0000314808 false 0000314808 2023-04-19 2023-04-19 0000314808 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2023-04-19 2023-04-19 0000314808 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2023-04-19 2023-04-19 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

 

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): April 19, 2023

 

 

Valaris Limited

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Bermuda   001-08097   98-1589854

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street
Hamilton
, Bermuda HM 11

 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 44 (0) 20 7659 4660

 

Not Applicable

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class  

Trading

symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Shares, $0.01 par value share   VAL   New York Stock Exchange
Warrants to purchase Common Shares   VAL WS   New York Stock Exchange

 

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

 

Emerging Growth Company ¨

 

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. ¨

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Indenture

 

On April 19, 2023, Valaris Limited (the “Company”) and Valaris Finance Company LLC (“Valaris Finance” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”) issued $700 million aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) in a private placement (the “Offering”) conducted pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes were issued at par for net proceeds of approximately $685 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and estimated offering expenses. The Company is using a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering to fund the redemption of all of its outstanding Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028 and intends to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases and acquisitions.

 

The Notes are governed by an Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2023 (the “Indenture”), entered into among the Issuers, certain subsidiaries of the Company named therein (the “Guarantors”) and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral trustee (the “Collateral Trustee”). The Notes will mature on April 30, 2030. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 30 and October 30 of each year, beginning on October 30, 2023. The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors and by each of the Company’s future restricted subsidiaries (other than Valaris Finance) that guarantees any debt of the Issuers or any guarantor under certain future debt in an aggregate principal amount in excess of a certain amount.

 

The Notes and the related guarantees are (or will be, subject to post-closing timeframes permitted for the perfection of certain liens on the collateral) secured on a second-priority basis, subject to permitted liens, by (a) second preferred ship mortgages over each vessel owned by the Issuers and the Guarantors as of April 19, 2023, with certain exceptions (the “Collateral Vessels”); (b) second priority assignments of certain insurances and requisition compensation in respect of the Collateral Vessels; (c) second priority pledges of all equity interests in (i) Rowan Rex Limited, (ii) the existing subsidiaries of the Company owning a Collateral Vessel (such subsidiaries, the “Collateral Rig Owners”) and (iii) each subsidiary that holds joint venture interests in the joint ventures that own Rigs DS-4 and V106; (d) second priority assignments of earnings of the Collateral Vessels from the Collateral Rig Owners; (e) all future assets of the Issuers and the Guarantors that are pledged to secure the Company’s obligations under the credit agreement governing the Company’s revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”); and (f) all proceeds thereof.

 

On or after April 30, 2026, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, at the redemption prices set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. The following prices are for Notes redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on April 30 of the years set forth below, and are expressed as percentages of principal amount:

 

Redemption Year  Price 
2026   104.188%
2027   102.094%
2028 and thereafter   100.000%

 

At any time prior to April 30, 2026, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture (including any additional Notes, if any) with an amount equal to or less than the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a redemption price equal to 108.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but not including, the redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to April 30, 2026, the Issuers may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes during any twelve-month period at a redemption price equal to 103.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date.

 

 

 

At any time prior to April 30, 2026, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date, plus a “make-whole” premium.

 

The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional debt and issue certain preferred stock; (ii) incur or create liens; (iii) make certain distributions, investments and other restricted payments; (iv) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets; (v) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and (vi) merge, consolidate, amalgamate or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. In addition, many of these covenants will be suspended with respect to the Notes during any time that the Notes have investment grade ratings from at least two rating agencies and no default with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing.

 

Upon the occurrence of certain Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Indenture), the Issuers may be required to make an offer to repurchase all of the Notes then outstanding at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the repurchase date.

 

The foregoing description of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

In addition, the commitments under the Credit Agreement became available to be borrowed upon the closing of the Offering, subject to customary borrowing conditions applicable to borrowings thereunder.

 

Collateral Trust Agreement

 

On April 19, 2023, the Company and the Guarantors that are also grantors of collateral (the “Grantors”) entered into a collateral trust agreement with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) under the Credit Agreement, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee (the “Collateral Trust Agreement”). The Collateral Trust Agreement, among other things, sets forth the terms on which the Collateral Trustee will receive, hold, administer, maintain, enforce and distribute the proceeds of all liens upon any property of the Issuers and the Guarantors at any time held by it, for the benefit of the current and future holders of First Lien Obligations and Junior Lien Obligations (each as defined in the Collateral Trust Agreement) as well as establishing the priority of the liens on the collateral as between the First Lien Obligations and Junior Lien Obligations.

 

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

 

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

 

The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On April 19, 2023, the Company issued a press release announcing the consummation of the Offering and the availability of the commitments under the Credit Agreement described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

 

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements, other than historical facts included in this Current Report on Form 8-K, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and similar words and specifically include statements regarding the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number
  Description
4.1   Indenture, dated April 19, 2023, by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee, relating to the Offering.
4.2   Form of 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (included in Exhibit 4.1).
10.1   Collateral Trust Agreement, dated April 19, 2023, by and among the Issuers, the Grantors, the Administrative Agent, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee.
99.1   Press Release issued by the Company on April 19, 2023, announcing the closing of the Offering and the availability of the commitments under the Credit Agreement.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).

 

 

 

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.

 

  Valaris Limited
 
Date: April 19, 2023 By: /s/ Davor Vukadin
  Name: Davor Vukadin
  Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution Version

 

VALARIS LIMITED
VALARIS FINANCE COMPANY LLC 

as Issuers

 

The Guarantors party hereto from time to time

 

and

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB,

 

as Trustee and Collateral Trustee

 

INDENTURE

 

Dated as of April 19, 2023

 

8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

  Article 1  
  Definitions and Incorporation By Reference  
Section 1.01. Definitions 1
Section 1.02. Other Definitions. 54
Section 1.03. Trust Indenture Act 54
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction 55
Section 1.05. Luxembourg Terms 55
     
  Article 2  
  The Notes  
     
Section 2.01. Amount of Notes 57
Section 2.02. Form and Dating 57
Section 2.03. Execution and Authentication 57
Section 2.04. Registrar and Paying Agent 59
Section 2.05. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust 60
Section 2.06. Noteholder Lists 60
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes 60
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes 61
Section 2.09. Temporary Notes 61
Section 2.10. Cancellation 61
Section 2.11. Defaulted Interest 62
Section 2.12. CUSIP, ISIN or Common Code Numbers 62
     
  Article 3  
  Redemption  
     
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee 62
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to be Redeemed 62
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption 63
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption 64
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price 64
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part 64
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption 64

 

i

 

  Article 4  
  Covenants  
     
Section 4.01. Covenant Suspension 65
Section 4.02. Payment of Notes 66
Section 4.03. Reports 66
Section 4.04. Limitation on Debt and Issuance of Preferred Stock 68
Section 4.05. Limitation on Restricted Payments 72
Section 4.06. Limitation on Liens 76
Section 4.07. Limitation on Asset Sales 77
Section 4.08. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries 82
Section 4.09. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates 85
Section 4.10. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries 87
Section 4.11. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions 88
Section 4.12. Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event 89
Section 4.13. Further Instruments and Acts 90
Section 4.14. Additional Note Guaranties 90
Section 4.15. Collateral 91
Section 4.16. Existence 92
Section 4.17. Payment of Taxes and other Claims 92
Section 4.18. Maintenance of Properties 92
Section 4.19. Annual Officer’s Certificate as to Compliance 93
Section 4.20. Limitation on Accounts Receivables Facilities 93
Section 4.21. Additional Amounts 93
Section 4.22. Insurance 95
Section 4.23. Flag and Registry 96
     
  Article 5  
  Successors  
     
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Property of the Issuers 96
Section 5.02. When Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets 98
     
  Article 6  
  Defaults and Remedies  
     
Section 6.01. Events of Default 98
Section 6.02. Acceleration 101
Section 6.03. Other Remedies 101
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults 101
Section 6.05. Control by Majority 101
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits 102
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment 102
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee 102
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim 102
Section 6.10. Priorities 103
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs 103
Section 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws 103
Section 6.13. Restoration of Rights and Remedies 103
Section 6.14. Rights and Remedies Cumulative 104
Section 6.15. Delay or Omission Not Waiver 104

 

ii

 

  Article 7  
  Trustee  
     
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee 104
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee 105
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee 107
Section 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer 107
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults 107
Section 7.06. [Reserved] 107
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity 108
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee 108
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger 109
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification 109
     
  Article 8  
  Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance  
     
Section 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance 110
Section 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance 111
Section 8.03. Application of Trust Money 112
Section 8.04. Repayment to Issuer 112
Section 8.05. Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations 112
Section 8.06. Reinstatement 113
     
  Article 9  
  Amendments  
     
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders 113
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders 115
Section 9.03. [Reserved] 115
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers 116
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes 116
Section 9.06. Trustee and Collateral Trustee to Sign Amendments 116
     
  Article 10  
  Note Guaranties  
     
Section 10.01. The Note Guaranties 117
Section 10.02. Guarantee Unconditional 117
Section 10.03. Discharge; Reinstatement 118
Section 10.04. Waiver by the Guarantors 118
Section 10.05. Subrogation and Contribution 118
Section 10.06. Stay of Acceleration 118
Section 10.07. Limitation on Amount of Note Guaranty 118
Section 10.08. Execution and Delivery of Note Guaranty 118
Section 10.09. Release of Note Guaranty 119
Section 10.10. Limitations for Luxembourg Guarantors 120
Section 10.11. Limitations for Gibraltar Guarantors 121
Section 10.12. Limitations for Swiss Guarantors 121

 

iii

 

  Article 11  
  Collateral and Security  
     
Section 11.01. Security Documents 124
Section 11.02. Collateral Trustee 124
Section 11.03. Release of Liens in Respect of Notes 125
Section 11.04. Further Assurances 125
Section 11.05. Protections of the Collateral Trustee 125
     
  Article 12  
  Miscellaneous  
     
Section 12.01. [Reserved] 126
Section 12.02. Notices 126
Section 12.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent 128
Section 12.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion 128
Section 12.05. When Notes Disregarded 129
Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agents, Authentication Agent and Registrar 129
Section 12.07. Business Days 129
Section 12.08. Judgment Currency 129
Section 12.09. Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agents for Service 130
Section 12.10. Governing Law/Waiver of Trial by Jury; Submission to Jurisdiction 130
Section 12.11. No Recourse Against Others 131
Section 12.12. Successors 131
Section 12.13. Multiple Originals 131
Section 12.14. Table of Contents; Headings 131
Section 12.15. Force Majeure 132
Section 12.16. U.S.A. Patriot Act 132
Section 12.17. FATCA 132

 

Appendix A - Provisions Relating to Notes

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A      Form of Note
Exhibit B      Form of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors

 

iv

 

INDENTURE, dated as of April 19, 2023, among VALARIS LIMITED, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “Company”), and VALARIS FINANCE COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FinanceCo” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors party hereto and WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and as collateral trustee (in such capacity, the “Collateral Trustee”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance on the date hereof of $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the “Original Notes”) issued therefor as provided herein (the Original Notes and any Additional Notes (as defined below) together referred to herein as the “Notes”). All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers, in accordance with its terms, have been done, and the Issuers have done all things necessary to make the Notes, when executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and duly issued by the Issuers, the valid obligations of the Issuers as hereinafter provided.

 

THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH

 

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

 

Article 1
Definitions and Incorporation By Reference

 

Section 1.01.      Definitions.

 

Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction” means (a) the Republic of the Marshall Islands, (b) the Republic of Liberia, (c) for as long as any First Lien Debt is outstanding, any flag jurisdiction otherwise approved by the First Lien Debt Representative for such Series of First Lien Debt or (d) any other flag jurisdiction so long as, in the case of this clause (d), the applicable Grantor executes and delivers a new Vessel Mortgage with respect to the relevant Collateral Vessel and delivers to the Collateral Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that such Vessel Mortgage has been duly executed and delivered by such Grantor, is binding on such Grantor and enforceable against such Grantor by the Collateral Trustee under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction, subject to customary enforceability exceptions, and that all necessary actions under the laws of such flag jurisdiction have been taken to perfect such lien.

 

 1 

 

 

Additional Assets” means:

 

(a)            any Property (other than cash, cash equivalents, securities or other current assets), including any improvements thereto through capital expenditures or otherwise, to be used, or that is useful, in a Permitted Business;

 

(b)            Capital Stock of (i) a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of that Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary from any Person other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company or (ii) any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that, in the case of this clause (b), the Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Permitted Business; or

 

(c)            all or substantially all of the assets of a Permitted Business.

 

Additional Notes” means any Notes issued under this Indenture in addition to the Original Notes, but excluding any Notes issued pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.09 or 3.06 or Appendix A in respect of the Original Notes.

 

Administrative Agent” means the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement, which shall initially be Citibank, N.A.

 

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

 

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

 

(a)            1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

 

(b)            the excess, if any, of (i) the present value on such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Notes on April 30, 2026 (such redemption price being that described in paragraph 5 of the Notes), plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through April 30, 2026 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to (but not including) such Redemption Date) computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.

 

Approved Bank” means (a) any lender under the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement, (b) any United States domestic commercial bank of recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or (c) any bank (or parent thereof) whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-2 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-2 or the equivalent thereof.

 

 2 

 

 

ARO” means Saudi Aramco Rowan Offshore Drilling Company, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

 

ARO JV Agreement” means the Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2016, by and between Mukamala Oil Field Services Limited (as successor to Saudi Aramco Development Company) and the ARO Equity Holder relating to ARO.

 

ARO JV Related Assets” means collectively, (i) the Capital Stock of ARO owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) the “Shareholder Instruments” (as defined in the ARO JV Agreement) and any other loans, notes or other obligations of ARO to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) all right, title and interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in and to the ARO JV Agreement, (iv) the rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under (x) any Drilling Contract or agreement to operate between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and ARO in respect of any Vessel and (y) any agreement pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries manages a Third Party Vessel for ARO.

 

Asset Sale” means:

 

(a)            the sale, lease (other than operating leases entered into in the ordinary course of business), conveyance or other disposition of any Property (including by way of a Sale-Leaseback Transaction or mergers, amalgamations, consolidations or otherwise); and

 

(b)            the issuance of Capital Stock in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the sale by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Capital Stock in any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

each of the foregoing referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this definition, a “Disposition”, provided that, in the case of (a) or (b), the sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including by way of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation) will be governed by Article 5 and not by Section 4.07.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:

 

(1)            any Disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(2)            any disposition that constitutes a Permitted Investment or Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.05;

 

(3)            any disposition effected in compliance with Section 5.01 or any Disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;

 

(4)            any Disposition that does not (together with all related Dispositions) involve assets having a Fair Market Value in excess of $5 million;

 

 3 

 

 

(5)            any disposition of Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(6)            any Disposition of the equipment (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any Collateral Vessel), inventory, products, services, accounts receivable or other properties or assets in the ordinary course of business, including Dispositions of obsolete, damaged or worn out property or equipment or property or equipment that is no longer useful in the conduct of the business and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(7)            any disposition pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction;

 

(8)            the creation or Incurrence of a Permitted Lien or any other Lien created or Incurred in compliance with Section 4.06 and dispositions in connection therewith;

 

(9)            dispositions of receivables or notes payable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

 

(10)            the issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock that is permitted by Section 4.04;

 

(11)            a surrender or waiver of contract rights (including under notes payable) or a settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

 

(12)            foreclosure on assets or property;

 

(13)            any grant of a non-exclusive license of trademarks, know-how, patents and any other intellectual property or intellectual property rights;

 

(14)            any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock in, or Debt or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(15)            the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license or sub-license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

 

(16)            the lapse or abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business;

 

(17)            the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties as required by applicable law;

 

(18)            sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(19)            any exchange of like-kind property (excluding any securities) pursuant to Section 1031 of the Code that are used or useful in a Permitted Business;

 

(20)            condemnations, requisitions, takings or any similar action on assets;

 

 4 

 

 

(21)            dispositions of accounts receivable and related assets to a Securitization Subsidiary or to banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds or other institutional lenders in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing;

 

(22)            the receipt of payment in the form of Capital Stock in respect of any note payable constituting a Permitted Investment;

 

(23)            dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in the joint venture agreements or any similar binding arrangements or pursuant to the terms of any joint venture or similar binding arrangements in effect on the Issue Date; and

 

(24)            the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary entering into, in the ordinary course of business, (x) the use or hire of a Vessel and any related assets, including pursuant to a Drilling Contract, and (y) one or more Drilling Contracts with respect to any Vessels.

 

Assignments of Earnings” means, collectively, each second priority assignment of earnings to be executed in relation to each Collateral Vessel by the relevant Rig Owner in favor of the Collateral Trustee in relation to the Earnings.

 

Assignments of Insurances” means, collectively, each second priority assignment of earnings to be executed in relation to each Collateral Vessel by the relevant Rig Owner and/or any other applicable Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the Collateral Trustee in relation to the Insurances and Requisition Compensation.

 

Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at any date of determination,

 

(a)            if the Sale and Leaseback Transaction creates a Capital Lease Obligation or Synthetic Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented thereby according to the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation” or “Synthetic Lease Obligation,” as applicable, and

 

(b)            in all other instances, the present value (discounted at the interest rate borne by the Notes, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in the Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which the lease has been extended).

 

Authentication Agent” means an institution appointed by the Issuers to authenticate the Notes.

 

Average Life” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing:

 

(a)            the sum of the product of the numbers of years (rounded to the nearest one-twelfth of one year) from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of that Debt or redemption or similar payment with respect to that Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of the payment, by

 

 5 

 

 

(b)            the sum of all payments of this kind.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

 

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

 

Beneficial Owner” means a beneficial owner as defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that:

 

(a)            a Person will be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of all shares that the Person has the right to acquire, whether that right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, and

 

(b)            for purposes of clause (a) of the definition of “Change of Control,” any “person” or “group” (as those terms are defined in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions to either of the foregoing), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owners of any Voting Stock of a corporation or other legal entity held by any other corporation or legal entity (the “parent corporation”), so long as that person or group Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of that parent corporation.

 

The term “Beneficially Own” shall have a corresponding meaning.

 

Board of Directors” means (1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or a duly authorized committee of the board of directors; (2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors (or other governing body) of the general partner of the partnership or a duly authorized committee thereof; (3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee or board of managers of such company or the Board of Directors of the sole member or the managing member thereof; and (4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, Houston, Texas or the city in which the corporate trust office of the Trustee is located (or in connection with a payment, the place of payment) are authorized or required by law to close.

 

 6 

 

 

Capital Lease Obligation” means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Indenture, the amount of such obligations shall be the amount thereof required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (other than the notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty, in each case. For purposes of Section 4.06, a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on the Property being leased. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision contained herein or any other Note Document, any lease (or similar arrangement) that would have been characterized, classified or reclassified as an operating lease in accordance with GAAP prior to the date of the Company’s adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 842 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification having a similar result or effect) (and related interpretations) (whether or not such lease was in effect on such date) shall not constitute a Capital Lease Obligation, and any such lease shall be, for all purposes of this Indenture and the other Note Documents, treated as though it were reflected on the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the same manner as an operating lease would have been reflected prior to the Company’s adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 842.

 

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any shares or other equivalents (however designated) of any class of corporate stock or partnership interests or any other participation, rights, warrants, options or other interests in the nature of an equity interest in that Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt security convertible or exchangeable into that equity interest.

 

Capital Stock Sale Proceeds” means the aggregate proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of property other than cash) received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company, an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or the Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees) by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) after the Issue Date, net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’, initial purchasers’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with the issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

 

 7 

 

 

Cash Equivalents” means any of the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary: (a) Temporary Cash Investments, securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) or any other country whose sovereign debt has a rating of at least A3 from Moody’s or A- from S&P or any agency or instrumentality thereof, having maturities of not more than 24 months from the date of acquisition, (b) demand deposits, time deposits, certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of any Approved Bank, in each case with maturities of not more than 364 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s, and maturing within 24 months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company (including any Approved Bank) or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of the repurchase obligations, (e) Investments (classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets) in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that are administered by financial institutions having capital of at least $500.0 million and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subclauses hereof, (f) other short-term investments utilized by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing, (g) U.S. Dollars or foreign currencies held from time to time in the ordinary course of business, and (h) interests in any investment company or money market fund which invests 95% or more of its assets in instruments specified in clauses (a) through (g) above.

 

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, zero balance 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; and (b) treasury management line of credit, commercial card, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including, without limitation, stored value cards and non-card e-payables services.

 

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

 

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

 

(a)            any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provisions to either of the foregoing), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act, becomes the ultimate Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; or

 

(b)            the sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation, plan or scheme of arrangement, exchange offer, business combination or similar transaction of the Company), directly or indirectly, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all the Property of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, considered as a whole (other than a disposition of assets to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall have occurred; or

 

 8 

 

 

(c)            the shareholders of the Company shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control under clause (a) above if (i) the Company becomes a direct or indirect Wholly Owned Subsidiary of an ultimate parent holding company and (ii)(a) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such ultimate parent holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (b) immediately following that transaction, no “person” or “group” (each as defined in clause (a) above) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the ultimate parent holding company.

 

Change of Control Triggering Event” means, with respect to the Notes, the occurrence of (x) a Change of Control that is accompanied or followed by a downgrade of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control within the applicable Ratings Decline Period by each of Moody’s and S&P (or, in the event Moody’s or S&P or both shall cease rating the Notes (for reasons outside the control of the Company) and the Company shall select any other Rating Agency, the equivalent of such ratings by such other Rating Agency) and (y) the rating of the Notes on any day during such Ratings Decline Period is below the lower of the rating by such Rating Agency in effect (i) immediately preceding the first public announcement of the Change of Control (or occurrence thereof if such Change of Control occurs prior to public announcement) and (ii) the Issue Date.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Collateral” means (a) each Collateral Vessel; (b) the Insurances and Requisition Compensation in respect of each Collateral Vessel; (c) second priority pledges of all equity interests in (i) Rowan Rex Limited, (ii) the Issue Date Rig Owners and (iii) each subsidiary that holds joint venture interests in the joint ventures that own Vessels DS-4 and V106; (d) the Earnings in respect of each Collateral Vessel; (e) all future assets of the Company and the Guarantors that are pledged to secure the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations; and (f) all proceeds thereof, but excluding any Excluded Assets.

 

Collateral Trust Agreement” means the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Issuers, the other Grantors party from time to time thereto, the Trustee, the Collateral Trustee, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto from time to time, as such agreement may be amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Collateral Trust Joinder” means a joinder to the Collateral Trust Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Collateral Vessel” means each Vessel that is subject to a Vessel Mortgage pursuant to the terms of the Second Lien Documents, other than any Excluded Vessel and any Vessel that ceases to be a Collateral Vessel as a result of the release of any Lien in accordance with the terms of the Note Documents.

 

 9 

 

 

Collateral Vessel Requirements” means, with respect to a Collateral Vessel and subject to the Collateral Trust Agreement and only to the extent delivered to (or, in respect of (a), below, the Rig Owner becomes a guarantor of any First Lien Obligations) any First Lien Debt Representative in connection with the First Lien Obligations:

 

(a)            to the extent such Rig Owner is not already a Guarantor, the Rig Owner shall have become a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.14 and Section 4.15 of this Indenture;

 

(b)            the Rig Owner shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Collateral Trustee, and caused to be recorded in an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction, a Vessel Mortgage with respect to such Collateral Vessel;

 

(c)            the Equity Owner(s) shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered share, quota or other equity pledge or charge agreements (or equivalent share security agreements) (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, each a “Share Pledge Agreement”), pursuant to which the Capital Stock owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of each Rig Owner of each Collateral Vessel shall have been pledged, mortgaged, charged or collaterally assigned (as applicable) to the Collateral Trustee (and, as applicable, the other Notes Secured Parties) to secure the Notes Obligations and shall have to the extent such Capital Stock constitutes possessory collateral, delivered to the Collateral Trustee all the pledged Capital Stock referred to therein (if applicable, by delivery of the original share or quota certificates), together with executed and undated transfer powers or forms (if applicable) and all other customary ancillary documentation (such as (but not limited to) registers of shareholders (which, if applicable, have been appropriately annotated to reflect the grant of security over the relevant shares) or quotaholders and of the ultimate beneficial owner(s), letters of undertaking, irrevocable proxies and powers of attorney, in each case as applicable), in each case, to the extent necessary under applicable laws to perfect the security interest granted pursuant to the applicable Share Pledge Agreement;

 

(d) the Rig Owner shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered an Assignment of Earnings substantially in the form of the Assignments of Earnings initially delivered in connection with the Issue Date with such changes as determined by the Company in good faith to be necessary or advisable with respect to the Earnings, thereby granting a security interest in favor of the Collateral Trustee to secure the Notes Obligations in all of such Rig Owner’s present and future Earnings;

 

(e)            the Rig Owner and/or any other Grantor, if applicable, shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered an Assignment of Insurances with respect to all policies and contracts of insurance and all entries of such Collateral Vessel, including (i) all claims, return of premium, rebated or other amounts and other moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due to the Rig Owner under such insurances, (ii) any compensation paid or payable by a governmental authority for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition to the Rig Owner and/or such other Grantor, (iii) all other rights of the Rig Owner and/or such other Grantor under or in respect of such insurances and (iv) any proceeds of any of the foregoing;

 

 10 

 

 

(f)            all filings (including appropriate financing statements (Form UCC-1) for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code of each relevant jurisdiction or similar filings in foreign jurisdictions), registrations, recordations, notifications, deliveries of instruments and other actions necessary to perfect and preserve the security interests described above shall have been duly effected within any applicable statutory time periods;

 

(g)            the Collateral Trustee shall have received certificates of ownership or encumbrance (or similar certificates as well as results of maritime registry searches with respect to each Collateral Vessel) from appropriate authorities evidencing (or confirmation updating previously reviewed certificates and indicating) that such Collateral Vessel is registered in the name of the Rig Owner in the register of an applicable Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction and that such Collateral Vessel is free from Liens other than Permitted Liens; and

 

(h)            the Collateral Trustee shall have received, to the extent applicable and to the extent delivered to any First Lien Debt Representative, opinions in similar scope and substance as delivered by the Grantors in connection with the Issue Date Rigs.

 

Commodity Price Protection Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect that Person against fluctuations in commodity prices.

 

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.

 

Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus

 

(a)            without duplication and, other than with respect to clauses (viii) and (ix), to the extent deducted and not added back in determining such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of:

 

(i)Consolidated Interest Expense for such period,

 

(ii)provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including federal, state, franchise, excise, property and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes paid or accrued, including giving effect to any penalties and interest with respect thereto, and state taxes in lieu of business fees (including business license fees) and payroll tax credits, income tax credits and similar tax credits,

 

 11 

 

 

(iii)all amounts attributable to depreciation and amortization (including, without limitation, amortization of intangibles and deferred financing fees and amortization or expense recorded for upfront payments related to any contract signing and signing bonus and incentive payments) and other non-cash items (including without limitation write-downs and impairment of property, plant, equipment and intangibles and other long-lived assets and the impact of purchase accounting on such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period),

 

(iv)any other non-cash losses, expenses and charges (other than the write-down or write-off of current assets, any additions to bad debt reserve or bad debt expense or any accruals for estimated sales discounts, returns or allowances) for such period,

 

(v)any losses for such period attributable to early extinguishment of Debt or obligations under any Swap Agreement,

 

(vi)any net after-tax extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring losses, costs, charges or expenses,

 

(vii)restructuring, business optimization costs, charges or reserves (including any unusual or non-recurring operating expenses directly attributable to the implementation of cost savings initiatives), recruiting fees, fees of restructuring or business optimization consultants, integration and non-recurring severance, relocation costs, one-time compensation charges, consolidation, transition, integration or other similar charges and expenses, contract termination costs, excess pension charges, system establishment charges, start-up or closure or transition costs, expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternative uses, fees, expenses or charges relating to curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans and litigation settlements or losses outside the ordinary course of business),

 

 12 

 

 

(viii)(x) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings (including, without limitation, cost savings with respect to salary, benefit and other direct savings resulting from workforce reductions and facility, benefit and insurance savings), operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, initiatives and synergies (including the modification and renegotiation of contracts and other arrangements), that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and projected by the Company in good faith and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, to be reasonably anticipated to be realizable as a result of actions that have been taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken within 24 months after any such Investment, acquisition (including the Transactions), disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, reorganization or restructuring, transaction, cost savings initiative, other initiative or event, and in each case, added to Consolidated EBITDA as so projected until fully realized and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, initiatives and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized prior to or during such period from such actions and (y) the amount of costs and expenses in respect of reactivation of Vessels, provided that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (viii) may not exceed, when aggregated with the amount of any increase for such period to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of “pro forma basis,” 25% for any four fiscal quarter period of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (prior to giving effect to any increase pursuant to such clause (ii) or this clause (a)(viii)),

 

(ix)any expenses, charges or other costs related to any equity offering, debt offering, acquisition (including amounts paid in connection with the acquisition or retention of one or more individuals comprising part of a management team retained to manage the acquired business; provided that such payments are made at the time of such acquisition and are consistent with the customary practice in the industry at the time of such acquisition), joint venture, disposition, recapitalization, other Debt permitted to be incurred by this Indenture, or the refinancing of any other Debt of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case whether or not consummated,

 

(x)the minority interest expense consisting of subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary in such period or any prior period, except to the extent of dividends declared or paid on Capital Stock held by third parties, plus

 

(xi)all payments, charges, costs, expenses, accruals or reserves in connection with the rollover, acceleration or payout of equity interests held by any future, present or former director, officer, employee, manager, consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and all losses, charges and expenses related to payments made to holders of options, cash-settled appreciation rights or other derivative equity interests in the common equity of such Person or any direct or indirect parent of such Person in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to equityholders of such Person or any of its direct or indirect parents, which payments are being made to compensate such holders as though they were equityholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution; and minus

 

 13 

 

 

(b)           without duplication

 

(i)to the extent not deducted in determining such Consolidated Net Income, all cash payments made during such period on account of non-cash charges that were or would have been added to Consolidated Net Income, and

 

(ii)to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, (A) any extraordinary gains and all non-cash items of income (other than normal accruals in the ordinary course of business and items related to percentage of completion accounting) for such period and (B) any gains for such period attributable to early extinguishment of Debt or obligations under any Swap Agreement or Hedging Obligation, all determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;

 

provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated so as to exclude the effect of any gain or loss that represents after-tax gains or losses attributable to any sale, transfer or other disposition of assets by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business, provided further that for the purposes of clause (b) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04, Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma basis with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio.”

