in Section 10.14(a).

 

Section 10.15                       Reinstatement .  The obligations of each Grantor under this Agreement (including, without limitation, with respect to the provision of Collateral herein) shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any Grantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or any Grantor or any substantial part of its Property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

30



 

Section 10.16                       Acceptance .  Each Grantor hereby expressly waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement, acceptance on the part of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties being conclusively presumed by their request for this Agreement and delivery of the same to the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 10.17                       Amendment and Restatement .  This Agreement amends and restates the provisions of the Existing Borrower GCA that relate to the granting of a security interest or the provision of Collateral, which agreement was assigned to the Collateral Agent pursuant to that certain Master Reaffirmation and Assignment and Assumption of Liens and Security Interests, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the other Grantors party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee and the Collateral Agent.  This Agreement renews, continues and extends all security interests granted by Grantors which are existing by virtue of the Existing Borrower GCA, but the terms, provisions and conditions of such security interests shall hereafter be governed in all respects by this Agreement and any amendments, amendments and restatements, supplements or other modifications hereto.  Notwithstanding the fact that the Collateral described in and subject to the Existing Borrower GCA is subject to the security interests existing by virtue of this Agreement, this Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, release, novate, discharge, extinguish or diminish, in any way, the security interests granted by Grantors named in this Agreement existing by virtue of the Existing Borrower GCA, or the priority thereof.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not effect a novation of the Existing Borrower GCA, or the obligations and liabilities thereunder, and shall not evidence repayment or termination of the obligations and liabilities of the Grantors under the Existing Borrower GCA. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges, agrees to comply with and agrees to take any actions reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to facilitate the occurrence of the actions contemplated in this Section 10.17.

 

Section 10.18                       No Oral Agreements .  THIS AGREEMENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT AND THE PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN THE LETTERS OF CREDIT ISSUED UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT) EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL OTHER AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF.  THIS AGREEMENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT AND THE PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

 

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO.

 

Section 10.19                       Collateral Agent .

 

(a)                                  The parties acknowledge that all of the rights, protections, immunities and powers (including, without limitation, the right to indemnification) applicable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent under the Collateral Agency Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference and shall be applicable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent under this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

 

31



 

(b)                                  It is understood that any reference to the Collateral Agent taking any action, making any determinations, requests, directions, consents or elections, deeming any action or document reasonable, appropriate or satisfactory, exercising discretion, or exercising any rights or duties under this Agreement shall be pursuant to written direction from the Controlling Priority Lien Representative.

 

[ Signature Page to Follow ]

 

32



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

GRANTORS:

NOSLEY ASSETS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NOSLEY SCOOP, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

NOSLEY ACQUISITION, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 



 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to as

 

of the date hereof by:

 

 

COLLATERAL AGENT:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Pinzon

 

Name: Michael Pinzon

 

 

Title:Vice President

 

SIGNATURE PAGE

COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 



 

Schedule 1

 

NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GRANTORS

 

To each Grantor:

 

c/o Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

Notice Address:

Attn:  Robert J. Brooks

807 Las Cimas Parkway

Suite 350

Austin, TX 78746

Telephone: 512-493-4899

 

 

Schedule 1 - 1



 

Schedule 2

 

DESCRIPTION OF PLEDGED SECURITIES

 

Pledged Securities:

 

Holder of Ownership Interest

 

Issuer

 

Description of Holder’s 
Ownership Interest

 

Certificate No. 
(if applicable)

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

 

Jones Energy, LLC

 

100% limited liability company interest

 

Uncertificated

 

 

Nosley Assets, LLC

 

100% limited liability company interest

 

Uncertificated

 

 

Jones Energy Finance Corp.

 

1000 shares of Capital Stock

 

1

 

 

CCPR Sub LLC

 

100% limited liability company interest

 

Uncertificated

Nosley Assets, LLC

 

Nosley SCOOP, LLC

 

100% limited liability company interest

 

Uncertificated

 

 

Nosley Acquisition, LLC

 

100% limited liability company interest

 

Uncertificated

Jones Energy, LLC

 

JRJ Opco, LLC

 

100% limited liability company interest

 

Uncertificated

 

Schedule 2 - 1



 

Schedule 3

 

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

 

None.

 

Schedule 3 - 1



 

Schedule 4

 

FILINGS AND OTHER ACTIONS
REQUIRED TO PERFECT SECURITY INTERESTS

 

Uniform Commercial Code Filings

 

Debtor

 

Filing Type

 

Jurisdiction

Jones Energy, LLC

 

UCC-1

 

Texas

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

 

UCC-1

 

Delaware

Nosley Assets, LLC

 

UCC-1

 

Delaware

Nosley SCOOP, LLC

 

UCC-1

 

Delaware

Nosley Acquisition, LLC

 

UCC-1

 

Delaware

Jones Energy Finance Corp.

 

UCC-1

 

Delaware

 

Delivery to the Collateral Agent of the following Pledged Securities :

 

A.                                     Stock Certificate evidencing Equity Interests of Jones Energy Finance Corp.

 

Schedule 4 - 1



 

Schedule 5

 

CORRECT LEGAL NAME, LOCATION OF JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION, ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, TAXPAYOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE

 

Correct Legal Name:

Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Delaware

Organizational identification number:

4765517

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway

 

Suite 350

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

27-1495091

 

 

 

 

Correct Legal Name:

Nosley Assets, LLC

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Delaware

Organizational identification number:

5191737

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway

 

Suite 350

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

35-2456460

 

 

 

 

Correct Legal Name:

Nosley SCOOP, LLC

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Delaware

Organizational identification number:

6159400

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway

 

Suite 350

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

81-4171108

 

 

 

 

Correct Legal Name:

Nosley Acquisition, LLC

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Delaware

Organizational identification number:

6210291

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway

 

Suite 350

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

81-4961548

 

 

Correct Legal Name:

Jones Energy, LLC

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Texas

 

Schedule 5 - 1



 

Organizational identification number:

17524588617

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway

 

Suite 350

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

75-2458861

 

 

Correct Legal Name:

Jones Energy Finance Corp.

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Delaware

Organizational identification number:

5501607

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway

 

Suite 350

 

Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

27-1466652

 

Schedule 5 - 1



 

Schedule 6

 

PRIOR NAMES

 

1.               Nosley Assets, LLC is the survivor by merger of Crusader Holdings, LLC, Knight Energy Group, LLC, Knight Energy Management, LLC, Knight Energy Management II, LLC and RCH Upland Acquisition, LLC

2.               Jones Energy Holdings, LLC is the survivor by merger of J/M Crusader Acquisition Sub, LLC

 

 

Schedule 6 - 1



 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND CONSENT

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement dated as of February 14, 2018 (the “ Agreement ”), made by the Grantors parties thereto for the benefit of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent.  The undersigned agrees for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties as follows:

 

1.                                       The undersigned will be bound by the terms of the Agreement and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to the undersigned.

 

2.                                       The terms of Sections 7.01(c) and 7.05 of the Agreement shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis , with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Sections 7.01(c) or 7.05 of the Agreement.

 

 

[NAME OF ISSUER]

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

Address for Notices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fax:

 

 

*This consent is necessary only with respect to any Issuer which is not also a Grantor.  This consent may be modified or eliminated with respect to any Issuer that is not controlled by a Grantor.

 



 

Annex I

 

Assumption Agreement

 

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of                 , 20  , is made by                               , a                (the “ Additional Grantor ”), in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (such capitalized term and other capitalized terms used in this Assumption Agreement as hereinafter defined).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, Jones Energy Holdings, LLC (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, have entered into that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2009 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of February 14, 2018 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), among the Borrower, the other grantors party thereto from time to time and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Borrower issued notes thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Indenture and any other Priority Lien Documents, the Borrower and certain of its Subsidiaries have entered into the Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2018 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Collateral Agreement ”; terms used herein and not defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Collateral Agreement) in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties; and

 

WHEREAS, the Priority Lien Documents require the Additional Grantor to become a party to the Collateral Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Collateral Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1.                                       Collateral Agreement .  By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in Section 10.12 of the Collateral Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Collateral Agreement as a Grantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor thereunder and expressly grants to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Collateral Agreement), a security interest in all Collateral owned by such Additional Grantor to secure all of such Additional Grantor’s obligations and liabilities thereunder.  The information set forth in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in Schedules 1 through 6 to the Collateral Agreement.  The Additional Grantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the

 



 

representations and warranties contained in Article IV of the Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof (after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.

 

2.                                       Governing Law .  THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

 

[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED COLLATERAL AGREEMENT

 

made by

 

Jones Energy, Inc.

 

in favor of

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

Dated as of February 14, 2018

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I Definitions

2

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

2

Section 1.02

Other Definitional Provisions; References

5

Section 1.03

Computation of Time Periods

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE II [Reserved]

5

 

 

ARTICLE III Grant of Security Interest

6

 

 

Section 3.01

Grant of Security Interest

6

Section 3.02

Transfer of Pledged Securities

8

Section 3.03

Grantor Remains Liable under Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles

8

 

 

ARTICLE IV Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents

9

 

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents

9

Section 4.02

No Subrogation, Contribution or Reimbursement

11

 

 

 

ARTICLE V Representations and Warranties

12

 

 

Section 5.01

[Reserved]

12

Section 5.02

Benefit to the Grantor

12

Section 5.03

Title; No Other Liens

12

Section 5.04

Perfected First Priority Liens

12

Section 5.05

Legal Name, Organizational Status, Chief Executive Office

12

Section 5.06

Prior Names

13

Section 5.07

Pledged Securities

13

Section 5.08

Goods

13

Section 5.09

Instruments and Chattel Paper

13

Section 5.10

Truth of Information; Accounts

13

Section 5.11

Governmental Obligors

13

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI Covenants

13

 

 

Section 6.01

Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation

14

Section 6.02

Maintenance of Records

15

Section 6.03

Changes in Locations, Name, etc.

15

Section 6.04

Limitations on Dispositions of Collateral

15

Section 6.05

Pledged Securities

15

Section 6.06

Analysis of Accounts, Etc.

16

Section 6.07

Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper

16

Section 6.08

Commercial Tort Claims

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII Remedial Provisions

17

 

 

Section 7.01

Pledged Securities

17

Section 7.02

Collections on Accounts, Etc.

18

Section 7.03

Proceeds

18

Section 7.04

UCC and Other Remedies

19

 

i



 

Section 7.05

Private Sales of Pledged Securities

20

Section 7.06

Waiver; Deficiency

20

Section 7.07

Non-Judicial Enforcement

20

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII The Collateral Agent

20

 

 

Section 8.01

Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, Etc.

21

Section 8.02

Duty of Collateral Agent

22

Section 8.03

Execution of Financing Statements

23

Section 8.04

Authority of Collateral Agent

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX Subordination of Indebtedness

23

 

 

Section 9.01

Subordination of All Grantor Claims

23

Section 9.02

Claims in Bankruptcy

23

Section 9.03

Payments Held in Trust

24

Section 9.04

Liens Subordinate

24

Section 9.05

Notation of Records

24

 

 

 

ARTICLE X Miscellaneous

24

 

 

Section 10.01

Waiver

24

Section 10.02

Notices

25

Section 10.03

Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, Etc.

25

Section 10.04

Amendments in Writing

26

Section 10.05

Successors and Assigns

26

Section 10.06

Invalidity

26

Section 10.07

Counterparts

26

Section 10.08

Survival

26

Section 10.09

Captions

26

Section 10.10

Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction

27

Section 10.11

Acknowledgments

28

Section 10.12

Set-Off

29

Section 10.13

Releases

29

Section 10.14

Reinstatement

29

Section 10.15

Acceptance

30

Section 10.16

Amendment and Restatement

30

Section 10.17

No Oral Agreements

30

Section 10.18

Collateral Agent

30

 

SCHEDULES:

 

1.

Notice Addresses of Grantor

 

 

2.

Commercial Tort Claims

 

 

3.

Filings and Other Actions Required to Perfect Security Interests

 

ii



 

4.

Legal Name, Location of Jurisdiction of Organization, Organizational Identification Number, Taxpayer Identification Number and Chief Executive Office

 

 

5.

Prior Names, Prior Chief Executive Office, Location of Tangible Assets

 

iii



 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of February 14, 2018, is made by Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Grantor ”), in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (such capitalized term and other capitalized terms used in this Agreement as hereinafter defined).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower (the “ Borrower ”), each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “ Lenders ” and individually, a “ Lender ”) and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”), the Lenders have extended commitments to make loans to the Borrower and to participate in letters of credit issued thereunder; and

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Agreement) have entered into or may enter into certain Permitted Swap Agreements (as defined in the Credit Agreement);

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have entered into or may enter into arrangements for certain Bank Products (as defined in the Credit Agreement) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Indenture, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Indenture ”), among the Borrower, the other Existing Grantors and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), the Borrower issued notes thereunder;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the other Existing Grantors may incur Additional Priority Lien Debt and Priority Lien Obligations (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Agency Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Collateral Agent has agreed to act as collateral agent on behalf of all present and future Priority Lien Secured Parties (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) with respect to the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) and is entering into this Agreement in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and Grantor are engaged in related businesses, and Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the extensions of credit and the incurrence of the Priority Lien Obligations;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement the Grantor executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of January 29, 2014, by the Grantor in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (as amended, restated, or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “ Existing Parent GCA ”); and

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by Amendment No. 12 (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the parties to the Existing Parent GCA wish to, and do hereby,

 



 

amend and restate the Existing Parent GCA (to the extent such provisions therein relate to the granting of a security interest or the provision of Collateral) as set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce each Priority Lien Secured Party to enter into the applicable Priority Lien Documents (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) and to induce the Priority Lien Secured Parties to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrower thereunder and the extension of financial accommodations under the Permitted Swap Agreements and with respect to the Bank Products referred to above, the Grantor hereby agrees with the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions

 

Section 1.01                              Definitions .

 

(a)                                  As used in this Agreement (as defined below), each term defined herein shall have the meaning indicated herein.  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Collateral Agency Agreement, or, if not defined therein, have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms as well as all uncapitalized terms which are defined in the UCC (as defined below) on the date hereof are used herein as so defined: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Fixtures, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Payment Intangibles, Proceeds, Supporting Obligations, and Tangible Chattel Paper.

 

(b)                                  The following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Account Debtor ” shall mean a Person (other than the Grantor) obligated on an Account, Chattel Paper, or General Intangible.

 

Agreement ” shall mean this Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement, as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Cash Collateral Accounts ” shall mean all Deposit Accounts held with the Collateral Agent as cash collateral for letters of credit in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

 

Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01.

 

Collateral Agency Agreement ” means that certain Collateral Agency Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the Grantor, the other Existing Grantors, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and each other secured representative party thereto from time to time, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

 

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Collateral Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Collateral Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by the Existing Grantors in favor of the Collateral Agent, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Contracts ” shall mean all contracts to which the Grantor now is, or hereafter will be bound, or to which the Grantor is or hereafter will be a party, beneficiary or assignee and all exhibits, schedules and other attachments to such contracts, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time.

 

Contract Documents ” shall mean all Instruments, Chattel Paper, letters of credit, bonds, guarantees or similar documents evidencing, representing, arising from or existing in respect of, relating to, securing or otherwise supporting the payment of, the Contract Rights.

 

Contract Rights ” shall mean (i) all (A) of the Grantor’s rights to payment under any Contract or Contract Document and (B) payments due and to become due to the Grantor under any Contract or Contract Document, in each case whether as contractual obligations, damages or otherwise; (ii) all of the Grantor’s claims, rights, powers, or privileges and remedies under any Contract or Contract Document; and (iii) all of the Grantor’s rights under any Contract or Contract Document to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive any notice, consent, waiver or approval together with full power and authority with respect to any Contract or Contract Document to demand, receive, enforce or collect any of the foregoing rights or any Property which is the subject of any Contract or Contract Document, to enforce or execute any checks, or other instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action which, as requested by the Collateral Agent, may be necessary or advisable in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

Dollars ” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Excluded Accounts ” shall mean (a) any Deposit Account, securities account or commodities account exclusively used for payroll, taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments, (b) any Deposit Account, trust account, escrow account or security deposit established pursuant to statutory obligations or for the payment of taxes or holding funds in trust for third parties in the ordinary course of business and (c) any Deposit Account, securities account or commodities account in which the aggregate amount on deposit (or, in the case of any securities account, the total fair market value of all securities held in such account) does not exceed $1,000,000 as of the end of any Business Day.

 

Excluded Certificated Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Contracts ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Equity ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Governmental Permits ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

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Excluded Perfection Assets ” shall mean, collectively, (a) any Excluded Accounts and (b) any Property (i) in which a security interest cannot be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC and (ii) with respect to which the Controlling Priority Lien Representative has determined, and continues to maintain, in its reasonable discretion that the cost of perfecting a security interest in such Property outweighs any benefit that would be received by the Secured Parties therefrom; provided that any such Property shall immediately and automatically cease to constitute “Excluded Perfection Assets” if, at any time, the Controlling Priority Lien Representative determines in its reasonable discretion that the cost of perfecting a security interest in such Property no longer outweighs the benefit that would be received by the Secured Parties therefrom.

 

Excluded PMSI Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Real Property ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Excluded Securities ” shall mean the Equity Interests of Borrower and the certificates or instruments, if any, representing such Equity Interests.

 

Exempt Goods ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.08.

 

Exempt Instruments and Chattel Paper ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.09.

 

Existing Grantors ” shall mean, collectively, the Borrower and each Subsidiary that is, or becomes, party to the Collateral Agreement.

 

Foreign Subsidiary ” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 3.01(b).

 

Governmental Permits ” shall mean any franchise, permit, certificate, license or authorization of any Governmental Authority.

 

Issuers ” shall mean, collectively, each Existing Grantor or other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is an issuer of any Equity Interest.

 

Obligations ” shall mean, collectively, all Priority Lien Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any Priority Lien Document, no Excluded Swap Obligations shall be “Obligations”.

 

Permitted Swap Agreement ” shall mean any Swap Agreement entered into by any Existing Grantor with any Hedge Bank.

 

Pledged Securities ” shall mean: (i) all of Grantor’s interest in the Equity Interest of any Person (other than the Excluded Securities); and (ii) (a) the certificates or instruments, if any, representing such Equity Interests, (b) all dividends (cash, stock or otherwise), cash, instruments, rights to subscribe, purchase or sell and all other rights and Property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such Equity Interests, (c) all replacements, additions to and substitutions for any of the Property referred to in this definition, including, without limitation, claims against third parties, (d) the proceeds, interest,

 

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profits and other income of or on any of the Property referred to in this definition and (e) all books and records relating to any of the Property referred to in this definition.

 

Priority Lien Documents ” has the meaning given to such term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Secured Parties ” shall mean, collectively, all Priority Lien Secured Parties.

 

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

 

Security Termination ” shall mean the Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations.

 

UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code, as it may be amended, from time to time in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

 

Section 1.02                              Other Definitional Provisions; References .  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.  The gender of all words shall include the masculine, feminine, and neuter, as appropriate.  The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular article, section or subsection.  Any reference herein to a Section shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Section of this Agreement unless otherwise stated herein.  Any reference herein to an exhibit, schedule or annex shall be deemed to refer to the applicable exhibit, schedule or annex attached hereto unless otherwise stated herein.  Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

 

Section 1.03                              Computation of Time Periods .  In this Agreement, with respect to the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding.”

 

ARTICLE II
[Reserved]

 

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ARTICLE III
Grant of Security Interest

 

Section 3.01                              Grant of Security Interest .

 

(a)                                  The Grantor hereby pledges, assigns and transfers to the Collateral Agent, and grants to the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in all of the following Property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by the Grantor or in which the Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest and whether now existing or hereafter coming into existence (collectively, the “ Collateral ”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations:

 

(1)                                  all Accounts and Payment Intangibles;

 

(2)                                  all Chattel Paper (whether Tangible Chattel Paper or Electronic Chattel Paper);

 

(3)                                  all Commercial Tort Claims described on Schedule 2 hereto;

 

(4)                                  all Cash Collateral Accounts;

 

(5)                                  all Documents;

 

(6)                                  all General Intangibles (including, without limitation, rights in and under any Swap Agreements);

 

(7)                                  all Goods (including, without limitation, all Inventory and all Equipment, but excluding all Fixtures);

 

(8)                                  all Instruments;

 

(9)                                  all Investment Property;

 

(10)                           all Letter-of-Credit Rights (whether or not the letter of credit is evidenced by a writing;

 

(11)                           all Pledged Securities;

 

(12)                           all Supporting Obligations;

 

(13)                           all cash and Money;

 

(14)                           all Deposit Accounts (other than accounts exclusively used for payroll, taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments), Securities Accounts and Commodity Accounts;

 

(15)                           all Governmental Permits, Contracts and Contract Rights;

 

(16)                           all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and

 

(17)                           to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security, guarantees and other Supporting Obligations given with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

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(b)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 3.01(a) and other than to the extent set forth in this Section 3.01(b), the following Property shall be excluded from the lien and security interest granted hereunder (and shall, as applicable, not be included as “Collateral”, “Inventory”, “Equipment”, “General Intangibles”, “Investment Property”, “Proceeds”, “Instruments” or “Chattel Paper” for the purposes of this Agreement): (i) any Contract, Contract Document or other document (and any Contract Rights arising thereunder) to which the Grantor is a party and any Governmental Permit held by the Grantor, in any case to the extent (but only to the extent) that the Grantor is prohibited from granting a security interest in, pledge of, or charge, mortgage or lien upon any such Property by reason of (A) an existing and enforceable negative pledge or anti-assignment provision or (B) any Governmental Requirement to which the Grantor or its Property is subject (all such Contracts, Contract Documents, and other documents being the “ Excluded Contracts ”) and all such Governmental Permits being the “ Excluded Governmental Permits ”); provided, however, that (x) the exclusion from the lien and security interest granted by the Grantor hereunder of any Contract Rights or Governmental Permit of the Grantor under one or more of the Excluded Contracts or Excluded Governmental Permits shall not limit, restrict or impair the grant by the Grantor of the lien and security interest in any Accounts or receivables arising under any such Excluded Contract or Excluded Governmental Permits or any payments due or to become due thereunder, and (y) any Excluded Contract or Excluded Governmental Permit shall automatically cease to be excluded from this Section 3.01(b) (and shall automatically be subject to the lien and security interest granted hereby and to the terms and provisions of this Agreement as “Collateral”), to the extent that (1) either of the prohibitions discussed in clause (A) and (B) above is ineffective or subsequently rendered ineffective under Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC or under any other Governmental Requirement or is otherwise no longer in effect, or (2) the Grantor has obtained the consent of the other parties to such Excluded Contract to the creation of a lien and security interest in, such Excluded Contract; (ii) as to the Grantor, more than 65% of the outstanding voting stock of (A) any entity that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision thereto) (“ Foreign Subsidiary ”) and (B) any Subsidiary of the Grantor that has no Property other than Equity Interests in Foreign Subsidiaries (any such stock being the “ Excluded Equity ”); (iii) any Property of the Grantor which is subject to a Capital Lease Obligation (as defined in the Indenture), purchase money obligation or other debt obligation if and to the extent that (i) such Capital Lease Obligation, purchase money obligation or other debt obligation was incurred in accordance with the terms of the Priority Lien Documents and the agreements or documents granting or governing such Capital Lease Obligation, purchase money obligation or other debt obligation validly prohibit, or otherwise require any consent with respect to the granting of a Lien in the property securing such purchase money obligation or other debt obligation and (ii) such restriction described in clause (i) above relates only to the asset or assets acquired by the Grantor and attachments and accessions thereto, improvements thereof or substitutions therefor or other property or equipment financed by the same financing source pursuant to customary cross collateral arrangements; provided that all proceeds paid or payable to the Grantor from any sale, transfer or assignment or other voluntary or involuntary disposition of such assets and all rights to receive such proceeds shall be included in the Collateral to the extent not otherwise required to be paid to the holder of such Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money obligations or other debt obligations secured by such assets (all such property being the “ Excluded PMSI Collateral ”); (iv) any real property (other than any Oil and Gas Property) owned by the Grantor that has a Fair Market Value (as defined in the Indenture) not exceeding $5,000,000 (all such property being the

 

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Excluded Real Property ”); (v) [reserved] ; (vi) any motor vehicles, aircraft, rolling stock or other assets subject to certificate-of-title statutes (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Oil and Gas Properties) (all such property being the “ Excluded Certificated Collateral ”); (ix)  Collateral that is or may be provided to certain Hedging Obligation (as defined in the Indenture) counterparties, certain banking product and account providers or issuers of letters of credit pursuant to the Priority Lien Documents rather than generally to the Priority Lien Secured Parties or to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties as a whole; (x) cash or securities of the Grantor pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance or return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; (xi) any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a Trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, solely to the extent, if any, that, and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law; (xii) any Equity Interests in any Unrestricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture), other than Equity Interests owned by the Grantor in any Unrestricted SCOOP/STACK Subsidiary (as defined in the Indenture) and (xiii) the Excluded Securities; provided, however, that any Proceeds received by the Grantor on account of any Excluded Contracts, Excluded Governmental Permits, Excluded Equity, Excluded PMSI Collateral, Excluded Real Property, Excluded Certificated Collateral, Excluded Securities or any other Property excluded under clauses (i) through (xiii) above shall constitute Collateral unless any assets or Property constituting such Proceeds are themselves subject to the exclusions set forth in clauses (i) through (xiii) above.

 

Section 3.02                              Transfer of Pledged Securities .  All certificates and instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Securities shall be delivered to and held pursuant hereto by the Collateral Agent or a Person designated by the Collateral Agent and, in the case of an instrument or certificate in registered form, shall be duly endorsed to the Collateral Agent or in blank by an effective endorsement (whether on the certificate or instrument or on a separate writing), and accompanied by any required transfer tax stamps to effect the pledge of the Pledged Securities to the Collateral Agent.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, all Pledged Securities must be delivered or transferred in such manner, and the Grantor shall take all such further action as may be requested by the Collateral Agent, as to permit the Collateral Agent to be a “protected purchaser” to the extent of its security interest as provided in Section 8-303 of the UCC (if the Collateral Agent otherwise qualifies as a protected purchaser).

 

Section 3.03                              Grantor Remains Liable under Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles .  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Collateral Agent or any such other Secured Party of any payment relating to such Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible, pursuant hereto, nor shall the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of the Grantor under or pursuant to any Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any

 

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inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

 

ARTICLE IV
Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents

 

Section 4.01                              Acknowledgments, Waivers and Consents .

 

(a)                                  The Grantor acknowledges and agrees that the obligations undertaken by it under this Agreement involve the provision of collateral security for the obligations of Persons other than the Grantor and that until Security Termination has occurred the Grantor’s provision of collateral security for the Obligations are absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances.  In full recognition and furtherance of the foregoing, the Grantor understands and agrees, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law and except as may otherwise be expressly and specifically provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents, that the Grantor shall remain obligated hereunder (including, without limitation, with respect to the collateral security provided by the Grantor herein) and the enforceability and effectiveness of this Agreement and the liability of the Grantor, and the rights, remedies, powers and privileges of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties under this Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents shall not be affected, limited, reduced, discharged or terminated in any way:

 

(i)                                      notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against the Grantor and without notice to or further assent by the Grantor, (A) any demand for payment of any of the Obligations made by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may be rescinded by the Collateral Agent or such other Secured Party and any of the Obligations continued; (B) the Obligations, the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by, or any indulgence or forbearance in respect thereof granted by, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party; (C) any Priority Lien Document, any Permitted Swap Agreement and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Collateral Agent (or the applicable Secured Parties) may deem advisable from time to time; (D) the Borrower, any other Existing Grantor or any other Person may from time to time accept or enter into new or additional agreements, security documents, guarantees or other instruments in addition to, in exchange for or relative to, any Priority Lien Document or any Permitted Swap Agreement, all or any part of the Obligations or any Collateral now or in the future serving as security for the Obligations; (E) any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released; and (F) any other event (other than Security Termination) shall occur which constitutes a defense or release of sureties generally; and

 

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(ii)                                   without regard to, and the Grantor hereby expressly waives to the fullest extent permitted by law any defense now or in the future arising by reason of, (A) the illegality, invalidity or unenforceability of any Priority Lien Document, any Permitted Swap Agreement, any of the Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (B) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by the Grantor or any other Person against the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, (C) the insolvency, bankruptcy arrangement, reorganization, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of the Grantor or any other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Obligations or the failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to file or enforce a claim in bankruptcy or other proceeding with respect to any Person; or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of the Grantor, or any changes in the shareholders of the Grantor; (D) the fact that any Collateral or Lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Obligations shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other Lien, it being recognized and agreed by the Grantor that it is not entering into this Agreement in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectability or value of any of the Collateral for the Obligations; (E) any failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to marshal assets in favor of the Grantor or any other Person, to exhaust any Collateral for all or any part of the Obligations, to pursue or exhaust any right, remedy, power or privilege it may have against the Grantor or any other Person or to take any action whatsoever to mitigate or reduce the Grantor’s liability under this Agreement or any Priority Lien Document; (F) any law which provides that the obligation of a surety or guarantor must neither be larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal or which reduces a surety’s or guarantor’s obligation in proportion to the principal obligation; (G) the possibility that the Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the aggregate liability of the Grantor under this Agreement; or (H) any other circumstance or act whatsoever, which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge or defense of the Borrower for the Obligations, or of the Grantor under any guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or with respect to the collateral security provided by the Grantor herein, or which might be available to a surety or guarantor, in bankruptcy or in any other instance.

 

(b)                                  The Grantor hereby waives to the extent permitted by law:  (i) except as expressly provided otherwise in any Priority Lien Document, all notices to the Grantor, or to any other Person, including but not limited to, notices of the acceptance of this Agreement, the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or the provision of collateral security provided herein, or the creation, renewal, extension, modification, accrual of any Obligations, or notice of or proof of reliance by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or upon the collateral security provided herein, or of default in the payment or performance of any of the Obligations owed to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party and enforcement of any right or remedy with respect thereto; or notice of any other matters relating thereto; the Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document and the collateral security provided herein and no notice of creation of the Obligations or any extension of credit already or hereafter contracted by or extended to the Borrower need be given to the Grantor; and all dealings between

 

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the Borrower, the other Existing Grantors, and the Grantor, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document and on the collateral security provided herein; (ii) diligence and demand of payment, presentment, protest, dishonor and notice of dishonor; (iii) any statute of limitations affecting the Grantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof; (iv) all rights of revocation with respect to the Obligations, the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document and the provision of collateral security herein; and (v) all principles or provisions of law which conflict with the terms of this Agreement and which can, as a matter of law, be waived.

 

(c)                                   When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against the Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, join or make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue or exhaust such rights and remedies as it may have against the Borrower, any other Existing Grantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from the Borrower, any other Existing Grantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of the Borrower, any other Existing Grantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve the Grantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against the Grantor.  For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuation of any legal proceedings.  Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Obligations or for the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or any Property subject thereto.

 

Section 4.02                              No Subrogation, Contribution or Reimbursement .  Notwithstanding any payment made by the Grantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of the Grantor by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, the Grantor shall not be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party against the Borrower or any other Existing Grantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party for the payment of the Obligations, nor shall the Grantor seek or be entitled to seek any indemnity, exoneration, participation, contribution or reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Existing Grantor in respect of payments made by the Grantor hereunder, and the Grantor hereby expressly waives, releases, and agrees not to exercise any and all such rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity and contribution.  The Grantor further agrees that to the extent that such waiver and release set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity and contribution the Grantor may have against the Borrower, any other Existing Grantor or against any Collateral or security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party shall, until Security Termination has occurred, be junior and subordinate to any rights the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may have against the Borrower and the Grantor and to all right, title and interest the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties may have in any Collateral or security or guarantee or right of offset.  The Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, may use, sell or dispose of any item of

 

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Collateral or security as it sees fit without regard to any subrogation rights the Grantor may have, and upon any disposition or sale, any rights of subrogation the Grantor may have shall terminate.

 

ARTICLE V
Representations and Warranties

 

To induce the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties to enter into the applicable Priority Lien Documents and to induce the Secured Parties to make their respective extensions of credit thereunder, the Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party that:

 

Section 5.01                              [Reserved] .

 

Section 5.02                              Benefit to the Grantor .  The Borrower is a member of an affiliated group of companies that includes the Grantor, and the Borrower and the Grantor are engaged in related businesses.  The Grantor is an Affiliate of the Borrower and its obligations pursuant to this Agreement reasonably may be expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, it; and it has determined that this Agreement is necessary and convenient to the conduct, promotion and attainment of the business of the Grantor and the Borrower.

 

Section 5.03                              Title; No Other Liens .  Except for the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, the Grantor has good title to all its respective items of the Collateral, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by the Priority Lien Documents.  No effective financing statement or other security instrument or recording with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to this Agreement, the Security Documents or as are filed to secure Liens permitted by the Priority Lien Documents, or as to which a duly authorized termination statement relating to such financing statement or other instrument has been delivered to the Collateral Agent on or prior to the date hereof or with respect to which such Lien has been discharged by the Bankruptcy Court.

 

Section 5.04                              Perfected First Priority Liens .  The security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement (a) upon completion of the filings and other actions specified on Schedule 3 (which, in the case of all filings and other documents referred to on said Schedule, have been delivered to the Collateral Agent in completed and, if applicable, duly executed form) will constitute valid perfected security interests in all of the Collateral (other than Excluded Perfection Assets) in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Obligations, enforceable in accordance with the terms hereof against all creditors of the Grantor and any Persons purporting to purchase any Collateral (other than Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business) from the Grantor and (b) are prior in right of priority to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date hereof except for Excepted Liens that have priority over the Liens on the Collateral by operation of law and other Liens permitted under the Priority Lien Documents.

 

Section 5.05                              Legal Name, Organizational Status, Chief Executive Office .  On the date hereof, the correct legal name of the Grantor, the Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization,

 

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organizational number, taxpayer identification number and the location of the Grantor’s chief executive office are specified on Schedule 4 .

 

Section 5.06                              Prior Names .  As of the date hereof, Schedule 5 correctly sets forth all names and trade names that the Grantor has used in the last five years.

 

Section 5.07                              Pledged Securities .  The shares (or such other interests) of Pledged Securities pledged by the Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares (or such other interests) of all classes of the Equity Interests of each Issuer (other than the Borrower) owned by the Grantor.  All the shares (or such other interests) of the Pledged Securities have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable; and such Grantor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good title to, the Pledged Securities pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens or options in favor of any other Person, except the security interest created by this Agreement or any other Security Document and Excepted Liens.

 

Section 5.08                              Goods .  No portion of the Collateral constituting Goods (other than Oil and Gas Properties) having an aggregate value in excess of $500,000 is in the possession of a bailee that has issued a negotiable or non-negotiable document covering such Collateral, except any such Collateral (other than Oil and Gas Properties) the aggregate value of which does not exceed $500,000 at any time (the “ Exempt Goods ”).

 

Section 5.09                              Instruments and Chattel Paper .  The Grantor has delivered to the Collateral Agent all Collateral constituting Instruments and Chattel Paper (other than Excluded Perfection Assets), except with respect to any such Collateral, the value of, individually or in the aggregate, does not exceed $500,000 (the “ Exempt Instruments and Chattel Paper ”).  No Collateral constituting Chattel Paper or Instruments contains any statement therein to the effect that such Collateral has been assigned to an identified party other than the Collateral Agent, and the grant of a security interest in such Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent hereunder does not violate the rights of any other Person as a secured party.

 

Section 5.10                              Truth of Information; Accounts .  None of the information with respect to the Collateral set forth in any schedule, certificate or other writing at any time heretofore or hereafter furnished by the Grantor to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, or any other information furnished by or on behalf of the Grantor to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished, contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  As of the date hereof, the place where the Grantor keeps its records concerning the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles is set forth on Schedule 3 .

 

Section 5.11                              Governmental Obligors .  None of the Account Debtors on the Grantor’s Accounts, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangibles is a Governmental Authority.

 

ARTICLE VI
Covenants

 

The Grantor covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties that, from and after the date of this Agreement until Security Termination has occurred:

 

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Section 6.01                              Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation .

 

(a)                                  The Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority described in Section 5.04 and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever (other than to the extent such claims and demands are permitted by the Priority Lien Documents).