 

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period for any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum, without duplication, of,

 

(a)           Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, plus

 

(b)           Disqualified Stock Dividends paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period, excluding dividends paid in Qualified Capital Stock, plus

 

(c)           Preferred Stock Dividends paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued during such period, excluding dividends paid in Qualified Capital Stock.

 

Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of:

 

(a)           the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to such determination date for which internal financial statements are available to

 

(b)           Consolidated Fixed Charges for those four fiscal quarters;

 

provided, however, that:

 

(1)           if:

 

(a)since the beginning of that period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Debt that remains outstanding or Repaid any Debt or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, or

 

 14 

 

 

(b)the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio involves an Incurrence or Repayment of Debt, or the issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, Consolidated Fixed Charges for that period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis as if the Debt was Incurred or Repaid, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, repurchased or redeemed, on the first day of that period, provided that, in the event of any Repayment of Debt, Consolidated EBITDA for that period shall be calculated as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not earned any interest income actually earned during such period in respect of the funds used to Repay such Debt, and

 

(2)           if:

 

(a)since the beginning of that period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Sale or an Investment (by merger or otherwise) in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of Property which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business,

 

(b)the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio involves an Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition,

 

(c)since the beginning of that period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of that period) shall have made such an Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition, or

 

(d)since the beginning of that period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have acquired a Qualified Vessel, shall have entered into an agreement to acquire a Qualified Vessel (including a committed construction contract with respect to a Qualified Vessel), shall have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of a Vessel, or shall have entered into an agreement to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of a Vessel (in the case of an agreement to acquire or sell, to the extent that the Vessel is scheduled for delivery no later than the date that is one year from the time of calculation),

 

then Consolidated EBITDA for that period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition as if the Asset Sale, Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of that period, provided, further, that any pro forma calculations giving effect, pursuant to clause (d) above, to the acquisition of a Qualified Vessel or sale, transfer or other disposition of a Vessel (including a committed construction contract with respect to a Qualified Vessel) shall be made as follows:

 

(a)           the amount of Consolidated EBITDA attributable to such Qualified Vessel or Vessel shall be calculated in good faith by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer or Treasurer;

 

 15 

 

 

(b)           in the case of a Qualified Services Contract, the Consolidated EBITDA shall be based on revenues actually earned pursuant to the Qualified Services Contract relating to such Qualified Vessels or Vessels, and shall take into account, where applicable, only actual expenses incurred without duplication in any measurement period;

 

(c)           with respect to any Qualified Vessels, the amount of Consolidated EBITDA shall be the lesser of the Consolidated EBITDA derived on a pro forma basis from revenues for (i) the first full year of the Qualified Services Contract and (ii) the average of the Consolidated EBITDA of each year of such Qualified Services Contract for the term of the Qualified Services Contract; and

 

(d)           with respect to any expenses attributable to a Qualified Vessel or Vessel, if the actual expenses differ from the estimate, the actual amount shall be used in such calculation.

 

If any Debt bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on that Debt shall be calculated as if the base interest rate in effect for the floating rate of interest on the date of determination had been the applicable base interest rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to that Debt if the applicable Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). In the event the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold during the period, the Company shall be deemed, for purposes of clause (1) above, to have Repaid during that period the Debt of that Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for that Debt after the sale.

 

Consolidated Funded Debt” means, without duplication, all Debt of the type described in clauses (a) (but excluding surety bonds, performance bonds or other similar instruments), (b), (f) (in respect of Debt of the type described in clauses (a), (b) (but excluding Debt constituting surety bonds, performance bonds or other similar instruments) and (i) of the definition of “Debt”) and (i) of the definition of “Debt,” of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period for any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the sum of (a) all interest expense on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income, but including, in any event, the interest component under Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and any premiums, fees, discounts, expenses and losses on the sale of accounts receivable (and any amortization thereof) payable by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing, but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Debt, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments, all amortization and write-offs of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, Hedging Obligations in connection with the early termination thereof, commissions, discounts, fees and expenses and expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees, costs of surety bonds, charges owed with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities, all discounts, commissions, fees and other charges associated with any receivables financing and any expense resulting from the discounting of Debt in connection with the application of recapitalization or purchase accounting minus (b) interest income of the referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

 

 16 

 

 

Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Consolidated Funded Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries minus the amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (on a pro forma basis, including reflecting any Incurrence of Debt and Repayment of Debt made on such date) to (b) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the Company for the four full fiscal quarters, treated as one period, ending prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for which financial statements are required to be filed pursuant to Section 4.03. In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, this ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of the “Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma calculations.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income or loss of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded

 

(a)            the income of any Person (other than the Company) that is not a Restricted Subsidiary except to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions or other returns on investment actually paid by such Person to the Company or, subject to clauses (b) and (c) below, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in cash (or converted into cash by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary),

 

(b)            the income of, and any amounts referred to in clause (a) above paid to, any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) to the extent that, on the date of determination, the declaration or payment of cash dividends or similar cash distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is restricted by operation of the terms of its organizational documents or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary,

 

(c)            the income or loss of, and any amounts referred to in clause (a) above paid to, any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) that is not wholly owned by the Company to the extent such income or loss or such amounts are attributable to the noncontrolling interest in such Restricted Subsidiary,

 

(d)            any (i) non-cash compensation charge or expense arising from any issue or grant of shares or stock, stock options or other equity based awards and any non-cash deemed finance charges in respect of any pension liabilities or other provisions and (ii) income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts,

 

 17 

 

 

(e)            any gain or loss (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) realized upon sales or other dispositions of assets of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than in the ordinary course of business,

 

(f)            non-cash gains and losses due solely to fluctuations in currency values,

 

(g)            any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of Debt or Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments,

 

(h)            the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles,

 

(i)            the effects from applying purchase accounting, including applying purchase accounting to inventory, property and equipment, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements, as a result of any other past or future acquisitions or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof,

 

(j)            goodwill write-downs or other non-cash impairments of assets,

 

(k)            gains or losses attributable to discontinued operations, and

 

(l)            any restructuring charges and any fees, expenses and charges related to any proposed or consummated equity offering, investment, acquisition, disposition, Incurrence of Debt or recapitalization.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) for purposes of Section 4.05 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayment of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under that covenant pursuant to clause (c)(4) thereof, and (ii) any net income (loss) of any Person (other than the Company) that is not a Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded in calculating Consolidated Net Income, except that the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for any period shall be included without duplication, in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash distributed (or distributions converted into cash by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) by the Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or distribution or other return on investment.

 

Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Consolidated Funded Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (on a pro forma basis reflecting any Incurrence of Debt and Repayment of Debt made on such date), secured by a Lien as of such date minus the amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (on a pro forma basis reflecting any Incurrence of Debt and Repayment of Debt made on such date) to (b) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the Company for the four full fiscal quarters, treated as one period, ending prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio for which financial statements are required to be filed pursuant to Section 4.03. In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, this ratio shall be calculated in a manner consistent with the definition of the “Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio,” including any pro forma calculations.

 

 18 

 

 

Credit Agreement” means the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2023, by and among Valaris Limited, the lenders and issuing banks from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as collateral trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether at maturity or thereafter) or refinanced from time to time in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new agents, lenders or institutional investors), including any agreement adding or changing the borrower or extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Debt thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof.

 

Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (1) the facilities provided in the Credit Agreement and (2) one or more debt or commercial paper facilities, debt issuances, debt instruments or arrangements (including related Guarantees) with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds or other institutional lenders or investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes, debentures, indentures, debt securities, or receivables or inventory financing (including through the sale of receivables or inventory to institutional lenders or to special purpose, bankruptcy remote entities formed to borrow from institutional lenders against those receivables or inventory); in each case together with any Refinancing thereof.

 

Currency Exchange Protection Agreement” means, in respect of a Person, any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, currency option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect that Person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

 

Debt” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication), in each case, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Debt (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the notes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)           the principal of:

 

(i)debt of the Person for money borrowed, and

 

(ii)debt evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which the Person is responsible or liable;

 

 19 

 

 

(b)            all Capital Lease Obligations and Synthetic Lease Obligations of the Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions entered into by the Person;

 

(c)            all obligations of the Person representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any Property due more than six months after such Property is acquired, all conditional sale obligations of the Person and all obligations of the Person under any title retention agreement;

 

(d)            all obligations of the Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (a) through (c) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Person to the extent those letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, the drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following receipt by the Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

 

(e)            [reserved];

 

(f)            to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, any Guarantee of the Debt of other Persons of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (e);

 

(g)            to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, all Debt of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (f) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any Property of such Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such Person), the amount of such Debt being deemed to be the lesser of the value of that Property or the amount of the Debt so secured;

 

(h)            to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person (the amount of any such Hedging Obligations to be equal at any time to the termination value of such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such Hedging Obligations that would be payable by such Person at such time); and

 

(i)            the amount of any obligations under a Permitted Receivables Financing to which such Person is a party.

 

The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at that date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Debt” shall not include any customary earn-out obligations or other contingent acquisition consideration until the same becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP, trade payables and accrued expenses (or intercompany reimbursement obligations in respect thereof) arising in the ordinary course of business, deferred taxes, obligations assumed or liabilities incurred under any Drilling Contract, Internal Charter, stacking agreements or other forms of service agreement in the ordinary course of business (e.g., bid bonds and performance guaranties), prepayments for property or services under any Drilling Contract, Internal Charter, stacking agreements or other forms of service agreement in the ordinary course of business or any indebtedness with respect to which cash or cash equivalents in an amount sufficient to repay in full the principal and accrued interest on such indebtedness has been escrowed with the trustee or other depository for the benefit of the holders in respect of such indebtedness but only to the extent the foregoing constitutes a complete defeasance of such indebtedness pursuant to the applicable agreement governing such indebtedness.

 

 20 

 

 

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

 

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries 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, less the amount of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

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 Debt;

 

(2)            with respect to each Series of First Lien Debt, either (x) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all First Lien Debt of such Series (other than any undrawn letters of credit and any indemnification and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made at such time) or (y) there has been a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to the terms of the applicable First Lien Documents for such Series of First Lien Debt;

 

(3)            with respect to any undrawn letters of credit constituting First Lien Debt, either (x) discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (A) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (B) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of liens under the terms of the applicable First Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting First Lien Debt or (y) the issuer of each such letter of credit has notified the Collateral Trustee in writing that alternative arrangements satisfactory to such issuer have been made; and

 

(4)            payment in full in cash of all other First Lien Obligations that are outstanding and unpaid at the time the First Lien Debt is paid in full in cash.

 

Disposition” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Asset Sale.”

 

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, 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 either case at the option of the holder thereof) or upon the happening of any event (other than at the option of such Person):

 

(a)            matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise,

 

 21 

 

 

(b)            is or may become redeemable or repurchaseable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or

 

(c)            is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof for Debt or Disqualified Stock,

 

on or prior to, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c), the date that is 91 days after the original Stated Maturity of the Notes. 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 4.05. 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.

 

Disqualified Stock Dividends” means all dividends with respect to Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of any dividend of this kind shall be equal to the quotient of the dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory consolidated federal, state and local income tax rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of the Disqualified Stock.

 

Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means, a Restricted Subsidiary that is any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

Drilling Contract” means any drilling contract in respect of any Vessel or other contract for the use or hire of any Vessel, including charters, bareboat charters, sub-charters, pool agreements, leases and other contracts of employment (except for an Internal Charter).

 

DS-13” means the vessel, expected to be named “ATWOOD ARCHER,” which as of the date hereof is under construction pursuant to that certain Contract for the Construction and Sale of Drillship dated September 2012 between Alpha Admiral Company and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.

 

DS-14” means the vessel, expected to be name “ATWOOD ADMIRAL,” which as of the date hereof is under construction pursuant to that certain Contract for the Construction and Sale of Drillship dated June 24, 2013 between Alpha Admiral Company and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.

 

 22 

 

 

Earnings” means, in respect of any Collateral Vessel, (i) all freight, hire, income and passage moneys directly payable to the applicable Rig Owner as a consequence of the ownership or charter of such Collateral Vessel, including without limitation all payments directly payable to the applicable Rig Owner under any intercompany charter with respect to such Collateral Vessel, including any termination payments or settlement payments in respect thereof, (ii) any claim under any guarantee in respect of such intercompany charter or otherwise related to freight, hire, income or passage moneys, in each case directly payable directly or indirectly to the applicable Rig Owner as a consequence of the ownership or charter of such Collateral Vessel and (iii) any other money whatsoever due or to become due directly to the applicable Rig Owner in relation to such Collateral Vessel.

 

“Eligible LCE” means a Local Content Entity (a) with respect to which the provision of a Guarantee of the Note Obligations by such Local Content Entity (subject to inclusion of any local law-required limitations and such other changes as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree) would not be prohibited by its organizational or constitutional documents, by applicable laws or by any applicable limitation, rule and/or principle, (b) that is controlled by the Company (which, for this purpose means that the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company has the unilateral ability to cause such Local Content Entity to enter into any Guarantee of the Note Obligations), and (c) that is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Equity Offering” means (i) an underwritten public equity offering of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company but only to the extent contributed to the Company in the form of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or (ii) a private equity offering of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company but only to the extent contributed to the Company in the form of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company, other than any public offerings registered on Form S-8.

 

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

 

Excluded Assets” means, collectively:

 

(1)            the Excluded Vessels;

 

(2)            the ARO JV Related Assets if and to the extent any restrictions on assignments and/or the creation of Liens with respect thereto remain outstanding;

 

(3)            any assets (other than any Collateral Vessel and asset and proceeds related thereto), to the extent the grant of a Liens on such assets is prohibited or restricted by applicable law, rule or regulation (including as a result of the requirement to obtain the consent, approval, license or authorization of any governmental authority unless such consent has been obtained (and it being understood and agreed that no Grantor shall have any obligation to procure any such consent, approval, license or authorization));

 

 23 

 

 

(4)            (i) margin stock and (ii) minority interests or Capital Stock in joint ventures and non-wholly owned Subsidiaries (other than Capital Stock in any Guarantor or Rig Owner), in any such case of this clause (ii), to the extent the grant of a Lien on such interest would require a consent, approval, license or authorization from any governmental authority or any other Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary);

 

(5)            (i) except with respect to any Collateral Vessel and asset and proceeds related thereto, any Grantor’s right, title or interest in any lease, license, contract, or agreement to which such Grantor is a party or any of its right, title or interest thereunder, (ii) any property subject to a Lien securing Debt permitted by clause (l) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04 (or any Permitted Refinancing Debt with respect thereto) or (iii) any other permitted purchase money Lien, Capitalized Lease Obligation or similar arrangement, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein to secure the Secured Obligations would violate or invalidate such lease, license, contract, or agreement or purchase money or similar arrangement (including as a result of any requirement to obtain the consent, approval, license or authorization of any third party unless such consent has been obtained (and it being understood and agreed that no Grantor shall have any obligation to procure any such consent, approval, license or authorization)) or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the Uniform Commercial Code notwithstanding such prohibition;

 

(6)            any assets (other than any Collateral Vessel and assets and proceeds related thereto) to the extent the grant of a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Company;

 

(7)            any assets (other than any Vessel and assets and proceeds related thereto) as to which the Collateral Trustee and the Company shall reasonably agree in writing that the cost of obtaining a security interest therein is excessive in relation to the practical benefit to the Secured Parties afforded thereby;

 

(8)            any after-acquired property (including property acquired through acquisition or merger or amalgamation of another entity, but excluding any Collateral Vessel and assets and proceeds related thereto) if at the time such acquisition is consummated the granting of a security interest therein or the pledge thereof is prohibited by any enforceable contract or other agreement (in each case, binding on the assets at the time of such consummation and not created or entered into in contemplation thereof), solely to the extent and for so long as such contract or other agreement (or a permitted refinancing or replacement thereof) prohibits such security interest or pledge; and

 

(9)            the Capital Stock of (i) Unrestricted Subsidiaries, (ii) Excluded Subsidiaries (other than, in the case of this clause (ii), any Subsidiary that guarantees the Notes) and (iii) other than with respect to any Rig Owner, any Eligible LCE to the extent the organizational or constitutional documents of such Eligible LCE prohibit a pledge of Capital Stock of such Eligible LCE;

 

 24 

 

 

provided, in each case, that such assets are not pledged to secure any First Lien Obligations.

 

Excluded Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is excluded from the requirement to provide a Guarantee of the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

Excluded Vessels” means (a) the DS-13 and the DS-14; and (b) the V145, V54, V109, V104, V111, V75, V102, DPS-3, DPS-6 and ENSCO DS-10, provided, in each case, that such Vessels are not pledged to secure any First Lien Obligations.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability, as determined by an Officer of the Company in good faith.

 

FinanceCo” means the Person named as “FinanceCo” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “FinanceCo” shall mean such successor Person.

 

First Lien Debt” means (1) the Obligations under the Credit Agreement and Cash Management Obligations and obligations under Swap Agreements entered into in connection with, or secured by the collateral securing, such Obligations and (2) any other Funded Debt (including borrowings under any other First Lien Documents) that is secured by a first-priority Lien on the Collateral and that was permitted to be Incurred and permitted to be so secured under the applicable First Lien Documents and Second Lien Documents, including this Indenture; provided, that, in the case of this clause (2), (a) on or before such Funded Debt is Incurred such Funded Debt is designated by the Company as “First Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents in an Additional Secured Debt Designation (as defined in the Collateral Trust Agreement), (b) unless such Funded Debt is Incurred under an existing Secured Debt Document for any Series of First Lien Debt whose Secured Debt Representative is already party to the Collateral Trust Agreement, the First Lien Debt Representative for such Funded Debt executes and delivers a Collateral Trust Joinder in respect of and in accordance with the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

First Lien Debt Representative” means, (a) in the case of the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent and (b) in the case of any other Series of First Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of First Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of First Lien Debt or is appointed as a representative of such First Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the Security Documents) pursuant to this Indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of First Lien Debt and who has executed a Collateral Trust Joinder, in each case, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.

 

 25 

 

 

First Lien Documents” means any indenture, notes, credit agreement, including the Credit Agreement, or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any First Lien Debt is Incurred and the First Lien Security Documents.

 

First Lien Obligations” means, collectively, the First Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect of First Lien Debt, including any post-petition interest whether or not allowable, and all guarantees of any of the foregoing. In addition to the foregoing, all obligations owing to the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as such, whether pursuant to the Collateral Trust Agreement or one or more of the Secured Debt Documents, shall in each case be deemed to constitute First Lien Obligations (with the obligations described in this sentence being herein the “Collateral Trustee Obligations”), which Collateral Trustee Obligations shall be entitled to the priority provided in clause FIRST under Section 3.04(a) of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

First Lien Secured Parties” means the holders of First Lien Obligations, including the Senior Secured Credit Facility Secured Parties, each First Lien Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee.

 

First Lien Security Documents” means all security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, consent or direct arrangements, or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Company or any Guarantor creating or perfecting (or purporting to create or perfect) or governing rights of enforcement with respect to, a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of any of the First Lien Secured Parties (or, in certain jurisdictions, in favor of the Collateral Trustee acting for itself and as direct representative of the First Lien Secured Parties), 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 as described in Section 7.01 of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

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

 

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

 

(a)            in respect of borrowed money or advances (including drawn letters of credit not yet reimbursed); or

 

(b)            evidenced by loan agreements, bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), whether or not then available or drawn; or

 

(c)            in respect of Cash Management Obligations secured by the same collateral securing the obligations in (a) or (b) above; or

 

 26 

 

 

(d)            in respect of obligations under Swap Agreements secured by the same collateral securing the obligations in (a) or (b) above.

 

Future Rig Owners” means any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company owning a Collateral Vessel.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, as in effect from time to time; provided that leases (regardless of when entered into) will be accounted for using the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect for fiscal years ending on or before December 15, 2018 and any changes in the accounting for leases for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 will be disregarded. For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “consolidated,” with respect to any Person, shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment. If at any time the SEC permits or requires U.S. domiciled companies subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act to use IFRS in lieu of GAAP for financial reporting purposes, the Company may elect by written notice to the Trustee to so use IFRS in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such notice, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean (a) for periods beginning on and after the date specified in such notice, IFRS as in effect on the date specified in such notice and as in effect from time to time (for all other purposes of this Indenture) and (b) for prior periods, GAAP as defined in the first sentence of this definition.

 

Grantor” means the Company and any Guarantor.

 

Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of that Person:

 

(a)            to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) the Debt of such other Person (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), or

 

(b)            entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee against loss in respect of such Debt (in whole or in part);

 

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

 27 

 

 

Guarantor” means (a) the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, other than FinanceCo, executing this Indenture as initial Guarantors and (b) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and their respective successors and assigns, in each case until such Guarantor is released from its Note Guaranty in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Hedging Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of that Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Exchange Protection Agreement, Commodity Price Protection Agreement or any other similar agreement or arrangement.

 

Holder” or “Noteholder” means the Person in whose name the Note is registered on the Note register described in Section 2.04.

 

Incur” means, with respect to any Debt or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by merger, conversion, exchange or otherwise), extend, assume, Guarantee or become liable in respect of that Debt or other obligation or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or otherwise, of any Debt or obligation on the balance sheet of that Person (and “Incurrence” and “Incurred” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing); provided, however, that a change in GAAP that results in an obligation of that Person that exists at such time, and is not theretofore classified as Debt, becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of that Debt; provided further, however, that any Debt or other obligations of a Person existing at the time the Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by that Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary; and provided further, however, that solely for purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.04, amortization of debt discount or premium shall not be deemed to be the Incurrence of Debt, provided that in the case of Debt sold at a discount or at a premium, the amount of the Debt Incurred shall at all times be the aggregate principal amount at Stated Maturity.

 

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

 

Independent Financial Advisor” means an investment banking firm of national standing or any third party appraiser of national standing, provided that the firm or appraiser is not an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Insurances” means all policies and contracts of insurance and all entries of such Collateral Vessel, including (i) all claims, return of premium, rebates or other amounts and other moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due to a Guarantor under such insurances, (ii) all other rights of a Guarantor under or in respect of such insurances, and (ii) any proceeds of any of the foregoing.

 

Interest Rate Agreement” means, for any Person, any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Internal Charter” means any charter or other contract respecting the use or operations of any Vessel between any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Vessel owner (or an Internal Charterer of such Vessel), on the one hand, and any Internal Charterer, on the other hand.

 

 28 

 

 

Internal Charterer” means the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the owner of the relevant Vessel and that is a party to any Drilling Contract in respect of a Vessel.

 

Investment” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan (other than advances or extensions of credit to customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business), advance or other extension of credit or capital contribution (by means of transfers of cash or other Property to others or payments for Property or services for the account or use of others, or otherwise) to, or Incurrence of a Guarantee of any Debt of, or purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities or evidence of Debt issued by, any other Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor undertakes any Support Obligation with respect to Debt of such other Person. For purposes of Section 4.05 and Section 4.10 and the definition of “Restricted Payment,” “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in the Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that the Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of that Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary of an amount (if positive) equal to:

 

(a)            the Company’s “Investment” in that Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, less

 

(b)            the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of that Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation.

 

In determining the amount of any Investment made by transfer of any Property other than cash, the Property shall be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of the Investment.

 

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than “Baa3” (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch, and a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P or, in the event S&P, Fitch or Moody’s shall cease rating the Notes (for reasons outside the control of the Company) and the Company shall select any other Rating Agency, the equivalent of such ratings by such other Rating Agency.

 

Issue Date” means April 19, 2023, the date on which the Notes are originally issued under this Indenture.

 

Issue Date Rig” means each Vessel subject to a Vessel Mortgage on the Issue Date.

 

 29 

 

 

Issue Date Rig Owners” means all existing Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company owning an Issue Date Rig.

 

Issuers” means the Company and FinanceCo.

 

Lien” means, with respect to any Property of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement (other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability), encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to that Property (including any Capital Lease Obligation, Synthetic Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing or any Sale and Leaseback Transaction).

 

Limited Recourse Debt” means Debt Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary that has no assets or operations other than those related to the Vessels referred to below for the purpose of financing a portion of the purchase price of one or more Vessels, as and to the extent permitted pursuant to clause (22) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04, which Debt may be secured by Liens on such Vessels and on any other assets acquired with the proceeds of such Debt pursuant to clause (jj) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” and any related assets related to the operation of such Vessels, including related Drilling Contracts, and the sole recourse of the holder of such Debt shall be to the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor of such Debt, to the assets permitted to secure such Debt pursuant to clause (jj) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” (including the Capital Stock in such Restricted Subsidiary), and such holder shall have no recourse to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or to any other of their respective assets (other than such Capital Stock); provided that such Debt may be guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company.

 

Local Content Entity” means any Affiliate of the Company (a) that owns or is contemplated to own a Vessel or that is party to or contemplated to be party to a charter party agreement, Drilling Contract or any demise, bareboat, time, voyage, other charter, lease or other right to use of a Vessel owned by it or by the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or another Local Content Entity and (b) the capital stock, shares or other Capital Stock of which is jointly owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any other Person that is required or necessary under local law or custom to own capital stock, shares or other Capital Stock in the Local Content Entity as a condition for (i) the operation of a Vessel in such jurisdiction, (ii) the ownership of any asset owned, or contemplated to be acquired, by such entity in such jurisdiction or (iii) the business transacted, or contemplated to be transacted, by such entity in such jurisdiction; provided that Local Content Entities shall not include joint ventures that are formed in the ordinary course and for purposes other than local law requirements or local law customs.

 

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

 

 30 

 

 

Net Available Cash” from any Asset Sale means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Debt or other obligations relating to the Property that is the subject of that Asset Sale or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:

 

(a)            all legal, accounting, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees (including, without limitation, brokers’ or investment bankers’ commissions or fees) and expenses incurred, and all federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable, as a consequence of the Asset Sale and any repatriation costs associated with receipt or distribution by the applicable taxpayer of such proceeds,

 

(b)            all payments made on any Debt that is secured by any Property subject to the Asset Sale (other than property constituting Collateral), in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to that Property, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to the Asset Sale, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from the Asset Sale,

 

(c)            all distributions and other payments required to be made to noncontrolling interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of the Asset Sale,

 

(d)            the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the Property disposed in the Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Asset Sale, and

 

(e)            any amounts used to repay or return any customer deposits required to be repaid or returned as a result of any disposition

 

provided, that, to the extent that any portion of the consideration for an Asset Sale is required by contract to be held in a separate escrow or deposit account to support indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, such portion of the consideration shall become Net Available Cash only at such time as it is released to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from the escrow or deposit account.

 

Net Cash Proceeds” means with respect to any incurrence or issuance of Debt, the aggregate principal amount actually received in cash by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection therewith, net of direct costs (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees and expenses, sales brokerage commissions and underwriting discounts).

 

Note Documents” means the Notes (including Additional Notes), the Note Guaranties, this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

 31 

 

 

Note Guaranty” means the guarantee of the Notes by a Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Noteholder” has the meaning ascribed to it under the definition of Holder.

 

Note Obligations” means Obligations in respect of the Note Documents.

 

Notes Secured Parties” means the Trustee, the Collateral Trustee and the Holders of the Notes.

 

Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, premiums, expenses, indemnifications, damages, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit) and Cash Management Obligations and other liabilities payable under documentation governing any indebtedness (including post-petition interest and fees accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Issuers or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-petition interest or fees is allowed in such proceedings).

 

Offering Memorandum” means the final offering memorandum relating to the offering of the Original Notes dated April 4, 2023.

 

Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, any President, any Vice President, the Chief Accounting Officer, any Executive Vice President, the Controller, any Senior Vice President, the Treasurer, or the Secretary of the Company or any other officer designated by the Company’s Board of Directors; provided that any Guarantor shall be permitted to authorize an Officer of the Company to act as its Officer (including its Financial Officer) regardless of whether such Officer holds one of the foregoing positions with such Guarantor.

 

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

 

Pari Passu Indebtedness” means Debt of the Company which ranks equally in right of payment to the Notes or of any Guarantor if such Debt ranks equally in right of payment to the Note Guaranties.

 

Permitted Business” means the businesses engaged in by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and businesses that are reasonably related, incidental or ancillary thereto or reasonable extensions thereof as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

 32 

 

 

Permitted Business Investment” means an Investment in any Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) made in the course of conducting a Permitted Business, whether through agreements, transactions, joint ventures, expenditures or other arrangements that permit one to share risks or costs of such activities or comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership, including, without limitation, direct or indirect ownership interests in all types of drilling, transportation and oilfield services assets, property and equipment.