 

(b)                                  At any time and from time to time, at the sole expense of the Grantor, the Grantor will promptly and duly give, execute, deliver, endorse, file or record any and all financing statements, continuation statements, amendments, notices (including, without limitation, notifications to financial institutions and any other Person), contracts, agreements, assignments, certificates, stock powers or other instruments, obtain any and all governmental approvals and consents and take or cause to be taken any and all steps or acts that may be necessary or as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request to create, perfect (other than with respect to Excluded Perfection Assets), establish the priority of, or to preserve the validity, perfection (other than with respect to Excluded Perfection Assets) or priority of, the Liens granted by this Agreement or to enable the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce its rights, remedies, powers and privileges under this Agreement with respect to such Liens or to otherwise obtain or preserve the full benefits of this Agreement and the rights, powers and privileges herein granted.

 

(c)                                   Without limiting the obligations of the Grantor under Section 6.01(b), other than with respect to Collateral constituting Excluded Perfection Assets, Exempt Goods and Exempt Instruments and Chattel Paper:  (i) the Grantor shall take or cause to be taken all actions (other than any actions required to be taken by the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party) to cause the Collateral Agent to (A) have “control” (within the meaning of Sections 9-104, 9-105, 9-106, and 9-107 of the UCC) over any Collateral constituting Electronic Chattel Paper, Investment Property (including the Pledged Securities), Deposit Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), Securities Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts), Commodity Accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) or Letter-of-Credit Rights, including, without limitation, executing and delivering any agreements, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, with securities intermediaries, issuers or other Persons in order to establish “control”, and the Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties of the Grantor’s acquisition of any such Collateral, and (B) be a “protected purchaser” (as defined in Section 8-303 of the UCC); (ii) with respect to Collateral other than certificated securities and goods covered by a document in the possession of a Person other than the Grantor or the Collateral Agent, the Grantor shall obtain written acknowledgment that such Person holds possession for the Collateral Agent’s benefit; and (iii) with respect to any Collateral constituting Goods that are in the possession of a bailee, the Grantor shall provide prompt notice to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties of any such Collateral then in the possession of such bailee, and the Grantor shall take or cause to be taken all actions (other than any actions required to be taken by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party) necessary or reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to cause the Collateral Agent to have a perfected security interest in such Collateral under applicable law.

 

(d)                                  This Section 6.01 and the obligations imposed on the Grantor by this Section 6.01 shall be interpreted as broadly as possible in favor of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties in order to effectuate the purpose and intent of this Agreement.

 

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Section 6.02                              Maintenance of Records .  The Grantor will keep and maintain at its own cost and expense reasonably satisfactory and complete records of the Collateral, including, without limitation, a record of all payments received and all credits granted with respect to the Accounts.

 

Section 6.03                              Changes in Locations, Name, etc.   The Grantor recognizes that financing statements pertaining to the Collateral have been or may be filed where the Grantor is organized.  Without limitation of any other covenant herein, the Grantor will not cause or permit (i) any change to be made in its name, identity or corporate structure or (ii) any change to the Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, unless the Grantor shall have first (1) notified the Collateral Agent of such change at least ten (10) days (or such shorter period of time as may be reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent) prior to the effective date of such change, and (2) taken all action for the purpose of maintaining the perfection and priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interests under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.04                              Limitations on Dispositions of Collateral .  The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties do not authorize, and the Grantor agrees not to Dispose of any of the Collateral, except to the extent permitted by the Priority Lien Documents and the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Section 6.05                              Pledged Securities .

 

(a)                                  If the Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any stock certificate or other instrument (including, without limitation, any certificate or instrument representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate or instrument issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of any Issuer whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares (or such other interests) of the Pledged Securities, or otherwise in respect thereof, the Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, hold the same in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and deliver the same forthwith to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received, duly endorsed by the Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power or other equivalent instrument of transfer acceptable to the Collateral Agent covering such certificate or instrument duly executed in blank by the Grantor and with signature guaranteed, to be held by the Collateral Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Obligations.

 

(b)                                  Without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, the Grantor will not (except in each case as permitted by the Priority Lien Documents) (i) unless otherwise permitted hereby, vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any Equity Interest of any nature or to issue any other securities or interests convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any Equity Interests of any nature of any Issuer, (ii) sell, assign, transfer, exchange or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof (except pursuant to a transaction expressly permitted by the Priority Lien Documents), (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof, or any interest therein, except the security interest created by this Agreement or any other Security Document and Excepted Liens or (iv) enter into any agreement or undertaking restricting the right or ability of

 

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the Grantor or the Collateral Agent to sell, assign or transfer any of the Pledged Securities or Proceeds thereof.

 

(c)                                   The Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent such stock powers and other equivalent instruments of transfer as may be required to assure the transferability of and the perfection of the security interest in the Pledged Securities when and as often as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent.

 

(d)                                  The Pledged Securities will at all times constitute not less than 100% of the capital stock or other Equity Interests of the Issuer thereof owned by the Grantor.

 

Section 6.06                              Analysis of Accounts, Etc .  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right from time to time to make test verifications of the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and the Grantor, at the Grantor’s sole cost and expense, shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Collateral Agent may require in connection therewith.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, at any time and from time to time, upon the Collateral Agent’s request and at the expense of the Grantor, the Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent reports showing reconciliations, aging and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, and all original and other documents evidencing, and relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to the Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, including, without limitation, all original orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

 

Section 6.07                              Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper .  If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper (other than in each case Excluded Perfection Assets), such Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper shall be immediately delivered to the Collateral Agent, duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Section 6.08                              Commercial Tort Claims .  If the Grantor shall at any time hold or acquire a Commercial Tort Claim that satisfies the requirements of the following sentence, the Grantor shall, within thirty (30) days from the date upon which such Commercial Tort Claim satisfies such requirements, notify the Collateral Agent in a writing signed by the Grantor containing a brief description thereof, and granting to the Collateral Agent in such writing (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a security interest therein and in the Proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.  The provisions of the preceding sentence shall apply only to a Commercial Tort Claim that satisfies the following requirements:  (i) the monetary value claimed by or payable to the Grantor in connection with such Commercial Tort Claim shall exceed $500,000, and either (ii) (A) the Grantor shall have filed a lawsuit or counterclaim or otherwise commenced legal proceedings (including, without limitation, arbitration proceedings) against the Person against whom such Commercial Tort Claim is made, or (B) the Grantor and the Person against whom such Commercial Tort Claim is asserted shall have entered into a settlement agreement with respect to such Commercial Tort Claim.  In addition, to the extent that the existence of any Commercial Tort Claim held or acquired by the Grantor is disclosed by the Grantor in any public filing with the Securities Exchange Commission or any successor thereto or analogous Governmental Authority,

 

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or to the extent that the existence of any such Commercial Tort Claim is disclosed in any press release issued by the Grantor, then the Grantor shall, within thirty (30) days from the date upon which such disclosure is made, transmit to the Collateral Agent a writing signed by the Grantor containing a brief description of such Commercial Tort Claim and granting to the Collateral Agent in such writing (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) a security interest therein and in the Proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

 

ARTICLE VII
Remedial Provisions

 

Section 7.01                              Pledged Securities .

 

(a)                                  Unless a Priority Lien Debt Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Collateral Agent shall have given notice to the Grantor of the Collateral Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 7.01(b), the Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Securities, to the extent permitted in the Priority Lien Documents, and to exercise all voting and corporate rights with respect to the Pledged Securities.

 

(b)                                  If a Priority Lien Debt Default shall occur and be continuing, then at any time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion without notice, and subject to the terms and conditions in the Collateral Agency Agreement, (i) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Pledged Securities and make application thereof to the Obligations in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement, and (ii) any or all of the Pledged Securities shall be registered in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, and the Collateral Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Pledged Securities at any meeting of shareholders (or other equivalent body) of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Pledged Securities as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Securities upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by the Grantor or the Collateral Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Pledged Securities, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Securities with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Collateral Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for Property actually received by it, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to the Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

(c)                                   The Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Pledged Securities pledged by the Grantor hereunder (and each Issuer party hereto hereby agrees) to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Collateral Agent in writing that (x) states that a Priority Lien Debt Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from the Grantor, and the Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) unless

 

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otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Pledged Securities directly to the Collateral Agent.

 

(d)                                  After the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, if the Issuer of any Pledged Securities is the subject of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, custodianship or other proceedings under the supervision of any Governmental Authority, then all rights of the Grantor in respect thereof to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which the Grantor would otherwise be entitled to exercise with respect to the Pledged Securities issued by such Issuer shall cease, and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in the Collateral Agent who shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights, but the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to exercise any such voting or other consensual rights and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.

 

Section 7.02                              Collections on Accounts, Etc .  The Collateral Agent hereby authorizes the Grantor to collect upon the Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, and the Collateral Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default.  Upon the request of the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, the Grantor shall notify the Account Debtors that the applicable Accounts, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles have been assigned to the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the Collateral Agent.  The Collateral Agent may, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, in its own name or in the name of others communicate with the Account Debtors to verify with them to its satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Accounts, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangibles.

 

Section 7.03                              Proceeds .  If required by the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, any payments of Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper and Payment Intangibles, when collected or received by the Grantor, and any other cash or non-cash Proceeds received by the Grantor upon the sale or other disposition of any Collateral, shall be forthwith (and, in any event, within two Business Days from the date of sale or other disposition of such Collateral) deposited by the Grantor in the exact form received, duly endorsed by the Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in a collateral account maintained by the Collateral Agent, subject to withdrawal by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties only, as hereinafter provided, and, until so turned over, shall be held by the Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of the Grantor.  Each deposit of any such Proceeds shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and source of the payments included in the deposit.  All Proceeds (including, without limitation, Proceeds constituting collections of Accounts, Chattel Paper, Instruments) while held by the Collateral Agent (or by the Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties) shall continue to be collateral security for all of the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as hereinafter provided.  At such intervals as may be agreed upon by the Grantor and the Collateral Agent, or, if a Priority Lien Debt Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Collateral Agent’s election, the Collateral Agent shall apply all or any part of the funds on deposit in said collateral account on account of the Obligations in such order as the Collateral Agent may elect, and any part of such funds which the Collateral Agent elects not so to apply and deems not

 

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required as collateral security for the Obligations shall be paid over from time to time by the Collateral Agent to the Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

 

Section 7.04                              UCC and Other Remedies .

 

(a)                                  Any exercise by Collateral Agent of any of its rights under this Article VII shall be subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement. If a Priority Lien Debt Default shall occur and be continuing, the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may exercise in its discretion, in addition to all other rights, remedies, powers and privileges granted to them in this Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement, any Priority Lien Document and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights, remedies, powers and privileges of a secured party under the UCC (whether the UCC is in effect in the jurisdiction where such rights, remedies, powers or privileges are asserted) or any other applicable law or otherwise available at law or equity.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Collateral Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon the Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk.  The Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in the Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released.  If a Priority Lien Debt Default shall occur and be continuing, the Grantor further agrees, at the Collateral Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Collateral Agent at places which the Collateral Agent shall reasonably select, whether at the Grantor’s premises or elsewhere.  Any such sale or transfer by the Collateral Agent either to itself or to any other Person shall be absolutely free from any claim of right by the Grantor, including any equity or right of redemption, stay or appraisal which the Grantor has or may have under any rule of law, regulation or statute now existing or hereafter adopted.  Upon any such sale or transfer, the Collateral Agent shall have the right to deliver, assign and transfer to the purchaser or transferee thereof the Collateral so sold or transferred.  The Collateral Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 7.04, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement, and only after such application and after the payment by the Collateral Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615 of the UCC, need the Collateral Agent account for the surplus, if any, to the Grantor.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder.  If any

 

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notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

 

(b)                                  In the event that the Collateral Agent elects not to sell the Collateral, the Collateral Agent retains its rights to dispose of or utilize the Collateral or any part or parts thereof in any manner authorized or permitted by law or in equity, and to apply the proceeds of the same towards payment of the Obligations.  Each and every method of disposition of the Collateral described in this Agreement shall constitute disposition in a commercially reasonable manner.  The Collateral Agent may appoint any Person as agent to perform any act or acts necessary or incident to any sale or transfer of the Collateral, subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Section 7.05                              Private Sales of Pledged Securities .  The Grantor recognizes that the Collateral Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Securities, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof.  The Grantor acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner.  The Collateral Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of the Pledged Securities for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to do so.  The Grantor agrees to use its best efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may reasonably be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Pledged Securities pursuant to this Section 7.05 valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Governmental Requirements.  The Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 7.05 will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, that the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 7.05 shall be specifically enforceable against the Grantor, and the Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants.

 

Section 7.06                              Waiver; Deficiency .  The Grantor waives and agrees not to assert any rights or privileges which it may acquire under the UCC or any other applicable law.  The Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to collect such deficiency.

 

Section 7.07                              Non-Judicial Enforcement .  The Collateral Agent may enforce its rights hereunder without prior judicial process or judicial hearing, and to the extent permitted by law, the Grantor expressly waives any and all legal rights which might otherwise require the Collateral Agent to enforce its rights by judicial process.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
The Collateral Agent

 

Section 8.01                              Collateral Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, Etc .

 

(a)                                  The Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of the Grantor and in the name of the Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all reasonably appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be reasonably necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Grantor hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right, on behalf of the Grantor, without notice to or assent by the Grantor, to do any or all of the following, subject to the Collateral Agency Agreement:

 

(i)                                      unless being disputed under clause (a) of the definition of “Excepted Liens” in the Credit Agreement, pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

 

(ii)                                   execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 7.04 or Section 7.05, any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and

 

(iii)                                (A) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (B) take possession of and endorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Account, Instrument, General Intangible, Chattel Paper or Payment Intangible or with respect to any other Collateral, and to file any claim or to take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Collateral Agent for the purpose of collecting any all such moneys due under any Account, Instrument or  General Intangible or with respect to any other Collateral whenever payable; (C) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (D) sign and endorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (E) receive, change the address for delivery, open and dispose of mail addressed to the Grantor, and to execute, assign and endorse negotiable and other instruments for the payment of money, documents of title or other evidences of payment, shipment or storage for any form of Collateral on behalf of and in the name of the Grantor; (F) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (G) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against the Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (H) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent may deem appropriate; and (I) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and the Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the

 

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Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as the Grantor might do.

 

Anything in this Section 8.01(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Collateral Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 8.01(a) except in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

(b)                                  If the Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein within the applicable grace periods, the Collateral Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.

 

(c)                                   The expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 8.01 shall be payable by the Grantor to the Collateral Agent on demand.

 

(d)                                  The Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue and in compliance hereof.  All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.

 

Section 8.02                              Duty of Collateral Agent .  The Collateral Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Collateral Agent deals with similar Property for the account of other customers in similar transactions.  Neither the Collateral Agent, any other Secured Party nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of the Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.  The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties hereunder are solely to protect the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers.  The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to the Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Agent shall be under no duty whatsoever to make or give any presentment, notice of dishonor, protest, demand for performance, notice of non-performance, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, or other notice or demand in connection with any Collateral or the Obligations, or to take any steps necessary to preserve any rights against the Grantor or other Person or ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to any Collateral, whether or not it has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters.  The Grantor, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waives any right of marshaling in respect of any and all Collateral, and waives any right to require the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to proceed against the Grantor or other

 

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Person, exhaust any Collateral or enforce any other remedy which the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party now has or may hereafter have against the Grantor or other Person.

 

Section 8.03                              Execution of Financing Statements .  Pursuant to the UCC and any other applicable law, the Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent, its counsel or its representative (but the Collateral Agent shall not be obligated), at any time and from time to time, to file or record financing statements, continuation statements, amendments thereto and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of the Grantor in such form and in such offices to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.  Additionally, the Grantor authorizes the Collateral Agent, its counsel or its representative, at any time and from time to time, to file or record such financing statements that describe the Collateral covered thereby as “all assets of the Grantor”, “all personal property of the Grantor” or words of similar effect.  A photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement or other filing or recording document or instrument for filing or recording in any jurisdiction.

 

Section 8.04                              Authority of Collateral Agent .  The Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Collateral Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Collateral Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, be governed by the Collateral Agency Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Collateral Agent and the Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Secured Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and the Grantor shall not be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

 

ARTICLE IX
Subordination of Indebtedness

 

Section 9.01                              Subordination of All Grantor Claims .  As used herein, the term “Grantor Claims” shall mean all debts and obligations of the Borrower or any other Existing Grantor to the Grantor, whether such debts and obligations now exist or are hereafter incurred or arise, or whether the obligation of the debtor thereon be direct, contingent, primary, secondary, several, joint and several, or otherwise, and irrespective of whether such debts or obligations be evidenced by note, contract, open account, or otherwise, and irrespective of the Person or Persons in whose favor such debts or obligations may, at their inception, have been, or may hereafter be created, or the manner in which they have been or may hereafter be acquired by. After and during the continuation of a Priority Lien Debt Default, Grantor shall not receive or collect, directly or indirectly, from any obligor in respect thereof any amount upon the Grantor Claims.

 

Section 9.02                              Claims in Bankruptcy .  In the event of receivership, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, debtor’s relief or other insolvency proceedings involving the Grantor, the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have the right to prove their claim in any proceeding, so as to establish their rights hereunder and receive directly from the receiver, trustee or other court custodian, dividends and payments which would otherwise be payable upon Grantor Claims.  The Grantor hereby assigns such dividends and payments to the Collateral Agent

 

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for the benefit of the Secured Parties for application against the Obligations as provided under Section 3.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.  Should the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party receive, for application upon the Obligations, any such dividend or payment which is otherwise payable to the Grantor, and which shall constitute a credit upon the Grantor Claims, then upon payment in full of the Obligations, the intended recipient shall become subrogated to the rights of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties to the extent that such payments to the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties on the Grantor Claims have contributed toward the liquidation of the Obligations, and such subrogation shall be with respect to that proportion of the Obligations which would have been unpaid if the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties had not received dividends or payments upon the Grantor Claims.

 

Section 9.03                              Payments Held in Trust .  In the event that notwithstanding Section 9.01 and Section 9.02, the Grantor should receive any funds, payments, claims or distributions which is prohibited by such Sections, then it agrees: (a) to hold in trust for the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties an amount equal to the amount of all funds, payments, claims or distributions so received, and (b) that it shall have absolutely no dominion over the amount of such funds, payments, claims or distributions except to pay them promptly to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties; and the Grantor covenants promptly to pay the same to the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 9.04                              Liens Subordinate .  The Grantor agrees that, until Security Termination has occurred, any Liens securing payment of the Grantor Claims shall be and remain inferior and subordinate to any Liens securing payment of the Obligations, regardless of whether such encumbrances in favor of the Grantor, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party presently exist or are hereafter created or attach.  Until Security Termination has occurred, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, the Grantor shall not (a) exercise or enforce any creditor’s right it may have against any debtor in respect of the Grantor Claims, or (b) foreclose, repossess, sequester or otherwise take steps or institute any action or proceeding (judicial or otherwise, including without limitation the commencement of or joinder in any liquidation, bankruptcy, rearrangement, debtor’s relief or insolvency proceeding) to enforce any Lien held by it.

 

Section 9.05                              Notation of Records .  Upon the request of the Collateral Agent, all promissory notes and all accounts receivable ledgers or other evidence of the Grantor Claims accepted by or held by the Grantor shall contain a specific written notice thereon that the indebtedness evidenced thereby is subordinated under the terms of this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous

 

Section 10.01                       Waiver .  No failure on the part of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, remedy, power or privilege under any of the Priority Lien Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Priority Lien Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.  The exercise by the Collateral Agent of any one or more of the rights, powers and remedies herein shall

 

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not be construed as a waiver of any other rights, powers and remedies, including, without limitation, any rights of set-off.

 

Section 10.02                       Notices .  All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be given in the manner and subject to the terms of Section 7.6 of the Collateral Agency Agreement; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon the Grantor shall be addressed to the Grantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1 .

 

Section 10.03                       Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, Etc .

 

(a)                                  The Grantor agrees to pay or promptly reimburse the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party for all advances, charges, fees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses of holding, preparing for sale and selling, collecting or otherwise realizing upon the Collateral and all attorneys’ fees, legal expenses and court costs) incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the exercise of its respective rights and remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, any advances, charges, costs and expenses that may be incurred in any effort to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or any obligation of the Grantor in respect of the Collateral or in connection with (i) the preservation of the Lien of, or the rights of, the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party under this Agreement, (ii) any actual or attempted sale, lease, disposition, exchange, collection, compromise, settlement or other realization in respect of, or care of, the Collateral, including all such costs and expenses incurred in any bankruptcy, reorganization, workout or other similar proceeding, or (iii) collecting against the Grantor under the guarantee contained in any Priority Lien Document or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents to which the Grantor is a party.

 

(b)                                  The Grantor agrees to indemnify and pay, and to save the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, fees, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) incurred because of, incident to, or with respect to, the Collateral (including, without limitation, any exercise of rights or remedies in connection therewith) or the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, to the extent the Borrower would be required to do so pursuant to Section 7.9 of the Collateral Agency Agreement or such other applicable provision of any Priority Lien Document; and THE INDEMNITY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL EXTEND TO EACH PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE PERSONS BEING INDEMNIFIED OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE PERSONS BEING INDEMNIFIED ; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT (I) SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE

 

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DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO HAVE RESULTED FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH PERSON BEING INDEMNIFIED OR (II) SUCH CLAIMS (OTHER THAN CLAIMS AGAINST THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE ARRANGER OR THE ISSUING BANK) ARE SOLELY BETWEEN PERSONS BEING INDEMNIFIED.  All amounts for which the Grantor is liable pursuant to this Section 10.03 shall be due and payable by the Grantor to the Secured Parties upon demand.

 

Section 10.04                       Amendments in Writing .  None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 7.1 of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Section 10.05                       Successors and Assigns .  This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and their successors and permitted assigns; provided that, the Grantor may not assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, except as otherwise permitted under the Collateral Agency Agreement and the other Priority Lien Documents.

 

Section 10.06                       Invalidity .  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or in any of the Priority Lien Documents to which the Grantor is a party shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or such other Priority Lien Document.

 

Section 10.07                       Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

 

Section 10.08                       Survival .  The obligations of the parties under Section 10.03 shall survive Discharge of Priority Lien Obligations and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent.  To the extent that any payments on the Obligations or proceeds of any Collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Obligations so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Collateral Agent’s and the other Secured Parties’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Security Document shall continue in full force and effect.  In such event, each Security Document shall be automatically reinstated and the Grantor shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties to effect such reinstatement.

 

Section 10.09                       Captions .  Captions and section headings appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

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Section 10.10                       Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction .

 

(a)                                  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)                                  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS TO WHICH A GRANTOR IS A PARTY SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK, AND EACH OF THE SECURED PARTIES, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE GRANTOR HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  EACH OF THE SECURED PARTIES, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.  THIS SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY SECURED PARTY FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION OVER SUCH GRANTOR IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

 

(c)                                   EACH OF THE SECURED PARTIES, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE GRANTOR IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO SUCH PERSON AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED ON ITS SIGNATURE PAGE OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT, AS APPLICABLE, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR ANY SECURED PARTY OR GRANTOR TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE GRANTOR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

(d)                                  THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE GRANTOR AND EACH SECURED PARTY HEREBY (I) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (II) IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; PROVIDED, THAT, FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS CLAUSE (II) SHALL LIMIT ANY GRANTOR’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS TO THE EXTENT SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.03(b) ABOVE TO THE EXTENT SUCH SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARE INCLUDED IN ANY THIRD PARTY CLAIM IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON IS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO

 

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INDEMNIFICATION HEREUNDER; (III) CERTIFY THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (IV) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE APPLICABLE PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 10.10.

 

Section 10.11                       Acknowledgments .

 

(a)                                  The Grantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(i)                                      it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Priority Lien Documents to which it is a party;

 

(ii)                                   neither the Collateral Agent nor any other Secured Party has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to the Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the Priority Lien Documents, and the relationship between the Grantor, on the one hand, and the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor or agent, as applicable; and

 

(iii)                                no joint venture is created hereby or by the Priority Lien Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Secured Parties or among the Grantor and the Secured Parties.

 

(b)                                  Each of the parties hereto specifically agrees that it has a duty to read this Agreement and the Security Documents and agrees that it is charged with notice and knowledge of the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents; that it has in fact read this Agreement and is fully informed and has full notice and knowledge of the terms, conditions and effects of this Agreement; that it has been represented by independent legal counsel of its choice throughout the negotiations preceding its execution of this Agreement and the other Security Documents; and has received the advice of its attorney in entering into this Agreement and the other Security Documents; and that it recognizes that certain of the terms of this Agreement and the other Security Documents result in one party assuming the liability inherent in some aspects of the transaction and relieving the other party of its responsibility for such liability.  Each party hereto agrees and covenants that it will not contest the validity or enforceability of any exculpatory provision of this Agreement and the other Security Documents on the basis that the party had no notice or knowledge of such provision or that the provision is not “conspicuous.”

 

(c)                                   The Grantor warrants and agrees that each of the waivers and consents set forth in this Agreement are made voluntarily and unconditionally after consultation with outside legal counsel and with full knowledge of their significance and consequences, with the understanding that events giving rise to any defense or right waived may diminish, destroy or otherwise adversely affect rights which the Grantor otherwise may have against the Borrower, any other Existing Grantor, the Secured Parties or any other Person or against any Collateral.  If,

 

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notwithstanding the intent of the parties that the terms of this Agreement shall control in any and all circumstances, any such waivers or consents are determined to be unenforceable under applicable law, such waivers and consents shall be effective to the maximum extent permitted by law.

 

Section 10.12                       Set-Off .  The Grantor agrees that, in addition to (and without limitation of) any right of set-off, bankers’ lien or counterclaim a Secured Party may otherwise have, each Secured Party shall have the right and be entitled (after consultation with the Collateral Agent), at its option, to offset (i) balances held by it or by any of its Affiliates for account of the Grantor or any Subsidiary at any of its offices, in Dollars or in any other currency, and (ii) amounts due and payable to such Lender (or any Affiliate of such Lender) under any Permitted Swap Agreement, against any principal of or interest on any of such Secured Party’s Loans, or any other amount due and payable to such Secured Party hereunder, which is not paid when due (regardless of whether such balances are then due to such Person), in which case it shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Collateral Agent thereof, provided that such Secured Party’s failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity thereof.

 

Section 10.13                       Releases .

 

(a)                                  Release .  The Liens created hereby shall be released automatically (a) in accordance with Sections 4.1 and 4.4 of the Collateral Agency Agreement and (b) upon Security Termination. Upon any such release, the Collateral Agent will, at the Grantor’s sole expense, deliver to the Grantor, without any representations, warranties or recourse of any kind whatsoever, any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent hereunder which is subject to such release, and execute and deliver to the Grantor such documents as the Grantor may reasonably request to evidence such release.

 

(b)                                  Retention in Satisfaction .  Except as may be expressly applicable pursuant to Section 9-620 of the UCC, no action taken or omission to act by the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Parties hereunder, including, without limitation, any exercise of voting or consensual rights or any other action taken or inaction, shall be deemed to constitute a retention of the Collateral in satisfaction of the Obligations or otherwise to be in full satisfaction of the Obligations, and the Obligations shall remain in full force and effect, until the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties shall have applied payments (including, without limitation, collections from Collateral) towards the Obligations in the full amount then outstanding or until such subsequent time as is provided in Section 10.13(a).

 

Section 10.14                       Reinstatement .  The obligations of the Grantor under this Agreement (including, without limitation, with respect to the provision of collateral herein) shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or the Grantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower or the Grantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

29



 

Section 10.15                       Acceptance .  The Grantor hereby expressly waives notice of acceptance of this Agreement, acceptance on the part of the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties being conclusively presumed by their request for this Agreement and delivery of the same to the Collateral Agent.

 

Section 10.16                       Amendment and Restatement .  This Agreement amends and restates the provisions of the Existing Parent GCA that relate to the granting of a security interest or the provision of Collateral, which agreement was assigned to the Collateral Agent pursuant to that certain Master Reaffirmation and Assignment and Assumption of Liens and Security Interests, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Borrower, the other Existing Grantors party thereto, the Grantor, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee and the Collateral Agent.  This Agreement renews, continues and extends all security interests granted by Grantor which are existing by virtue of the Existing Parent GCA, but the terms, provisions and conditions of such security interests shall hereafter be governed in all respects by this Agreement and any amendments, amendments and restatements, supplements or other modifications hereto.  Notwithstanding the fact that the Collateral described in and subject to the Existing Parent GCA is subject to the security interests existing by virtue of this Agreement, this Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, release, novate, discharge, extinguish or diminish, in any way, the security interests granted by Grantor existing by virtue of the Existing Parent GCA, or the priority thereof.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not effect a novation of the Existing Parent GCA, or the obligations and liabilities thereunder, and shall not evidence repayment or termination of the obligations and liabilities of the Grantor under the Existing Parent GCA.  The Grantor hereby acknowledges, agrees to comply with and agrees to take any actions reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to facilitate the occurrence of the actions contemplated in this Section 10.16.

 

Section 10.17                       No Oral Agreements .  THIS AGREEMENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT AND THE PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN THE LETTERS OF CREDIT ISSUED UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT) EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL OTHER AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF.  THIS AGREEMENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT AND THE PRIORITY LIEN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

 

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO.

 

Section 10.18                       Collateral Agent .

 

(a)                                  The parties acknowledge that all of the rights, protections, immunities and powers (including, without limitation, the right to indemnification) applicable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent under the Collateral Agency Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference and shall be applicable to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Collateral Agent under this Agreement as if fully set forth herein.

 

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(b)                                  It is understood that any reference to the Collateral Agent taking any action, making any determinations, requests, directions, consents or elections, deeming any action or document reasonable, appropriate or satisfactory, exercising discretion, or exercising any rights or duties under this Agreement shall be pursuant to written direction from the Controlling Priority Lien Representative.

 

[ Signature Page to Follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

GRANTOR:

JONES ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

Name: Robert J. Brooks

 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to

Collateral Agreement

(Jones Energy, Inc.)

 



 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed to as of the date hereof by:

 

 

COLLATERAL AGENT:

WELLS FARGO BANK, National Association

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Pinzon

 

Name: Michael Pinzon

 

Title: Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Collateral Agreement

(Jones Energy, Inc.)

 



 

Schedule 1

 

NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GRANTOR

 

c/o Jones Energy Holdings, LLC

Notice Address:

Attn:  Robert J. Brooks

807 Las Cimas Parkway

Suite 350

Austin, TX 78746

Telephone: 512-672-7170

Facsimile: 512-328-5394

 

Schedule 1 - 1



 

Schedule 2

 

COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS

 

None.

 

Schedule 2 - 1



 

Schedule 3

 

FILINGS AND OTHER ACTIONS
REQUIRED TO PERFECT SECURITY INTERESTS

 

Uniform Commercial Code Filings

 

Debtor

 

Filing Type

 

Jurisdiction

Jones Energy, Inc.

 

UCC-1

 

Delaware

 

Schedule 3 - 1



 

Schedule 4

 

CORRECT LEGAL NAME, LOCATION OF JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION, ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE

 

Correct Legal Name:

Jones Energy, Inc.

Location of jurisdiction of organization:

Delaware

Organizational identification number:

5301435

Chief Executive Office

807 Las Cimas Parkway
Suite 350
Austin, TX 78746

 

 

Taxpayer identification number:

80-0907968

 

Schedule 4 - 1



 

Schedule 5

 

PRIOR NAMES

 

1.               Jones Energy, Inc. was formerly known as Jones Energy, Ltd., before the latter was converted from a limited partnership into a corporation.

 

Schedule 5 - 1


Exhibit 10.3

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDMENT NO. 12 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT NO. 12 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of February 13, 2018 (the “ Effective Date ”), is among Jones Energy Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), Jones Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the parent company of the Borrower (“ Jones Parent ”), the undersigned subsidiaries of the Borrower as guarantors (together with Jones Parent, collectively, the “ Guarantors ”), the Lenders (as defined below) and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“ Wells Fargo ”), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.            The Borrower is party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 among the Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time as lenders (the “ Lenders ”) and the Administrative Agent, as heretofore amended (as so amended, the “ Credit Agreement ” and, as further amended hereby, the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”).

 

B.            The parties hereto wish to, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, amend the Credit Agreement as provided herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants, representations and warranties contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.               Defined Terms .  As used in this Agreement, each of the terms defined in the opening paragraph and the Recitals above shall have the meanings assigned to such terms therein.  Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each term defined in the Amended Credit Agreement and used herein without definition shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Amended Credit Agreement.

 

Section 2.               Other Definitional Provisions Article, Section, Schedule, and Exhibit references are to Articles and Sections of and Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.  The words “hereof”, “herein”, and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  The term “including” means “including, without limitation,”.  Paragraph headings have been inserted in this Agreement as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such paragraph headings are not a part of this Agreement and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 



 

Section 3.               Lender Consent to Amendments .  Pursuant to Section 12.02 of the Credit Agreement, each Lender party hereto hereby consents to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) entering into such amendments, amendments and restatements, and any other modifications to (a) that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 made by each of the Credit Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, (b) that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of January 29, 2014 made by Jones Parent in favor of the Administrative Agent, and (c) the Security Agreement (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), on the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, in its reasonable discretion, to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in the Amended Credit Agreement, in any case, as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, in its reasonable discretion (collectively, the “ GCA and Security Agreement Amendments ”).

 

Section 4.               Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and Commitments and Decrease in the Borrowing Base .

 

(a)           This Agreement shall be deemed written notice by the Borrower of a ratable reduction in part of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06(b) of the Credit Agreement.  On the date hereof, after giving effect to the contemplated reduction herein, the Maximum Credit Amount of each Lender shall be as set forth on the revised Annex I attached hereto.  The notices required under Section 2.06(b) as to the reductions effected hereby deemed received.

 

(b)           Subject to the terms of this Agreement, as of the Effective Date, the Borrowing Base shall be set at $50,000,000 and such Borrowing Base shall remain in effect at that level until the effective date of the next Borrowing Base redetermination made in accordance with the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Borrowing Base redetermination set forth in this Section 4(b) is neither a Scheduled Redetermination nor an Interim Redetermination provided for in Section 2.07 of the Credit Agreement.  Each Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the resulting Borrowing Base, after giving effect to the redetermination of the Borrowing Base set forth in this Section 4(b), is set forth in Annex I attached hereto.

 

Section 5.               Amendments to Credit Agreement .

 

(a)           Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Certain Defined Terms ) is hereby amended by adding the following new defined terms thereto in alphabetical order:

 

Amendment No. 12 ” means that certain Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date which amends this Agreement.

 

Amendment No. 12 Effective Date ” means February 13, 2018.

 

Collateral Agent ” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

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Collateral Agency Agreement ” means the Collateral Agency Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1 to Amendment No. 12, by and among the Administrative Agent, the Senior Secured Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Credit Parties, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement .

 

Continuing Lenders ” means (a) the Lender that is the Administrative Agent, and (b) each other Lender that is or whose Affiliate is a Hedge Bank and has provided notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower at any time prior to the reduction of the Commitments and Maximum Credit Amounts provided in Section 2.06(c)(i) that it elects to continue as a “Continuing Lender”.

 

Customary Recourse Exceptions ” means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

 

Guarantee Agreement ” means, as the context may require or permit, either (a) that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 made by each of the Credit Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, as heretofore amended and as further amended and continued (but not novated) by that certain Guarantee Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date or (b) that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of January 29, 2014 made by Jones Parent in favor of the Administrative Agent, as heretofore amended and as further amended and continued (but not novated) by that certain Guarantee Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date, in each case, as the same may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Junior Lien Debt ” means any Debt of the Borrower or any other Credit Party described in clause (i) of Section 9.02.

 

Master Assignment ” means that certain Master Reaffirmation and Assignment and Assumption of Liens and Security Interests dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date among the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, the other grantors named therein, UMB Bank, N.A. as the trustee for the Senior Secured Notes, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as the Collateral Agent.

 

Merge Designation ” means any of the following or any combination of the following: (a) the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms set forth in the definition of Unrestricted Subsidiary, (b) the Disposition of all or substantially all of the Merge Assets to any Person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, (c) other than Merge Exempt Dispositions, the Disposition of any

 

3



 

portion of the Merge Assets to any Person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, and (d) the Disposition of any of the Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary that owns all or any portion of the Merge Assets to any Person other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor. For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Merge Designation (other than with the consent of the Required Lenders as to a portion of the Merge Assets as noted in clause (c) above) is permitted under the terms of this Agreement unless there is no Borrowing Base Deficiency at such time and after giving effect to such Merge Designation and such Merge Designation is otherwise permitted hereunder.