 

Permitted Investment” means any Investment by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary:

 

(a)            in any Restricted Subsidiary or any Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary (and in any Investments of such Person not made in contemplation of such transaction), provided that the primary business of the Restricted Subsidiary is a Permitted Business;

 

(b)            in any Person (and in any Investments of such Person not made in contemplation of such transaction) if as a result of the Investment that Person is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its Property to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Person’s primary business is a Permitted Business;

 

(c)            in cash or Cash Equivalents;

 

(d)            consisting of commission, payroll, relocation, travel and similar expenses that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e)            consisting of loans and advances to directors, officers and employees (i) made in the ordinary course of business or (ii) to finance the purchase of Capital Stock of the Company, in compliance with applicable laws, provided that those loans and advances do not exceed $10 million at any one time outstanding;

 

(f)             received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

 

(g)            to the extent the Investment represents (i) the non-cash portion of the consideration received in connection with an Asset Sale consummated in compliance with Section 4.07 or (ii) consideration received in respect of a Disposition that does not constitute an Asset Sale (other than pursuant to clause (2) of the definition thereof);

 

(h)            in Hedging Obligations permitted under clauses (5), (6), (7) or (15) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04;

 

(i)             in customers or suppliers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the form of extensions of credit or transfers of Property, to the extent otherwise constituting an Investment, and in the ordinary course of business and any Investments received in the ordinary course of business in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof;

 

 33 

 

 

(j)             in any Person if the Investments (or binding commitments in respect thereof) are outstanding on the Issue Date or on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation, and any Investment consisting of an extension, modification or renewal of such Investment; provided, that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required under the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under the Indenture;

 

(k)            consisting of any securities, derivative instruments or other Investments of any kind that are acquired and held for the benefit of Issuer employees in the ordinary course of business pursuant to deferred compensation plans or arrangements approved by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that (i) the amount of such Investment represents funds paid or payable in respect of deferred compensation previously included as an expense in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income (and not excluded pursuant to clause (d) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”), and (ii) the terms of such Investment shall not require any additional Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(l)            in any Person in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $150 million or (y) 5.25% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Investment);

 

(m)           acquired in exchange for shares of Capital Stock of the Company or acquired with the proceeds of such sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the proceeds of such issuance shall be excluded from the definition of “Capital Stock Sale Proceeds”;

 

(n)            consisting of any receivable 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 that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

(o)            (i) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of any Restricted Subsidiary of such other Investment or accounts receivable, (ii) in satisfaction of judgments or in compromise, settlement or resolution of any litigation, arbitration or other dispute, (iii) in exchange for any other Restricted Investment, Permitted Investments permitted under clauses (e), (j), (l), (r) or (s) of this definition or accounts receivable held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (iv) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

(p)            consisting of Guarantees of Debt issued in accordance with Section 4.04;

 

(q)            made in connection with the funding of contributions under any nonqualified retirement plan or similar employee compensation plan in an amount not to exceed the amount of compensation expense recognized by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such plans;

 

 34 

 

 

(r)             in any Person engaged in a Permitted Business in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $75 million or (y) 2.5% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Investment);

 

(s)            in Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Joint Ventures in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $50 million or (y) 2.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Investment);

 

(t)            consisting of Debt in respect of overdraft facilities, employee credit card programs and other cash management arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(u)            in a Securitization Subsidiary that are necessary or desirable to effect any Permitted Receivables Financing;

 

(v)            if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would not be greater than 1.50 to 1.00;

 

(w)            comprising any Permitted Business Investment;

 

(x)            consisting of intercompany current liabilities Incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures;

 

(y)            consisting of non-cash Investments made in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities;

 

(z)            comprised of management services provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(aa)          comprised of pledges, deposits, or liens constituting “Permitted Liens”;

 

(bb)         in the ordinary course of business in Restricted Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures consisting of spare parts and equipment;

 

(cc)          consisting of workers’ compensation, utility, lease and similar deposits and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business and endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(dd)         consisting of repurchases of the Notes.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, any Investment that is a Permitted Investment hereunder may be transferred to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, or exchanged for other assets of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary.

 

 35 

 

 

Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a)            Liens on the Collateral securing Debt and other Obligations (which Liens may rank, at the option of the Company, senior in priority to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes), Incurred under clause (2) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04 regardless of whether the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are actually subject to Section 4.04 at the time the Lien is incurred;

 

(b)            Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims or levies on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and deposits in respect thereof if the same shall not at the time be delinquent or thereafter can be paid without penalty, or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision that shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;

 

(c)            Liens of carriers, warehousemen, materialmen, repairmen, landlords, suppliers and mechanics’ Liens and other similar Liens, on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising in the ordinary course of business and securing payment of obligations that are not more than 90 days past due or are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

(d)            Liens on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, importation bonds, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and Incurred in the ordinary course of business, including banker’s liens and rights of set-off;

 

(e)            Liens on Property at the time the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary acquired the Property, including Property acquired pursuant to any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are limited to all or a portion of the assets or property (and improvements on such assets or property) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the Liens arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate; provided further, however, that the Liens shall not have been Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(f)            Liens on the Property of a Person at the time that Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any Lien of this kind may not extend to any other Property of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a direct Subsidiary of that Person (other than after-acquired property that is (a) affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien, (b) subject to a Lien securing such Debt, the terms of which Debt requires or includes a pledge of after-acquired property and (c) the proceeds and products thereof); provided further, however, that the Lien was not Incurred in anticipation of or in connection with the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Person became a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

 36 

 

 

(g)            pledges or deposits by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Debt) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or deposits for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)            Liens (including, without limitation and to the extent constituting Liens, negative pledges), assignments and pledges of rights to receive premiums, interest or loss payments or otherwise arising in connection with workers’ compensation loss portfolio transfer insurance transactions or any insurance or reinsurance agreements pertaining to losses covered by insurance, and Liens (including, without limitation and to the extent constituting Liens, negative pledges) in favor of insurers or reinsurers on pledges or deposits by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation;

 

(i)             Liens of landlords on fixtures, equipment and movable property located on leased premises and utility easements, building restrictions and such other encumbrances or charges against real Property as are of a nature generally existing with respect to properties of a similar character;

 

(j)             Liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceeding for review;

 

(k)            Liens in favor of issuers of performance, stay, appeal, indemnification, surety or similar bonds, completion guarantees or letters of credit issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business, provided that these letters of credit do not constitute Debt;

 

(l)             leases or subleases of real property granted by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to any other Person and not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(m)            Liens (including, without limitation and to the extent constituting Liens, negative pledges) on intellectual property arising from intellectual property licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(n)            Liens or negative pledges attaching to or related to joint ventures engaged in a Permitted Business, restricting Liens on interests in those joint ventures or other legal or equitable Liens deemed to exist by reason of negative pledge covenants and other covenants or undertakings of a like nature;

 

(o)            Liens existing on the Issue Date (but excluding Liens securing the Credit Agreement, the Notes (including any Additional Notes), and, in each case, any Guarantees thereof);

 

(p)            Liens securing Debt Incurred pursuant to clause (12) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04 on the Property that is the subject of such Debt;

 

 37 

 

 

(q)            Liens on the Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to secure any Refinancing, in whole or in part, of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clause (e), (f), (l), (o) or (p) above or (x), (y) or (jj) below; provided, however, that any (i) Lien of this kind shall be limited to all or part of the same Property that secured the original Lien (together with improvements and accessions to such Property) and (ii) any Lien of this kind shall be equal or junior in priority to the Liens securing the Debt or other obligations being Refinanced (or, if such original Lien was on the Collateral and ranked junior to the Lien securing the Notes or the Note Guaranties, such Lien securing the Refinanced Lien also ranks junior to the Lien securing the Notes or the Note Guaranties) and (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Debt that is secured by the Lien shall not be increased to an amount greater than the sum of:

 

(1)the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, the committed amount, of the Debt secured by Liens described under clause (e), (f), (l), (o) or (p) above or (x), (y) or (jj) below, as the case may be, at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and

 

(2)an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, Incurred by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Refinancing;

 

(r)            Liens on cash or Cash Equivalents held as proceeds of Permitted Refinancing Debt pending the payment, purchase, defeasance or other retirement of the Debt being Refinanced;

 

(s)            Liens (which Liens may be on the Collateral and may rank, at the option of the Company, pari passu or junior in priority to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes), not otherwise permitted by clauses (a) through (r) above securing obligations with an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of $225 million or (y) 8.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of incurrence) at any one time outstanding;

 

(t)            Liens securing Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (5), (6), (7) or (15) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04 which Liens may rank senior to the Liens securing the Notes to the extent secured by the Collateral;

 

(u)            Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

(v)            Liens on escrowed proceeds for the benefit of the related holders of debt securities or other Debt (or the underwriters or arrangers thereof) or on cash set aside at the time of the Incurrence of any Debt or government securities purchased with such cash, in either case to the extent such cash or government securities prefund the payment of interest on such Debt and are held in an escrow account or similar arrangement to be applied for such purpose;

 

(w)           Liens on escrow accounts created for the benefit of or to secure, directly or indirectly, the Notes;

 

 38 

 

 

(x)            Liens on the Collateral to secure additional Second Lien Debt permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.04 with an aggregate principal amount that does not cause the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio, on a pro forma basis, to exceed (i) 2.00 to 1.00, or (ii) if such Debt is to be Incurred in connection with an acquisition or similar Investment, the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such Incurrence;

 

(y)           Liens securing Debt Incurred pursuant to clause (11) or (14) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04;

 

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

 

(aa)          any interest or title of a lessor under any Capital Lease Obligation or operating lease;

 

(bb)         Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable or successor provision on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to pooling, commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts Incurred in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in favor of banking or other financial institutions or electronic payment service providers arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking or finance industry;

 

(cc)          Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted under this Indenture;

 

(dd)         Liens on property or assets used to defease or to irrevocably satisfy and discharge Debt; provided that such defeasance or satisfaction and discharge is not prohibited by this Indenture;

 

(ee)          Liens in connection with the sale or transfer of any equity interests or other assets in a transaction permitted under this Indenture, customary rights and restrictions contained in agreements relating to such sale or transfer pending the completion thereof;

 

(ff)           Liens on accounts receivable and related assets and proceeds thereof arising in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing;

 

(gg)         Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding supply chain finance programs or other receivables sale transactions in the ordinary course of business;

 

(hh)         Liens securing Debt and other Obligations in respect of the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and the Note Guaranties;

 

 39 

 

 

(ii)            Permitted Rig Liens;

 

(jj)            Liens on assets acquired with the proceeds of Debt or Debt Incurred within 365 days of the acquisition of such assets (including Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof) pursuant to clause (22) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04 and, with respect to such Debt, (x) Liens on the Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiary that directly owns such assets, Liens on the insurances in respect of such assets or the operation thereof and Liens on the Drilling Contract and earnings relating to such assets and (y) Liens on other assets and property owned by any such Restricted Subsidiary that are used in the operation, maintenance or repair of such assets acquired with the proceeds of such Debt, and in respect of the foregoing, proceeds, improvements, refurbishments, additions and improvements thereto or which are incidental thereto, which Liens, in each case, secure only such Debt; provided that such Restricted Subsidiary that owns such assets does not hold any assets that are not Excluded Assets or property of the type referred to in clause (y) above;

 

(kk)          Liens in favor of the Company or a Guarantor;

 

(ll)            Liens on the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(mm)        Liens securing obligations under clause (23) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04;

 

(nn)         Liens to secure liabilities in respect of reimbursement or indemnification obligations of insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance or any other customary insurance of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(oo)         Liens encumbering inventory, work-in-process and related property in favor of customers or suppliers securing obligations and other liabilities to such customers or suppliers to the extent such Liens are granted in the ordinary course of business;

 

(pp)         Liens arising under any retention of title or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having similar effect in respect of goods supplied in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(qq)         minor defects, irregularities and deficiencies in title to, and survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property, including with respect to the physical placement and location of pipelines, that were not incurred in connection with Debt and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of the applicable Person.

 

 40 

 

 

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, (x) a Lien need not be Incurred solely by reference to one category of Permitted Liens described in this definition but may be Incurred under any combination of such categories (including in part under one such category and in part under any other such category), (y) in the event that a Lien (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of such categories of Permitted Liens, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify such Lien (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this definition, and (z) in the event that a portion of the Debt secured by a Lien could be classified as secured in part pursuant to one or more Permitted Liens (giving effect to the Incurrence of such portion of such Debt), the Company, in its sole discretion, may classify such portion of such Debt (and any Obligations in respect thereof) as having been secured pursuant to one or more Permitted Liens in this definition and thereafter the remainder of the Debt as having been secured pursuant to one or more of the other clauses of this definition.

 

Permitted Receivables Financing” means any receivables financing facility or arrangement pursuant to which a Securitization Subsidiary purchases, otherwise acquires or receives Lien on accounts receivable of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries and enters into a third party financing thereof on terms that the officers of the Company have concluded are customary and market-standard.

 

Permitted Refinancing Debt” means any Debt that Refinances any other Debt, including any successive Refinancings, so long as:

 

(a)          the new Debt is in an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) not in excess of the sum of:

 

(1)the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the Debt being Refinanced, and

 

(2)an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums and defeasance costs, related to the Refinancing,

 

(b)          the Average Life of the new Debt is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being Refinanced,

 

(c)          the Stated Maturity of the new Debt is no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Debt being Refinanced, and

 

(d)          the new Debt shall not be senior in right of payment to the Debt that is being Refinanced;

 

provided, however, that Permitted Refinancing Debt shall not include:

 

(x)          Debt of a Subsidiary that is not FinanceCo or a Guarantor that Refinances Debt of the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor, or

 

(y)          Debt of the Company, FinanceCo or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

 41 

 

 

Permitted Rig Liens” means, at any time, with respect to a Vessel:

 

(a)            Liens for crews’ wages (including the wages of the master of the Vessel that are discharged in the ordinary course of business and have accrued for not more than ninety (90) days (or such longer period provided for under any First Lien Documents) unless any such Lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts by the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary, and the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such Lien and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessel to sale, forfeiture or loss;

 

(b)            Liens for salvage (including contract salvage) or general average, and Liens for wages of stevedores employed by the owner of the Vessel, the master of the Vessel or a charterer or lessee of such Vessel, which in each case have accrued for not more than ninety (90) days (or such longer period provided for under any First Lien Documents), unless any such Lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts by the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary, and the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such Lien and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessel to sale, forfeiture or loss;

 

(c)            shipyard Liens and other Liens arising by operation of law arising in the ordinary course of business in operating, maintaining, repairing, modifying, refurbishing, or rebuilding the Vessel (other than those referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above), including maritime Liens for necessaries, which in each case have accrued for not more than ninety (90) days (or such longer period provided for under any First Lien Documents), unless any such Lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts by the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary, and the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such Lien and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessel to sale, forfeiture, or loss;

 

(d)            Liens for damages arising from maritime torts which are unclaimed or are covered by insurance (subject to reasonable deductibles), or in respect of which a bond or other security has been posted on behalf of the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary with the appropriate court or other tribunal to prevent the arrest or secure the release of the Vessel from arrest, unless any such Lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts by the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary, and the Company or relevant Restricted Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such Lien, and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessel to sale, forfeiture, or loss;

 

(e)            Liens that, as indicated by the written admission of liability therefor by an insurance company, are covered by insurance (subject to reasonable deductibles); and

 

(f)            Liens under Drilling Contracts or subcharters or subleases with Persons that are not Affiliates and that do not secure Debt for borrowed money.

 

 42 

 

 

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

 

Preferred Stock” means any Capital Stock of a Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of that Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock issued by that Person.

 

Preferred Stock Dividends” means all dividends with respect to Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of any dividend of this kind shall be equal to the quotient of the dividend divided by the difference between one and the maximum statutory consolidated federal, state and local income rate (expressed as a decimal number between 1 and 0) then applicable to the issuer of the Preferred Stock.

 

Productive Assets” means assets (other than current assets) that are used or usable by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in Permitted Businesses.

 

pro forma basis” means, with respect to any computation hereunder required to be made on a pro forma basis and giving effect to any proposed Investment or other acquisition, any Disposition, any Restricted Payment or any payment of or in respect of any Debt (collectively, “Pro Forma Events”), computation thereof after giving pro forma effect to adjustments in connection with such Pro Forma Event that are either (i) in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or (ii) made in good faith by the Company, and may include cost savings (including, without limitation, cost savings, workforce reductions and facility, benefit and insurance savings), operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, initiatives and synergies that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and reasonably expected to result within 24 months following the consummation of the relevant Pro Forma Event, provided that the aggregate amount of any increase in Consolidated EBITDA resulting from adjustments pursuant to this clause (ii) for any four fiscal quarter period of the Company, when aggregated with the amount of any addback to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (a)(viii) of the definition thereof for such period, shall not exceed 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (prior to giving effect to any increase pursuant to such clause (a)(viii) or this clause (ii)), in each case, using for purposes of making any such computation, the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (and, to the extent applicable, the historical financial statements of any entities or assets so acquired or to be acquired, or so disposed or to be disposed), which shall be reformulated as if such Pro Forma Event (and, in the case of any pro forma computations made hereunder to determine whether such Pro Forma Event is permitted to be consummated hereunder, to any other Pro Forma Event consummated since the first day of the period covered by any component of such pro forma computation and on or prior to the date of such computation), and any Debt or other liabilities incurred in connection with any such Pro Forma Event, had been consummated and incurred at the beginning of such period.

 

 43 

 

 

Pro Forma Event” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “pro forma basis.”

 

Property” means, with respect to any Person, any interest of that Person in any kind of property, plant, equipment or other asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including Capital Stock in, and other securities of, any other Person. For purposes of any calculation required pursuant to this Indenture, the value of any Property shall be its Fair Market Value.

 

Purchase Money Debt” means Debt:

 

(a)            consisting of the deferred purchase price of property, conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention agreement, other purchase money obligations and obligations in respect of industrial revenue bonds, or

 

(b)            Incurred to finance the acquisition, improvement, refurbishment, reactivation, construction or lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Property, including additions and improvements thereto.

 

Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock.

 

Qualified Services Contract” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Vessel acquired by, or committed to be delivered to, the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, a bona fide contract or series of contracts, together with any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto, which contract or contracts:

 

(1)            are between the Company or one of the Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, on the other hand,

 

(2)            provide for services to be performed by the Company or one or more of the Restricted Subsidiaries involving the use of such Vessel by the Company or one or more of the Restricted Subsidiaries, in either case for a minimum aggregate period of at least one year from (i) the date of determination or (ii) a future date that is no later than the date that is three months from the date of determination (the period during which such services are to be performed, the “Active Service Period”), and

 

(3)            provide for a fixed or minimum day rate or fixed rate for such Vessel covering the entire Active Service Period contemplated by clause (2) above.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, neither a letter of intent nor a letter of award with respect to a Vessel is a Qualified Services Contract.

 

Qualified Vessel” means a Vessel that is subject to a Qualified Services Contract.

 

 44 

 

 

Rating Agencies” means Moody’s, Fitch and S&P, and if S&P, Fitch or Moody’s or all of them shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available (for reasons outside the control of the Company), a statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, nationally recognized in the United States and selected by the Company which shall be substituted for S&P, Fitch or Moody’s, or all of them, as the case may be.

 

Ratings Decline Period” means, with respect to the Notes, the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control or of the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control or (b) the occurrence thereof and (ii) ends 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Notes, as noted by the applicable Rating Agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency.

 

Refinance” means, in respect of any Debt, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Debt, in exchange or replacement for, that Debt. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Repay” means, in respect of any Debt, to repay, prepay, repurchase, redeem, legally defease or otherwise retire that Debt. “Repayment” and “Repaid” shall have correlative meanings.

 

Requisition Compensation” means, with respect to a Collateral Vessel, any compensation paid or payable by a governmental authority for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of such Collateral Vessel.

 

Restricted Payment” means:

 

(a)            any dividend or distribution (whether made in cash, securities or other Property) declared or paid on or with respect to any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including any payment in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), except for (i) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and, in the case of any such Restricted Subsidiary making such dividend or distribution, to holders of its Capital Stock other than the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary on no more than a pro rata basis and (ii) any dividend or distribution that is made to the Company or the parent of the Restricted Subsidiary or any dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

(b)            the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than from the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than, in each case, for or into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock);

 

 45 

 

 

(c)            the purchase, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value, prior to the date for any scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment payment, of any Subordinated Obligation (other than (i) any Subordinated Obligation Incurred under clause (3) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.04 and (ii) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of any Subordinated Obligation purchased in anticipation of satisfying a scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or other installment obligation, in each case under this subclause (ii) due within one year of the date of acquisition); or

 

(d)            any Investment (other than Permitted Investments) in any Person.

 

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, FinanceCo shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

Rig Owners” means each Issue Date Rig Owner and Future Rig Owner.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement relating to Property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers that Property to another Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from that other Person together with any Refinancings thereof.

 

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

 

Second Lien Debt” means (1) the Notes issued on the Issue Date, (2) any Additional Notes and (3) any other Funded Debt (including borrowings under any Second Lien Documents) that is secured by a second-priority Lien on the Collateral and that was permitted to be Incurred and permitted to be so secured under the applicable Secured Debt Documents; provided, that, in the case of any Funded Debt referred to in clause (3): (i) on or before such Funded Debt is Incurred by any of the Issuers or Guarantors, such Funded Debt is designated by the Company as “Junior Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents in an Additional Secured Debt Designation (as defined in the Collateral Trust Agreement), and (ii) unless such Funded Debt is Incurred under an existing Second Lien Document for any Series of Second Lien Debt whose Second Lien Debt Representative is already party to the Collateral Trust Agreement, the Second Lien Debt Representative for such Funded Debt executes and delivers a Collateral Trust Joinder.

 

Second Lien Debt Representative” means, (1) in the case of this Indenture, the Trustee and (2) in the case of any other Series of Second Lien Debt, the Trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Second Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Second Lien Debt or is appointed as a representative for such Second Lien Debt (for purposes related to the administration of the Security Documents) pursuant to this Indenture, credit agreement or other agreement governing such Series of Second Lien Debt, and who has executed a Collateral Trust Joinder, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.

 

 46 

 

 

Second Lien Documents” means the Note Documents and any other indenture, notes, credit agreement or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any Second Lien Debt is Incurred and the Second Lien Security Documents.

 

Second Lien Obligations” means, collectively, any Second Lien Debt, including the Notes, and all other Obligations in respect of Second Lien Debt, including any post-petition interest whether or not allowable, and all guarantees of any of the foregoing.

 

Second Lien Secured Parties” means the holders of any Second Lien Debt, including the Notes Secured Parties, and each Second Lien Debt Representative.

 

Second Lien Security Documents” means, collectively, the Vessel Mortgages, the Assignments of Earnings, the Assignments of Insurances, Share Pledge Agreements and all other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, consent or direct arrangements, or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Issuers or any Guarantor creating or perfecting (or purporting to create or perfect) or governing rights of enforcement with respect to, a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of Second Lien Secured Parties (or, in certain jurisdictions, in favor of the Collateral Trustee for itself and as direct representative of the Second Lien Secured Parties), in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time.

 

Secured Debt” means First Lien Debt and Second Lien Debt.

 

Secured Debt Documents” means the First Lien Documents and the Second Lien Documents.

 

Secured Debt Representative” means each First Lien Debt Representative and each Second Lien Debt Representative.

 

Secured Obligations” means First Lien Obligations and Second Lien Obligations.

 

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor statute, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

 

Securitization Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company:

 

(1)            that is designated a “Securitization Subsidiary” by the officers of the Company,

 

(2)            that does not engage in any activities other than Permitted Receivables Financings and any activity necessary, incidental or related thereto,

 

 47 

 

 

(3)          no portion of the Debt or any other obligation, contingent or otherwise, of which:

 

(A)is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

 

(B)is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in any way, or

 

(C)subjects any property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof,

 

(4)          with respect to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) has any obligation to maintain or preserve such its financial condition or cause it to achieve certain levels of operating results,

 

other than, in respect of clauses (3) and (4), pursuant to customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing.

 

Security Documents” means each of the First Lien Security Documents, each of the Second Lien Security Documents, and each of the other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, consent or direct arrangements, or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Issuers or any Guarantor creating or perfecting (or purporting to create or perfect) or governing rights of enforcement with respect to, a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, as contemplated by the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations” means the Obligations under the Credit Agreement.

 

Senior Secured Credit Facility Secured Parties” means, collectively, “Secured Parties” (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

Series” means (a) with respect to First Lien Debt, the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations and each other issue or series of First Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained and (b) with respect to Second Lien Debt, the Notes and each other issue or series of Second Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained.

 

Share Pledge Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Collateral Requirement.”

 

 48 

 

 

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

 

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in the security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of the security is due and payable, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

 

Subordinated Obligation” means any Debt of the Company, FinanceCo or the Guarantors (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person (the “parent”), any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, (b) of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Voting Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of the board of directors, managers or similar governing body of such entity, is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the parent or by one or more of its other Subsidiaries or (c) that is, as of such date, otherwise controlled, by the parent or one or more of its other Subsidiaries; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, Ocean Deep Drilling ESV Nigeria Limited shall not constitute a “Subsidiary” under this definition or any Note Document until the earliest of such time that (x) Ocean Deep Drilling ESV Nigeria Limited owns a Vessel and otherwise constitutes a “Subsidiary” pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) above, (y) such time as the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Voting Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of the board of directors, managers or similar governing body of such entity or (z) such entity otherwise constitutes a “Subsidiary” pursuant to clause (a) or (c) and the Company elects to treat such entity as a “Subsidiary.”

 

Support Obligation” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Debt payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Debt of the payment or performance of such Debt, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Debt, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Debt of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Debt of any other Person, whether or not such Debt or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Debt to obtain any such Lien), provided, however, the granting of any Lien in the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall not be a “Support Obligation” hereunder. The amount of any Support Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Support Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.

 

 49 

 

 

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

 

Swiss Federal Tax Administration” means the tax authorities referred to in art. 34 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss Withholding Tax” means taxes imposed under the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss Withholding Tax Act” means the Swiss Federal Act on the Withholding Tax of 13 October 1965 (Bundesgesetz über die Verrechnungssteuer), together with the related ordinances, regulations and guidelines, all as amended and applicable from time to time.

 

Synthetic Lease” means, as to any Person, any lease (including leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) (a) that is accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of the property so leased for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than any such lease under which such Person is the lessor.

 

Synthetic Lease Obligations” means, as to any Person, an amount equal to the sum, without duplication, of (a) the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any Synthetic Lease which are attributable to principal and (b) the amount of any purchase price payment under any Synthetic Lease assuming the lessee exercises the option to purchase the leased property at the end of the lease term. For purposes of Section 4.06, a Synthetic Lease Obligation shall be deemed secured by a Lien on the Property being leased and such Property will be deemed to be owned by the lessee.

 

Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following:

 

(a)            securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition,

 

 50 

 

 

(b)            U.S.-dollar denominated time deposits and certificates of deposit of (i) any lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) any domestic commercial bank or commercial bank organized under the laws of any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in each case having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million or (iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (collectively, an “Approved Bank”), in each case with maturities of not more than 364 days from the date of acquisition,

 

(c)            commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s and maturing within twelve months of the date of acquisition,

 

(d)            repurchase agreements entered into by any Person with a bank or trust company or recognized securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million for direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value of at least one hundred percent (100%) of the amount of the repurchase obligations,

 

(e)            Investments (classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets) in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 that are administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least $500.0 million and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the character described in the foregoing subclauses hereof, and

 

(f)            other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments of a type analogous to the foregoing.

 

Third Party Vessel” means any Vessel that is now or hereafter managed by the Company or any Subsidiary but is not owned by the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

TIA” means the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in effect on the date of this Indenture; provided, however, that, in the event the TIA is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendments, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

 

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company.

 

 51 

 

 

Transactions” means (a) the issuance of the Original Notes, and the application of the net proceeds thereof as described in the Offering Memorandum, (b) the occurrence of the “Effective Date” under the Credit Agreement and (c) all other transactions related or incidental to, or in connection with, any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, the payment of fees and expenses in connection with each of the foregoing).

 

Treasury Rate” means, as of the applicable Redemption Date, as determined by the Company, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date 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 such 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 such Redemption Date to April 30, 2026; provided, however, that if the period from such Redemption Date to April 30, 2026 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which such yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to such applicable date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

Trust Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, senior associate, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until the Trustee resigns pursuant to Section 7.08 or until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

 

United States” means the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia) and its territories, possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

 

(a)            any Subsidiary of the Company (other than FinanceCo or any successor to it) that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary as permitted or required pursuant to Section 4.10 and is not thereafter redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary as permitted pursuant thereto; and

 

(b)            any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

 52 

 

 

U.S. Dollar” or “$” means the lawful currency of the United States.

 

U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means, with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, at any time for the determination thereof, the amount of U.S. Dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. Dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. Dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published or as quoted by Reuters at approximately 10:00 A.M. (New York time) on the date not more than two Business Days prior to such determination.

 

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the Company’s option.

 

Vessel” means any (i) any mobile offshore drilling unit, the legs of which can be lowered to the seabed from the hull or platform thereof or (ii) any other drilling rig, drillship, semisubmersible drilling unit, mobile offshore drilling unit or vessel, the primary purpose of which is the exploration and production drilling for crude oil or hydrocarbons.

 

Vessel Mortgage” means each mortgage and any other instruments, such as statutory mortgages and deeds, over any Collateral Vessel, each duly registered in the relevant registry in favor of the Collateral Trustee, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Voting Stock” of any Person means all classes of Capital Stock of that Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

Wholly Owned” means, with respect to any Person, a Subsidiary all the Voting Stock of which (except directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law) is at that time owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person and its other Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

 53 

 

 

Section 1.02.     Other Definitions.

 

Term Defined in Section
Additional Amounts 4.20(a)
Affiliate Transaction 4.09
Agent 2.04
Agreed Guarantee Principles 4.14
Applicable Tax Law 12.17
Authentication Order 2.03(a)
Change of Control Offer 4.12(a)
Change of Control Payment Date 4.12(b)
Change of Control Purchase Price 4.12(a)
Collateral Excess Proceeds 4.07(b)
Collateral Prepayment Offer 4.07(b)
covenant defeasance option 8.01(b)
Declined Excess Proceeds 4.07(b)
Definitive Note Appendix A
Depositary Appendix A
DTC 2.04
Event of Default 6.01
Excess Proceeds 4.07(b)
Foreign Disposition 4.07(b)
Global Notes Appendix A
Indemnified Taxes 4.20(a)
Initial Default 6.04
Initial Lien 4.06
legal defeasance option 8.01(b)
Notes Recitals hereto
Notes Custodian Appendix A
Notice of Default 6.01(j)
Original Notes Recitals hereto
Paying Agent 2.04
Permitted Debt 4.04(b)
Permitted Jurisdiction 5.01(a)
Prepayment Offer 4.07(b)
Proceeds Application Period 4.07(b)
protected purchaser 2.07
Redemption Date 3.03
Registrar 2.04
Related Proceeding 12.09(a)
Reversion Date 4.01(b)
Specified Tax Jurisdiction 4.20(a)
Surviving Person 5.01(a)
Suspended Covenants 4.01(b)
Suspension Period 4.01(b)
Taxes 4.20(a)

 

Section 1.03.      Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is not qualified under the TIA, and the provisions of the TIA (including “mandatory” provisions thereof) shall not apply to or in any way govern the terms of this Indenture or the Notes or any Note Guaranty, except where specifically made applicable in this Indenture. As a result, no provisions of the TIA (including “mandatory” provisions thereof) are incorporated into this Indenture unless expressly incorporated pursuant to this Indenture. Unless specifically provided in this Indenture, no terms that are defined under the TIA have such meanings for purposes of this Indenture.

 

 54 

 

 

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)            “including” means including without limitation;

 

(e)            words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

 

(f)            unsecured Debt shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Debt;

 

(g)            the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Company dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

 

(h)            the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be the greater of (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock.

 

Section 1.05.     Luxembourg Terms. In this Indenture and any Note Document, where it relates to a company incorporated under the laws of the Luxembourg, an entity incorporated, formed or established in Luxembourg or a Lien governed by Luxembourg law, a reference to:

 

(a)            winding up,” “administration” or “dissolution” includes, without limitation, any procedure or proceeding in relation to an entity becoming bankrupt (faillite), insolvency, voluntary or judicial liquidation, dissolution without liquidation (dissolution administrative sans liquidation) composition with creditors (concordat préventif de la faillite), moratorium or reprieve from payment (sursis de paiement), controlled management (gestion contrôlée), fraudulent conveyance (actio pauliana), general settlement with creditors, reorganisation or any other similar proceedings affecting the rights of creditors generally under Luxembourg law, and shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous liquidation or reorganisation proceedings;

 

(b)            an “agent” includes, without limitation, a mandataire;

 

(c)            a “receiver,” “administrative receiver,” “administrator,” “trustee,” “custodian,” “sequestrator,” “conservator” or similar officer like includes, without limitation,

 

(1)            juge commissaire or insolvency receiver (curateur) appointed under the Luxembourg Commercial Code;

 

(2)            liquidateur appointed under Articles 1100-1 to 1100-15 (inclusive) of the Luxembourg law dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended;

 

 55 

 

 

(3)            juge-commissaire or liquidateur appointed under Article 1200-1 of the Luxembourg law dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended;

 

(4)            commissaire appointed under the Grand-Ducal decree of 24 May 1935 on the controlled management regime or under Articles 593 to 614 (inclusive) of the Luxembourg Commercial Code;

 

(5)            juge délégué appointed under the Luxembourg act of 14 April 1886 on the composition to avoid bankruptcy, as amended; and

 

(6)            any other person performing the same function of each of the foregoing;

 

(d)            a “matured obligation” includes, without limitation, an obligation certaine, liquide et exigible;

 

(e)            a “lien,” “Security,” or a “security interest” includes, without limitation, any hypothèque, nantissement, gage, privilège, transfert de propriété à titre de garantie, droit de rétention, gage sur fonds de commerce and any type of security in rem (sûreté réelle) or agreement or arrangement having a similar effect and any transfer of title by way of security;

 

(f)            creditors process” means an executory attachment (saisie exécutoire) or a conservatory attachment (saisie conservatoire);

 

(g)            a “guarantee” includes any garantie which is independent from the debt to which it relates, any professional payment guarantee (garantie professsionelle de paiement) within the meaning of the Luxembourg law on professional payment guarantees dated 22 July 2020, and any suretyship (cautionnement) within the meaning of Articles 2011 et seq. of the Luxembourg Civil Code;

 

(h)            a person being unable to pay its debts includes that person being in a state of cessation de paiements (cessation de paiement);

 

(i)            a person being “insolvent” includes that person being in a state of cessation of payments (cessation de paiements) and having lost its creditworthiness (ébranlement de credit);

 

(j)            an amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction includes a scission and a fusion, trasferts d’actifs, de branche d’activités et d’universalité, transfert du patrimoine professional as well as assimilated transactions as foreseen by the Luxembourg law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended;

 

(k)            an “attachment” includes a saisie;

 

(l)            by-laws” or “constitutional documents” includes its up-to-date (restated) articles of association (statuts coordonnés);

 

 56 

 

 

(m)            a “director,” “officer” or “manager” of any company or partnership incorporated or established in Luxembourg or governed by Luxembourg law include its gérant or administrateur and, in case of a partnership, the gérants or administrateur of its associé gérant or general partner;

 

(n)            shares” includes actions and/or parts sociales;

 

(o)            gross negligence” means “faute lourde”; and

 

(p)            willful misconduct” means “dol” or “faute dolosive.”

 

Article 2
The Notes

 

Section 2.01.     Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited, subject to compliance with Sections 2.03, 4.04 and 4.06. All Notes shall be identical in all respects other than issue prices, issuance dates and with respect to interest payable on the first interest payment date after issuance.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, the Trustee shall authenticate the Original Notes for original issue on the Issue Date. With respect to any Notes issued after the Issue Date (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, Original Notes pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.09 or 3.06 or Appendix A), the Issuers may issue such Notes but only in compliance with Section 2.03.

 

Section 2.02.     Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Notes are set forth in Appendix A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Notes and the certificate of authentication included therein shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A. In the case of any conflict between this Indenture and the Notes, the provisions of this Indenture shall control and govern to the extent of such conflict. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by the Depositary, law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which either Issuer or any Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage, provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Exhibit A are hereby incorporated and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Notes shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Section 2.03.     Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of each Issuer shall sign the Notes for such Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.

 

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

 

 57 

 

 

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

 

(a)            (i) Original Notes for original issue in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $700,000,000, and (ii) Additional Notes from time to time for original issue in aggregate principal amounts specified by the Issuers, after the following conditions have been met:

 

(A)            Receipt by the Trustee of (1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statement specified in ‎Section 12.04) specifying,

 

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

 

(ii)            in the case of Additional Notes, that the issuance of such Notes does not contravene Section 4.04 and Section 4.06,

 

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

 

(iv)            other information the Issuers may determine to include or the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

(2) A written order executed by an Officer of each of the Issuers requesting the Trustee to authenticate Original Notes or Additional Notes, as the case may be (an “Authentication Order”).

 

(B)            In the case of Additional Notes that are not fungible with the Original Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes shall bear a different CUSIP number, and the Trustee shall receive an Opinion of Counsel that conforms with the requirements of ‎Section 12.04 hereof and states that such Additional Notes, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, are the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their terms, subject to customary enforceability exceptions.

 

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an Authentication Agent as described below) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

 58 

 

 

The Issuers may appoint an Authentication Agent (if not the Trustee) to authenticate any Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by an Officer of the Company, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Trustee. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an Authentication Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such Authentication Agent. An Authentication Agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

Section 2.04.     Registrar and Paying Agent. The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents.

 

The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. The Issuers have entered into a letter of representations with DTC in the form provided by DTC and the Trustee and each Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent, additional paying agent or custodian (“Agent”) is hereby authorized to act in accordance with such letter and applicable procedures of DTC. None of the Issuers, the Trustee or any Agent shall have responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

In connection with any proposed transfer outside the book-entry only system, the Issuers, the Holder or DTC shall, to the extent required by applicable tax law, provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information that is (i) in their possession, (ii) specifically requested by the Trustee in sufficient detail to permit compliance with such request and (iii) necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including, if applicable, any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

 

The Issuers may enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. If the Issuers fail to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as a Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

Initially, the Trustee will act as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the Notes.

 

 59 

 

 

The Issuers may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuers and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above and the express acceptance by the Trustee of such appointment. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.

 

Section 2.05.     Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any due date of the principal and interest on any Note, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Noteholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary thereof acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of Persons entitled thereto. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon delivering all money held by it to the Trustee in accordance with this Section 2.05, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

Section 2.06.     Noteholder Lists. The Registrar shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Noteholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest and/or principal 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 Noteholders.

 

Section 2.07.     Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that such Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note (in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Section 2.03 hereof), if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (a) satisfies the Issuers and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such Holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Issuers and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “protected purchaser”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Issuers, Trustee and/or the Authentication Agent, as applicable. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Issuers and the Trustee (and the Paying Agent, Registrar and Authentication Agent, if not the Trustee) to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-registrar and the Authentication Agent, as applicable, from any loss or liability which any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.

 

 60 

 

 

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers.

 

The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies of the Holders with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.

 

Section 2.08.     Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee, except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in interests 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. Subject to Section 12.05, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because an Issuer, a Guarantor or an Affiliate of an Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Issuers receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in accordance with Section 2.05 of this Indenture, on a Redemption Date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date, such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

Section 2.09.     Temporary Notes. Until Definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of Definitive Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate (in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Section 2.03) Definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes.

 

Section 2.10.     Cancellation. The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment and such Notes shall promptly be cancelled by the Trustee. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and dispose of all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation in its customary manner. The Trustee, upon request of the Issuers, shall deliver a certificate of cancellation to the Issuers. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, except pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

 61 

 

 

Section 2.11.     Defaulted Interest. If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuers shall pay the defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Issuers may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Noteholders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date upon notification to the Trustee and shall promptly deliver to each affected Noteholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

Section 2.12.     CUSIP, ISIN or Common Code Numbers. The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or “Common Code” numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or “Common Code” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that none of the Issuers or the Trustee shall have any responsibility for any defect in the “CUSIP,” “ISIN” or “Common Code” number that appears on any Note, check, advice of payment or redemption notice, and any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in such numbers.

 

Article 3
Redemption

 

Section 3.01.     Notices to Trustee. If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Notes, they shall notify the Trustee in writing of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and that such redemption is being made pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Notes.

 

The Issuers shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section 3.01 at least 35 days before the Redemption Date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Issuers to the effect that the conditions precedent to such redemption have been complied with.

 

Section 3.02.     Selection of Notes to be Redeemed. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed by lot; provided that if the Notes are in global form, interests in such Global Notes will be selected for redemption by the applicable Depositary in accordance with its standard procedures therefor. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $2,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers in writing promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.

 

 62 

 

 

Section 3.03.     Notice of Redemption. Not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Notes pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Notes (such date, a “Redemption Date”), the Issuers shall send, or cause to be sent, a notice of redemption by first-class mail, or in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission, to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Note register, with a copy to the Trustee.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including any CUSIP, Common Code or ISIN numbers, if any) and shall state:

 

(a)            the Redemption Date;

 

(b)            the redemption price or the calculation, or the method of calculation, of the redemption price;

 

(c)            the name and address of the applicable Paying Agent;

 

(d)            that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

(e)            if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed;

 

(f)            that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

 

(g)            if the redemption is conditioned upon one or more conditions precedent, a description of such conditions, and a statement that, in the Company’s discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Company in its sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived) by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date so delayed and such redemption provisions may be adjusted to comply with the requirements of the applicable Depositary; and

 

(h)            that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP, ISIN or Common Code number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

Any notice to Holders of Notes of such a redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Notes shall include the appropriate calculation, or method of calculation, of the redemption price, but is not required to include the redemption price itself. The actual redemption price, calculated as described in paragraph 5 of the Notes, must be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall give the notice of the redemption price as provided for in the Officers’ Certificate, in the Issuers’ name and at the Issuers’ expense, one Business Day prior to the Redemption Date.

 

 63 

 

 

At the Issuers’ written request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at the Issuers’ expense. In such event, any such request shall be received in writing by the Trustee at least five Business Days prior to the date on which such notice is to be given unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Any such notice may be canceled if written notice from the Issuers of such cancellation is actually received by the Trustee on the Business Day immediately prior to notice of such redemption being delivered to any Noteholder or otherwise delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary and shall thereby be void and of no effect.

 

Section 3.04.     Effect of Notice of Redemption. Subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent specified in such notice, once notice of redemption is mailed or otherwise delivered, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price stated in the notice. Upon surrender to the applicable Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

Section 3.05.     Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on the Redemption Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the applicable Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary thereof is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money in U.S. Dollars sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date) on all Notes to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed.

 

Section 3.06.     Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate (in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Section 2.03) for the Holder (at the Issuers’ expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

 

Section 3.07.     Optional Redemption.

 

(a)            The Notes shall be optionally redeemable as set forth in paragraph 5 of the Notes. Any such redemption shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Article 3.

 

(b)            Any redemption or notice of redemption issued pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Notes may, in the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent.

 

 64 

 

 

(c)            If the Redemption Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name the Note is registered at the close of business on such record date.

 

Article 4
Covenants

 

Section 4.01.     Covenant Suspension. During any period of time that:

 

(a)            the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from at least two Rating Agencies, and

 

(b)            no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture,

 

(i) the Note Guaranties will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged (to the extent that guarantees by the Guarantors of all other Pari Passu Indebtedness are substantially concurrently released), (ii) the amount of Collateral Excess Proceeds and Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero, and (iii) the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the following provisions of this Indenture: Section 4.04, Section 4.05, Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, clauses (d) and (f) of Section 5.01, clause (d) of Section 5.02 and Section 4.14 (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants” and the period of time that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants, the “Suspension Period”). In the event that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the preceding sentence and, subsequently, two or more of the Rating Agencies withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the Notes below the required Investment Grade Ratings (the date of such ratings withdrawal or downgrade, the “Reversion Date”), then the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants for all periods after the Reversion Date and, furthermore, for the purpose of compliance with the provisions of Section 4.05 with respect to Restricted Payments made after the Reversion Date, the amount of Restricted Payments made shall be calculated as though Section 4.05 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period, provided that there will not be deemed to have occurred a Default or Event of Default with respect to that covenant during the Suspension Period (or after that time based solely on events that occurred during that time). The Issuers will promptly give the Trustee written notice of any such suspension of covenants. In the absence of such notice, the Trustee shall assume that the Suspended Covenants are in full force and effect.

 

 65 

 

 

Solely for the purpose of determining the amount of Permitted Liens under ‎Section 4.06 during any Suspension Period and without limiting the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s ability to Incur Debt during any Suspension Period, to the extent that calculations in ‎Section 4.06 refer to ‎Section 4.04, such calculations shall be made as though ‎Section 4.04 remains in effect during the Suspension Period. On the Reversion Date, all Debt Incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been Incurred pursuant to clause ‎(10) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in ‎Section 4.04. For purposes of determining compliance with ‎Section 4.07 on the Reversion Date, the Net Available Cash from all Asset Sales not applied in accordance with the covenant will be deemed to be reset to zero. On the Reversion Date, for purposes of determining compliance with ‎Section 4.09, all agreements and arrangements entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with an Affiliate of the Company during the Suspension Period shall be deemed to have been entered into pursuant to clause (f) of ‎Section 4.09 and for purposes of determining compliance with ‎Section 4.08, all contracts entered into during the Suspension Period that contain any of the restrictions contemplated by such covenant shall be deemed to have been entered into pursuant to clause ‎(1) of ‎Section 4.08. No Subsidiaries may be designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries during any Suspension Period. Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of any failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during any Suspension Period and the Company and any Subsidiary of the Company will be permitted, without causing a Default or Event of Default or breach of any of the Suspended Covenants (notwithstanding the reinstatement thereof) under this Indenture, to honor, comply with or otherwise perform any contractual commitments or obligations entered into during a Suspension Period following a Reversion Date and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby; provided that, to the extent any such commitment or obligation results in the making of a Restricted Payment, such Restricted Payment shall be made under ‎Section 4.05 and, if not permitted under ‎Section 4.05, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed permitted by clause ‎(c) of the first paragraph of ‎Section 4.05 and shall be deducted for purposes of calculating the amount pursuant to such clause ‎(c) (which may not be less than zero). The Issuers will give the Trustee written notice of any occurrence of a Reversion Date. After any such notice of the occurrence of a Reversion Date, the Trustee shall assume that the Suspended Covenants apply and are in full force and effect.

 

Section 4.02.     Payment of Notes. The Issuers shall pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the applicable Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due.

 

The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

 

Section 4.03.     Reports. Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes and the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers:

 

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

 

 66 

 

 

(b)            all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports;

 

provided that the electronic filing of the foregoing reports by the Company on the SEC’s EDGAR system (or any successor system) shall be deemed to satisfy the Company’s delivery obligations to the Trustee and any Holder of Notes.

 

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants. In addition, the Company will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods for non-accelerated filers specified in the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall not be required to furnish any information, certificates or reports required by (A) Section 302, Section 404 or Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or related Items 307 or 308 of Regulation S-K or (B) Regulation G or Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC with respect to financial measures contained therein, (ii) the reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above will not be required to contain the separate financial statements or other information contemplated by Rule 3-05, Rule 3-09, Rule 3-10 or Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X, (iii) to the extent pro forma financial information is required to be provided by the Company, the Company may provide only pro forma revenues, net income, EBITDA, senior secured debt, total debt and capital expenditures (or equivalent financial information) in lieu thereof, (iv) the reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above shall not be required to present compensation or beneficial ownership information, and (v) the reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above shall not be required to include any exhibits required by Item 15 of Form 10-K, Item 6 of Form 10-Q or Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

 

If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing.

 

If at any time the Company is not required to file with the SEC the reports required by the preceding paragraphs, the Issuers will furnish to the Holders of Notes and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act for so long as the Notes are subject to resale restrictions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

 

To the extent any information is not provided within the time periods specified in this Section 4.03 and such information is subsequently provided, the Company will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured.

 

 67 

 

 

Delivery of such reports, information, and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of them shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein (including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers’ Certificate). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or EDGAR or any website under this Indenture, or participate in any conference calls.

 

Section 4.04.     Limitation on Debt and Issuance of Preferred Stock. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or in directly, any Debt, and the Company will not and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are not either FinanceCo or a Guarantor to issue any shares of Preferred Stock, unless, after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, either:

 

(a)            the Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving effect to the Incurrence or issuance thereof and the application of the proceeds thereof on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio would be at least 2.00 to 1.00, provided that the aggregate principal amount of Debt, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to this clause (a) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Guarantors or FinanceCo may not, together with the aggregate principal amount of Debt Incurred and Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock issued under clause (20) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in this Section 4.04 in respect thereof outstanding at any time, exceed an aggregate amount equal to the greater of (x) $150 million and (y) 5.25% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Incurrence) of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis, plus the aggregate amount of fees, underwriting discounts, accrued and unpaid interest, premiums (including, without limitation, tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including, without limitation, original issue discount, upfront fees and similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing, or

 

(b)            the Debt is Permitted Debt.

 

Permitted Debt” means:

 

(1)            Debt evidenced by the Notes (but not any Additional Notes) issued on the Issue Date and the Note Guaranties thereof;

 

(2)            Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred under the Credit Facilities up to an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed (1) the greater of (A) $575 million, and (B) the sum of (x) $525 million and (y) 50.0% of the Company’s aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available (determined on a pro forma basis), minus (2) the aggregate amount outstanding at such time under Permitted Receivables Financings Incurred pursuant to clause (u);

 

 68 

 

 

(3)            Debt of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary and Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that (1) any subsequent issue or transfer of Capital Stock or other event that results in the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of that Debt (except to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether directly or pursuant to one or more back-to-back transfers) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of that Debt by the issuer thereof, and (2) if the Company, FinanceCo or a Guarantor is the obligor on that Debt and the Debt is owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or FinanceCo, the Debt is expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes or the applicable Note Guaranty;

 

(4)            Debt, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the date on which that Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary or Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred or issued as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, a transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which the Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or was otherwise acquired by the Company; provided that at the time that Person was acquired by the Company or otherwise became a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving effect to the Incurrence of that Debt or the issuance of that Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and on a pro forma basis, (i) the Company would have been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 4.04 or (ii) the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio is at least equal to such ratio immediately prior to such transaction;

 

(5)            Debt under Interest Rate Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting interest rate risk in the financial management of the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes, provided that the obligations under those agreements are related to payment obligations on Debt otherwise permitted by the terms of this Section 4.04;

 

(6)            Debt under Currency Exchange Protection Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of limiting currency exchange rate risks in the financial management of the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes;

 

(7)            Debt under Commodity Price Protection Agreements entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the financial management of the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary and not for speculative purposes;

 

 69 

 

 

(8)            Debt in connection with one or more standby letters of credit or performance or surety bonds or completion guarantees issued by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to self-insurance obligations and not in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit;

 

(9)            Debt arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, earn-outs, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or guarantees or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing any obligations pursuant to such agreements, in each case, Incurred in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary, other than Guarantees of Debt Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Capital Stock; provided, however, that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Debt shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds (including non-cash proceeds (the Fair Market Value of such non-cash proceeds being measured at the time received and without giving effect to any subsequent changes in value)) actually received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such disposition;

 

(10)            Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date, in each case not otherwise described in clauses (1) or (2) above that is existing or Incurred on the Issue Date;

 

(11)            Debt, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed the greater of (x) $225 million or (y) 8.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Incurrence or issuance);

 

(12)            Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, in respect of Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt, and Sale and Leaseback Transactions, provided that the principal amount of any Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred or issued pursuant to this clause outstanding at any one time may not exceed the greater of (x) $75 million or (y) 2.5% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Incurrence);

 

(13)            Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consisting of Guarantees of Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurred under any other clause or paragraph of this Section 4.04;

 

(14)            Debt, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed the greater of (x) $75 million or (y) 2.5% of Total Assets (measured at the time of Incurrence or issuance);

 

 70 

 

 

(15)            Debt under Hedging Obligations that are Incurred in the ordinary course of business (and, in each case, not for speculative purposes);

 

(16)            Debt Incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property or casualty or liability insurance, self-insurance obligations, bids, trade contracts, statutory obligations, customs, importation or performance, bid surety, appeal and similar bonds and completion or performance of guarantees (not for borrowed money) provided in the ordinary course of business, and any letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing;

 

(17)            (a) Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided, however, that such Debt is extinguished, refinanced or otherwise covered within 30 Business Days of Incurrence or (b) Debt owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks or financial institutions Incurred in the ordinary course of business that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(18)            shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event that results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Company or another of its Restricted Subsidiaries) shall be deemed in each case to be an issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (18);

 

(19)            Debt to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited to defease or to satisfy and discharge the Notes in each case in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture;

 

(20)            Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred in respect of Debt Incurred pursuant to clause (a) of this Section 4.04 and clauses (1), (4) and (10) above or this clause (20) of the definition of “Permitted Debt;”

 

(21)            Debt under any Permitted Receivables Financing outstanding on or Incurred after the Issue Date;

 

(22)            Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Limited Recourse Debt, which may be secured but only pursuant to clause (jj) of the definition of “Permitted Liens;” in each case for the purpose of financing a portion of the purchase price and costs and expenses in connection therewith of one or more Vessels (including for the avoidance of doubt the DS-13 and the DS-14) in a single transaction or series of related transactions, so long as the principal amount of the Debt (including the Limited Recourse Debt) Incurred in such transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to this clause (22) (other than such Debt Incurred to finance a portion of the purchase price of the DS-13 and the DS-14) is not more than 85% of the purchase price for such acquired Vessel, and Permitted Refinancing Debt in respect thereof;

 

 71 

 

 

(23)            Debt Incurred in the ordinary course of business to finance take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements or to the extent constituting Debt, prepayments for property or services under any Drilling Contract in the ordinary course of business;

 

(24)            Debt Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited with the Trustee to satisfy and discharge the Notes in accordance with this Indenture; and

 

(25)            Cash Management Obligations and obligations in respect of any agreement providing for credit cards or purchase cards.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with any restriction on the Incurrence of Debt in dollars where Debt is denominated in a different currency, the amount of such Debt will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent determined on the date of such determination. The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Debt Incurred in the same currency as the Debt being refinanced will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of the Debt refinanced determined on the date such Debt being refinanced was initially Incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.04, for purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.04, increases in Debt solely due to fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to exceed the maximum amount that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur under any of clauses (1) through (25) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in this Section 4.04.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.04:

 

(A)            in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Debt described above, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify such item of Debt at the time of Incurrence and only be required to include the amount and type of such Debt in one of the above clauses; and

 

(B)            the Company will be entitled to divide and classify and reclassify an item of Debt in more than one of the types of Debt described above; provided that Debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date shall at all times be treated as Incurred under clause ‎(2) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and may not be reclassified.

 

Section 4.05.     Limitation on Restricted Payments. The Company shall not make, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment unless at the time of, and after giving effect to, the proposed Restricted Payment,

 

(a)            no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,

 

 72 

 

 

(b)            the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause (a) of Section 4.04, on a pro forma basis and

 

(c)            the aggregate amount of that Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments declared or made after the Issue Date, other than Restricted Payments made pursuant to clauses (b) through (o) below (the amount of any Restricted Payment, if made other than in cash, to be based upon Fair Market Value), would not exceed an amount equal to the sum of:

 

(1)            50% of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one accounting period) from January 1, 2023 to and including the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment and for which consolidated financial statements are internally available (or if the aggregate amount of Consolidated Net Income for such period shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit),

 

plus

 

(2)            Capital Stock Sale Proceeds or any contribution to the Company’s equity capital received after the Issue Date,

 

plus

 

(3)            the sum of:

 

(A)            the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the issuance or sale after the Issue Date of convertible or exchangeable Debt that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, and

 

(B)            the aggregate amount by which Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet on or after the Issue Date upon the conversion or exchange of any Debt issued or sold on or prior to the Issue Date that is convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company,

 

excluding, in the case of clause (A) or (B):

 

(x)            any Debt issued or sold to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees, and

 

 73 

 

 

(y)            the aggregate amount of any cash or other Property distributed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon any such conversion or exchange,

 

plus

 

(4)            an amount equal to the sum of:

 

(A)            the net reduction in Investments in any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary resulting from dividends or distributions, Repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of Property made after the Issue Date, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from that Person, less the cost of the disposition of those Investments, and

 

(B)            in the case of the designation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or all of the assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary are transferred to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or the Unrestricted Subsidiary is merged, amalgamated or consolidated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, 100% of such amount received in cash and the Fair Market Value of any property or marketable securities received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such redesignation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets (provided that such designation occurs after the Issue Date);

 

plus

 

(5)            any cash dividends or cash distributions received directly or indirectly by the Company or a Guarantor after the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, to the extent such dividends or distributions were not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income (other than to the extent such distribution represents a return of capital and the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (j) of this Section 4.05 or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment), and

 

plus

 

(6)            $50.0 million.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company may:

 

(a)            declare or pay dividends on its Capital Stock or distributions, or the consummation of any repurchase or redemption, within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or distribution or giving of the redemption or repurchase notice, as the case may be, if, on said date of declaration or redemption or repurchase notice, such dividends, distributions, repurchase or redemption, as the case may be, could have been paid in compliance with this Indenture;

 

 74 

 

 

(b)            make Restricted Payments in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees) or any contributions to the equity capital of the Company; provided, however, that the Capital Stock Sale Proceeds from the exchange or sale shall be excluded from the calculation pursuant to clause (c)(2) above;

 

(c)            purchase, repurchase, redeem, legally defease, acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations or Disqualified Stock in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Permitted Refinancing Debt (in the case of Subordinated Obligations only) or Disqualified Stock;

 

(d)            declare and pay dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock, or of any Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, issued pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.04;

 

(e)            permit a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to pay dividends to shareholders of that Restricted Subsidiary that are not the parent of that Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is the parent of that Restricted Subsidiary receives dividends on a pro rata basis or on a basis that results in the receipt by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is the parent of that Restricted Subsidiary of dividends or distributions of greater value than it would receive on a pro rata basis;

 

(f)            make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares;

 

(g)            make repurchases of shares of Capital Stock of the Company deemed to occur (i) upon the exercise of options to purchase shares of Capital Stock of the Company, warrants, other rights to acquire Capital Stock if such shares of Capital Stock of the Company represent a portion of the exercise price of such options, warrants or other rights and (ii) in connection with the withholding of a portion of the Capital Stock granted or awarded to a director or an employee to pay for the taxes payable by such director or employee upon such grant or award;

 

(h)            repurchase shares of, or options to purchase shares of, common stock of the Company from current or former officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such current or former officers, directors or employees), pursuant to the terms of agreements (including employment agreements) or plans approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals acquire shares of such common stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed (x) $30 million or (y) 1.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of such payment) in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year carried over to succeeding calendar years);

 

 75 

 

 

(i)            purchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Obligations upon a Change of Control Triggering Event of the Company or an Asset Sale by the Company, to the extent required by any agreement pursuant to which such Subordinated Obligations were issued, but only if the Company has previously made the offer to purchase Notes required under Section 4.07 or Section 4.12 and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered and now withdrawn in connection with such offer to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 4.07 or Section 4.12;

 

(j)            make other Restricted Payments not to exceed the greater of (x) $175 million or (y) 6.0% of Total Assets in the aggregate (measured at the time of Incurrence);

 

(k)            purchase, repurchase or otherwise retire Capital Stock not to exceed the greater of (x) $50 million or (y) 2.0% of Total Assets (measured at the time of such payment);

 

(l)            make any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of Disqualified Stock of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, so long as such refinancing Disqualified Stock is permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.04 and constitutes Permitted Refinancing Debt;

 

(m)            so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will result therefrom, make other Restricted Payments if, immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment (including the Incurrence of any Debt to finance such payment), the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would not be greater than 1.00 to 1.00;

 

(n)            make payments or distributions to dissenting shareholders (a) pursuant to applicable law or (b) in connection with a consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer of assets in connection with a transaction that is not prohibited by this Indenture; and

 

(o)            Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of Declined Excess Proceeds.