 

Merge Exempt Dispositions ” means (a) Assets Swaps of undeveloped acreage constituting Merge Assets on customary terms, (b) Dispositions of Merge Assets up to an aggregate fair market value of less than $5,000,000 and (c) Dispositions of any portion of the Merge Assets consented to by the Required Lenders.

 

Merge Trigger Date ” means the effective date of the Merge Designation so long as such Merge Designation is permitted under the terms of this Agreement.

 

Non-Recourse Debt ” means Debt:

 

(a)            as to which neither Jones Parent, the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Debt) or (ii) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, except for Customary Recourse Exceptions; and

 

(b)            as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the Equity Interests or assets of Jones Parent, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary), except for Customary Recourse Exceptions.

 

Obligations ” means any and all amounts owing or to be owing by any Credit Party (whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising) to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, or any Lender under any Loan Document.

 

Priority Lien Obligations ” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Priority Lien Secured Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

 

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.  Any newly formed or acquired Subsidiary shall be a Restricted Subsidiary unless then or thereafter affirmatively designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

4



 

Secured Priority Debt Incurrence ” means the incurrence of any senior secured Debt of the Borrower, Jones Parent or any Subsidiary permitted under Section 9.02(j) .

 

Security Agreement ” means, as the context may require or permit, either (a) that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 made by each of the Credit Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, as heretofore amended and as further amended and restated by that certain Security Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date among each of the Credit Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent or (b) that certain Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of January 29, 2014 made by Jones Parent in favor of the Administrative Agent, as heretofore amended and as further amended and restated by that certain Security Agreement dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date among each of the Credit Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent, in each case, as assigned to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Master Assignment, and as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Senior Secured Notes ” means (a) senior secured notes (i) issued by the Borrower and Jones Energy Finance Corp. pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and (ii) secured pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement or (b) any other Debt issued by the Borrower from time to time provided that (i) such Debt is secured pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement, (ii) the scheduled maturity date of such Debt shall not be earlier than six months after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the date of incurrence of such Debt), (iii) such Debt shall not have any amortization or other requirement to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect thereof, other than at scheduled maturity thereof and mandatory prepayments or puts triggered upon change in control, sale of all or substantially all assets and certain asset sales, in each case which are customary with respect to such type of Debt and (iv) the agreements and instruments governing such Debt shall not contain (A) any financial maintenance covenants that are more restrictive than those in this Agreement or any other affirmative or negative covenants that are, taken as a whole, materially more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that the inclusion of any covenant that is customary with respect to such type of Debt and that is not found in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this clause (A), (B) any restriction on the ability of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to amend, modify, restate or otherwise supplement this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (other than as to the maximum principal amount of Debt to be incurred hereunder), (C) any restrictions on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to guarantee the Indebtedness to the extent the Indebtedness is permitted thereunder, provided that a requirement that any such Restricted Subsidiary also guarantee such Debt shall not be deemed to be a violation of this clause (C), or (D) any restrictions on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary or the Borrower to pledge assets as collateral security for the Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement to the extent such Priority Lien Obligations are permitted thereunder.

 

Senior Secured Notes Indenture ” means that certain Indenture dated as of the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date, by and among the Borrower, as issuer, and the Senior Secured Trustee, and one or more Credit Parties, as guarantors, and all related documentation entered into in connection therewith (excluding Security Instruments and the Collateral Agency

 

5



 

Agreement), as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Senior Secured Trustee means UMB Bank, N.A., in its capacity as trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

 

Senior Unsecured Notes ” means the Borrower’s 6.75% senior notes due in 2022 and the 9.25% senior notes due in 2023, in each case, outstanding on October 31, 2017.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower (excluding Jones Energy Finance Corp. but including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) that is designated by the board of directors of Jones Parent as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors of Jones Parent, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

 

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

 

(2)            is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to such Credit Party or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Borrower;

 

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

 

(4)            has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Debt of any Credit Party or any of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries, except to the extent such guarantee would be released upon such designation; and

 

(5)            has no assets other than the Merge Assets or Equity Interests in Subsidiaries that have no assets other than the Merge Assets, in any event, other than personal property assets of de minimis value.

 

All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be Unrestricted Subsidiaries but only to the extent such Subsidiary also complies with the foregoing requirements.

 

The board of directors of Jones Parent may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any default under any agreement governing Material Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries).  If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation. That

 

6



 

designation will only be permitted if (A) the Investment would be permitted hereunder at that time, (B) the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, (C) before and after giving effect to such designation and the mandatory reduction in the Borrowing Base required under Section 2.07(e), no Borrowing Base Deficiency exists, and (D) all other conditions required under the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary have been met.

 

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by filing with the Administrative Agent a certified copy of a resolution of the board of directors of Jones Parent giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and is permitted by Section 9.04, which certificate shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the effective date of such designation (which certificate shall be promptly provided to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent).  For the avoidance of doubt, no such designation shall be effective unless such certificate has been delivered to the Administrative Agent.  If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement and any Debt of such Subsidiary or Liens granted by such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower as of such date and, if such Debt or Lien is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 9.02 and Section 9.03, as applicable, the Borrower will be in violation of such Section(s).

 

The board of directors of Jones Parent may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided, that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Debt and Liens by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower of any outstanding Debt and Liens of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (a) such Debt and such Liens are permitted under Section 9.02 and Section 9.03, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and (b) no Default would be in existence following such designation.

 

WAB Drillco ” means any farm-in, drillco or similar arrangement providing for conveyance of a working interest in up to 120 wells with respect to the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s WAB Properties.

 

WAB Properties ” means undeveloped Oil and Gas Properties of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries located within Ellis County, Oklahoma and Lipscomb, Hemphill, and Ochiltree Counties, Texas.

 

(b)           Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Certain Defined Terms ) is hereby further amended by amending and restating the following defined terms to read as follows:

 

Account Control Agreement ” shall mean, as to any deposit account or securities account, an agreement or agreements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent providing for a perfected Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties in such deposit account or securities account.

 

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Borrowing Base Deficiency ” occurs if at any time the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeds the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and (B) the then effective Borrowing Base.

 

Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage ” means, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders on such day, and the denominator of which is the Borrowing Base in effect on such day.

 

Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) modified from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 and (b) modified from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 12.04(b).  The amount representing each Lender’s Commitment shall at any time be the lesser of (i) such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount and (ii) such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of an amount equal to then effective Borrowing Base.

 

Consolidated Cash Balance ” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents, in each case, owned by (whether directly or indirectly), credited to the account of, or otherwise reflected as an asset on the balance sheet of, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries ” means each Restricted Subsidiary of a Person the financial statements of which shall be consolidated with the financial statements of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

 

EBITDAX ” means, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Net Income of Jones Parent for such period, plus (b) the following expenses or charges, without duplication and to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income for such period: (i) Interest Expense, (ii) income Taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion, amortization, exploration expenses, and intangible drilling costs, (iv) other noncash charges and (v) to the extent expensed and recognized in the applicable period, the transaction fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution and closing of this Agreement, any amendments, amendments and restatements or other modifications to this Agreement or any other permitted Debt Incurrence minus (c) all noncash income added to such Consolidated Net Income; provided that, EBITDAX for any applicable period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis (with such calculation made in accordance with guidelines for pro forma presentations set forth by the SEC or as otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) after giving effect to all acquisitions or Dispositions involving proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties of Jones Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (including the acquisition or Dispositions of Equity Interests in any Person owning proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties) made during such period (a “ Subject Transaction ”), as if such Subject Transaction was consummated on the first day of such period; provided, however, Jones Parent shall not be required to calculate the pro forma effect of any Subject Transaction unless the aggregate

 

8



 

purchase price of all Subject Transactions consummated during such period exceeds the Threshold Amount, as hereinafter defined.  For purposes of this definition: (A) “ Threshold Amount ” means the greater of 5% of the then effective Borrowing Base and $10,000,000 and (B) in calculating the aggregate purchase price of all Subject Transactions, the purchase price of acquisitions and Dispositions shall be aggregated and not netted.

 

Excluded Accounts ” means (a) the Excluded Equity Proceeds Account, (b) any deposit account all or substantially all of the deposits in which consist of amounts utilized to fund payroll, employee benefit or tax obligations of Jones Parent, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (c) fiduciary or trust accounts, (d) escrow accounts, (e) deposit accounts that are zero balance accounts and (f) deposit accounts with a balance at all times of less than $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all such accounts.

 

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government over the Borrower, any Subsidiary, any of their respective Properties, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ” means, as the context may require or permit, the Guarantee Agreement and the Security Agreement.

 

Indebtedness ” means (a) the Obligations; (b) Hedge Obligations other than Excluded Swap Obligations; (c) Bank Product Obligations; and (d) all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the above.

 

Intercreditor Agreement ” means an Intercreditor Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 2 to Amendment No. 12, among the Collateral Agent, the Junior Lien Representative named therein, the Borrower and the other parties from time to time party thereto, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Junior Debt ” means any Debt of the Borrower or any other Credit Party described in clause (h) or (i) of Section 9.02.

 

LC Commitment ” means (a) at any time until the Merge Designation, $3,500,000 and (b) from and after the Merge Designation, $0.

 

Liquidity ” means, as of a date of determination, an amount equal to (a) Availability plus (b) readily and immediately available cash held in deposit accounts (other than any cash collateral posted to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.08(j)) of any Credit Party; provided that, such deposit accounts and the funds therein shall be unencumbered and free and clear of all Liens and other third party rights other than (i) a Lien in favor of the

 

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Collateral Agent pursuant to Security Instruments and (ii) a Lien in favor of the depositary institution holding such deposit accounts arising solely by virtue of such depositary institution’s standard account documentation or any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only such deposit accounts.

 

Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Agreements, the Letters of Credit, the Security Instruments, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Material Indebtedness ” means Debt (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit) of the Borrower, Jones Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary, and obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value in respect of such Swap Agreement at such time.

 

Merge Assets ” all Oil and Gas Properties (including undeveloped acreage) owned by Jones Parent, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of Jones Parent and located in the “Merge” play in the Anadarko Basin.

 

Oil and Gas Disposition ” means the Disposition of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein or any Restricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties.

 

Permitted Investors ” means any of the following:  (a) Metalmark Capital Partners (C) II, L.P., (b) any fund, investment account, or other investment vehicle managed by Metalmark Capital Management II LLC, (c) any Affiliate of Metalmark Capital Partners (C) II, L.P., a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities are, directly or indirectly, held by Metalmark Capital Partners II GP, L.P., or any individuals that are Affiliates of Metalmark Capital Partners (C) II, L.P., (d) Jones Energy Management, LLC, (e) any Affiliate of Jones Energy Management, LLC, a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities are, directly or indirectly, held by Jones Energy Management, LLC, (f) Q Investments, L.P., (g) any Affiliate of Q Investments, L.P., (h) JVL Advisors, L.L.C. and (i) any Affiliate of JVL Advisors, L.L.C.

 

Permitted Payments ” means, without duplication as to amounts, (a) payments to Jones Parent (i) to pay reasonable accounting, legal, investment banking fees and administrative expenses (including director and officer insurance) of Jones Parent when due and (ii) to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar Taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to directors, officers and employees of Jones Parent and general corporate overhead expenses of Jones Parent, in each case under the foregoing clause (i) and (ii), to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (b) dividends or distributions paid to Jones Parent, if applicable, in amounts equal to amounts required for Jones Parent to pay interest and/or principal on Debt that is permitted under Section 9.18 and the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries

 

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and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Debt of, the Borrower incurred in accordance with Section 9.02.

 

Permitted Refinancing Debt ” means Debt (for purposes of this definition, “ new Debt ”) incurred in exchange for, or the proceeds of which are used to substantially contemporaneously refinance, replace, defease, discharge, refund or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, any other Debt (the “Refinanced Debt”); provided that (a) such new Debt is in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Refinanced Debt and (ii) an amount necessary to pay all accrued (including, for the purposes of defeasance, future accrued) and unpaid interest on the Refinanced Debt and any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such exchange or refinancing; (b) such new Debt has a stated maturity no earlier than the sooner to occur of (i) the date that is one year after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the date of incurrence of such new Debt) and (ii) the stated maturity date of the Refinanced Debt; (c) such new Debt has an average life at the time such new Debt is incurred that is no shorter than the shorter of (i) the period beginning on the date of incurrence of such new Debt and ending on the date that is one year after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the date of incurrence of such new Debt) and (ii) the average life of the Refinanced Debt at the time such new Debt is incurred; (d) such new Debt is not incurred or guaranteed by a non-Guarantor if the Borrower or a Guarantor is the issuer or is otherwise an obligor on the Refinanced Debt; and (e) if the Refinanced Debt was subordinated in right of payment to the Indebtedness or the guarantees under the Guarantee Agreement, such new Debt (and any guarantees thereof) is subordinated in right of payment to the Indebtedness (or, if applicable, the guarantees under the Guarantee Agreement) to at least the same extent as the Refinanced Debt.

 

Permitted Tax Distributions ” means (a) for any calendar year or portion thereof during which the Borrower is a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, payments and distributions to the holders of Equity Interests of the Borrower, on or prior to each estimated Tax payment date as well as each other applicable due date, in an amount not to exceed the product of (i) the total aggregate taxable income of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which is allocable to such holders as a result of the operations or activities of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the relevant period (determined by disregarding any adjustment to the taxable income of any member or partner of the Borrower that arises under Section 734(b) or Section 743(b) of the Code), multiplied by (ii) the highest combined marginal federal, state and local income Tax rates applicable to any holder of Equity Interests of the Borrower (or, if any of them are themselves a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income Tax purposes, their members or partners) and (b) without duplication, any other payment or distribution permitted by Section 4.4 of the LLC Agreement.

 

Security Instruments ” means the Security Agreement, mortgages, deeds of trust and other agreements and instruments described or referred to in Exhibit E, and any and all other agreements and instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered by any Credit Party as security for the payment or performance of the Indebtedness (other than (a) Swap Agreements with the Lenders or any Affiliate of a Lender, (b) agreements, instruments or other documents entered into for the provision of Bank Products, or (c) assignment, participation or similar agreements between any Lender and any other lender or creditor with respect to any

 

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Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement), as assigned to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Master Assignment, and as such agreements and instruments may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Senior Secured Debt ” means (a) all secured Debt of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) of the defined term “Debt” (other than intercompany Debt owing to a Credit Party but including, but not limited to, undrawn amounts under letters of credit) of Jones Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and (b) all Debt of others of the types described in clauses (a) and (b) of the defined term “Debt” (other than intercompany Debt owing to a Credit Party but including, but not limited to, undrawn amounts under letters of credit) that is (i) guaranteed on a secured basis by Jones Parent or one or more of its Consolidated Subsidiaries or in which Jones Parent or one or more of its Consolidated Subsidiaries otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) on a secured basis or (ii) secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of Jones Parent or one or more of its Consolidated Subsidiaries, whether or not such Debt is assumed by Jones Parent or such Consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

Subsidiary Guarantor ” means (a) each existing Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower other than any Excluded Subsidiary and any Unrestricted Subsidiary and (b) each future Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower that guarantees the Indebtedness pursuant to Section 8.13(b).

 

Swap Event ” means the occurrence of any Swap Termination or any modification to any Swap Agreement, in each case to the extent that, after taking into account the net hedging position under all then outstanding Swap Agreements of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole (including any Swap Agreements entered into concurrently with such Swap Termination or modification), such Swap Termination or such modification could reasonably be expected to reduce the Borrowing Base assuming that a redetermination thereof was then being effected (the amount of such reduction being referred to as the “ Swap Event Reduction Amount ”).

 

(c)           Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Certain Defined Terms ) is hereby further amended by amending and restating clause (v) of the definition of “Change in Control” to read as follows:

 

(v)            there shall have occurred under any agreement or other instrument governing any Material Indebtedness any “change in control” or similar provision (as set forth in the indenture, agreement or other evidence of such Indebtedness) obligating Jones Parent, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or repay all or any part of the Indebtedness provided for therein.

 

(d)           Section 1.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Certain Defined Terms ) is hereby further amended by deleting the following definitions therein in their entirety:

 

Consolidated Cash Balance Threshold ” means $30,000,000.

 

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EOG Acquisition ” shall mean the acquisition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the EOG PSA of at least 95% (by value and as determined by the Administrative Agent) of the Oil and Gas Properties of EOG Resources, Inc. which were evaluated by the Administrative Agent in determining the Borrowing Base redetermined under Amendment No. 10.

 

EOG Availability Blocker ” shall mean (i) until the earlier to occur of (x) the consummation of the EOG Acquisition and (y) August 31, 2016, $15,000,000 and (ii) at any time thereafter, $0.

 

Senior Notes ” means the Borrower’s 6.75% senior notes due in 2022 and the 9.25% senior notes due in 2023, in each case, outstanding on October 31, 2017.

 

(e)           Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement ( Requests for Borrowings ) is hereby amended by (i) deleting the words “ minus the EOG Availability Blocker ” in clause (v) therein and (ii) deleting the words “ minus the EOG Availability Blocker, if in effect at such time ” in the penultimate paragraph therein.

 

(f)            Section 2.06 of the Credit Agreement ( Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts ) is hereby amended by (i) adding the words “ other than as provided in Section 2.06(c) below ” immediately before the period of the last sentence in subsection (a) and (ii) adding the following new subsection (c) to the end thereof:

 

(c)            Mandatory Reduction of Aggregate Credit Amounts .

 

(i)             Upon the Merge Designation and notwithstanding the reduction of the Borrowing Base to zero as provided in Section 2.07(e)(iv), (A) the Commitment of each Lender (other than the Continuing Lenders) shall be terminated and the Maximum Credit Amount of each such Lender shall be reduced to zero, and (B) the Commitment of each Continuing Lender shall be reduced to $1.00 each and the Maximum Credit Amount of each Continuing Lender shall be reduced to $1.00 each.  At the request of any Lender whose Commitment is terminated, such Lender and the Continuing Lenders may effect an Assignment and Assumption to evidence such Lender’s Commitment termination.