 

Section 4.06.     Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or suffer to exist, any Lien (each, an “Initial Lien”) that secures obligations under any Debt or any related Guarantee upon any of its Property (including Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom unless (a) in the case of Liens on the Collateral, such Initial Lien is a Permitted Lien; or (b) in the case of any Initial Lien on any Property that is not Collateral, either (x) the Notes (or a Note Guaranty in the case of Initial Liens on Property of a Guarantor) will be secured by that Initial Lien equally and ratably with (or prior to, in the case of an Initial Lien that secures any Subordinated Indebtedness) all other Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary secured by such Initial Lien or (y) such Initial Lien is a Permitted Lien; except that the foregoing shall not apply to Liens securing the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and the related Note Guaranties.

 

 76 

 

 

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.06 shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each of the Liens described in clauses (a) and (b) above.

 

Section 4.07.     Limitation on Asset Sales.

 

(a)            The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Sale unless:

 

(1)            the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration (measured either, at the option of the Company, at the time of the Asset Sale or as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the Property subject to that Asset Sale; and

 

(2)            at least 75% of the aggregate consideration paid to (or for the account of) the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or the assumption by the purchaser of liabilities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) as a result of which the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer obligated with respect to those liabilities.

 

For the purposes of this Section 4.07:

 

(1)            (x) securities, instruments, notes or other assets received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the purchaser that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents within 180 days after the receipt thereof shall be considered to be cash to the extent of the cash received in that conversion and (y) any cash payments received with respect to instruments, notes, securities or other assets referred to in the foregoing clause (x) within 180 days of receipt of such instruments, notes, securities or other assets;

 

(2)            any cash consideration paid to the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale that is held in escrow or on deposit to support indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations in respect of such Asset Sale shall be considered to be cash;

 

(3)            Productive Assets received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale shall be considered to be cash;

 

 77 

 

 

(4)            the requirement that at least 75% of the consideration paid to the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale be in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or assumed liabilities shall also be considered satisfied if the cash or Cash Equivalents received constitutes at least 75% of the consideration received by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such Asset Sale, determined on an after-tax basis; and

 

(5)            any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in respect of Asset Sales, that at that time outstanding does not exceed the greater of (x) $150 million or (y) 5.25% of Total Assets shall be considered to be cash.

 

(b)            The Net Available Cash (or any portion thereof) from Asset Sales may be applied by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary elects (or is required by the terms of any Debt):

 

(1)            to the extent such Net Available Cash are from an Asset Sale of Collateral, (w) to reduce, prepay, repay or purchase any First Lien Obligations, including Debt under the Credit Agreement, (x) to reduce, prepay, repay or purchase any Second Lien Obligations other than Note Obligations; provided that, if the Issuers shall so reduce, repay or repurchase such Second Lien Obligations, the Issuers shall ratably offer to repurchase Notes (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for a Collateral Asset Sale Offer), redeem Notes as described in Section 3.07, or purchase Notes through open-market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions (but only to the extent such privately negotiated purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount of the Notes so purchased), or (y) to make an offer to repurchase Notes (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for a Collateral Asset Sale Offer), redeem Notes as described in Section 3.07, or purchase Notes through open-market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions (but only to the extent such privately negotiated purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount of the Notes so purchased) (in each case, other than Debt owed to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company); provided, however, that, in connection with any reduction, prepayment, repayment or purchase of Debt pursuant to this clause (1), the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will retire such Debt and will cause the related commitment (other than obligations in respect of any asset-based credit facility to the extent the assets sold or otherwise disposed of in connection with such Asset Sale constituted “borrowing base assets”) to be reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so reduced, prepaid, repaid or purchased;

 

 78 

 

 

(2)            to the extent such Net Available Cash is from an Asset Sale that does not constitute Collateral, (w) to reduce, prepay, repay or purchase any Debt secured by a Lien on such asset, (x) to reduce, prepay, repay or purchase other senior Debt; provided, that the Issuers shall ratably offer to repurchase Notes (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer), redeem Notes as described in Section 3.07, or purchase Notes through open-market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions (but only to the extent such privately negotiated purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount of the Notes so purchased), (y) to make an offer to repurchase Notes (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer), redeem Notes as described in Section 3.07, or purchase Notes through open-market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions (but only to the extent such privately negotiated purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount of the Notes so purchased), or (z) to reduce, prepay, repay or purchase any Debt of a Non-Guarantor (in each case, other than Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company); provided, however, that, in connection with any reduction, prepayment, repayment or purchase of Debt pursuant to this clause (2), the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will retire such Debt and will cause the related commitment (other than obligations in respect of any asset-based credit facility to the extent the assets sold or otherwise disposed of in connection with such Asset Sale constituted “borrowing base assets”) to be reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so reduced, prepaid, repaid or purchased;

 

(3)            to reinvest in Additional Assets (including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Available Cash received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that Additional Assets acquired with the Net Available Cash of a disposition of Collateral shall be pledged as Collateral; or

 

(4)            to make an investment (including capital expenditures) in any one or more businesses, properties (other than working capital assets) or assets (other than working capital assets) that replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale;

 

provided that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be deemed to have complied with the provisions described in clause (3) or (4) above if and to the extent that, within 365 days after the Asset Sale that generated the Net Available Cash, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, has entered into and not abandoned or rejected a binding agreement to make an investment in compliance with the provision described in clause (3) or (4) above, and that investment is thereafter completed within 180 days after the end of such 365-day period (such 365-day period, as extended pursuant to this paragraph, the “Proceeds Application Period”). Pending the final application of any such amount of Net Available Cash, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Debt under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest or utilize such Net Available Cash in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture and the Note Documents.

 

 79 

 

 

When the aggregate amount of Net Available Cash from all Asset Sales of Collateral not applied in accordance with the preceding paragraph within the Proceeds Application Period and not previously subject to a Collateral Prepayment Offer (as defined below) exceeds $50 million (such excess amount, the “Collateral Excess Proceeds”), the Issuers will be required to make an offer to purchase (the “Collateral Prepayment Offer”) the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture on the Collateral (which Lien is not subordinate to the Lien of the Notes with respect to the Collateral), to all holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to purchase the maximum principal amount of such Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness, as appropriate, on a pro rata basis, that may be purchased out of such Collateral Excess Proceeds, if any, at an offer price, in the case of the Notes, in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or in the event such other Debt was issued with original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (or such lesser price with respect to Pari Passu Indebtedness, if any, as may be provided by the terms of such other Debt), to, but not including, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture and the agreement governing the Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

To the extent that the aggregate amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and, if applicable, any other Pari Passu Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted under this Indenture on the Collateral disposed of, as the case may be, validly tendered or otherwise surrendered in connection with a Collateral Prepayment Offer made with Collateral Excess Proceeds is less than the amount offered in a Collateral Prepayment Offer (or, in the case of a Collateral Advance Offer, the Collateral Advance Portion), the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may use any remaining Collateral Excess Proceeds (“Declined Collateral Excess Proceeds”) for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes or, if applicable, Pari Passu Indebtedness, validly tendered pursuant to any Collateral Prepayment Offer exceeds the amount of Collateral Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall allocate the Collateral Excess Proceeds among the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness; provided that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be selected and purchased in an unauthorized denomination. Upon completion of any Collateral Prepayment Offer, the amount of Collateral Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

With respect to any Asset Sale that does not constitute Collateral, at the expiration of the Proceeds Application Period with respect to such Asset Sale, when the aggregate amount of Net Available Cash from all such Asset Sales not applied in accordance with this Section 4.07 within the Proceeds Application Period and not previously subject to a Prepayment Offer (as defined below) exceeds $50 million (such excess amount, “Excess Proceeds”), the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase (the “Prepayment Offer”) the Notes and, if required by the terms of any Pari Passu Indebtedness, to all holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to purchase the maximum principal amount of such Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness, as appropriate, on a pro rata basis, that may be purchased out of such Excess Proceeds, if any, at an offer price, in the case of the Notes, in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or in the event such other Debt was issued with original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (or such lesser price with respect to Pari Passu Indebtedness, if any, as may be provided by the terms of such other Debt), to, but not including, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture and the agreement governing the Pari Passu Indebtedness, as applicable, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

 80 

 

 

To the extent that the aggregate amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and, if applicable, any other Pari Passu Indebtedness validly tendered or otherwise surrendered in connection with a Prepayment Offer made with Excess Proceeds is less than the amount offered in a Prepayment Offer, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (such remaining Excess Proceeds, together with any Declined Collateral Excess Proceeds, are collectively referred to herein as “Declined Excess Proceeds”) for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes or, if applicable, Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, validly tendered pursuant to any Prepayment Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Issuers shall allocate the Excess Proceeds among the Notes, Pari Passu Indebtedness and other Obligations to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness; provided that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be selected and purchased in an unauthorized denomination. Upon completion of any Prepayment Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

 

Not later than 10 Business Days after the Issuers are obligated to make a Collateral Prepayment Offer or a Prepayment Offer as described in the preceding paragraphs, the Issuers shall send, or cause to be sent, a written notice by first-class mail (or electronic transmission in the case of notes held in book-entry form) to the Holders of Notes with a copy to the Trustee, accompanied by information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries as the Company in good faith believes will enable the Holders to make an informed decision with respect to that Collateral Prepayment Offer or Prepayment Offer, as applicable. The notice shall state, among other things, the purchase price and the purchase date which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, a Business Day no earlier than 20 days and no later than 60 days from the date the notice is delivered.

 

On or prior to the applicable purchase date, the Issuers shall irrevocably deposit with either the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) cash in an amount equal to the applicable purchase price payable to the Holders entitled thereto, to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.07. On such purchase date, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuers for payment. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall, on such purchase date, mail or, in the case of Global Notes, deliver payment to each tendering Holder of such purchase price. In the event that the aggregate purchase price is less than the amount delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee or the Paying Agent, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall deliver the excess to the Issuers immediately after such payment date.

 

 81 

 

 

The Issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.07. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.07, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.07 by virtue thereof.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, to the extent that repatriation to the United States of any or all of the Net Available Cash of any Asset Sales by a Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Disposition”) (x) is prohibited or delayed by applicable local law or (y) would result in material adverse tax consequences (taking into account any foreign tax credit or other net benefit actually realized in connection with such repatriation that would not otherwise be realized), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, the portion of such Net Available Cash so affected will not be required to be applied in compliance with this Section 4.07, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided that clause (x) of this paragraph shall apply to such amounts for so long, but only for so long, as the applicable local law will not permit repatriation to the United States (the Issuers hereby agreeing to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to take all actions reasonably required by the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit such repatriation), and if such repatriation of any of such affected Net Available Cash is permitted under the applicable local law and is not subject to clause (y) of this paragraph, then such repatriation will be promptly effected and such repatriated Net Available Cash will be applied (net of additional taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) in compliance with this Section 4.07. The time periods set forth in this Section 4.07 shall not start until such time as the Net Available Cash may be repatriated (whether or not such repatriation actually occurs).

 

Section 4.08.     Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist any consensual restriction on the right of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

(a)            pay dividends, in cash or otherwise, or make any other distributions on or in respect of its Capital Stock, or pay any Debt or other obligation owed, to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividend or liquidating distributions prior to the dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock),

 

(b)            make any loans or advances to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Debt Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances), or

 

(c)            sell, lease or transfer any of its Property to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that such transfers shall not include any type of transfer described in clause (a) or (b) above).

 

 82 

 

 

The foregoing limitations will not apply to:

 

(1)            restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, including, but not limited to the Credit Agreement;

 

(2)            restrictions relating to any agreements or instruments of a Person existing at the time it became a Restricted Subsidiary or to any agreements or instruments relating to any Property at the time acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case if such restriction was not created in connection with or in anticipation of the transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which that Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or such Property was acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(3)            restrictions that result from any amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, supplement, extension, replacement or Refinancing of Debt or other agreement or instrument referred to in this Section 4.08, provided that the restriction contained in such amendment, restatement, modification, renewal, supplement, extension, replacement or Refinancing is not materially more restrictive (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken as a whole, than the restrictions of the same type contained in the agreements or instruments referred to in this Section 4.08, as applicable;

 

(4)            restrictions resulting from the Incurrence of any Permitted Debt defined in Section 4.04, provided that the restriction is no less favorable to the Holders of Notes in any material respect (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors) than the restrictions of the same type contained in this Indenture;

 

(5)            restrictions existing by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

 

(6)            with respect to clause (c) above only, restrictions relating to Debt that is permitted to be Incurred and secured without also securing the Notes pursuant to Section 4.04 and Section 4.06 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the Property securing that Debt;

 

(7)            restrictions encumbering Property at the time the Property was acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the restriction relates solely to the Property so acquired and was not created in connection with or in anticipation of the acquisition;

 

(8)            restrictions resulting from customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of leases or customary provisions in other agreements (including, without limitation, intellectual property licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business) that restrict assignment of the agreements or rights thereunder;

 

 83 

 

 

(9)            restrictions which are customary restrictions contained in asset sale agreements limiting the transfer of Property pending the closing of the sale;

 

(10)            restrictions existing pursuant to any Debt Incurred by a Foreign Subsidiary, which restrictions are customary for a financing of such type, and which are otherwise permitted under this Indenture, provided, however, that the Company’s Board of Directors determines in good faith that such restrictions are not reasonably likely to impair the Company’s ability to make principal and interest payments on the Notes;

 

(11)            restrictions existing by reason of the Note Documents;

 

(12)            restrictions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

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

 

(14)            in the case of the provision described in clause (c) of this Section 4.08, restrictions arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Debt, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof in any manner material to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof;

 

(15)            restrictions contained in Hedging Obligations;

 

(16)            restrictions constituting customary restrictions with respect to a Securitization Subsidiary, pursuant to the terms of a Permitted Receivables Financing;

 

(17)            with respect to clause (c) above only, restrictions on property under a charter, lease, sub-lease or other agreement (including any Drilling Contracts, charterparty agreements, rig operating, service or management agreements or pool agreements) that has been entered into in the ordinary course for the employment, charter or other hire of such property;

 

(18)            with respect to clause (c) above only, restrictions resulting from (i) any Drilling Contracts with respect to any Vessels; provided that such encumbrance or restriction only extends to the Vessel or other such asset (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) subject to such Drilling Contract or (ii) any joint venture agreement or similar arrangement with respect to any joint venture that imposes restrictions on the transfer or assignment of the Capital Stock in such joint venture or Property of such joint venture;

 

 84 

 

 

(19)            restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers, suppliers or vendors pursuant to contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(20)            encumbrances or restrictions applicable only to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary; and

 

(21)            customary encumbrances and restrictions contained in agreements of the types described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investments.”

 

Section 4.09.     Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, conduct any business or enter into or suffer to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including the purchase, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or exchange of any Property or the rendering of any service) with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving payments in excess of $35 million, unless:

 

(a)            the terms of such Affiliate Transaction are not materially less favorable to the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, taken as a whole, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company 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 (in each case, as determined in good faith by the Company), and

 

(b)            if the Affiliate Transaction involves aggregate payments or value in excess of $100 million, the Board of Directors (including a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors) approves the Affiliate Transaction and in its good faith judgment determines that the Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (a) of this paragraph as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors promptly delivered to the Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into or suffer to exist the following:

 

(a)            any transaction or series of transactions between the Company and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or between two or more Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(b)            any Restricted Payment permitted to be made pursuant to Section 4.05 or any Permitted Investment;

 

 85 

 

 

(c)            any employment, consulting, service, severance, termination agreement, employee benefit plan, compensation arrangement, indemnification arrangement, or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary with a current or former director, officer or employee of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and payments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or that is otherwise customary; or any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment agreements and other compensation arrangements, options to purchase Capital Stock of the Company, restricted stock plans, restricted stock unit plans, long-term incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, participation plans or similar employee benefits plans and/or indemnity provided on behalf of directors, officers and employees of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(d)            (i) reimbursement of employee travel and lodging costs and other business expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with applicable laws;

 

(e)            any issuance, transfer or sale of shares of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;

 

(f)            any agreement as in effect on the Issue Date, including the Collateral Trust Agreement, or any amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal thereto (so long as such amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal is not materially adverse to the interests of the Holders of the Notes when taken as a whole as compared to the original Affiliate Transaction, as determined in good faith by the Company) or any transaction or payments contemplated thereby;

 

(g)            any agreement between any Person and an Affiliate of such Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by or merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as such agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended or renewed from time to time; provided that such agreement was not entered into in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, and so long as any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension or renewal, when taken as a whole, is not materially more disadvantageous to the Holders, in the good faith determination of the Company, than the applicable agreement as in effect on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

 

(h)            transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that in the good faith determination of the Company, such transactions are on terms that are not materially less favorable, when taken as a whole, 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 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 (in each case, as determined in good faith by the Company);

 

 86 

 

 

(i)            transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary delivers to the Trustee a letter or opinion from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable, when taken as a whole, than those that might reasonably have been obtained by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in a comparable transaction at such time on an arms-length basis from a Person that is not an Affiliate;

 

(j)            the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions;

 

(k)            any service, purchase, lease, supply or similar agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business or for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, pursuant to any joint venture agreement) between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Affiliate (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is a customer, client, supplier, purchaser or seller of goods or services and any transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment or services in the ordinary course of business so long as the Company determines in good faith that any such agreement or transaction is on terms not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained in a comparable arms’-length transaction;

 

(l)            pledges of equity interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(m)          transactions entered into as part of a Permitted Receivables Financing on customary terms (as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors); and

 

(n)            intercompany transactions undertaken in good faith for the purpose of improving the tax efficiency of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and not for the purpose of circumventing any covenant set forth in this Indenture.

 

Section 4.10.     Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company, other than FinanceCo, to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if:

 

(a)            the Subsidiary to be so designated does not own any Capital Stock or Debt of, or own or hold any Lien on any Property of, the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary,

 

(b)            immediately before and immediately after such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and

 

(c)            any of the following:

 

(1)            the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less, or

 

(2)            if the Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then the designation would be permitted under Section 4.05.

 

 87 

 

 

 

Unless so designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company will be classified as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Subsidiary shall not be designated a Restricted Subsidiary and shall be automatically classified as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if the Person is a Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

Except as provided in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, no Restricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. In addition, neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time be directly or indirectly liable for any Debt that provides that the holder thereof may (with the passage of time or notice or both) declare a default thereon or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity upon the occurrence of a default with respect to any Debt, Lien or other obligation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary in existence and classified as an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary is liable for that Debt (including any right to take enforcement action against that Unrestricted Subsidiary).

 

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the designation,

 

(x)        the Company could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to clause ‎(a) of ‎Section 4.04, and

 

(y)       no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom.

 

Any designation or redesignation of this kind by the Board of Directors of the Company will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to the designation or redesignation and an Officers’ Certificate that certifies that the designation or redesignation complies with the foregoing provisions, and gives the effective date of the designation or redesignation, and the filing with the Trustee to occur no later than the time period for which reports are required to be provided under ‎Section 4.03 for the fiscal quarter of the Company in which the designation or redesignation is made.

 

Section 4.11.      Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Property unless:

 

(a)        the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to:

 

(1)        Incur Debt in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to that Sale and Leaseback Transaction pursuant to ‎Section 4.04, and

 

(2)        create a Lien on the Property securing that Attributable Debt without also securing the Notes pursuant to ‎Section 4.06, and

 

 88 

 

 

(b)        the Sale and Leaseback Transaction is effected in compliance with ‎Section 4.07 after treating all the cash or Cash Equivalents received in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction as Net Available Cash under such covenant.

 

Section 4.12.      Repurchase of Notes Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

(a)        Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a purchase price (the “Change of Control Purchase Price”) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the purchase date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

(b)        Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event or, at the Issuers’ option, prior to any Change of Control, but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, the Issuers shall send or cause to be sent by first-class mail (or electronic transmission in the case of Notes held in book-entry form), with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Note register, a notice stating: (1) that a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred or, if the notice is sent prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, may occur and a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this ‎Section 4.12 and that all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn will be accepted for repurchase; (2) the Change of Control Purchase Price and the purchase date, which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, a Business Day no earlier than 20 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”); (3) the procedures that Holders of Notes must follow in order to tender their Notes (or portions thereof) for payment, and the procedures that Holders of Notes must follow in order to withdraw an election to tender Notes (or portions thereof) for payment; and (4) if such notice is sent prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event and describing each such condition, and, if applicable, that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed until such time (but not more than 60 days after the notice is sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or that such purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that the Issuers shall determine that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the relevant payment date.

 

(c)        On or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall irrevocably deposit with either the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) cash in an amount equal to the Change of Control Purchase Price payable to the Holders entitled thereto, to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this ‎Section 4.12. On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by the Issuers for payment. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall, on the Change of Control Payment Date, mail or, in the case of Global Notes, deliver payment to each tendering Holder of the Change of Control Purchase Price. In the event that the aggregate Change of Control Purchase Price is less than the amount delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee or the Paying Agent, the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall deliver the excess to the Issuers immediately after the Change of Control Payment Date.

 

 89 

 

 

(d)        The Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to this Indenture to redeem all of the Notes pursuant to ‎Section 3.07, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

 

(e)        The Issuers will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this ‎Section 4.12, the Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this ‎Section 4.12 by virtue of such compliance.

 

Section 4.13.      Further Instruments and Acts. Upon the written request of the Trustee, the Issuers shall execute or cause to be executed and deliver or cause to be delivered such further instruments (including but not limited to Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel) and do such further acts as (i) may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture, or (ii) as shall be expressly required under the terms of this Indenture.

 

Section 4.14.      Additional Note Guaranties. After the Issue Date, if any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than FinanceCo) guarantees any Debt of the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any other syndicated credit facility or capital markets debt in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $35 million, (i) such Restricted Subsidiary shall within 30 days execute and deliver a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a Note Guaranty by such Restricted Subsidiary in the form of Exhibit B hereto (as may be modified pursuant to the Agreed Guarantee Principles) and (ii) such Restricted Subsidiary shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (a) such Note Guaranty has been duly authorized and executed; and (b) such Note Guaranty constitutes a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary, subject to customary enforceability exceptions; provided that this ‎Section 4.14 shall not be applicable to any Guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary. Each Note Guaranty shall be released in accordance with the provisions of ‎Section 10.09. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, any Note Guaranty issued by any Foreign Subsidiary may be modified as necessary or appropriate to (1) comply with applicable law, (2) avoid any general legal limitations such as general statutory limitations, financial assistance, corporate benefit, “thin capitalization” rules, retention of title claims or similar matters or (3) avoid a conflict with the fiduciary duties of such company’s directors, contravention of any legal prohibition or regulatory condition, or the material risk of personal or criminal liability for any officers or directors (collectively referred to as “Agreed Guarantee Principles”), in each case as determined by the Company in its good faith discretion.

 

 90 

 

 

Section 4.15.      Collateral.

 

(a)        Each Person that becomes a Guarantor after the Issue Date shall, subject to any applicable limitation in this Indenture and any Security Document, also become a party to the applicable Security Documents and, within the time periods set forth in ‎Section 4.15(b) and the applicable Security Documents, shall as promptly as practicable execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements, mortgages, deeds of trust (in substantially the same form as those executed and delivered with respect to the Collateral on the Issue Date or on the date first delivered in the case of Collateral that the Indenture provides may be delivered after the Issue Date (to the extent, and substantially in the form (as determined by the Company in good faith) delivered on the Issue Date or the date first delivered, as applicable (but no greater scope))), with such adjustments as the Company may determine in good faith are appropriate to reflect applicable law and the terms or requirements of the Credit Agreement or the First Lien Security Documents, as may be necessary to vest in the Collateral Trustee a perfected second-priority security interest (subject to Liens permitted by ‎Section 4.06 and Permitted Liens) in properties and assets that constitute Collateral, as security for such Guarantor’s Note Guaranty and as may be necessary in order to have such property or asset added to the Collateral as required under, and subject to the limitations set forth in, the Security Documents in order to satisfy the Collateral Vessel Requirements, and thereupon all provisions of this Indenture relating to the Collateral shall be deemed to relate to such properties and assets to the same extent and with the same force and effect; provided that for as long as the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations are outstanding, the Grantors will not be required to take any actions to create or perfect any liens unless such actions are required to create or perfect liens securing such Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations.

 

(b)        On or following the Issue Date, if property is acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (including property of a Person that becomes a new Restricted Subsidiary) and secures any First Lien Obligations that is not automatically subject to a perfected security interest under the Security Documents, then the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary will as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 60 days after the date on which a perfected security interest on such property secures any First Lien Obligations, provide a second Lien security interest over such property in favor of the Collateral Trustee and execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements, mortgages, deeds of trust (in substantially the same form as those executed and delivered with respect to the Collateral on the Issue Date or on the date first delivered in the case of Collateral that the Indenture provides may be delivered after the Issue Date or on the date first delivered in the case of Collateral that the Indenture provides may be delivered after the Issue Date (to the extent, and substantially in the form (as determined by the Company in good faith) delivered on the Issue Date or the date first delivered, as applicable (but no greater scope))), with such adjustments as the Company may determine in good faith are appropriate to reflect applicable law and the terms or requirements of the Credit Agreement or the First Lien Security Documents, as may be necessary to vest in the Collateral Trustee a perfected second-priority security interest (subject to Liens permitted by ‎Section 4.06 and Permitted Liens) in such property, including delivering all such documents and taking all such actions in order to satisfy the Collateral Vessel Requirement; provided that for as long as the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations are outstanding, the Grantors will not be required to take any actions to create or perfect liens or otherwise satisfy the Collateral Vessel Requirements unless such actions are required with respect to the Credit Agreement.

 

 91 

 

 

(c)        To the extent that any instrument or deliverable under the Security Documents relating to the Notes is not delivered on or prior to the Issue Date with respect to the Collateral in existence on the Issue Date, the Issuers will, and will cause the Guarantors to, deliver such instruments and deliverables within 60 days following the Issue Date or such longer period of time as agreed to by the Collateral Trustee or such longer period of time granted to perfect the corresponding liens securing the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations.

 

Section 4.16.      Existence. The Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and the existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with their respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time), provided that the Company is not required to maintain or preserve the existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, if the maintenance or preservation thereof, in the judgment of the Company, is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and provided further that this ‎Section 4.16 does not prohibit or restrict any transaction otherwise permitted by ‎Section 4.07 or ‎Article 5.

 

Section 4.17.      Payment of Taxes and other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge, and cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, before the same become delinquent (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or its income or profits or property, and (ii) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, other than any such tax, assessment, charge or claim the amount, applicability or validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

Section 4.18.      Maintenance of Properties. The Company will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, cause all material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in the condition, repair and working order as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may be properly conducted at all times; provided that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary need not comply with this Section 4.18 with respect to any of its properties if the Company in good faith determines that such non-compliance is desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

 92 

 

 

Section 4.19.      Annual Officer’s Certificate as to Compliance. Within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate (which need not comply with ‎Section 12.04 of this Indenture) executed by the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company as to such officer’s knowledge of the Issuers’ compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture, such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture.

 

Section 4.20.      Limitation on Accounts Receivables Facilities. The Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of accounts receivable to a Securitization Subsidiary; provided that (i) the sale, transfer or other disposition is in connection with a Permitted Receivables Financing; and (ii) the aggregate consideration received in each such sale, transfer or other disposition is at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the receivables sold.

 

Section 4.21.      Additional Amounts. (a) All payments made by or on behalf of the Issuers or any Guarantor under or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guaranties will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge of whatever nature (including penalties, additions to tax, interest and other liabilities related thereto) (hereinafter “Taxes”) unless the withholding or deduction of such Taxes is then required by law. If any deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any Taxes imposed or levied by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor (including any successor entity) is incorporated, organized, carrying on a business through a branch, agency or permanent establishment or is treated as resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision thereof or therein or any jurisdiction by or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor (including any successor entity) under or with respect to the Notes or Note Guaranties or any political subdivision thereof or therein (each a “Specified Tax Jurisdiction” and such Taxes, “Indemnified Taxes”), will at any time be required to be made from any payments made under or with respect to the Notes or the Note Guaranties, the Company, FinanceCo, the relevant Guarantor or other payor, as applicable, will pay such additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received in respect of such payments by each Holder after such withholding or deduction (including any withholding or deduction from Additional Amounts) will not be less than the amount such Holder would have received if such Indemnified Taxes had not been withheld or deducted.

 

 93 

 

 

Indemnified Taxes do not include:

 

(1)        any Taxes to the extent such Taxes would not have been so imposed but for the Holder (or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of such Holder, if such Holder is an estate, a trust, a partnership, or a corporation) having any present or former connection with the Specified Tax Jurisdiction, including, without limitation, such Holder (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof or being or having been engaged in a trade or business or present therein or having, or having had, a permanent establishment therein (other than mere acquisition, ownership, holding, enforcement, exercise of rights or receipt of payment in respect of the Notes or the Note Guaranties);

 

(2)        any estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer, capital gains, personal property Tax or similar Taxes;

 

(3)        any Taxes to the extent such Taxes are imposed as a result of the failure of the Holder or beneficial owner of the Notes to complete, execute and deliver to the Company, FinanceCo or the relevant Guarantor, as applicable, any form or document that such Holder or beneficial owner legally can complete, execute, and deliver, that may be required by law (or by reason of administration of such law) or tax treaty and that is reasonably requested to be delivered to the Company, FinanceCo or the relevant Guarantor in order to enable the Company, FinanceCo or the relevant Guarantor to make payments on the Notes without deduction or withholding for Taxes, or with deduction or withholding of a lesser amount, which form or document will be delivered within 30 days of a written request therefor by the Company, FinanceCo or the relevant Guarantor;

 

(4)        any Taxes to the extent such Taxes would not have been so imposed but for the beneficiary of the payment having presented a Note for payment (in cases in which presentation is required) more than 30 days after the date on which such payment or such Note became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly provided for, whichever is later (except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the Note been presented on the last day of such 30-day period);

 

(5)        any Taxes to the extent such Taxes are imposed on a Note presented for payment by or on behalf of a Holder or beneficial owner who would have been able to avoid such Tax by presenting the relevant Note to another Paying Agent in a member state of the European Union;

 

(6)        any Taxes to the extent such Taxes are payable other than by deduction or withholding at source;

 

(7)        Taxes imposed pursuant to sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof, any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices implementing such an intergovernmental agreement), or any agreement entered into pursuant to section 1471(b)(1) of the Code; and

 

 94 

 

 

(8)        any combination of items (1) through (7) above.

 

(b)        Neither the Issuers nor the relevant Guarantor will pay any Additional Amounts to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of the Note to the extent that the obligation to pay Additional Amounts would be reduced or eliminated by transferring the Notes in question to the sole beneficial owner, but only if there is no material commercial or legal impediment to, or material cost associated with, transferring the Notes to the sole beneficial owner.

 

(c)        For avoidance of doubt, any reference in this Indenture to the payment of amounts based upon the principal amount of the Notes or of principal, interest or any other amount payable under, or with respect to, the Notes or the Note Guaranties, will be deemed to include payment of Additional Amounts as described above to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof. For the further avoidance of doubt, with respect to Notes represented by a global note, a Holder with respect to Additional Amounts shall be deemed to include a Holder representing the interests of a beneficial owner of the Notes or acting on behalf of a beneficial owner of the Notes.

 

(d)        The Issuers or the relevant Guarantor, as applicable, will also pay any present or future stamp, issue, registration, value added, court or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including penalties, additional amounts, interest and any other liabilities and reasonable expenses related thereto) that arise in any Specified Tax Jurisdiction from the execution, delivery, enforcement or registration of the Notes, the Note Guaranties, this Indenture or any other document or instrument in relation thereof.

 

(e)        If the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor becomes obligated to pay Additional Amounts, the Company will deliver to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Officers’ Certificate stating the fact that Additional Amounts will be payable and the amount estimated to be so payable, along with other information reasonably necessary to enable the Trustee and Paying Agent to pay Additional Amounts to Holders on the relevant payment date.

 

(f)        The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors to pay Additional Amounts and other amounts described above will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and any transfer by a Holder of its Notes, and will apply mutatis mutandis to any jurisdiction in which any successor person to the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor is organized, incorporated, engaged in business or is otherwise resident or treated as resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made or any political subdivision or authority or agency thereof or therein.

 

Section 4.22.      Insurance. The Company shall maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance (subject to customary deductibles and retentions) in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by similarly situated companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations or as is appropriate, as such customary industry practices change from time to time, with the foregoing to be determined by the Company and cause the Company and the Guarantors to be listed as insured. Notwithstanding the foregoing, self-insurance by the Company or any Subsidiary, through deductibles, self-insured retentions or coinsurance, coverage placed through captive insurance or otherwise, shall not be deemed a violation of this Section so long as such self-insurance is reasonable and prudent (as determined in good faith by the Company) considering the Company’s and the Guarantors’ business, properties and loss history, applicable governmental requirements, and applicable customary industry practices (including without limitation those in connection with deepwater operations), in each case as they change from time to time; provided that any proceeds of any insurance coverage placed through a captive insurer shall be treated in the same manner as the proceeds of insurance maintained with an insurance company.

 

 95 

 

 

Section 4.23.      Flag and Registry. The Company shall not, nor shall it permit the owner or bareboat charterer (if any) of a Collateral Vessel to, change the flag or the vessel and/or ship registry of any Collateral Vessel; provided that any change of flag or vessel and/or ship registry to an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction shall be permitted, subject to the Collateral Vessel Requirements.

 

Article 5
Successors

 

Section 5.01.      Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Property of the Issuers. Neither of the Issuers shall merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all Property of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person in any one transaction or series of related transactions unless:

 

(a)        either (i) such Issuer shall be the surviving Person (the “Surviving Person”) or (ii) the Surviving Person (if other than such Issuer) formed by that merger, consolidation or amalgamation or to which that sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition is made shall be an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (including any State thereof or the District of Columbia), England and Wales, Scotland, Jersey, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Ireland, Singapore, Netherlands, Luxembourg or Denmark (each, a “Permitted Jurisdiction”); provided, however, that FinanceCo may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a Person existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia so long as the Company is not a Person existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

(b)        the Surviving Person (if other than such Issuer) expressly assumes all of the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes, this Indenture, the applicable Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement by supplemental indentures or other documents and instruments;

 

(c)        immediately before and immediately after giving effect to that transaction or series of related transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating, for purposes of this clause ‎(c) and clause ‎(d) below, any Debt that becomes, or is anticipated to become, an obligation of the Surviving Person or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of that transaction or series of related transactions as having been Incurred by the Surviving Person or the Restricted Subsidiary at the time of that transaction or series of related transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

 96 

 

 

(d)        in the case of a transaction involving the Company and not FinanceCo, immediately after giving effect to that transaction or series of related transactions on a pro forma basis, the Company or the Surviving Person (if the Surviving Person was previously the Company), as the case may be, (i) would be able to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt under clause ‎(a) of ‎Section 4.04 or (ii) the Consolidated Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Surviving Person (if the Surviving Person was previously the Company), as applicable, would be greater than or equal to such ratio immediately prior to such transaction, provided, however, that this clause ‎(d) shall not be applicable to the Company merging, consolidating or amalgamating with or into an Affiliate incorporated or formed solely for the purpose of redomiciling the Company in a Permitted Jurisdiction or changing the name or entity type of the Company so long as the amount of Debt of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby;

 

(e)        unless such Issuer is the Surviving Person, such Issuer shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and the supplemental indenture, if any, in respect thereto comply with this ‎Section 5.01 and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the transaction and the execution of a supplemental indenture, as applicable, have been satisfied; and

 

(f)        to the extent any assets of the Person which is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into such Issuer are assets of the type which are required to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, such Issuer or the Surviving Person, as applicable, takes such action, if any, as may be reasonably necessary to cause such property and assets to be made subject to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and shall take all reasonably necessary action so that such Lien is perfected to the extent required by the applicable Security Documents (it being understood that no such actions will be required unless also required under the First Lien Documents).

 

The Surviving Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” or “FinanceCo,” as applicable, shall refer instead to the applicable Surviving Person and not to the Company or FinanceCo, respectively), and may exercise every right and power of such Issuer, under this Indenture, but the predecessor company in the case of a lease shall not be released from any obligation to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes.

 

Notwithstanding the immediately preceding clauses, the Company may transfer all or substantially all of its assets to a Guarantor, any Guarantor may transfer all or substantially all of its assets to the Company or a Guarantor, and any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

 97 

 

 

Section 5.02.      When Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets. No Guarantor may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its Property in any one transaction or series of related transactions, unless:

 

(a)        the other Person is the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor or becomes a Guarantor concurrently with the transaction; or

 

(b)        either (x) the Guarantor is the continuing Person or (y) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, the “Successor Guarantor”) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Guarantor under its Note Guaranty, this Indenture, the applicable Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement by supplemental indentures or other documents and instruments; and immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(c)        the transaction constitutes a sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation, amalgamation, winding-up, liquidating or merger) of the Guarantor or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Property of the Guarantor (in each case other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) otherwise permitted by this Indenture; and

 

(d)        to the extent any assets of the Person which is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into such Guarantor are assets of the type which would constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, the Successor Guarantor will take such action, if any, as may be reasonably necessary to cause such property and assets to be made subject to the Lien in favor of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and shall take all reasonably necessary action so that such Lien in perfected to the extent required by the applicable Security Documents.

 

The Successor Guarantor shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such merger, consolidation, amalgamation, sale, transfer, assignment, lease, conveyance or disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to such Guarantor shall refer instead to the applicable Successor Guarantor and not to such Guarantor), and may exercise every right and power of the applicable Guarantor under this Indenture.

 

Article 6
Defaults and Remedies

 

Section 6.01.      Events of Default. The following events shall be Events of Default (each, an “Event of Default”):

 

(a)        failure to make the payment of any interest on the Notes when the same becomes due and payable, and that failure continues for a period of 30 days;

 

 98 

 

 

(b)        failure to make the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, any of the Notes when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption, optional redemption, required repurchase or otherwise;

 

(c)        failure by the Issuers or any Guarantor to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the Notes or in this Indenture (other than a failure that is the subject of the foregoing clause ‎(a) or ‎(b)) and such failure continues for 60 days after written notice is received by the Company as provided below, provided, that in the case of a failure to comply with ‎Section 4.03, such period shall be 120 days after written notice has been so received;

 

(d)        a default under any Debt by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that results in acceleration of the maturity of that Debt, or failure to pay any Debt at maturity, in an aggregate amount greater than $100 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time;

 

(e)        any judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $100 million (or its foreign currency equivalent at the time) (net of amounts covered by insurance or bonded) that shall be rendered against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and that shall not be waived, satisfied, annulled, discharged or rescinded for any period of 60 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement shall not be in effect;

 

(f)        any Issuer or Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(1)        commences a voluntary case;

 

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

 

(3)        consents in writing to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or

 

(4)        makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

 

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

 

(1)        is for relief against any Issuer or Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

(2)        appoints a custodian of any Issuer or Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

(3)        orders the winding up or liquidation of any Issuer or Significant Subsidiary; or

 

 99 

 

 

(4)        grants any similar relief under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

 

and in each such case the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

 

(h)        except as permitted under this Indenture, any Note Guaranty of any Significant Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect, other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, or a Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary denies in writing its obligations under its Note Guaranty (other than by reason of the termination or discharge of this Indenture or the release of any such Note Guaranty in accordance with this Indenture) if, and only if, in each such case, such default continues for 10 days after written notice is received by the Company as provided below;

 

(i)        (i) the Liens created by the Security Documents shall at any time not constitute a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral intended to be covered thereby (unless perfection is not required by this Indenture or the Security Documents) other than (A) in accordance with the terms of the relevant Security Document, this Indenture and the Collateral Trust Agreement, (B) the satisfaction in full of all Obligations under this Indenture or (C) any loss of perfection that results from the failure of the Collateral Trustee to maintain possession of certificates delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Security Documents and (ii) such default continues for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes; and

 

(j)        the Company, FinanceCo or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary shall assert, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any security interest in any Security Document is invalid or unenforceable.

 

A Default under clause ‎(c) is not an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding notify the Issuers of the Default and the Issuers do not cure that Default within the time specified in clause ‎(c) above after receipt of the notice (the “Notice of Default”). The Notice of Default must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a Notice of Default.

 

The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after an Officer becomes aware of the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers’ Certificate of any event that with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an Event of Default, its status and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

 

 100 

 

 

Section 6.02.      Acceleration. If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (other than an Event of Default specified in Sections ‎6.01(f) or ‎6.01(g) with respect to the Company) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding may, by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, declare to be immediately due and payable the principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, plus accrued but unpaid interest to the date of acceleration. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Sections ‎6.01(f) or ‎‎6.01(g) with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Trustee and the Issuers, rescind and annul any declaration of acceleration (i) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree, (ii) if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived (other than nonpayment of principal, premium, or interest that has become due solely because of the acceleration), and (iii) there has been deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel incurred in connection with the rescinded Event of Default. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

 

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, or premium, if any, or 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.

 

Section 6.04.      Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on a Note or (ii) a Default in respect of a provision that under ‎Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Noteholder adversely affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right. If a Default is deemed to occur solely as a consequence of the existence of another Default (the “Initial Default”), then, at the time such Initial Default is cured (including the payment of default interest, if any), the Default that resulted solely because that Initial Default will also be cured without any further action.

 

Section 6.05.      Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Notes. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any request or direction that conflicts with law, this Indenture or the Notes, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Noteholders, or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. In case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers hereunder at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless the Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it.

 

 101 

 

 

Section 6.06.      Limitation on Suits. A Noteholder may not institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the Notes, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes, unless:

 

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

 

(b)        the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding shall have made a written request, and such Holder or Holders shall have offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

 

(c)        the Trustee has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request and has failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days after the Trustee received such direction and adequate security and indemnity.

 

Section 6.07.      Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, 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. A Noteholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Noteholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Noteholder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders).

 

Section 6.08.      Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in ‎Section 6.01(a) or ‎6.01(b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in this Indenture.

 

Section 6.09.      Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may 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 and the Noteholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers, their creditors or their property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make 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 it for such compensation as agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under this Indenture, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

 102 

 

 

Section 6.10.      Priorities. Subject to the Collateral Trust Agreement, if the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this ‎Article 6 (including upon exercise of any remedies in respect of the Collateral), it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

 

FIRST: to the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee, in each case for all amounts due under ‎Section 7.07 of this Indenture;

 

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

 

THIRD: to the Issuers.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Noteholders pursuant to this ‎Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuers shall mail to each Noteholder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

 

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 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 and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit (other than the Trustee), 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 pursuant to ‎Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes.

 

Section 6.12.      Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuers (to the extent they may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

Section 6.13.      Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted a proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and the proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to the Holder, then, subject to any determination in the proceeding, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders will be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders will continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

 103 

 

 

Section 6.14.      Rights and Remedies Cumulative. No right or remedy conferred or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders under this Indenture is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and all such rights and remedies are, to the extent permitted by law, cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or exercise of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or exercise of any other right or remedy.

 

Section 6.15.      Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default will impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this ‎Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

Article 7
Trustee

 

Section 7.01.      Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise 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 Person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

 

(b)        Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

 

(1)        the Trustee shall perform only the duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee, where duties and obligations shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(2)        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 shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the express requirements of this Indenture where applicable but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts or opinions or statements stated therein.

 

(c)        The Trustee may not be relieved from liability 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;

 

 104 

 

 

(2)        the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(3)        the Trustee shall 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 from Holders or Issuers pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

(d)        Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to clauses ‎(a), ‎(b) and ‎(c) of this ‎Section 7.01.

 

(e)        The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers.

 

(f)        Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

(g)        No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.

 

(h)        Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this ‎Section 7.01, and the provisions of this ‎Article 7 shall apply to the Trustee in its role as Registrar, Paying Agent, Authentication Agent and Notes Custodian.

 

(i)        The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of a Default or an Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has received written notice thereof (in accordance with the notice provisions of this Indenture) from the Issuers or any Holder and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture and describes with appropriate reference the Default or Event of Default.

 

Section 7.02.      Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document (whether in its original, electronic, or facsimile form) 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 shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

 

(c)        The Trustee may act through agents and/or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

 

(d)        The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or gross negligence.

 

 105 

 

 

(e)        The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

(f)        No Depositary shall be deemed an agent of the Trustee and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission by any clearinghouse or Depositary.

 

(g)        The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

 

(h)        The Trustee shall 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 pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security and/or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(i)         The Trustee may employ or retain accountants, appraisers or other experts or advisers as it may reasonably require for the purpose of determining and discharging its rights and duties hereunder and shall not be responsible for any misconduct on the part of any of them selected with due care.

 

(j)         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 of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(k)         The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and by the Collateral Trustee, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(l)         The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

(m)       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.

 

(n)        Delivery of any reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive or actual notice or knowledge of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee may conclusively rely on a certificate of an authorized Officer of the Issuer).

 

 106 

 

 

(o)        The Trustee shall have no duty or responsibility to monitor the Issuers’ compliance with the covenants included in ‎Article 4 or the transfer restrictions on the Notes.

 

The provisions of this ‎Section 7.02 shall survive satisfaction and discharge or the termination, for any reason, of this Indenture and the resignation and/or removal of the Trustee.

 

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 their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with ‎Section 7.10.

 

Section 7.04.      Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity, priority or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes, the Notes Security Documents or the Collateral Trust Agreement, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Issuers in this Indenture or in any other document other than the certificate of authentication executed by the Trustee.

 

Section 7.05.      Notice of Defaults. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing of which the Trustee has received written notice, the Trustee shall deliver to each Noteholder notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after written notice of it is received by a Trust Officer of the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Noteholders.

 

Section 7.06.      [Reserved].

 

 107 

 

 

Section 7.07.      Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation for its services as agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and reasonable, documented out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Issuers shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, penalty, action, suit, cost and expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and out-of-pocket expenses and taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee)) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust hereunder and/or the transactions contemplated under this Indenture and the Trustee shall have no liability or responsibility for any action or inaction on the part of any other Paying Agent, Registrar, Authentication Agent or any successor Trustee. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder except to the extent that the Issuers shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such failure. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Issuers’ expense in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have occurred directly as a result of the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence. The Issuers need not pay for any settlement made by the Trustee without the Issuers’ consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. All indemnifications and releases from liability granted hereunder to the Trustee shall extend to its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns.

 

To secure the Issuers’ payment obligations in this ‎Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Sections ‎6.01(f) or ‎ 6.01(g) with respect to an Issuer, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

The provisions of this ‎Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge or termination, for any reason, of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

Section 7.08.      Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by providing 30 days’ prior written notice to the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may remove the Trustee by providing 30 days’ prior written notice to the Trustee and the Issuers and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers may remove the Trustee by providing 30 days’ prior written notice to the Trustee if:

 

(a)        the Trustee fails to comply with ‎Section 7.10;

 

(b)        the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(c)        a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property;

 

(d)        the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting; or

 

 108 

 

 

(e)        there is no Event of Default continuing and no event that upon notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default.

 

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee reasonably acceptable to the Issuers or is removed by the Issuers, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Upon, but not prior to, the delivery of such written acceptance, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall deliver a notice of its succession to Noteholders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in ‎Section 7.07.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, the Issuers or the Holders of 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with ‎Section 7.10, any Noteholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the replacement or resignation of the Trustee pursuant to this ‎Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under ‎Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the Trustee and survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

Section 7.09.      Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

Section 7.10.      Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a) (as if, for the limited purpose of the Trustee’s obligations under this sentence, this Indenture had been qualified under the TIA). The Trustee shall have (or, in the case of a corporation included in a bank holding company system, the related bank holding company shall have) a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its (or its related bank holding company’s) most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA §310(b) (as if, for the limited purpose of the Trustee’s obligations under this sentence, this Indenture had been qualified under the TIA), subject to the penultimate paragraph thereof; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(i) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

 

 109 

 

 

Article 8
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

 

Section 8.01.      Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance. (a) When (i) all outstanding Notes (other than Notes replaced pursuant to ‎Section 2.07) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Issuers have paid all sums payable by them hereunder, or (ii) (A) all outstanding Notes mature within one year or all outstanding Notes are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for giving the notice of redemption, (B) the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes (other than Notes replaced pursuant to ‎Section 2.07) to maturity or redemption within one year, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate of the Issuers; provided, that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this ‎Section 8.01(a) to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as if the Redemption Date is the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the Redemption Date (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to Redemption Date, (C) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit, (D) the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which an Issuer is a party or by which it is bound, and (E) the Issuers pay all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers, then this Indenture and the Issuers’ obligations under the Note Documents in respect of the Notes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Second Lien Security Documents) shall, subject to ‎Section 8.01(c), be discharged and cease to be of further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Issuers’ obligations under the Note Documents in respect of the Notes on written demand of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuers. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption.

 

(b)        Subject to Sections ‎8.01(c) and ‎8.02, the Issuers at any time may terminate (i) all of their obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the other Note Documents in respect of the Notes (“legal defeasance option”), or (ii) their obligations under Sections ‎4.01, ‎4.03, ‎4.04, ‎4.05, ‎4.06, ‎4.07, ‎4.08, ‎4.09, ‎4.10, ‎4.11, ‎4.12, ‎4.13, ‎4.14, 4.15, ‎4.17, ‎4.18, ‎4.19, ‎4.20, ‎4.22 and ‎4.23, ‎Article 5 and the operation of Sections ‎6.01(c) (with respect to the covenants of ‎Article 4 and ‎Article 5 identified in this clause (ii)), ‎6.01(d), ‎6.01(e), ‎6.01(f) or ‎ 6.01(g) (but, in the case of Sections ‎6.01(f) and ‎6.01(g), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) or ‎6.01(h) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding their prior exercise of their covenant defeasance option.

 

 110 

 

 

If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in ‎Section 6.01(c) (with respect to the covenants of ‎Article 4 and ‎Article 5 identified in ‎Section 8.01‎(b)‎(ii)), ‎6.01(d), ‎6.01(e), ‎6.01(f) or ‎6.01(g) (but, in the case of Sections ‎6.01(f) and ‎6.01(g), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) or ‎‎6.01(h).

 

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent specified herein relating to the defeasance contemplated have been complied with, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.

 

(c)        Notwithstanding clauses ‎(a) and ‎(b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections ‎2.04, ‎2.05, ‎2.06, ‎2.07, ‎7.07, ‎7.08, ‎8.05 and ‎8.06 shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections ‎7.07 and ‎8.05 shall survive such satisfaction or discharge.

 

Section 8.02.      Conditions to Defeasance. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option only if:

 

(a)        the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof for the payment of principal of and interest (including premium, if any) on the Notes to maturity or a Redemption Date permitted under this Indenture; provided, that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as if the Redemption Date is the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the Redemption Date. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;

 

(b)        the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate of a nationally recognized accounting firm expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at the times and in amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest (including premium, if any) when due on all the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(c)        no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit and after giving effect thereto;

 

 111 

 

 

(d)        the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument binding on the Issuers;

 

(e)        in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Company has 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 U.S. federal income tax law, to the effect, in either case, that, and based thereon the Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the 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 the defeasance had not occurred;

 

(f)        in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of that covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if that covenant defeasance had not occurred; and

 

(g)        the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of this Indenture and the Notes as contemplated by this ‎Article 8 have been complied with.

 

Simultaneous with a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in accordance with ‎Article 3.

 

Section 8.03.      Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof deposited with it pursuant to this ‎Article 8, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. It shall apply the deposited money in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes.

 

Section 8.04.      Repayment to Issuer. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon written request any excess money or securities held by them upon satisfaction of the conditions and occurrence of the events set forth in this ‎Article 8.

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Issuers upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Noteholders entitled to the money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors.

 

Section 8.05.      Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders.

 

 112 

 

 

Section 8.06.      Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof in accordance with this ‎Article 8 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’ obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the other Note Documents in respect of the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this ‎Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this ‎Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Issuers have made any payment of interest on or principal of 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 U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

Article 9
Amendments

 

Section 9.01.      Without Consent of Holders. The Issuers, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee may amend any Note Document without notice to or consent of any Noteholder:

 

(a)        to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect, mistake or inconsistency;

 

(b)        to provide for the assumption by a successor of the obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under any Note Document;

 

(c)        to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated Notes are issued in definitive, fully registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

 

(d)        to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or release Guarantors from their Note Guaranties as provided by the terms of this Indenture or the Note Guaranties;

 

(e)        to secure the Notes (and, thereafter, provide releases of collateral in accordance with the security documents entered into in connection therewith), to add to the covenants of the Issuers or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power in any Note Document conferred upon the Issuers or any Guarantor;

 

(f)        to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or make any change that does not materially adversely affect the rights of any Noteholder;

 

 113 

 

 

(g)        to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA (it being agreed that this Indenture need not be qualified under the TIA), and to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA in the event the Issuers determine that this Indenture should be so qualified;

 

(h)        to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(i)         to provide for the issuance of exchange notes that shall have terms substantially identical in all respects to the Notes (except that the transfer restrictions contained in the Notes shall be modified or eliminated as appropriate) and which shall be treated, together with any outstanding Notes, as a single class of securities;

 

(j)         to provide for the appointment of a successor Trustee or Collateral Trustee; provided that the successor Trustee or Collateral Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms of this Indenture;

 

(k)        to conform any provisions of any Note Document to the “Description of Notes” contained in the Offering Memorandum;

 

(l)         to comply with the procedures of DTC or the Trustee with respect to the provisions in this Indenture and the Notes relating to transfers and exchanges of Notes or beneficial interests in Notes;

 

(m)       to grant any Lien for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the Notes, in any property or assets, including any in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents, the Collateral Trust Agreement or otherwise;

 

(n)        to add additional Second Lien Secured Parties to any Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement;

 

(o)        to enter into any intercreditor agreement having substantially similar terms with respect to the Holders as those set forth in the Security Documents, taken as a whole, or any joinder thereto;

 

(p)        to provide for the succession of any parties to the Security Documents (and other amendments that are administrative or ministerial in nature) and the Collateral Trust Agreement in connection with an amendment, renewal, extension, substitution, refinancing, restructuring, replacement, supplementing or other modification from time to time of the Credit Agreement or any other agreement that is not prohibited by this Indenture; and

 

(q)        to amend the Collateral Trust Agreement in accordance with its terms or the terms of the Security Documents.

 

 114 

 

 

Section 9.02.      With Consent of Holders. The Issuers, Trustee and the Collateral Trustee may amend the Note Documents without notice to any Noteholder but with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the Notes). However, without the consent of each Noteholder adversely affected thereby, an amendment may not:

 

(a)        reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment or waiver;

 

(b)        reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

(c)        reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note;

 

(d)        make any Note payable in money other than U.S. Dollars;

 

(e)        make any change to the contractual right of any Holder of the Notes expressly set forth in this Indenture or the Notes to receive payment of principal of and interest on that Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to that Holder’s Notes;

 

(f)        expressly subordinate the Notes to any other obligation of the Issuers or any Guarantor, except as otherwise permitted under this Indenture or the Notes;

 

(g)        reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed, as set forth in ‎Section 3.07 or as set forth in the Notes; or

 

(h)        release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guaranty or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of the Holders of at least 66-2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, no amendment or waiver may (A) make any change in any Security Document, the Collateral Trust Agreement or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with Collateral or application of trust proceeds of the Collateral with the effect of releasing the Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral which secure the Obligations in respect of the Notes or (B) change or alter the priority of the Liens securing the Obligations in respect of the Notes in any material portion of the Collateral in any way materially adverse, taken as a whole, to the Holders (as determined in good faith by the Company), other than, in each case, as provided under the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

The consent of the Holders of the Notes is not necessary to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

 

Section 9.03.      [Reserved].

 

 115 

 

 

Section 9.04.      Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Issuers in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Noteholder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Trustee.

 

The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Noteholders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Noteholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

 

After an amendment becomes effective, the Issuers are required to deliver to each Holder of the Notes at the Holder’s address appearing in the Note register a notice briefly describing the amendment. However, the failure to give this notice to all Holders of the Notes, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

 

Section 9.05.      Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to deliver such Note to the Trustee. The Issuers may direct the Trustee to place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return such Note to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Issuers so determine, the Issuers in exchange for the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate (in accordance with the requirements and procedures of ‎Section 2.03) a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

 

Section 9.06.      Trustee and Collateral Trustee to Sign Amendments. The Trustee and Collateral Trustee (if applicable) shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this ‎Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee, as applicable. If it does, the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee, as applicable, may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee (if applicable) shall receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and shall receive, and (subject to ‎Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by ‎Section 12.03, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such amendment complies with the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

 116 

 

 

Article 10
Note Guaranties

 

Section 10.01.    The Note Guaranties. Subject to the provisions of this ‎Article 10, each Guarantor party hereto or that executes a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit B hereby irrevocably and unconditionally Guarantees, jointly and severally, the full and punctual payment (whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, purchase pursuant to an offer to purchase required under ‎Section 4.07 or ‎Section 4.12 or acceleration, or otherwise) of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, and all other amounts payable under, each Note, and the full and punctual payment of all other amounts payable by the Issuers under this Indenture (including the Issuers’ obligations under ‎Section 7.07 hereof). Upon failure by the Issuers to pay punctually any such amount, each Guarantor shall forthwith on demand pay the amount not so paid at the place and in the manner specified in this Indenture. Any Note Guaranty constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

 

Section 10.02.    Guarantee Unconditional. The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing and except as expressly set forth herein, will not be released, discharged or otherwise affected by:

 

(a)        any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release in respect of any obligation of the Issuers under this Indenture or any Note, by operation of law or otherwise;

 

(b)        any modification or amendment of or supplement to this Indenture or any Note;

 

(c)        any change in the corporate existence, structure or ownership of an Issuer, or any insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar proceeding affecting an Issuer or its assets or any resulting release or discharge of any obligation of an Issuer contained in this Indenture or any Note;

 

(d)        the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights which the Guarantor may have at any time against the Issuers, the Trustee or any other Person, whether in connection with this Indenture or any unrelated transactions, provided that nothing herein prevents the assertion of any such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

 

(e)        any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against an Issuer for any reason of this Indenture or any Note, or any provision of applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit the payment by an Issuer of the principal of or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the Issuers under this Indenture; or

 

(f)        any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by the Issuers, the Trustee or any other Person or any other circumstance whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of or defense to such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder.