 

(ii)            Upon each reduction of the Borrowing Base provided for under this Agreement (other than as provided in Section 2.07(e)(iv)), (A) the Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced to an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the reduced Borrowing Base, and (B) the Maximum Credit Amount of each Lender shall be reduced to an amount equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the reduced Borrowing Base.

 

(g)           Section 2.07(a) of the Credit Agreement ( Borrowing Base ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(a)            Borrowing Base .  As set forth in Amendment No. 12, for the period from and including the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date to but excluding the first Redetermination Date thereafter, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $50,000,000.  Notwithstanding the

 

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foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to this Section 2.07, Section 8.12(c) or Section 9.11(d) or pursuant to Section 3(a) of Amendment No. 10.

 

(h)           Section 2.07(e) of the Credit Agreement ( Borrowing Base ) is hereby amended by (i) amending and restating clause (i) to read as set forth below, (ii) deleting the word “ and ” at the end of clause (ii) therein, (iii) replacing the “ . ” at the end of clause (iii) therein with a “ ; ”, and adding a new clause (iv) and a new clause (v) at the end thereof, each as set forth below:

 

(i)             (A) Effective immediately upon each Senior Unsecured Debt Incurrence, the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be automatically reduced on the date of such incurrence by an amount equal to 25% of the principal amount of such Senior Unsecured Debt Incurrence (excluding the principal amount of any such Senior Unsecured Debt Incurrence constituting Permitted Refinancing Debt but only to the extent (x) such Permitted Refinancing Debt refinanced, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or otherwise retired other Debt permitted under Section 9.02(h) within 30 days of incurring such Permitted Refinancing Debt and (y) no Loans were made hereunder at any time during such 30-day period), (B) effective immediately upon each Secured Debt Incurrence (excluding the principal amount of any such Secured Debt Incurrence constituting Permitted Refinancing Debt but only to the extent (x) such Permitted Refinancing Debt refinanced, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or otherwise retired other Debt permitted under Section 9.02(h), (i) or (j) within 30 days of incurring such Permitted Refinancing Debt and (y) no Loans were made hereunder at any time during such 30-day period), the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be automatically reduced on the date of such incurrence by an amount equal to 30% of the principal amount of such Secured Debt Incurrence, and (C) effective immediately upon each Secured Priority Debt Incurrence (other than the Senior Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount up to $500,000,000 issued on or before the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date), the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be automatically reduced on the date of such incurrence by an amount equal to 40% of the principal amount of such Secured Priority Debt Incurrence;

 

(iv)           Effective concurrently with the Merge Designation, the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be automatically reduced to $0; and

 

(v)            Effective immediately upon the Disposition of any of the WAB Properties by the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the WAB Drillco unless the Required Lenders have elected to call an Interim Redetermination of the Borrowing Base under the last sentence of Section 2.07(b), the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be automatically reduced by the value attributable to such WAB Properties in the Borrowing Base as determined by the Administrative Agent (or, if the determination made by the Administrative Agent is greater than $5,000,000, such greater amount determined by the Required Lenders as value attributable to the Borrowing Base).

 

(i)            Section 2.08(b) of the Credit Agreement ( Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions ) is hereby amended by deleting the words “ minus the EOG Availability Blocker, if in effect at such time ” from the penultimate paragraph therein.

 

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(j)            Section 3.02(c) of the Credit Agreement ( Post-Default Rate ) is hereby amended by replacing, in each instance therein, the words “ Senior Secured Debt ” with the word “ Obligations ”.

 

(k)           Section 3.04(c)(ii) of the Credit Agreement ( Mandatory Prepayments ) is hereby amended by deleting the words “ minus the EOG Availability Blocker, if in effect at such time ” therein.

 

(l)            Section 4.04 of the Credit Agreement ( Disposition of Proceeds ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 4.04          Disposition of Proceeds .  The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties of all of the Borrower’s or Guarantors’ interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property that constitutes Oil and Gas Properties.  The Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Indebtedness and other obligations described therein and secured thereby.  Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Instruments, until the occurrence of an Event of Default, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Collateral Agent, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the applicable Credit Parties, and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Collateral Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the applicable Credit Parties.

 

(m)          Section 6.02(d) of the Credit Agreement ( Each Credit Event ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(d)            Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor nor any Restricted Subsidiary has incurred, created, assumed or suffered to exist any Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture) at any time in reliance on clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture other than (i) “Cash Management Obligations” (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture) and (ii) such Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement.

 

(n)           Section 7.12 of the Credit Agreement ( Insurance ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 7.12          Insurance .  Each Credit Party has (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by each of them with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements to which it is party and (b) insurance coverage in at least amounts and against such risk (including, without limitation, public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Credit Parties.  Subject to Section 8.06, the Administrative Agent has been named as an additional insured in respect of such liability insurance policies and the Collateral Agent has been named as loss payee with respect to Property loss insurance.

 

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(o)           Section 7.13 of the Credit Agreement ( Restriction on Liens ) is hereby amended by replacing the words “ Administrative Agent and the Lenders ” therein with the words “ Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties ”.

 

(p)           Section 7.15 of the Credit Agreement ( Location or Business and Offices ) is hereby amended by replacing the words “ Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ” therein with the words “ Guarantee Agreement and the Security Agreement ”.

 

(q)           Section 7.21 of the Credit Agreement ( Use of Loans and Letters of Credit ) is hereby amended by replacing the word “ Subsidiaries ” therein with the words “ Restricted Subsidiaries ”.

 

(r)            Section 7.22 of the Credit Agreement ( Solvency ) is hereby amended by adding the words “ including each Borrowing, “ immediately before clause (a) therein.

 

(s)            Section 8.01(c) of the Credit Agreement ( Certificate of Financial Officer — Compliance ) is hereby amended by adding the words “ ; provided that, clause (i) — (iii) above shall cease to apply after the Merge Trigger Date ” immediately before the period at the end thereof.

 

(t)            Section 8.01(j) of the Credit Agreement ( Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties ) is hereby amended by adding the words “ ; provided that, this clause (j) shall cease to apply after the Merge Trigger Date unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent thereafter from time to time ” immediately before the period at the end thereof.

 

(u)           Section 8.01 ( Financial Statements; Other Information ) of the Credit Agreement ( Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties ) is hereby amended by (i) re-lettering subsection (p) to become subsection (q) and (ii) adding the following new subsection (p) therein:

 

(p)            Merge Designation .  If any Credit Party intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any asset (including Equity Interests) which would trigger a Merge Designation, at least five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of such sale, transfer, assignment, or other disposition, the price thereof and the anticipated date of closing and any other details thereof reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

(v)           Section 8.06 of the Credit Agreement ( Insurance ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 8.06          Insurance .  The Borrower will, and will cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations (provided, that this Section 8.06 shall not be breached if an insurance company becomes financially insolvent and the Borrower or relevant Subsidiary Guarantor reasonably promptly obtains coverage from a different, financially sound insurer) or are otherwise required to be maintained under applicable law.  The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or

 

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policies insuring any of the collateral for the Loans shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Collateral Agent as its interests may appear and such policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as applicable.

 

(w)          Section 8.10(b) of the Credit Agreement ( Further Assurances ) is hereby amended by replacing the words “ Administrative Agent ” therein with the words “ Collateral Agent ”.

 

(x)           Section 8.11(c) of the Credit Agreement ( Reserve Reports ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(c)            With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that, in all material respects: (i) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct (it being understood that projections concerning volumes and production and cost estimates contained in such report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections upon which such Person is relying when making such certifications), (ii) the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors own good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report and such Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.03 (subject to receipt of assignments from ExxonMobil under farmout agreements which are not more than twelve months past first production and subject to receipt of assignments from all other farmors under farmout agreements which are not more than six months past first production), (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.18 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of such Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which the Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.19 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof, (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Properties and that the Engineered Value of such Oil and Gas Properties represents (A) on or prior to the Amendment No. 11 Effective Date, at least 80% (by value) of all Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties evaluated in the Reserve Report delivered to the Administrative Agent most recently prior to the Reserve Report attached to such certificate, and (B) after the Amendment No. 11 Effective Date, (x) at all times prior to the Merge Trigger Date, at least 90% (by value) of the Merge Assets and (y) at all times, at least 90% (by value) of all Oil and Gas Properties of the Credit Parties evaluated in the Reserve Report delivered to the Administrative Agent most recently prior to the Reserve Report attached to such certificate, and (vii) attached to the certificate is a list of all farmout

 

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agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report prior to the Reserve Report attached to such certificate. Promptly after the request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent true and correct copies of any Material Farmout Agreement listed on the certificate described in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

(y)           Section 8.11 of the Credit Agreement ( Reserve Reports ) is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection (d) at the end thereof:

 

(d)            The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.11 shall cease to apply from and after the Merge Trigger Date unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent from time to time thereafter , including without limitation, such requests that may be made to determine compliance with Section 8.13(a).

 

(z)           Section 8.12 of the Credit Agreement ( Title Information ) is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection (d) at the end thereof:

 

(d)            The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.12 shall cease to apply from and after the Merge Trigger Date unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent from time to time thereafter.

 

(aa)         Section 8.13 of the Credit Agreement ( Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 8.13          Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors .

 

(a)            In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties that constitute Oil and Gas Properties (as described in Section 8.11(c)(iv)) to ascertain whether such Mortgaged Properties represent (x) at all times prior to the Merge Trigger Date, at least 90% (by value) of the Merge Assets and (y) at all times, at least 90% of the Engineered Value of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production.  In the event that such Mortgaged Properties do not represent (x) at all times prior to the Merge Trigger Date, at least 90% (by value) of the Merge Assets and (y) at all times, at least 90% of such Engineered Value, then: (i) other than in connection with the Borrowing Base redetermined for fall 2017, the Borrower shall, and shall cause the Subsidiary Guarantors to, grant, within thirty (30) days of delivery of the certificate required under Section 8.11(c) (or such later date as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent), to the Collateral Agent as security for the Priority Lien Obligations a first-priority Lien interest (subject to Excepted Liens other than Excepted Liens described in clause (h) of such definition) on additional Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties that constitute Oil and Gas Properties will represent (x) prior to the Merge Trigger Date, at least 90% (by value) of the Merge Assets and (y) at all times, at least 90% of such Engineered Value, and (ii) in connection with the Borrowing Base redetermined for fall 2017, the Borrower shall, and shall

 

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 cause the Subsidiary Guarantors to, grant, within forty-five (45) days after the Amendment No. 11 Effective Date (or such later date as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent), to the Collateral Agent as security for the Priority Lien Obligations a first-priority Lien interest (subject to Excepted Liens other than Excepted Liens described in clause (h) of such definition) on additional Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties that constitute Oil and Gas Properties will represent (x) prior to the Merge Trigger Date, at least 90% (by value of the Merge Assets and (y) at all times, at least 90% of such Engineered Value.  All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes.  In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Restricted Subsidiary places a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties and such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.13(b).

 

(b)            The Borrower shall promptly cause each of its Domestic Subsidiaries (other than Excluded Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to guarantee the Indebtedness pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement and the Security Agreement.  In connection with any such guaranty, the Borrower shall promptly, but in any event no later than 30 days after the formation, acquisition or designation or redesignation as a Restricted Subsidiary (or other similar event) of any such Subsidiary (or such later date as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (i) cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver supplements to the Guarantee Agreement and the Security Agreement, (ii) cause all of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary to be pledged to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties, and to the extent such Equity Interests are certificated, cause such original stock or other certificates evidencing such Equity Interests, together with an appropriate undated stock power for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof, to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, and (iii) cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Loan Document, if any Lien or guaranty is required to secure or guarantee any Junior Debt or any Senior Secured Note, Jones Parent and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide analogous guaranties to the Administrative Agent and grant to the Collateral Agent, and perfect, a senior Lien on the same Property for the benefit of the Priority Lien Secured Parties during at least the same period of time as required for such Junior Debt or Senior Secured Note so that, so long as such Debt is outstanding, no obligor is obligated with respect to such Debt that is not obligated with respect to the Indebtedness, and no Property shall serve as collateral securing such Debt that is not also serving as Collateral securing the Indebtedness of a senior basis.

 

(bb)         Section 8.14 of the Credit Agreement ( ERISA Compliance ) is hereby amended by adding the following new sentence at the end thereof:

 

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The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.14 shall cease to apply from and after the Merge Trigger Date unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent from time to time thereafter.

 

(cc)         Section 8.15 of the Credit Agreement ( Swap Agreements ) is hereby amended by adding the following new sentence at the end thereof:

 

The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.15 shall cease to apply from and after the Merge Trigger Date.

 

(dd)         Section 8.16 of the Credit Agreement ( Marketing Activities ) is hereby amended by adding the following new sentence at the end thereof:

 

The foregoing provisions of this Section 8.16 shall cease to apply from and after the Merge Trigger Date.

 

(ee)         Section 8.17 of the Credit Agreement ( Designation of Senior Debt ) is hereby amended by (i) replacing, in each instance therein, the word “ Subsidiary ” with the words “ Subsidiary Guarantor ” and (ii) replacing the word “ Indebtedness ” therein with the word “ Obligations ”.

 

(ff)          Section 8.18 of the Credit Agreement ( Deposit Accounts ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 8.18          Deposit Accounts .  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, by no later than 60 days after the Amendment No. 10 Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree), cause all of its deposit accounts and securities accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) to be subject to Account Control Agreements.  From and after the Amendment No. 10 Effective Date, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into an Account Control Agreement with respect to each of its deposit accounts and securities accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) established after the Amendment No. 10 Effective Date, in each case within 30 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) after the establishment thereof.

 

(gg)         Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement ( Financial Covenants ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 9.01          Financial Covenants .  Until the Merge Trigger Date,

 

(a)            Total Leverage Ratio .  Jones Parent will not permit the Total Leverage Ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019, to be greater than (i) 5.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019, (ii) 5.00 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2019, (iii) 4.75 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2019, (iv) 4.50 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2019, and (v) 4.00 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter ending on or after March 31, 2020;

 

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(b)                                  Current Ratio .  Jones Parent will not permit the ratio of (i) consolidated current assets of Jones Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (including the unused amount of the total Commitments, but excluding non-cash assets under FAS 133) to (ii) consolidated current liabilities of Jones Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (excluding (A) non-cash obligations under FAS 133, and (B) current maturities under this Agreement), as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 to be less than 1.0 to 1.0; and

 

(c)                                   Senior Secured Leverage Ratio .  Jones Parent will not permit the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2019, to be greater than 2.25 to 1.00.

 

(hh)                           Section 9.02(e) of the Credit Agreement ( Debt ) is hereby amended by replacing the words “ Guarantee and Collateral Agreement ” therein with the words “ Guarantee Agreement ”.

 

(ii)                                   Section 9.02(h) of the Credit Agreement ( Debt ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(h)                                  unsecured Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments (including any Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof); provided that, (i) the scheduled maturity date of such Debt shall not be earlier than one year after the Maturity Date, (ii) such Debt shall not have any amortization or other requirement to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect thereof, other than at scheduled maturity thereof and mandatory prepayments or puts triggered upon change in control, sale of all or substantially all assets and certain asset sales, in each case which are customary with respect to such type of Debt, (iii) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt incurred, assumed or created prior to the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date shall not exceed $750,000,000, and the aggregate principal amount of such Debt incurred, assumed or created after the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date shall not exceed $150,000,000, and (iv) the agreements and instruments governing such Debt shall not contain (A) any financial maintenance covenants that are more restrictive than those in this Agreement or any other affirmative or negative covenants that are, taken as a whole, materially more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that the inclusion of any covenant that is customary with respect to such type of Debt and that is not found in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this clause (A), (B) any restriction on the ability of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to amend, modify, restate or otherwise supplement this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (other than as to the maximum principal amount of Debt to be incurred hereunder), (C) any restrictions on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to guarantee the Indebtedness to the extent the Indebtedness is permitted thereunder, provided that a requirement that any such Restricted Subsidiary also guarantee such Debt shall not be deemed to be a violation of this clause (C), or (D) any restrictions on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary or the Borrower to pledge assets as collateral security for the Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement to the extent such Priority Lien Obligations are permitted thereunder and (v) as to such Debt that refinances,

 

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replaces, defeases, discharges, refunds or otherwise retires existing Debt, such new Debt is Permitted Refinancing Debt; and

 

(jj)                                 Section 9.02(i) of the Credit Agreement ( Debt ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(i)                                     secured Debt of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; provided that , (i) the scheduled maturity date of such Debt shall not be earlier than six months after the Maturity Date (as in effect on the date of incurrence of such Debt), (ii) such Debt shall not have any amortization or other requirement to purchase, redeem, retire, defease, establish a sinking fund or otherwise make any payment in respect thereof, other than at scheduled maturity thereof and mandatory prepayments or puts triggered upon change in control, sale of all or substantially all assets and certain asset sales, in each case which are customary with respect to such type of Debt, (iii) [Reserved], (iv) such Debt shall be subject to, and designated as “Junior Lien Debt” under, the Intercreditor Agreement, and the Intercreditor Agreement shall have been executed and entered into by the parties thereto; (v) upon the incurrence of any such Debt, the Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced in accordance with, and to the extent required by, Section 2.07(e) , (vi) the incurrence of such Debt shall be permitted under all agreements and instruments governing Junior Debt or Senior Secured Notes and in effect on the date of such incurrence (without giving effect to any amendment thereto, or consent or waiver thereof, being obtained in connection with such incurrence that required the payment of any amount by Jones Parent or any Restricted Subsidiaries (other than usual and customary reimbursement of related out-of-pocket third party expenses) or that required any other consideration that is materially adverse to Jones Parent or any Restricted Subsidiaries), (vii) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and any substantially concurrent repayment of Debt, and any reduction of the Borrowing Base provided for in Section 2.07(e) with respect thereto, no Borrowing Base Deficiency shall exist, (viii) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and any substantially concurrent repayment of Debt, Jones Parent shall be in pro forma compliance with each of Sections 9.01(a), (b) and (c), as applicable, and calculated as of the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the incurrence of such Debt and for which financial statements are available, (ix) no Default or Event of Default shall exist, (x) the agreements and instruments governing such Debt shall not contain (A) any financial maintenance covenants that are more restrictive than those in this Agreement or any other affirmative or negative covenants that are, taken as a whole, materially more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement; provided that the inclusion of any covenant that is customary with respect to such type of Debt and that is not found in this Agreement shall not be deemed to be more restrictive for purposes of this clause (A) , (B) any restriction on the ability of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries to amend, modify, restate or otherwise supplement this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (other than as to the maximum principal amount of Debt to be incurred hereunder), (C) any restrictions on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to guarantee the Indebtedness to the extent the Indebtedness is permitted thereunder, provided that a requirement that any such Restricted Subsidiary also guarantee such Debt shall not be deemed to be a violation of this clause (C) , or (D) any restrictions on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary or the Borrower to pledge assets as collateral security for the Priority Lien Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Agency Agreement to the extent such Priority Lien Obligations are permitted thereunder, and (xi)  as to

 

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such Debt that refinances, replaces, defeases, discharges, refunds or otherwise retires existing Debt, such new Debt is Permitted Refinancing Debt;

 

(kk)                           Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Debt ) is hereby amended by (i) re-lettering subsection (j) to become subsection (k) and (ii) adding the following new subsection (j) therein:

 

(j)                                     Senior Secured Notes (together with any Permitted Refinancing Debt thereof) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $700,000,000 outstanding at any time; and

 

(ll)                                   Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Debt ) is hereby amended by amending and restating the first paragraph therein to read as follows:

 

The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except, subject to the limitations in the last sentence of this Section 9.02, the following:

 

(mm)                   Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement ( Debt ) is hereby amended by amending and restating the last paragraph therein to read as follows:

 

For the avoidance of doubt, when calculating the amount of Debt for purposes of determining compliance with clause (b), (h), (i), (j) or (k) above, such calculation shall not include any guarantee by a Credit Party in respect of other Debt already included in such calculation.   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, including any of the foregoing clauses (a) — (k), neither the Borrower nor Jones Parent will, and the Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture) at any time in reliance on clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture other than (A) “Cash Management Obligations” (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture), (B) such Indebtedness under this Agreement, and (C) such Indebtedness otherwise permitted above in this Section 9.02 so long as (i) the Merge Designation has occurred, (ii) the Borrowing Base is zero and (iii) there is no Borrowing Base Deficiency.

 

(nn)                           Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement ( Liens ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(a)                                  Liens securing the payment of any Indebtedness and any other Priority Lien Obligations (including the Senior Secured Notes) created pursuant to the Security Instruments;

 

(oo)                           Section 9.03(f) of the Credit Agreement ( Liens ) is hereby amended by replacing the words “ an Intercreditor Agreement ” therein with the words “ the Intercreditor Agreement ”.

 

(pp)                           Section 9.04 of the Credit Agreement ( Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

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Section 9.04                             Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment to its Equity Interest holders without the prior approval of the Majority Lenders, except that: (a) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends or distributions with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional Equity Interests of the Borrower (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), (b) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and to any Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are Subsidiary Guarantors, (c)(i) from and after the Amendment No. 8 Effective Date until March 31, 2015, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor may make cash Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in respect of repurchases of its Equity Interests from employees (and their heirs, estates and assigns) or from Jones Parent in order for Jones Parent to repurchase its Equity Interests from employees (and their heirs, estates and assigns), and (ii) from and after April 1, 2015, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor may make cash Restricted Payments in respect of repurchases of its Equity Interests from employees (and their heirs, estates and assigns) or from Jones Parent in order for Jones Parent to repurchase its Equity Interests from employees (and their heirs, estates and assigns), in any case under this clause (ii), upon the death, termination or disability of such employee in an aggregate amount under this clause (ii) not to exceed an amount equal to (A) $5,000,000 minus (B) the aggregate amount of cash Restricted Payments made in accordance with sub-clause (c)(i), and, in any event, such amount shall be no less than $0, (d) the Borrower may make Permitted Tax Distributions, (e) the Borrower may make Permitted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year, and (f) Borrower may declare and pay cash dividends or distributions to Jones Parent in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year, so long as after giving effect to such payment, (i) Liquidity is greater than or equal to 10% of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts then in effect and (ii) the Total Leverage Ratio, after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, is not greater than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

(qq)                           Section 9.05(m) of the Credit Agreement ( Investments, Loans and Advances ) is hereby amended by replacing the word “ Subsidiary ” in clause (i) therein with the words “ Restricted Subsidiary ”.

 

(rr)                                 Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement ( Investments, Loans and Advances ) is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word “ and ” at the end of subsection (p) therein, (ii) re-lettering subsection (q) therein to become subsection (s), and (iii) adding the following new subsection (q) and subsection (r) therein:

 

(q)                                  the contribution or transfer of all or any portion of the Merge Assets to any Unrestricted Subsidiary (including the deemed Investment of the Merge Assets held by any Subsidiary upon its designation as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) on or after the Merge Trigger Date; provided that, before and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default exists and (ii) no Borrowing Base Deficiency exists;

 

(r)                                    Investments made on or after the Merge Trigger Date in Unrestricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $75,000,000 (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided that,

 

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before and after giving effect thereto, (i) no Default exists and (ii) no Borrowing Base Deficiency exists; and

 

(ss)                               Section 9.08 of the Credit Agreement ( ERISA Compliance ) is hereby amended by replacing the word “ Except ” therein with the words “ Until the Merge Trigger Date and except ”.

 

(tt)                                 Section 9.09 of the Credit Agreement ( Sale or Discount of Receivables ) is hereby amended by replacing the word “ Except ” therein with the words “ Until the Merge Trigger Date and except ”.

 

(uu)                           Section 9.10 of the Credit Agreement ( Mergers, Etc. ) is hereby amended by (i) deleting the word “ and ” at the end of clause (c) therein, (ii) replacing the “ . ” at the end of clause (d) with the word “ and ” and (iii) adding the following new clause (e) to the end thereof:

 

(e)                                   the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor may consummate Investments permitted by Section 9.05(q).

 

(vv)                           Section 9.11(b) of the Credit Agreement ( Sale of Properties ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(b)                                  Dispositions of undeveloped acreage, including (x) any of the Merge Assets constituting undeveloped acreage and (y) undeveloped acreage of the Credit Parties under any farmout agreements not included in the most recent Reserve Report, and assignments in connection with such farmouts and transfers; provided, that either (i) no Borrowing Base Deficiency shall exist after giving effect to such Disposition (and any Borrowing Base reduction required under Section 2.07(e)) or (ii) if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists after giving effect to such Disposition (and any Borrowing Base reduction required under Section 2.07(e)), the Borrower shall, substantially contemporaneously with such Disposition, prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount at least equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency, and (B) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of an LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to the remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency to be held as cash collateral as provided in Section 2.08(j);

 

(ww)                       Section 9.11(d) of the Credit Agreement ( Sale of Properties ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(d)                                  the Disposition of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein or any Restricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties; provided that (i) in the case of any such Disposition, including any such Disposition of any Merge Assets (but not including any such Disposition that is a Specified Disposition), at least 75% of the consideration received in respect of such Disposition shall be cash (it being understood that for purposes of calculating such 75% for purposes of this clause (i) only, any securities, notes or other consideration received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of such Disposition that could reasonably be expected to be converted into cash within 90 days after such Disposition and which are, within such 90 day period, converted by the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor into cash shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this clause (i) to the extent of the cash received in such

 

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conversion); (ii) in the case of any Specified Disposition, the cash consideration received in respect of such Disposition shall be at least equal to the greater of (A) 75% of the consideration received in respect of such Disposition and (B) the value attributed to the Oil and Gas Properties subject to such Specified Disposition, if any, in the then effective Borrowing Base; (iii) the consideration received in respect of such Disposition shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the Oil and Gas Property, interest therein or Restricted Subsidiary subject of such Disposition (as reasonably determined by the Borrower and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying to that effect), (iv) the Borrowing Base shall be reduced to the extent required under Section 2.07(e) (any such Disposition for which there is such a Borrowing Base reduction being referred to herein as a “ Specified Disposition ”), (iv) if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists or would result therefrom, the payments and cash collateral requirements set forth in Section 3.04(c) shall have been made, and (v) if any such Disposition is of a Restricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such Disposition shall include all the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary ;

 

(xx)                           Section 9.11 of the Credit Agreement ( Sale of Properties ) is hereby amended by (i) re-lettering subsection (l) therein to become subsection (o) and replacing the reference to “ Section 9.11(l) ” in such subsection with a reference to “ Section 9.11(o) ” and (ii) adding the following new subsection (l), subsection (m), and subsection (n) therein:

 

(l)                                     Dispositions of any of the Equity Interests in any Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(m)                                Investments to the extent permitted under Section 9.05(q);

 

(n)                                  Disposition of WAB Properties by the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the WAB Drillco; and

 

(yy)                           Section 9.13 of the Credit Agreement ( Subsidiaries ) is hereby amended by replacing the words “ Subsidiary ” and “ Subsidiaries ” in the last sentence thereof with the words “ Restricted Subsidiary ” and “ Restricted Subsidiaries ”, respectively.

 

(zz)                             Section 9.14 of the Credit Agreement ( Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 9.14                             Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions .  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than this Agreement or the Security Instruments) which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property in favor of the Collateral Agent or restricts any Restricted Subsidiary from paying dividends or making distributions to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith; provided, that the foregoing shall not prevent (a) restrictions on the transfer of Equity Interests in joint ventures, (b) customary non-assignment provisions in leases, licenses, permits and other agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, (c) in connection with any Disposition of Property permitted hereunder, any restriction with respect to such Property

 

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imposed under the agreement or agreements governing such Disposition, (d) restrictions imposed by any Governmental Authority or under any Governmental Requirement, (e) any restriction imposed on the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of a Credit Party imposed by any contract, agreement or understanding related to the Liens permitted under clause (c), (e) or (f) of Section 9.03 so long as such restriction only applies to the Property permitted under such clauses to be encumbered by such Liens, (f) Lien restrictions imposed by any contract, agreement or understanding related to Debt permitted under Section 9.02(h) to the extent relating to the amount of Indebtedness permitted to be secured by Liens thereunder, (g) any provision contained in any contract, agreement or understanding related to Debt permitted under Sections 9.02(h), (i) or (j) specifying that dividends or distributions paid by any Restricted Subsidiary to holders of its Equity Interests shall be paid on a pro rata basis, and (h) Lien restrictions imposed by any contract, agreement or understanding related to any Junior Debt that is secured and not otherwise covered in the preceding clauses of this Section 9.14, but only to the extent such restrictions are acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

(aaa)                    Section 9.15 of the Credit Agreement ( Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments ) is hereby amended by replacing the word “ The ” at the beginning thereof with the words “ Until the Merge Trigger Date, the ”.

 

(bbb)                    Section 9.16 of the Credit Agreement ( Swap Agreements ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 9.16                             Swap Agreements .

 

(a)                                  Commodity Swap Agreements .  Until the Merge Trigger Date:

 

(i)                                     Incurrence .  Subject to the additional limitation in Section 9.16(a)(ii) (B) below, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into any Swap Agreement for speculative purposes or with a duration longer than five years from the date the applicable Swap Agreement is entered into; provided that , the Hedged Volume in any month, determined at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into and after giving effect thereto (the “ Measurement Date ”), shall not exceed for each month during the period during which such Swap Agreement is in effect, the greater of (A) 100% of the anticipated projected production from proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (subject to the following sentence), and (B) volumes set forth in the grid below for the applicable period as determined (subject to the following sentence) by reference to the Reserve Report most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent:

 

Volumes Covered by Swap
Agreements

 

Applicable Period Covered By Swap
Agreements

100% of the anticipated projected production from proved Oil and Gas Properties

 

First 24 months after the Measurement Date

 

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Volumes Covered by Swap
Agreements

 

Applicable Period Covered By Swap
Agreements

85% of the anticipated projected production from proved Oil and Gas Properties

 

Months 25 — 60 after the Measurement Date

 

For purposes of entering into or maintaining Swap Agreement trades or transactions under this Section 9.16(a)(i) , forecasts of reasonably anticipated production from the Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ proved Oil and Gas Properties as set forth on the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be revised to account for any increase or decrease therein anticipated because of information obtained by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries subsequent to the publication of such Reserve Report including the Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ internal forecasts of production decline rates for existing wells and additions to or deletions from anticipated future production from new wells and completed acquisitions coming on stream or failing to come on stream.

 

(ii)  Maintenance .  If, after the end of any calendar month, commencing with the calendar month ending October 31, 2014, the Borrower determines that the Hedged Volume for such calendar month exceeded the Actual Production Volume for such month, then (A) the Borrower shall (1) promptly notify the Administrative Agent (but in any event within 21 days of such month end), and (2) if requested by the Administrative Agent, within 30 days after such request, effect (or cause the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor to effect) such Swap Terminations to the extent necessary to cause the Hedged Volume not to exceed 100% of reasonably anticipated projected production from Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the succeeding calendar months; and (B) as to any particular commodity (including substitutes therefor as provided in the penultimate sentence of this Section 9.16(a)) which is over-hedged for any calendar month, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into any Swap Agreement in respect of such commodity until the Borrower is in compliance with each of the requirements in the immediately preceding clause (A) or the Administrative Agent otherwise consents.

 

The requirements in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 9.16(a) (x) shall be determined with volumes of oil, volumes of gas and volumes of natural gas liquids calculated separately and (y) shall not apply to basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Swap Agreements or to put options and price floors (including floors embedded in participating swaps or other similar transactions to the extent not offset by calls) for Hydrocarbons with respect to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the buyer of such put options or price floors.  Furthermore, so long as the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors properly identify and consistently report such Swap Agreements in the production reports required under Section 8.01(m), the B o rrower may utilize Swap Agreements covering crude oil as a substitute for hedging natural gas liquids on an Economic BOE (as defined below) basis; provided that, (A) in determining compliance with Section 9.16(a)(i) above, the Borrower shall use the Economic BOE in effect at the time the Swap Agreement is entered into and (B) in determining compliance with Section 9.16(a)(ii) above, the Borrower shall use the Economic BOE in effect at the time of calculation (and not at the time the applicable Swap Agreement was entered into).  “ Economic

 

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BOE ” means the volume of crude oil (measured in barrels) of the Borrower’s and Subsidiary Guarantors’ production that has the equivalent value (in dollars) to one barrel of natural gas liquids of the Borrower’s and Subsidiary Guarantors’ production as determined on a trailing twelve month basis.

 

(b)  Interest Swap Agreements .  Until the Merge Trigger Date, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into any Swap Agreement in respect of interest rates other than such Swap Agreements (i) with an Approved Counterparty, (ii) with a duration that does not extend beyond the Maturity Date and (iii) which effectively convert interest rates from floating to fixed, the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with all other Swap Agreements of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors then in effect effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed) do not exceed 75% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Borrower’s Debt for borrowed money which bears interest at a floating rate, using the same index used to determine floating rates of interest on the indebtedness to be hedged.

 

(c)  Limitations .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (i) in no event shall any Swap Agreement contain any requirement, agreement or covenant for the Borrower or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to post collateral (including a letter of credit) or margin to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures; provided that, this clause (c) shall not prevent a Hedge Bank from requiring the obligations under its Swap Agreement with any Credit Party to be secured by the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent under the Security Instruments pursuant to such Security Instruments, and (ii) the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the Subsidiary Guarantors to, enter into any Swap Agreement in respect of commodities other than such Swap Agreements entered into with Approved Counterparties.

 

(d)  Acquisition Swap Agreements .  Until the Merge Trigger Date:

 

(i)  Notwithstanding anything in Section 9.16(a) to the contrary but subject to clause (iii) below, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor may enter into commodity Swap Agreements with an Approved Counterparty having notional volumes in excess of the amounts set forth in Section 9.16(a)(i) (such Swap Agreements being “ Acquisition Swap Agreements ”) in anticipation of the acquisition of Oil and Gas Properties in a transaction not prohibited by this Agreement (any such Oil and Gas Properties being referred to herein as the “ Target Oil and Gas Properties ” and any such acquisition being referred to herein as a “ Subject Acquisition ”) if (x) the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, has entered into a definitive purchase and sale agreement for such Target Oil and Gas Properties, (y) the tenor of any such Acquisition Swap Agreement does not exceed a period of beginning on the expected closing date of such Subject Acquisition equal to the remainder of the calendar year in which such Acquisition Swap Agreements are entered into plus the next 5 calendar years and (z) the aggregate notional volume of commodities covered under all of the Acquisition Swap Agreements with respect to any Subject Acquisition in any month, determined on the Measurement Date with respect thereto, shall not exceed for each month during the period during which such Acquisition Swap Agreement is in effect, the greater of (A) 100% of the

 

29



 

Projected Target Property PDP Volumes and (B) the volumes set forth in the grid below for the applicable period as determined by the Borrower’s internal engineers as proved reserves:

 

Volumes Covered by
Acquisition Swap Agreements

 

Applicable Period Covered by
Acquisition Swap Agreements

100% of the anticipated projected production from proved Target Oil and Gas Properties

 

First 24 months after acquisition of Target Oil and Gas Properties

85% of the anticipated projected production from proved Target Oil and Gas Properties

 

Months 25 — 60 after acquisition of Target Oil and Gas Properties

 

The requirements in this clause (i) shall (x) be determined with volumes of oil, volumes of gas and volumes of natural gas liquids calculated separately and (y) not apply to basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Acquisition Swap Agreements or to put options and price floors (including floors embedded in participating swaps or other similar transactions to the extent not offset by calls) for Hydrocarbons with respect to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor is the buyer of such put options or price floors.

 

(ii)  Subject to the terms of clause (iii) below, with respect to Target Oil and Gas Properties, (x) the aggregate notional volume of commodities covered under all Acquisition Swap Agreements with respect to such Target Oil and Gas Properties shall not be included in any determination of “Hedged Volume” for purposes of determining compliance with Section 9.16(a) above, and (y) actual volumes of production from such Target Oil and Gas Properties shall not be included in any calculation of “Actual Production Volumes” for purposes of determining compliance with Section 9.16(a) above.