 

 117 

 

 

Section 10.03.    Discharge; Reinstatement. Each Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guaranty will remain in full force and effect until the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other amounts payable by the Issuers under this Indenture have been paid in full. If at any time any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note or any other amount payable by the Issuers under this Indenture is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of an Issuer or otherwise, each Guarantor’s obligations under its Note Guaranty with respect to such payment will be reinstated as though such payment had been due but not made at such time.

 

Section 10.04.    Waiver by the Guarantors. Each Guarantor irrevocably waives acceptance hereof, presentment, demand, protest and any notice not provided for herein, as well as any requirement that at any time any action be taken by any Person against the Issuers or any other Person.

 

Section 10.05.    Subrogation and Contribution. Upon making any payment with respect to any obligation of the Issuers under this ‎Article 10, the Guarantor making such payment will be subrogated to the rights of the payee against the Issuers with respect to such obligation, provided that the Guarantor may not enforce either any right of subrogation, or any right to receive payment in the nature of contribution, or otherwise, from any other Guarantor, with respect to such payment so long as any amount payable by the Issuers hereunder or under the Notes remains unpaid.

 

Section 10.06.    Stay of Acceleration. If acceleration of the time for payment of any amount payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes is stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of an Issuer, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the terms of this Indenture are nonetheless payable by the Guarantors hereunder forthwith on demand by the Trustee or the Holders.

 

Section 10.07.    Limitation on Amount of Note Guaranty. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this ‎Article 10, each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guaranty of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent conveyance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of the Bankruptcy Law or any comparable provision of state law. To effectuate that intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guaranty are limited to the maximum amount that would not render the Guarantor’s obligations subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of any Bankruptcy Law or any comparable provision of state law. Any Foreign Subsidiaries guarantee may also be subject to other limitations specified in this ‎Article 10 or otherwise in the applicable supplemental indenture as contemplated by the Agreed Guarantee Principles.

 

Section 10.08.    Execution and Delivery of Note Guaranty. The execution by each Guarantor of this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit B as modified by the Agreed Guarantee Principles) evidences the Note Guaranty of such Guarantor, whether or not the person signing as an officer of the Guarantor still holds that office at the time of authentication of any Note. The delivery of any Note by the Trustee after authentication constitutes due delivery of the Note Guaranty set forth in this Indenture on behalf of each Guarantor.

 

 118 

 

 

Section 10.09.    Release of Note Guaranty. The Note Guaranty of a Guarantor will terminate, and the Note Guaranty will be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, upon:

 

(a)        a sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation, amalgamation, liquidation or merger) of Capital Stock of the Guarantor following which such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Property of the Guarantor (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(b)        the release or discharge of such Guarantor’s obligations under the Credit Agreement other than a release or discharge through payment thereon;

 

(c)        the designation in accordance with this Indenture of the Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

(d)        such Guarantor ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary and such Guarantor not otherwise being required to provide a Note Guaranty pursuant to the provisions of ‎Section 4.14;

 

(e)        such Guarantor ceasing to guarantee any debt of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any other syndicated credit facility or capital markets debt in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $35 million after the date of its Note Guaranty other than a release or discharge through payment thereon;

 

(f)        any discharge pursuant to ‎Section 8.01‎(a) or defeasance pursuant to ‎‎Section 8.01(b); or

 

(g)        as required by the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

Upon delivery by the Issuers to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the foregoing effect, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guaranty.

 

 119 

 

 

Section 10.10.    Limitations for Luxembourg Guarantors. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Indenture or any First Lien Document or Second Lien Document, the aggregate obligations and liabilities under this Indenture and any other First Lien Document or Second Lien Document of any Guarantor incorporated under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (a “Luxembourg Guarantor”) for the obligations of any entity or company in which the Luxembourg Guarantor has no direct or indirect equity interest, shall be limited at any time to a maximum amount not exceeding ninety-five per cent (95%) of the higher:

 

(a)        of the sum of the LuxCo’s “capitaux propres” (as referred to in Annex I to the Grand-Ducal Regulation dated 18 December 2015 setting out the form and content of the presentation of the balance sheet and profit and loss account, enforcing the Law of 19 December 2002 on the register of commerce and companies and the accounting and annual accounts of undertakings, as amended) (Own Funds) and the Luxembourg Guarantor’s debt which is subordinated in right of payment (whether generally or specifically) to any obligations and liabilities under this Indenture and any other any First Lien Document or Second Lien Document (the Lux Subordinated Debt), as determined on the basis of the then latest available annual accounts of the Luxembourg Guarantor duly established in accordance with applicable accounting rules, as at the date on which the Luxembourg Guarantor is required to make any payment pursuant to this Indenture; and

 

(b)        of the sum of the Luxembourg Guarantor’s Own Funds and its Lux Subordinated Debt as at the date of this Indenture.

 

Where for the purpose of the above determination, no duly established annual accounts are available for the relevant reference period (which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes a situation where, (i) in respect of the determination to be made under (a) and (b) above, no final annual accounts have been established in due time in respect of the then most recently ended financial year or (ii) the relevant annual accounts do not adequately reflect the status of the Own Funds and/or the Subordinated Debts as envisaged above) the Luxembourg Guarantor shall, promptly, establish unaudited interim accounts (as of the date of the end of the then most recent financial quarter) or annual accounts (as applicable) duly established in accordance with applicable accounting rules, pursuant to which the Luxembourg Guarantor’s Own Funds and Lux Subordinated Debt will be determined. If the Luxembourg Guarantor fails to provide such unaudited interim accounts or annual accounts (as applicable) within 30 Business Days as from the request of the Trustee (or such longer period as the Trustee may agree, in its sole discretion), the Trustee may appoint an independent auditor (réviseur d’entreprises agréé) or an independent reputable investment bank which shall undertake the determination of the Luxembourg Guarantor’s Own Funds and Lux Subordinated Debt. In order to prepare such determination, the independent auditor (réviseur d’entreprises agréé) or the independent reputable investment bank shall take into consideration such available elements and facts at such time, including without limitation, the latest annual accounts of the Luxembourg Guarantor and any entities in which it has a direct or indirect equity interest, any recent valuation of the assets of the Luxembourg Guarantor and any entities in which it has a direct or indirect equity interest (if available), in particular, the market value of the assets of the Luxembourg Guarantor and any entities in which it has a direct or indirect equity interest as if sold between a willing buyer and a willing seller as a going concern using a standard market multi criteria approach combining market multiples, book value, discounted cash flow or comparable public transaction of which price is known (taking into account circumstances at the time of the valuation and making all necessary adjustments to the assumption being used) and acting in a reasonable manner.

 

 120 

 

 

(c)        The above limitation shall not apply to:

 

(1)        any amounts borrowed under any First Lien Document or Second Lien Document and in each case made available, in any form whatsoever, to the Luxembourg Guarantor or any entity in which it has a direct or indirect equity interest; and

 

(2)        for the avoidance of doubt, any Luxembourg law security documentation.

 

Section 10.11.    Limitations for Gibraltar Guarantors. Any Note Guaranty granted under this Indenture by a Guarantor registered under the laws of Gibraltar does not apply to any liability to the extent that it would (i) constitute unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of section 100 of the Companies Act 2014 of Gibraltar; (ii) comprise a “voidable transaction” or “insolvency transaction” within the meaning given to those terms under Part 9 of the Insolvency Act 2011 of Gibraltar; or (iii) cause any breach whatsoever under the Insolvency Act 2011 of Gibraltar.

 

Section 10.12.    Limitations for Swiss Guarantors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture and any other Note Document, the obligations of any Guarantor that is incorporated in Switzerland or, if different, that is considered to be tax resident in Switzerland for Swiss Withholding Tax purposes (a “Swiss Guarantor”) and the rights of the Notes Secured Parties are subject to the following limitations:

 

(a)        If and to the extent that:

 

(1)        a Swiss Guarantor guarantees or becomes directly or indirectly liable for obligations other than obligations of one of its wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiaries (the “Restricted Obligations”); and

 

(2)        a payment in fulfilling such Restricted Obligations would in accordance with applicable Swiss law constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by such Swiss Guarantor or would otherwise be restricted under then applicable mandatory Swiss law, such Restricted Obligations (and the amount of any payment in relation thereto) shall from time to time be limited to the amount as determined in accordance with applicable Swiss law as then in effect (the “Swiss Available Amount”). This limitation shall not release the Swiss Guarantor from its obligations in excess of the Swiss Available Amount, but merely postpone the performance date thereof until such times as performance is again permitted under applicable Swiss law. Any and all indemnities and guarantees of such Swiss Guarantor contained in any Note Documents shall be construed in a manner consistent with this Section 10.12.

 

 121 

 

 

(b)        In case a Swiss Guarantor who must make a payment in respect of Restricted Obligations under this Indenture or any other Note Document is obliged to withhold Swiss Withholding Tax in respect of such payment, such Swiss Guarantor shall:

 

(1)        use its best efforts that such payments can be made without deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax, or with deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability for such tax by notification pursuant to applicable law (including double tax treaties) rather than payment of the tax;

 

(2)        if the notification procedure pursuant to the preceding sub-paragraph does not apply, deduct Swiss Withholding Tax at the rate of 35% (or such other rate as in force from time to time), or if the notification procedure pursuant to the preceding sub-paragraph applies for a part of the Swiss Withholding Tax only, deduct Swiss Withholding Tax at the reduced rate resulting after the discharge of part of such tax by notification under applicable law, from any payment made by it in respect of Restricted Obligations and promptly pay any such taxes to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

(3)        notify the Trustee that such notification, or as the case may be, deduction has been made and provide the Trustee with evidence that such a notification of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been made or, as the case may be, such taxes deducted have been paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

(4)        in the case of a deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax, use its best efforts to ensure that any person other than the Trustee or a Notes Secured Party, which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax deducted from such payment in respect of Restricted Obligations, will, as soon as possible after such deduction (A) be in a position to apply for a refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax under applicable law (including tax treaties) and pay to the Trustee upon receipt any amounts so refunded or (B) if the Trustee or any other Notes Secured Party is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax deducted from such payment and if requested by the Trustee, provide the Trustee or the Notes Secured Party those documents that are required by law and applicable tax treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax in order to enable the Trustee or the Notes Secured Party to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss Withholding Tax. The Trustee and the Secured Parties shall co-operate with each other to secure such refund.

 

(c)        If a Swiss Guarantor is obliged to withhold Swiss Withholding Tax in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the Trustee and the relevant Notes Secured Parties shall be entitled to further request payment under the guarantees granted or other liabilities assumed to it under this Indenture or any other Note Document and apply proceeds therefrom against the Restricted Obligations up to an amount which is equal to that amount which would have been obtained if no withholding of Swiss Withholding Tax were required, whereby such further payments shall always be limited to the Swiss Available Amount. In case the proceeds irrevocably received by the Trustee or a Notes Secured Party pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) above and this paragraph (c) have the effect that the proceeds received by the Trustee and the Notes Secured Parties exceed the Swiss Available Amount, then the Trustee and the Notes Secured Parties shall promptly return such overcompensation to the Swiss Guarantor.

 

 122 

 

 

(d)        If and to the extent requested by the Trustee and if and to the extent this is from time to time permitted under applicable Swiss mandatory law notwithstanding the restrictions referred to in this Section 10.12, in order to allow the Trustee and the Notes Secured Parties to obtain a maximum benefit under this Indenture and any other Note Document, the Swiss Guarantor and each Issuer and other Grantor shall take all such measures and/or promptly procure the fulfilment of all such prerequisites, in each case to the extent within its respective power, as are necessary and appropriate to achieve, without delay, payment towards the discharge of the Restricted Obligations and to enable it to promptly perform its obligations under this Indenture or any other Note Document and make the (required) payment(s) thereunder from time to time, including the following:

 

(1)        the preparation of an up-to-date (interim) audited balance sheet of the Swiss Guarantor;

 

(2)        the confirmation of the auditors of the Swiss Guarantor that the relevant amount represents the Swiss Available Amount;

 

(3)        the passing of unanimous written resolutions of the quotaholders of the Swiss Guarantor approving the (resulting) distribution;

 

(4)        the conversion of restricted reserves into profits and reserves freely available for the distribution as dividends (to the extent permitted by mandatory Swiss law);

 

(5)        to the extent permitted by applicable Swiss law, (A) write up or realize any of its assets shown in its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets, in case of a realization, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Swiss Guarantor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and/or (B) reduce its quota capital; and

 

(6)        all such other measures necessary or useful and/or to promptly procure the fulfilment of all prerequisites reasonably necessary to allow the Swiss Guarantor to promptly make the payments and perform the obligations agreed hereunder from time to time with a minimum of limitations.

 

 123 

 

 

Article 11
Collateral and Security

 

Section 11.01.    Security Documents.

 

(a)        The due and punctual payment of the Note Obligations, including payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when 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, if any, and interest on the Notes and performance of all other Obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors to the Holders, the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee under this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guaranties, the Collateral Trust Agreement and the Security Documents, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents, which define the terms of the Liens that secure Note Obligations, subject to the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement. The Trustee and the Issuers hereby acknowledge and agree that the Collateral Trustee holds the Collateral in trust for the benefit of the Holders, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee (or, in connection with certain non-US law governed Security Documents, in favor of the Collateral Trustee acting for itself (including as creditor of a parallel debt) and as direct or indirect representative of the Second Lien Secured Parties) and pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement. By their acceptance of the Notes, the Holders hereby agree to be bound by, and authorize and direct the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee, as the case may be, to execute and deliver the Collateral Trust Agreement, and any Security Documents in which the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee, as applicable, is named as a party, including each Security Document executed on or after the Issue Date.

 

(b)        Subject to the Collateral Trust Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Collateral Trustee copies of all documents required to be filed pursuant to the Security Documents, and will do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required, to provide to the Collateral Trustee a second Lien security interest in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee and execute and deliver such security instruments, financing statements, mortgages and deeds of trust as may be necessary to vest in the Collateral Trustee a perfected second-priority security interest (subject to Liens permitted by ‎Section 4.06 and Permitted Liens) in the Collateral, including delivering all such documents and taking all such actions in order to satisfy the Collateral Vessel Requirements; provided that for as long as the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations are outstanding, the Grantors will not be required to take any actions to create or perfect liens or otherwise satisfy the Collateral Vessel Requirements, unless such actions are required with respect to the Credit Agreement.

 

Section 11.02.    Collateral Trustee. The Noteholders have, and by accepting a Note, each Noteholder will be deemed to have, appointed the Collateral Trustee to act as its agent under the Collateral Trust Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents. The Noteholders have, and by accepting a Note, each Noteholder will be deemed to have, authorized the Collateral Trustee as its agent to (a) perform the duties and exercise the rights and powers that are specifically given to it under the Collateral Trust Agreement and the Second Lien Security Documents, together with any other incidental rights, power and discretions; and (b) execute each Security Document, waiver, modification, amendment, renewal or replacement expressed to be executed by the Collateral Trustee on its behalf (be it as trustee or direct or indirect representative, as applicable under the law governing the relevant Security Document).

 

 124 

 

 

Section 11.03.    Release of Liens in Respect of Notes. The Collateral Trustee’s Liens on the Collateral will no longer secure the Notes, any other Note Documents or any other Obligations under this Indenture or the Collateral Trust Agreement, and the right of the Holders of the Notes, the other Note Documents and such Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Trustee’s Liens on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged:

 

(1)        upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as set forth under ‎Section 8.01(a);

 

(2)        upon a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as set forth under ‎Section 8.01(b);

 

(3)        upon payment in full and discharge of all Notes outstanding under this Indenture and all Obligations that are outstanding, due and payable under this Indenture at the time the Notes are paid in full and discharged;

 

(4)        in whole or in part, with the consent of the Holders of the requisite percentage of Notes in accordance with the provisions of ‎Section 9.02; or

 

(5)        as to any asset constituting Collateral if and only to the extent that the Liens on such Collateral in favor of the Senior Secured Credit Facility Secured Parties have been released in accordance with their terms, except a release as a result of the Discharge of First Lien Obligations in respect of the Senior Secured Credit Facility Obligations.

 

Section 11.04.    Further Assurances. (a) The Issuers and each of the other Grantors will do or cause to be done all acts and things that may be required, or that the Collateral Trustee from time to time may reasonably request, to assure and confirm that the Collateral Trustee holds, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, duly created and enforceable and perfected Liens upon the Collateral (including any property or assets that are acquired or otherwise become, or are required by any Secured Debt Document to become, Collateral after the Notes are issued), in each case, as contemplated by, and with the Lien priority required under, the Secured Debt Documents.

 

(b)        Upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Trustee, First Lien Debt Representative or any Second Lien Debt Representative at any time and from time to time, the Issuers and each of the other Grantors will promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such Security Documents, instruments, certificates, notices and other documents, and take such other actions as shall be reasonably required, or that the Collateral Trustee 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 Secured Debt Documents for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

Section 11.05.    Protections of the Collateral Trustee. The Collateral Trustee in its capacity as such hereunder and under the Security Documents shall at all times be entitled to same protections, rights and limitations of liability as the Trustee in accordance with Article 7 hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Security Document, any action or inaction requiring the discretion or opinion or exercise of reasonableness of or by the Collateral Trustee, in its capacity as Collateral Trustee for the Holders under the terms of any of the Note Documents shall, at the request of the Collateral Trustee, be taken at the written direction of the Holders of more than 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding.

 

 125 

 

 

Article 12
Miscellaneous

 

Section 12.01.    [Reserved].

 

Section 12.02.    Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail or sent by facsimile (with a hard copy delivered in person or by mail promptly thereafter) and addressed as follows:

 

if to the Issuers and Guarantors:

 

Valaris Limited
Clarendon House, 2 Church Street
Hamilton HM11, Bermuda
Facsimile: (441) 292-4720
Attention: General Counsel

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
811 Main Street, Suite 3000
Houston, Texas 77002-6117
Facsimile: (346) 718-6901
Attention: Tull Florey

 

if to the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee:

 

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB
500 Delaware Avenue

Wilmington, DE 1980

Attn: Geoffrey J. Lewis

Phone: (302) 421-9137

Email: glewis@wsfsbank.com

 

The Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

Any notice or communication delivered to a Noteholder shall be mailed or delivered to the Noteholder at the Noteholder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so delivered within the time prescribed.

 

 126 

 

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: (A) at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; (B) five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; (C) when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by electronic transmission or other similar means of unsecured electronic communication; and (D) the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

All notices or communications required to be made to a Holder pursuant to this Indenture must be made in writing and will be deemed to be duly sent or given in writing if 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; provided, however, that a notice or communication to a Holder of a Global Note may, but need not, instead be sent pursuant to the Depositary Procedures.

 

Failure to mail or deliver a notice or communication to a Noteholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Noteholders.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given to the Depositary pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee will not have any liability relating to the contents of any notice that it sends to any Holder pursuant to any instruction from the Issuers.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed or sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it will be deemed to have been duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon any notice, instruction, or other communication, including any funds transfer instruction (each, a “Notice”), received pursuant to this Indenture by electronic transmission (including by e-mail, web portal or other electronic methods) and reasonably believed by the Trustee to be valid and the Trustee shall not have any duty to confirm that the person sending such Notice is, in fact, a person authorized to do so, and furthermore (i) the Trustee shall not have any liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained directly or indirectly by any party as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information and (ii) the Issuers and any other sending party agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of electronic methods to submit instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information to the Trustee, including the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, notices, reports or other communications or information, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. If the Issuers or other sending party elects to send the Trustee email and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling.

 

Electronic signatures reasonably believed by the Trustee to comply with the ESIGN Act of 2000 or other applicable law (including electronic images of handwritten signatures and digital signatures provided by DocuSign, Adobe Sign or any other digital signature provider identified by any other party hereto and acceptable to the Trustee) shall be deemed original signatures for all purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may require that a Notice in the form of an original document bearing a manual signature be delivered to the Trustee in lieu of, or in addition to, any such electronic Notice.

 

 127 

 

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any notice to the Trustee shall be deemed given when actually received.

 

Section 12.03.    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. (a) Upon any request or application by the Issuers to the Trustee or Collateral Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuers shall, if requested by the Trustee or Collateral Trustee, furnish to the Trustee or Collateral Trustee as applicable:

 

(b)        an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(c)        an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

Section 12.04.    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall 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 has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(d)        a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

 

Every such certificate or opinion provided under this Indenture shall be without personal recourse to the Person executing the same and may include an express statement to that effect.

 

 128 

 

 

Section 12.05.    When Notes Disregarded. 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 by any Affiliate of the Issuers shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

 

Section 12.06.    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agents, Authentication Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Noteholders. The Registrar, Authentication Agent and the Paying Agents or co-registrar may make reasonable rules for their functions.

 

Section 12.07.    Business Days. If a payment date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the maturity date or any Redemption Date) is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.

 

Section 12.08.    Judgment Currency. (a) U.S. Dollars are the sole currency of account and payment for all sums payable by the Issuers or any Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guaranties, including damages relating thereto. Any amount received or recovered in a currency other than U.S. Dollars (whether as a result of, or of the enforcement of, a judgment or order of a court of any jurisdiction, or otherwise) by any Holder of a Note in respect of any sum expressed to be due to it from the Issuers or any Guarantor will only constitute a discharge of the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, to the extent of the U.S. Dollar amount which the Trustee could purchase in the City of New York in accordance with normal banking procedures with the amount so received or recovered in that other currency on the date of that receipt or recovery (or, if it is not practicable to make that purchase on that date, on the first date on which it is practicable to do so). If that U.S. Dollar amount is less than the U.S. Dollar amount expressed to be due to the recipient under any Note or Note Guaranties, the Issuers and the Guarantors will, jointly and severally, indemnify such Holder against any loss sustained by it as a result (including the cost of making any such purchase).

 

(b)        The indemnities of the Issuers and any Guarantor contained in this ‎Section 12.08, to the extent permitted by law: (i) constitute a separate and independent obligation from the other obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Indenture and the Notes; (ii) shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action against the Issuers; (iii) shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by any Holder of the Notes or the Trustee from time to time; (iv) shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any other judgment, order, claim or proof for a liquidated amount in respect of any sum due under this Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guaranty; and (v) shall survive the termination of this Indenture. For the purposes of this ‎Section 12.08, it shall be sufficient for a payee to certify in a satisfactory manner that it would have suffered a loss had an actual purchase of U.S. Dollars been made with the amount received in that other currency on the date of receipt or recovery (or, if a purchase of U.S. Dollars on such date had not been practicable, on the first date on which it would have been practicable) and that the change of the purchase date was needed.

 

 129 

 

 

Section 12.09.    Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agents for Service. (a) Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York, Borough of Manhattan over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guaranties or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (each, a “Related Proceeding”). Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Related Proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such Related Proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. To the extent that any Issuer or Guarantor has or hereafter may acquire any immunity (on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise) from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process with respect to itself or its property, each of the Issuers and the Guarantors irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such immunity in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.

 

(b)        The Company and the Guarantors hereby appoint FinanceCo, with offices at 5847 San Felipe St. Suite 3300, Houston, TX 77057, as their respective agent for service of process in any Related Proceeding and agree that service of process in any such Related Proceeding may be made upon it or them at the office of such agent. The agent for service of process named herein may resign upon giving written notice to the Issuers at the address listed in ‎Section 12.02. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors represents and warrants that such agent has agreed to act, and FinanceCo hereby agrees to act, as the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ agent for service of process, and each of the Issuers and the Guarantors agree to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect.

 

Section 12.10.    Governing Law/Waiver of Trial by Jury; Submission to Jurisdiction. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTIES AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND EACH HOLDER OF NOTES BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

 130 

 

 

Section 12.11.    No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Note Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Noteholder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

Section 12.12.    Successors. All agreements of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee or the Collateral Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

Section 12.13.    Multiple Originals; Electronic Signatures. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Indenture shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile, email or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code. Without limitation to the foregoing, and anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) any Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, Definitive Note, Global Note, Note Guaranty, certificate of authentication appearing on or attached to any Note, supplemental indenture or other certificate, instrument, agreement, notice or other document or instrument delivered pursuant to this Indenture may be executed, attested and transmitted by any of the foregoing electronic means and formats, and (b) all references in ‎Section 2.03 (Execution and Authentication) or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any Definitive Note or Global Note to the execution, attestation or authentication of any Note or any certificate of authentication appearing on or attached to any Note by means of a manual or facsimile signature shall be deemed to include signatures that are made or transmitted by any of the foregoing electronic means or formats.

 

Section 12.14.    Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture and the Notes have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

 131 

 

 

Section 12.15.    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, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, epidemics, 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.

 

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 identifies 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 within the Issuers’ custody or control or as the Issuers may reasonably obtain that the Trustee may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

Section 12.17.    FATCA. In order to assist the Trustee with its compliance with Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder (as in effect from time to time, collectively, the “Applicable Tax Law”), the Issuers agree (i) to provide to the Trustee reasonably available information in their possession regarding the Issuers or the Holders of Notes (solely in their capacity as such) and which is necessary for the Trustee’s determination of whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Tax Law and (ii) that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Tax Law and shall have no liability in connection therewith other than as a result of its gross negligence or willful misconduct. Nothing in the immediately preceding sentence shall be construed as obligating the Issuers to make any “gross up” payment or similar reimbursement in connection with a payment in respect of which amounts are so withheld or deducted.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

 132 

 

 

In witness whereof, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

As Issuers:

 

  Valaris Limited
     
  By: /s/ Darin Gibbins
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer
     
  Valaris Finance Company LLC
     
   By: Valaris Limited, its sole member
     
  By: /s/ Darin Gibbins
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

As Guarantors:

 

  Alpha Achiever Company
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Director
     
  Alpha Orca Company
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Director
     
  Atwood Offshore Worldwide Limited
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Director
     
  ENSCO Asia Company LLC
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: President and Manager
     
  Ensco Endeavors Limited
     
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: President and Director
     
  ENSCO Global GmbH
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Managing Officer

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  ENSCO Global Limited
     
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: Director
     
  ENSCO Holdco Limited
     
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: Director
     
  Ensco Intercontinental GmbH
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Managing Officer
     
  Ensco Oceanics Company LLC
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: President and Manager
     
  Ensco Offshore International Company
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Director
     
  ENSCO Offshore U.K. Limited
     
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  ENSCO Overseas Limited
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Director
     
  ENSCO Worldwide GmbH
     
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Managing Officer
     
  EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a Deed by
  Green Turtle Limited
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
     
    In the presence of:
     
    /s/ Leah Felcman
    Witness Name: Leah Felcman
    Witness Address: 5847 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77057
    Witness Occupation: Manager – Corporate Governance

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a Deed by
  Rowan Drilling (Gibraltar) Limited
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
     
    In the presence of:
     
    /s/ Leah Felcman
    Witness Name: Leah Felcman
    Witness Address: 5847 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77057
    Witness Occupation: Manager – Corporate Governance
     
  EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a Deed by
  Rowan Offshore (Gibraltar) Limited
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
     
    In the presence of:
     
    /s/ Leah Felcman
    Witness Name: Leah Felcman
    Witness Address: 5847 San Felipe, Houston, TX 77057
    Witness Occupation: Manager – Corporate Governance

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  Rowan Financial Holdings S.à r.l.
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorized Signatory
     
  Rowan International Rig Holdings S.à r.l.
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorized Signatory
     
  Rowan Offshore Luxembourg S.à r.l.
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorized Signatory
     
  Rowan Rex Limited
     
  By: /s/ Rowan Rex Limited
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Director, Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
     
  Rowan Rigs S.à r.l.
     
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  Valaris Holdco 2 Limited
     
  By: /s/ Darin Gibbins
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

  WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as Trustee
     
  By: /s/ John McNichol
    Name: John McNichol
    Title: Assistant Vice President
     
  WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as Collateral Trustee
     
  By: /s/ John McNichol
    Name: John McNichol
    Title: Assistant Vice President

 

[Signature Page to the Indenture]

 

 

 

 

Appendix A

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE NOTES

 

1.Definitions.

 

1.1.          Definitions.

 

For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

Definitive Note” means a certificated Note bearing, if required, the restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.3(c).

 

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes, The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

Distribution Compliance Period” means, with respect to any Notes, the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on the later of (i) the day on which such Notes are first offered to Persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S and (ii) the Issue Date or, if such Notes are Additional Notes, the issue date with respect to such Notes.