 

(iii)  With respect to each Subject Acquisition, from and after the earlier to occur of (A) the consummation of such Subject Acquisition and (B) the 90 th  day after the date on which the definitive purchase and sale agreement for such Subject Acquisition was entered into by the Borrower or any Guarantor, the Borrower shall be required to comply with Section 9.16(a) without giving effect to any of the provisions of clause (ii) above; provided that (x) if such Subject Acquisition is not consummated on or before the 90 th  day after the date on which the definitive purchase and sale agreement for such Subject Acquisition was entered into, any Reserve Report containing information with respect to the Target Oil and Gas Properties shall be deemed not to include such information and (y) if such Subject Acquisition is consummated on or before the 90 th  day after the date on which the definitive purchase and sale agreement for such Subject Acquisition was entered into, the actual volumes of production from the Target Oil and Gas Properties shall be fully taken into account for purposes of calculating Actual Production Volumes as if such Subject Acquisition had been consummated on the first day of the three-month period covered by the Quarter-End Production Report most recently delivered prior to the consummation of such Subject Acquisition pursuant to Section 8.01(m).

 

(ccc)                       Section 9.17 of the Credit Agreement ( Change in Business; Corporate Structure; Accounting Changes ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

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Section 9.17                             Change in Business; Corporate Structure; Accounting Changes .

 

(a)                                  Each of the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business or activity other than (i) the business of the exploration for, and development, acquisition, and the production of Oil and Gas Properties, (ii) the business of marketing, processing, treating, gathering, and upstream transportation of Oil and Gas Properties produced by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) developing raw land acquired or leased by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in conjunction with the activities described in clause (i) or (ii) above, and remediating such land for resale; and (iv) the business of providing services to support any of the Borrower’s or its Restricted Subsidiary’s activities described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above.  The Borrower and Jones Parent shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to engage in any activity or business, or acquire or make any other expenditure (whether such expenditure is capital, operating or otherwise) in or related to, any Oil and Gas Properties or businesses, in any event, which are not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States or the offshore area in the Gulf of Mexico over which the United States of America asserts jurisdiction.

 

(b)                                  Each of the Borrower and the Guarantors shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, alter, amend or modify in any manner materially adverse to the Lenders any of its Organizational Documents.  In any event, the Borrower shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) if such Subsidiary is a limited liability company, amend its limited liability company agreement to “opt in” to “security” status in accordance with Section 8.103 of the UCC or (ii) evidence its Equity Interests with a certificate without, in each case, the prior consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                                   Except as set forth in Section 1.05, the Borrower and the Guarantors shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of the Borrower or of any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

(ddd)                    Section 9.20 of the Credit Agreement ( Prepayment of Certain Debt and Other Obligations; Amendment of Terms ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such section to read as follows:

 

Section 9.20                             Prepayment of Certain Debt and Other Obligations; Amendment of Terms .

 

(a)                                  Neither the Borrower nor Jones Parent shall, and Jones Parent shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, prepay, redeem, purchase, defease, establish a sinking fund or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner the principal amount of any Junior Debt or any Senior Secured Note (a “ Debt Prepayment ”) other than:

 

(i)                                     any Debt Prepayment made in exchange for, or with the net cash proceeds of, a substantially concurrent issuance of Equity Interests of Jones Parent (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) so long as (x) there is no Default or Event of Default, (y) there

 

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is no Borrowing Base Deficiency, and (z) Availability after giving effect thereto is an amount greater than or equal to 75% of the then effective aggregate Commitments;

 

(ii)                                 any Debt Prepayment made with the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Debt that is permitted under this Agreement but only to the extent the net Interest Expense for the 12-month period after the consummation of such transaction, after giving pro forma effect to such Debt Prepayment is no greater than the net Interest Expense for such period had such Debt Prepayment not occurred and, at least three Business Days prior to effecting such Debt Prepayment the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying a calculation of such net Interest Expense before and after giving effect to such Debt Prepayment in such detail reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and

 

(iii)                             any other Debt Prepayment made with the proceeds of, or in exchange for, Senior Secured Notes or Junior Debt issued by the Borrower or any Credit Party so long as (A) after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Consolidated Cash Balance shall not be less than $50,000,000, and (B) the aggregate amount of all Debt Prepayments permitted under this clause (iii) shall not exceed an amount equal to (x) aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes and Junior Debt issued by the Borrower or any Credit Party on the Amendment No. 12 Effective Date to effect Amendment No. 12 and thereafter minus (y) $450,000,000.

 

(b)                                  Neither the Borrower nor Jones Parent shall, and Jones Parent shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or waive, in any manner which is materially adverse to the Lenders, any provision of any agreement or instrument governing Junior Debt or any Senior Secured Note without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (other than (i) supplemental indentures to add guarantors as required thereby or (ii) to the extent any such provision, as so amended, modified or waived, would have been permitted hereunder had it been included in the agreement or instrument governing such Junior Debt or Senior Secured Note at the initial incurrence thereof, but in any event, no such amendment, modification or waiver shall increase the rate of interest thereon in a manner materially less favorable to Jones Parent or any Restricted Subsidiaries as compared to market terms for issuers of similar size and credit quality given the then prevailing market conditions as reasonably determined by Jones Parent, or shorten any interval for payment of interest thereon).

 

(eee)                       Section 10.01(k) of the Credit Agreement ( Events of Default ) is hereby amended by replacing the reference to “ $35,000,000 ” therein with a reference to “ $10,000,000 ”.

 

(fff)                          Section 10.01(m) of the Credit Agreement ( Events of Default ) is hereby amended by replacing the reference to “ $35,000,000 ” therein with a reference to “ $10,000,000 ”.

 

(ggg)                       Section 10.01(o) of the Credit Agreement ( Events of Default ) is hereby amended by amending and restating such subsection to read as follows:

 

(o)                                  any material provision of the Intercreditor Agreement shall, for any reason (other than an amendment, consent or termination of the Intercreditor Agreement entered

 

32



 

into in accordance with the terms thereof), cease to be valid and binding or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect against any holder of the applicable Junior Debt or any representative of such holders.

 

(hhh)                    Section 10.01(p) of the Credit Agreement ( Events of Default ) is hereby amended by (i) re-lettering such subsection to become subsection (q) and (ii) amending and restating such new subsection (q) to read as follows:

 

(q)                                  any “Event of Default” (or comparable defined term) under any agreement or instrument governing any Junior Debt or any Senior Secured Note shall have occurred.

 

(iii)                                Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement ( Events of Default ) is hereby amended by adding the following new subsection (p) therein:

 

(p)                                  any material provision of the Collateral Agency Agreement shall, for any reason (other than an amendment, consent or termination of the Collateral Agency Agreement entered into in accordance with the terms thereof), cease to be valid and binding or otherwise cease to be in full force and effect against any holder of the applicable Senior Secured Note or any representative of such holders.

 

(jjj)                             Section 11.10 of the Credit Agreement ( Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens ) is hereby amended by (i) amending and restating the title of such section to read “ Authority of Collateral Agent to Release Collateral and Liens ” and (ii) amending and restating subsection (a) to read as follows:

 

(a)                                  Each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party (by their acceptance of the benefits of any Lien encumbering the Mortgaged Property) hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to release any collateral that is permitted to be sold or released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents and the documents governing the Senior Secured Notes, including, without limitation, any collateral held by a Subsidiary upon the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party (by their acceptance of the benefits of any Lien encumbering the Mortgaged Property) hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by the Borrower in connection with any sale or other disposition of Property to the extent such sale or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.11 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents but only so long as such transaction is also permitted under the documents governing the Senior Secured Notes.  Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, the Secured Parties will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s or the Collateral Agent’s, as applicable, authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 11.10.

 

(kkk)                    Annex I to the Credit Agreement ( List of Maximum Credit Amounts ) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Annex I attached hereto.

 

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(lll)                                Exhibit B to the Credit Agreement ( Form of Borrowing Request ) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Exhibit B attached hereto.

 

(mmm)        Exhibit D to the Credit Agreement ( Form of Compliance Certificate ) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with Exhibit D attached hereto.

 

Section 6.                                           Credit Parties Representations and Warranties .   Each Credit Party represents and warrants that: (a) after giving effect to this Agreement, the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any such representation or warranty that already is qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the Effective Date as if made on as and as of such date except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty is true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representation or warranty that already is qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date; (b) after giving effect to this Agreement, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; (c) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement are within the corporate or limited liability company power and authority of such Credit Party and have been duly authorized by appropriate corporate or limited liability company action and proceedings; (d) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and general principles of equity; (e) there are no governmental or other third party consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement; and (f) the Liens under the Security Instruments are valid and subsisting and secure the Indebtedness (as such Indebtedness may be increased as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby).

 

Section 7.                                           Conditions to Effectiveness .   This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and enforceable against the parties hereto upon the occurrence of the following conditions precedent on or before February 16, 2018:

 

(a)                                  The Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders shall have received, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower under the Amended Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of Bracewell LLP, as special counsel to the Administrative Agent).

 

(b)                                  Any combination of Senior Secured Notes (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) and Junior Lien Debt (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) shall have been issued by the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount no less than $400,000,000 and no greater than $700,000,000 and subject to (i) in the case of Senior Secured Notes, an indenture agreement form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (it being agreed that (x) an indenture that is in substantial conformity with the draft Description of Notes presented to the Administrative Agent and its counsel by email around 9:50 a.m. (Houston time) on February 8, 2018 and that is otherwise customary would be acceptable to the Administrative

 

34



 

Agent and (y) any change to a term used in the Collateral Agency Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement by cross-referenced to such term in the Indenture (including “Permitted Debt”) is deemed to be not in substantial conformity with the draft Description of Notes described above unless such changes are ministerial in nature, correction of a clerical error or otherwise immaterial as determined by the Administrative Agent), and (ii) in the case of Junior Lien Debt, an indenture or note purchase agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)                                   The Administrative Agent shall have received true and complete copies of the documents governing the Senior Secured Notes and the Junior Lien Debt referred to in clause (b) above, certified as such by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

 

(d)                                  The Administrative Agent shall have received the Collateral Agency Agreement (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and, if applicable, the Intercreditor Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 2, in any case, fully executed and delivered by the parties thereto.

 

(e)                                   The Borrower shall have repaid the Loans in such amount necessary to cause the aggregate outstanding amount of the LC Exposure and Loans on the Effective Date to be no greater than $25,000,000.

 

(f)                                    The Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower and the requisite Lenders counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party.

 

(g)                                   The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) fully executed GCA and Security Agreement Amendments, (ii) customary corporate resolutions, organizational documents and due diligence items certified by a Responsible Officer of Jones Energy Finance Corp. as requested by the Administrative Agent and (iii) all documentation and other information that is required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Act, as requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 8.                                           Acknowledgments and Agreements .

 

(a)                                  The Borrower acknowledges that on the date hereof all outstanding Indebtedness is payable in accordance with its terms and the Borrower waives any defense, offset, counterclaim or recoupment with respect thereto.

 

(b)                                  The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, and the Lenders hereby expressly reserve all of their rights, remedies, and claims under the Loan Documents, as amended hereby.  This Agreement shall not constitute a waiver or relinquishment of (i) any Default or Event of Default under any of the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, (ii) any of the agreements, terms or conditions contained in any of the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, (iii) any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, or any Lender with respect to the Loan Documents, as amended hereby, or (iv) the rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank,

 

35



 

or any Lender to collect the full amounts owing to them under the Loan Documents, as amended hereby.

 

(c)                                   The Borrower, each Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender do hereby adopt, ratify, and confirm the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, and acknowledge and agree that the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, is and remains in full force and effect, and the Borrower and each Guarantor acknowledge and agree that their respective liabilities and obligations under the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, and the other Loan Documents are not impaired in any respect by this Agreement.

 

(d)                                  From and after the Effective Date, all references to the Credit Agreement in the Loan Documents shall mean the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Agreement.  This Agreement is a Loan Document for the purposes of the provisions of the other Loan Documents.

 

Section 9.                                           Reaffirmation of the Guaranty .  Each Guarantor hereby ratifies, confirms, acknowledges and agrees that its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement are in full force and effect and that such Guarantor continues to unconditionally and irrevocably guarantee the full and punctual payment, when due, whether at stated maturity or earlier by acceleration or otherwise, of all of the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), as such Obligations may have been amended by this Agreement, and its execution and delivery of this Agreement does not indicate or establish an approval or consent requirement by such Guarantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement in connection with the execution and delivery of amendments, consents or waivers to the Credit Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

Section 10.                                    Counterparts .   This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which, taken together, constitute a single instrument.  This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or PDF electronic mail signature, and all such signatures shall be effective as originals.

 

Section 11.                                    Successors and Assigns .   This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 12.                                    Severability .   Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 13.                                    Governing Law .   This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract made under and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.

 

Section 14.                                    Collateral Agency Agreement; Intercreditor .  The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized on behalf of the Lenders for the Lenders and its Affiliates that are Secured Parties to enter into the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement

 

36



 

(each as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement).  A copy of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the form of Intercreditor Agreement are attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and Exhibit 2, respectively .  Each Lender and each other Secured Party (by receiving the benefits thereunder and of the Collateral) acknowledges and agrees to the terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement and agrees that the terms thereof shall be binding on such Secured Party and its successors and assigns, as if it were a party thereto.

 

Section 15.                                    Entire Agreement . THIS AGREEMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AS AMENDED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR AGREEMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT THERETO.

 

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

[SIGNATURES BEGIN ON NEXT PAGE]

 

37



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER:

JONES ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer

 

 

 

GUARANTORS:

JONES ENERGY, INC.

 

JONES ENERGY, LLC

 

NOSLEY ASSETS, LLC

 

NOSLEY SCOOP, LLC

 

NOSLEY ACQUISITION, LLC

 

JONES ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

Each by:

/s/ Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Robert J. Brooks

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief

 

 

Financial Officer

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT/

 

 

ISSUING BANK/LENDER/

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul A. Squires

 

 

Paul A. Squires

 

 

Managing Director

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Traci Bankston

 

Name:

Traci Bankston

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

CREDIT AGRICOLE CORPORATE AND
INVESTMENT BANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Paul C. Dillehunt

 

Name:

Paul C. Dillehunt

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael Willis

 

Name:

Michael Willis

 

Title:

Managing Director

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

TORONTO DOMINION (NEW YORK) LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Annie Dorval

 

Name:

Annie Dorval

 

Title:

Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

COMERICA BANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Gary Culbertson

 

Name:

Gary Culbertson

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

SUNTRUST BANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s Benjamin L. Brown

 

Name:

Benjamin L. Brown

 

Title:

Director

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Cliff Vaz

 

Name:

Cliff Vaz

 

Title:

Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

LENDER :

IBERIABANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stacy Goldstein

 

Name:

Stacy Goldstein

 

Title:

Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page to

Amendment No. 12 to Credit Agreement

(Jones Energy Holdings, LLC)

 



 

ANNEX I

 

LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS

 

Name of Lender

 

Applicable
Percentage

 

Maximum Credit
Amount

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

16.0000000

%

$

8,000,000.00

 

MUFG Union Bank, N.A.

 

11.2000000

%

$

5,600,000.00

 

Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

 

11.2000000

%

$

5,600,000.00

 

Capital One, National Association

 

11.2000000

%

$

5,600,000.00

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

11.2000000

%

$

5,600,000.00

 

Toronto Dominion (New York) LLC

 

8.0000000

%

$

4,000,000.00

 

Comerica Bank

 

8.0000000

%

$

4,000,000.00

 

SunTrust Bank

 

8.0000000

%

$

4,000,000.00

 

BOKF, NA dba Bank of Texas

 

4.8000000

%

$

2,400,000.00

 

Citibank, N.A.

 

3.6000000

%

$

1,800,000.00

 

Barclays Bank PLC

 

3.6000000

%

$

1,800,000.00

 

IBERIABANK

 

3.2000000

%

$

1,600,000.00

 

TOTAL

 

100.0000000

%

$

50,000,000.00

 

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

 

[See attached.]

 



 

EXHIBIT D

 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

[See attached.]

 



 

EXHIBIT 1

 

COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

[See attached.]

 



 

EXHIBIT 2

 

FORM OF INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

[See attached.]

 


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

JONES ENERGY PRICES OFFERING OF $450 MILLION OF 9.25% SENIOR SECURED FIRST LIEN NOTES

 

Austin, TX February 12, 2018 — Jones Energy Holdings, LLC (“JEH”) and Jones Energy Finance Corp. (“JEFC” and, together with JEH, the “Issuers”), both subsidiaries of Jones Energy, Inc. (NYSE: JONE) (“Jones Energy” or the “Company”), announced today that they have priced an offering of $450 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.25% senior secured first lien notes due 2023 (the “First Lien Notes”) at an offering price equal to 97.526% of par. The First Lien Notes will be senior secured first lien obligations of the Issuers and will be guaranteed on a senior secured first lien basis by Jones Energy and each of the Issuers’ existing and future restricted subsidiaries.

 

The offering is expected to close February 14, 2018, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company intends to use net proceeds from the offering to repay all but $25 million of the outstanding borrowings under JEH’s existing senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Existing Revolver”), to fund drilling and completion activities, and for other general corporate purposes, which may include limited repurchases of the Issuers’ existing 6.75% senior notes due 2022 and 9.25% senior notes due 2023 (the “Existing Notes”). In connection with the closing of the offering, JEH intends to amend and restate the Existing Revolver to, among other things, (i) reduce the borrowing base from the current $350 million to $50 million, (ii) suspend testing of our senior secured leverage ratio until March 31, 2019 and (iii) suspend certain covenants indefinitely, including the financial maintenance covenants.

 

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), any state securities laws or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration. Accordingly, the securities are being offered and sold only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.

 



 

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

 

About Jones Energy

 

Jones Energy, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties in the Anadarko basin of Texas and Oklahoma.  Additional information about Jones Energy may be found on the Company’s website at: www.jonesenergy.com.

 

Investor Contact

 

Page Portas, 512-493-4834

Investor Relations Associate

Or

Robert Brooks, 512-328-2953

Executive Vice President & CFO

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains 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 press 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.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intention to issue the First Lien Notes, to use offering proceeds to repay borrowings under the Existing Revolver, to fund drilling and completion activities, and for other general corporate purposes, which may include limited repurchases of the Existing Notes, to amend and restate the Existing Revolver, and to pay related fees and expenses of the notes offering. These statements are based on certain assumptions made by the Company and Issuers based on management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current economic and market conditions, anticipated future developments and other factors believed to be appropriate. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and Issuers, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Company and Issuers undertake no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.