 

Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depositary) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.

 

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

Transfer Restricted Notes” means Definitive Notes and any other Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(c) hereto.

 

1.2.          Other Definitions.

 

Term

 

Defined in Section:

Agent Members   2.1(b)
Global Note   2.1(a)
Regulation S   2.1
Regulation S Global Note   2.1(a)
Rule 144A   2.1
Rule 144A Global Note   2.1(a)

 

 Appendix A-1 

 

 

2.The Notes.

 

2.1.          Form and Dating. The Notes will be offered and sold by the Issuers from time to time. The Notes will be resold initially only to persons reasonably believed to be QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) and to certain non-U.S. persons outside the United States in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”). The Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs and purchasers in reliance on Regulation S, subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth herein and in the legend on the certificates representing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes set forth below.

 

(a)           Global Notes. The Notes initially resold pursuant to Rule 144A shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in registered form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) with the global securities legend and the restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A to this Indenture, and Notes initially resold pursuant to Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in registered form without interest coupons (the “Regulation S Global Note”) with the global securities legend and the applicable restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A to this Indenture or with such other legends as may be appropriate. Except as set forth in this Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.3(b) hereof, beneficial ownership interest in a Regulation S Global Note will only be exchangeable for interests in a Rule 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note in registered certificated form only after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period and then only, in the case of an exchange for a Definitive Note, in compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 2.4. The Rule 144A Global Note and Regulation S Global Note, together with any other Note in registered global form in the name of the Depositary or its nominee without interest coupons, are collectively referred to herein as “Global Notes.” The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the applicable Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

 

(b)           Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the applicable Depositary.

 

The Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.03 of the Indenture, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (a) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Depositary for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (b) shall be deposited with the Trustee as Notes Custodian.

 

Members of, or participants, in the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Trustee as Notes Custodian or under such Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

 Appendix A-2 

 

 

(c)            Definitive Notes. Except as provided in Section 2.3 or Section 2.4 hereof, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

 

2.2.          Authentication. The Trustee or Authentication Agent shall authenticate and deliver Notes in accordance with Section 2.03 of this Indenture.

 

2.3.          Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request:

 

(x)            to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or

 

(y)            to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar or co-registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:

 

(i)             shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers and the Registrar or co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

(ii)            if such Definitive Notes bear a restricted securities legend, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

(A)            if such Definitive Notes are being delivered to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect; or

 

(B)            if such Definitive Notes are being transferred to an Issuer or a Guarantor, a certification to that effect; or

 

(C)            if such Definitive Notes are being transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, (i) a certification to that effect and (ii) an opinion of counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in Section ‎2.3(c)(i).

 

 Appendix A-3 

 

 

(b)            Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.

 

(i)             The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the applicable Depositary, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver a written order given in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Note and such account shall be credited in accordance with such instructions with a beneficial interest in the Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

 

(ii)            If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

 

(iii)           Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except 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.

 

(iv)           In the event that a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes pursuant to Section 2.4, such Notes may be exchanged (including any exchange of such Definitive Notes for beneficial interests in any Global Note) only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification and other requirements set forth herein and on the reverse of the Original Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A, Regulation S or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Issuers.

 

(v)            The transferor shall, to the extent required by applicable tax law, also provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information that is (i) in its possession, (ii) specifically requested by the Trustee in sufficient detail to permit compliance with such request and (iii) necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including, if applicable, any cost basis reporting obligations under Section 6045 of the Code. The Trustee may rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

 

 Appendix A-4 

 

 

(vi)           Restrictions on Transfer of Regulation S Global Notes.

 

(A)          Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note only if: (i) such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer of the Notes pursuant to Rule 144A; and (ii) the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate to the effect that the Notes are being transferred to a person: (a) who the transferor reasonably believes to be a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A; (b) purchasing for its own account or the account of a QIB in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A; and (c) in accordance with all applicable securities laws of the states of the United States and other jurisdictions; and

 

(B)           Beneficial interests in a Rule 144A Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable) and, if such transfer occurs prior to the end of the Distribution Compliance Period, the interest transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

 

 Appendix A-5 

 

 

(c)            Legend.

 

(i)             Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), each certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THEN REQUIRED UNDER RULE 144 OR ITS SUCCESSOR RULE)][IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY GUARANTOR, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO AN OFFER OR SALE THAT OCCURS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND IS ACQUIRING THE NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES OF $500,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUERS. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

Each Definitive Note will also bear the following additional legend:

 

“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH REGISTRAR MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”

 

(ii)            Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note (including any Transfer Restricted Note represented by a Global Note) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act:

 

(A)          in the case of any Transfer Restricted Note that is a Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note if, and to the extent, no resale restrictions under such Rule shall continue to apply; and

 

 Appendix A-6 

 

 

(B)           in the case of any Transfer Restricted Note that is represented by a Global Note, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note if, and to the extent, no resale restrictions under such Rule shall continue to apply,

 

in either case, if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the assignment form set forth on the reverse of the Note) and complies with the requirement to provide such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuers and the Trustee have reasonably requested as set forth in such form on the reverse of the Note.

 

(d)           Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned by the Depositary to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to its customary practice.

 

At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive Notes, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Notes Custodian for such Global Note) or the applicable Notes Custodian with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, as applicable, to reflect such reduction.

 

(e)           Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

 

(i)             To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s or co-registrar’s request.

 

(ii)            No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06 and 9.05 of this Indenture).

 

(iii)           The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note for a period beginning 15 calendar days before (a) the record date for any payment of interest on the Notes, (b) any date fixed for redemption of the Notes or (c) the date fixed for selection of the Notes to be redeemed in part. Also, the Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption. In the event of the transfer of any Note, the transfer agent may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents as described in this Indenture. The Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law and permitted by this Indenture and the Notes.

 

 Appendix A-7 

 

 

(iv)           Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(v)           All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(f)            No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i)             Neither the Issuers nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

(ii)            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 Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) 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, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

 Appendix A-8 

 

 

2.4.          Definitive Notes.

 

(a)           A Global Note deposited with the Trustee as Notes Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred (or, in the case of clause (iii) below, shall be transferrable) to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depositary notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act, and in either case a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days of such notice, (ii) the Issuers, at their option, notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Depositary requests the issuance of Definitive Notes in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Notes.

 

(b)           Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Definitive Notes issued in exchange for any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Global Note shall bear the restricted securities legend set forth in Section 2.3(c)(i) unless that legend is not required by applicable law.

 

(c)           The Holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(d)           In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.4(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Issuers will promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

 Appendix A-9 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

 

A-1

 

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED NOTES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR (OR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THEN REQUIRED UNDER RULE 144 OR ITS SUCCESSOR RULE)][IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS] AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUERS WAS THE OWNER OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY GUARANTOR, (B) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHICH NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A, (C) PURSUANT TO AN OFFER OR SALE THAT OCCURS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND IS ACQUIRING THE NOTE FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES OF $500,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUERS. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.”

 

[Definitive Notes Legend]

 

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

A-2

 

 

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

 

No. [ ] $[ ]

 

8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030

 

CUSIP Nos. 91889F AC5 / G9460G AC5

ISIN Nos. US91889FAC59 / USG9460GAC53

 

VALARIS LIMITED, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, and VALARIS FINANCE COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, jointly and severally promise to pay to __________, or registered assigns, the principal sum [of [ ] Dollars ($ )](1) [as set forth on the Schedule of Increases and Decreases annexed hereto](2) on April 30, 2030.

 

Interest Payment Dates: April 30 and October 30.

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15.

 

 

 

(1)           Insert for Definitive Securities

 

(2)           Insert for Global Securities

 

A-3

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

  Very truly yours,
     
  Valaris Limited
     
  By:  
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer
     
  Valaris Finance Company LLC
  By: Valaris Limited, its sole member
     
  By:  
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer

 

A-4

 

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

Dated:

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the Indenture.  
     
By:    
  Authorized Signatory  

 

A-5

 

 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030

 

1.Interest

 

Valaris Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “Company”), and Valaris Finance Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FinanceCo” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), jointly and severally promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Note due 2030 (this “Note” and, together with any other 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030, the “Notes”) at the rate per annum shown above. The Issuers will pay interest semiannually on April 30 and October 30 each year, commencing October 30, 2023. 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 April 19, 2023. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and they shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.

 

2.Method of Payment

 

The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Depositary. The Issuers will make all payments in respect of a Definitive Note (including principal, premium and interest), by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a Holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3.Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB (the “Trustee”) will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent and Registrar.

 

A-6

 

 

4.Indenture; Note Guaranty

 

The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors party thereto from time to time, the Trustee and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as collateral trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Noteholders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of those terms. This Note is guaranteed by the Guarantors, as and to the extent set forth in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, incur Debt, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell shares of capital stock of such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Issuers and the Guarantors to consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, transfer, assign, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Property of the Issuers or the Guarantors.

 

To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Note and the terms of the Indenture, the terms of the Indenture shall control.

 

5.Optional Redemption

 

(a)            Except as described in this paragraph 5, the Notes may not be redeemed at the option of the Issuers prior to April 30, 2026. On or after April 30, 2026, the Issuers may, at their option, redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time. The Notes may be redeemed at the redemption prices as set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), calculated by the Issuers. The following prices are for Notes redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on April 30 of the years set forth below, and are expressed as percentages of principal amount:

 

Period  Redemption Price 
2026   104.188%
2027   102.094%
2028 and thereafter   100.000%

 

A-7

 

 

(b)           At any time and from time to time prior to April 30, 2026, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to a maximum of 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture (including Additional Notes, if any) with an amount equal to or less than the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, at a redemption price equal to 108.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to any redemption of this kind, at least 60% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding. Any redemption of this kind shall be made within 90 days of such Equity Offering.

 

(c)           At any time prior to April 30, 2026, the Issuers may redeem up to 10% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture (including Additional Notes, if any) during any twelve-month period at a redemption price equal to 103.000% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

(d)           The Issuers may redeem all or any portion of the Notes, at once or over time, prior to April 30, 2026, at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

 

(i)             100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus

 

(ii)            the Applicable Premium,

 

plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

 

(e)           The Issuers shall have the right to redeem the Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) following the consummation of a Change of Control if at least 90% of the Notes outstanding prior to such consummation are purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer with respect to such Change of Control.

 

(f)            The Issuers may redeem the Notes, at their option, at any time in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount of Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), in the event that the Company determines in good faith that (x) the Issuers or any Guarantor has become or would become obligated to pay, on the next date on which any amount would be payable with respect to the Notes or the Note Guaranties, Additional Amounts, and (y) such obligation cannot be avoided by taking reasonable measures available to the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor, as applicable (which measures do not include, for the avoidance of doubt, changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Issuers or the relevant Guarantor), as a result of:

 

(1)            a change in or an amendment to the laws or treaties (including any regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of any Specified Tax Jurisdiction affecting taxation, which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the Issue Date (or, if the Specified Tax Jurisdiction was not a Specified Tax Jurisdiction on the Issue Date, the date on which such Specified Tax Jurisdiction became a Specified Tax Jurisdiction); or

 

A-8

 

 

(2)            any change in or amendment to any official position of a taxing authority in any Specified Tax Jurisdiction regarding the application, administration or interpretation of such laws, treaties, regulations or rulings (including a holding, judgment or order by a court of competent jurisdiction), which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after the Issue Date (or, if the Specified Tax Jurisdiction was not a Specified Tax Jurisdiction on the Issue Date, the date on which such Specified Tax Jurisdiction became a Specified Tax Jurisdiction);

 

provided that in the case of Additional Amounts required to be paid as a result of the Issuers or relevant Guarantor conducting business other than in the place of its incorporation or organization, such amendment or change must be announced or become effective on or after the date in which it begins to conduct business giving rise to the relevant withholding or deduction.

 

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

 

(a)           1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

 

(b)           the excess, if any, of (i) the present value on such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Notes on April 30, 2026 (such redemption price being that described in clause (a) of this paragraph 5), plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through April 30, 2026 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to (but not including) such Redemption Date) computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (ii) the principal amount of such Note.

 

Treasury Rate” means, as of the applicable Redemption Date, as determined by the Company, the yield to maturity as of such Redemption Date 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 such 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 such Redemption Date to April 30, 2026; provided, however, that if the period from such Redemption Date to April 30, 2026 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which such yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to such applicable date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

A-9

 

 

6.Notice of Optional Redemption

 

Notice of redemption will be sent by first-class mail and in the case of Notes held in book-entry form, by electronic transmission at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at his or her registered address. Any redemption or notice of redemption issued pursuant to paragraph 5 may, in the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent.

 

7.Sinking Fund

 

The Notes are not subject to any mandatory sinking fund.

 

8.Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders upon Change of Control Triggering Event

 

Upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, any Holder of Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

 

9.Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Notes are in definitive, fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note for a period beginning 15 calendar days before (a) the record date for any payment of interest on the Notes, (b) any date fixed for redemption of the Notes or (c) the date fixed for selection of the Notes to be redeemed in part. Also, the Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption.

 

10.Persons Deemed Owners

 

The Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

A-10

 

 

11.Unclaimed Money

 

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, if money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuers and not to the Trustee for payment.

 

12.Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Issuers at any time may terminate some of or all their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money in U.S. Dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof for the payment of principal of and interest (including premium, if any) on the Notes, in each case to redemption or maturity.

 

13.Amendment, Waiver

 

The Indenture and the Notes may be amended and supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

 

14.Defaults and Remedies

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding, subject to certain limitations, may declare all the Notes to be immediately due and payable. Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of Default and shall result in the Notes being immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of such Events of Default without any further act of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

Holders of Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power under the Indenture. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may rescind and annul any declaration of acceleration and its consequences except a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note or a Default in respect of a provision that under the Indenture cannot be amended without the consent of each Noteholder adversely affected.

 

15.Trustee Dealings with the Issuer

 

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

A-11

 

 

16.No Recourse Against Others

 

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or shareholder of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Note Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

 

17.Authentication

 

This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an Authentication Agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

18.Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Noteholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

 

19.Governing Law/Waiver of Trial by Jury; Submission to Jurisdiction

 

THIS NOTE AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND EACH HOLDER OF NOTES BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Indenture. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties irrevocably waive and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

A-12

 

 

20.CUSIP Numbers

 

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Noteholders. To the extent such numbers have been issued, the Issuers have caused ISIN and Common Code numbers to be similarly printed on the Notes and have similarly instructed the Trustee. 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.

 

21.Collateral.

 

The Notes are secured by the Collateral on the terms of and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement, subject to release or termination as provided in the Indenture, the Security Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.

 

All capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

A-13

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint agent 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 other side of this note

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is a Transfer Restricted Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)¨     To an Issuer or a Guarantor; or

 

(2)¨     Inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

(3)¨     Outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

(4)¨     To an institutional accredited advisor within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933 that is not a qualified institutional buyer and is acquiring the Notes for its own account or for the account of such an institutional accredited advisor, in either case in a minimum principal amount of the Notes of $500,000, for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

(5)¨     Pursuant to another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933; or

 

A-14

 

 

(6)¨     Pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

(7)¨     If such transfer involves a transfer of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 903 or 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if applicable) and, if such transfer occurs prior to the end of the Distribution Compliance Period, the interest transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.

 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5) or (6) is checked, the Trustee or the Issuers may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Issuers have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

A-15

 

 

   
  Your Signature

 

Signature Guarantee:  
  Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee

 

Date:      
      Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-16

 

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Date:      
      NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-17

 

 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]

 

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

 

The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $[             ]. The following increases or decreases 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

signatory of

Trustee or Notes
Custodian

                 
                 
                 

 

A-18

 

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.07 (Asset Sale) or Section 4.12 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box: ☐

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.07 or Section 4.12 of the Indenture, state the amount:

 

$

 

Date:    
      (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note) Signature Guarantee:

 

Signature Guarantee:  
  Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee

 

Date:      
      Signature of Signature Guarantee

 

A-19

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE FOR FUTURE GUARANTORS]

 

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), entered into as of          , 20     among VALARIS LIMITED, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (“Company”), and VALARIS FINANCE COMPANY LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FinanceCo” and, together with Valaris, the “Issuers”), [insert each Guarantor executing this Supplemental Indenture and its jurisdiction of incorporation] (each an “Undersigned”) and WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral trustee (the “Collateral Trustee”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Issuers, the Guarantors party thereto, the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended and supplemented to date, the “Indenture”), relating to the Issuers’ 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, as a condition to the Trustee entering into the Indenture and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders, the Issuers agreed pursuant to the Indenture to cause any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than FinanceCo) that guarantees any Debt of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any other syndicated credit facility or capital markets debt in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $35 million to provide a Note Guaranty.

 

AGREEMENT

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained and intending to be legally bound, the parties to this Supplemental Indenture hereby agree as follows:

 

Section 1.               Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the Indenture.

 

Section 2.               Each Undersigned, by its execution of this Supplemental Indenture, agrees to be a Guarantor under the Indenture and to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to Guarantors, including, but not limited to, Article 10 thereof.

 

Section 3.               This Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

 

Section 4.               This Supplemental Indenture may be signed in various counterparts which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page by facsimile or electronic transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”), or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com, shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

B-1

 

 

Section 5.               This Supplemental Indenture is an amendment supplemental to the Indenture, and the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture will henceforth be read together.

 

Section 6.               The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Issuers and the Undersigned and not the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the Note Guarant[y][ies] provided by the Guarantor[s] party to this Supplemental Indenture.

 

Section 7.               All notices or other communications to the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be given as provided in ‎Section 12.02 of the Indenture.

 

B-2

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

                                                      VALARIS LIMITED
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  VALARIS FINANCE COMPANY LLC
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:
     
  [GUARANTOR(S)]
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

                                       WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, as Trustee and Collateral Trustee
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

B-3

 

 

Exhibit 10.1 

 

Execution Version

 

April 19, 2023

 

VALARIS LIMITED,

 

the other Grantors from time to time party hereto,

 

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement,

 

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB,
as Trustee under the Indenture,

 

and

 

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB,
as Collateral Trustee

 

 
COLLATERAL TRUST AGREEMENT
 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
     
Article I. Definitions; Principles Of Construction 2
   
Section 1.01 Defined Terms 2
Section 1.02 Other Definition Provisions 15
Section 1.03 Luxembourg Terms 16
     
Article II. The Trust Estates 18
   
Section 2.01 Declaration of Senior Trust 18
Section 2.02 Declaration of Junior Trust 19
Section 2.06 Priority of Liens Between Classes 22
Section 2.07 Restrictions on Enforcement of Junior Liens; Prohibition on Contesting Liens 23
Section 2.08 Waiver of Right of Marshaling 26
Section 2.09 Discretion in Enforcement of First Liens 27
Section 2.10 Amendments to First Lien Documents and Discretion in Enforcement of First Lien Obligations; Amendments to Junior Lien Documents 27
Section 2.11 Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings 28
Section 2.12 Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably within Class 31
Section 2.13 Similar Liens and Agreements 32
Section 2.14 No New Liens 32
Section 2.15 Confirmation of Subordination in Parity Lien Security Documents 32
     
Article III. Appointment, Powers And Duties Of Collateral Trustee 33
 
Section 3.01 Appointment and Undertaking of the Collateral Trustee 33
Section 3.02 Release or Subordination of Liens 35
Section 3.03 Enforcement of Liens 35
Section 3.04 Application of Proceeds 35
Section 3.05 Powers of the Collateral Trustee 38
Section 3.06 Documents and Communications 38
Section 3.07 For Sole and Exclusive Benefit of the Secured Parties 38
Section 3.08 Additional Secured Debt 38
Section 3.09 First Lien Parallel Debt 40
Section 3.10 Junior Lien Parallel Debt 41
Section 3.11 Appointment of Collateral Trustee as security trustee for any UK Security Document 41
     

Article IV. Obligations Enforceable By The Borrower And The Other Grantors

44
   
Section 4.01 Release or Subordination of Liens on Collateral 44
Section 4.02 Delivery of Copies to Secured Debt Representatives 47
Section 4.03 Collateral Trustee not Required to Serve, File or Record 47
Section 4.04 Release of Liens in Respect of any Series of First Lien Debt or any Series of Junior Lien Debt 47
Section 4.05 Collateral Matters 48

 

 

 

 

Article V. Immunities Of The Collateral Trustee 48
   
Section 5.01 No Implied Duty 48
Section 5.02 Appointment of Agents and Advisors 49
Section 5.03 Other Agreements 49
Section 5.04 Solicitation of Instructions 49
Section 5.05 Limitation of Liability 49
Section 5.06 Documents in Satisfactory Form 49
Section 5.07 Entitled to Rely 50
Section 5.08 Secured Debt Default 50
Section 5.09 Actions by Collateral Trustee 50
Section 5.10 Security or Indemnity in favor of the Collateral Trustee 50
Section 5.11 Rights of the Collateral Trustee 50
Section 5.12 Limitations on Duty of Collateral Trustee in Respect of Collateral 51
Section 5.13 Assumption of Rights, Not Assumption of Duties 51
Section 5.14 No Liability for Clean Up of Hazardous Materials 52
Section 5.15 Rights of Collateral Trustee 52
     
Article VI. Resignation And Removal Of The Collateral Trustee 52
   
Section 6.01 Resignation or Removal of Collateral Trustee 52
Section 6.02 Appointment of Successor Collateral Trustee 52
Section 6.03 Succession 53
Section 6.04 Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Collateral Trustee 53
     

Article VII. Miscellaneous Provisions

53
   
Section 7.01 Amendment 53
Section 7.02 Voting 55
Section 7.03 Further Assurances; Insurance 55
Section 7.04 Perfection of Junior Trust Estate 56
Section 7.05 When Discharge of Secured Obligations Deemed to Not Have Occurred 57
Section 7.06 Successors and Assigns 57
Section 7.07 Delay and Waiver 57
Section 7.08 Notices 58
Section 7.09 Notice Following Discharge of First Lien Obligations and Junior Lien Obligations 59
Section 7.10 Entire Agreement 59
Section 7.11 Compensation; Expenses 59
Section 7.12 Indemnity 60
Section 7.13 Actions Upon Breach; Specific Performance 61
Section 7.14 Severability 61
Section 7.15 Section Headings 62

 

2

 

 

Section 7.16 Obligations Secured 62
Section 7.17 Swiss Limitation 62
Section 7.18 Governing Law 64
Section 7.19 Consent to Jurisdiction 64
Section 7.20 Waiver of Jury Trial 65
Section 7.21 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures 65
Section 7.22 Grantors and Additional Grantors 66
Section 7.23 Continuing Nature of this Agreement 66
Section 7.24 Insolvency 66
Section 7.25 Rights and Immunities of Secured Debt Representatives 66

 

EXHIBIT A – Additional Secured Debt Designation
EXHIBIT B – Form of Collateral Trust Joinder—Additional Secured Debt
EXHIBIT C – Form of Collateral Trust Joinder—Additional Grantors

 

3

 

 

COLLATERAL TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with Section 7.01 hereof, this “Agreement”), among Valaris Limited, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda (the “Borrower”), the other Grantors from time to time party hereto, Citibank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (as defined below), Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee (as defined below), and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as collateral trustee (in such capacity and together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Collateral Trustee”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2023 (as amended, restated, supplemented, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether at maturity or thereafter) or refinanced from time to time in one or more agreements (in each case with the same or new agents, lenders or institutional investors), including any agreement adding or changing the borrower or extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Obligations thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity and together with its successors, the “Administrative Agent”), the Collateral Trustee and the other parties thereto from time to time.

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower intends to issue 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (including any related exchange notes, the “Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000 pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Borrower and Valaris Finance Company LLC, as issuers, the guarantors party thereto from time to time, the Collateral Trustee, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as trustee (in such capacity and together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the other Grantors intend to secure the existing and future First Lien Obligations, including their guarantees thereof, on a senior basis and, subject to such seniority, intends to secure the Obligations under the Indenture and any guarantees thereof, any future Junior Lien Debt and any other Junior Lien Obligations on a junior basis, with Liens on all present and future Collateral to the extent that such Liens have been provided for in the applicable Security Documents.

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement sets forth the terms on which each Secured Party has appointed the Collateral Trustee to act as the collateral trustee for the present and future holders of the Secured Obligations to receive, hold, maintain, administer and distribute the Collateral at any time delivered to the Collateral Trustee or the subject of the Security Documents, and to enforce the Security Documents and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Trustee with respect thereto or thereunder and the proceeds thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:

 

 

 

 

Article I.
Definitions; Principles Of Construction

 

Section 1.01      Defined Terms. The following terms will have the following meanings:

 

Act of Required Secured Parties means, as to any matter at any time:

 

(a)prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, (x) prior to the discharge of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, a direction in writing delivered to the Collateral Trustee by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of the “Required Lenders” under and as defined in the Credit Agreement) and (y) following the discharge of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, a direction in writing delivered to the Collateral Trustee by, or with the written consent of, the holders of (or the First Lien Debt Representatives representing the holders of) more than 50% of the sum of:

 

(i)the aggregate outstanding principal amount of First Lien Debt (including the face amount of outstanding letters of credit whether or not then available or drawn); and

 

(ii)other than in connection with the exercise of remedies, the aggregate unfunded commitments to extend credit which, when funded, would constitute First Lien Debt; and

 

(b)at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, a direction in writing delivered to the Collateral Trustee by or with the written consent of the holders of (or the Junior Lien Debt Representatives representing the holders of) Junior Lien Debt representing the Required Junior Lien Debtholders.

 

Solely for purposes of this definition and not for purposes of Section 3.04 hereof or any other provision of this Agreement, any Series of Secured Debt entirely registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower will be deemed not to be outstanding and neither the Borrower nor any Affiliate of the Borrower will be entitled to vote such Secured Debt. Additionally, solely for purposes of this definition, (a) with respect to any Series of Secured Debt for which less than 100% of such Series of Secured Debt is registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower, such portion owned by the Borrower or any such Affiliate will be deemed not to be outstanding and neither the Borrower nor any Affiliate of the Borrower will be entitled to vote such Secured Debt and (b) subject to the immediately preceding clause (a), votes will be determined in accordance with Section 7.02.

 

Additional Secured Debt has the meaning set forth in Section 3.08(b)(i).

 

Additional Secured Debt Designation” means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Affiliatemeans in respect of any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with that specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of that Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

2

 

 

Agreementhas the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

 

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

 

Borrowerhas the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

Business Day means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday on which banks are not authorized or required to close in New York, New York or Houston, Texas.

 

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any shares or other equivalents (however designated) of any class of corporate stock or partnership interests or any other participation, rights, warrants, options or other interests in the nature of an equity interest in that Person, including Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt security convertible or exchangeable into that equity interest.

 

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, zero balance 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; and (b) treasury management line of credit, commercial card, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including, without limitation, stored value cards and non-card e-payables services.

 

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

 

Classmeans (1) in the case of First Lien Obligations, every Series of First Lien Debt and all other First Lien Obligations, taken together, and (2) in the case of Junior Lien Obligations, every Series of Junior Lien Debt and all other Junior Lien Obligations, taken together.

 

Collateral Trust Joinder means (i) with respect to the provisions of this Agreement relating to any Additional Secured Debt, an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B and (ii) with respect to the provisions of this Agreement relating to the addition of additional Grantors, an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

 

Collateral Trustee has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

3

 

 

Collateral Trustee Obligations” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “First Lien Obligations”.

 

Collateralmeans, in the case of each Series of Secured Debt, all properties and assets of the Grantors now owned or hereafter acquired in which Liens have been granted, or purported to be granted, or required to be granted, to the Collateral Trustee to secure any or all of the Secured Obligations in respect of such Series of Secured Debt, including any property subject to Liens granted pursuant to Section 2.11, and shall exclude any properties and assets in which the Collateral Trustee is required to release its Liens in respect of such Series of Secured Debt pursuant to Section 3.02 or Section 4.01; provided, that, if such Liens are required to be released as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition of any properties or assets of any Grantor, such assets or properties will cease to be excluded from the Collateral if such Grantor thereafter acquires or reacquires such assets or properties.

 

Controlling Representative” means at any time (1) prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, (x) prior to the discharge of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent and (y) following the discharge of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement, the First Lien Debt Representative that represents the Series of First Lien Debt with the then largest outstanding principal amount and (2) after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the Junior Lien Debt Representative that represents the Series of Junior Lien Debt with the then largest outstanding principal amount.

 

Covenant Defeasance Option” means “covenant defeasance option” as defined in the Indenture.

 

Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Credit Agreement Lender” means any “Lender” under the Credit Agreement or any lender under any other Funded Debt constituting First Lien Debt.

 

DIP Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(a).

 

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

 

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

 

(b)with respect to each Series of First Lien Debt, either (x) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all First Lien Debt of such Series (other than any undrawn letters of credit and any indemnification and other contingent obligations not then due and payable and as to which no claim has been made at such time) or (y) there has been a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance pursuant to the terms of the applicable First Lien Debt Documents for such Series of First Lien Debt;

 

(c)with respect to any undrawn letters of credit constituting First Lien Debt, either (x) discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (A) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (B) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of liens under the terms of the applicable First Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting First Lien Debt or (y) the issuer of each such letter of credit has notified the Collateral Trustee in writing that alternative arrangements satisfactory to such issuer have been made; and

 

4

 

 

(d)payment in full in cash of all other First Lien Obligations that are outstanding and unpaid at the time the First Lien Debt is paid in full in cash;

 

provided, however, that if, at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred, the Borrower thereafter enters into any First Lien Document evidencing a First Lien Debt the incurrence of which is not prohibited by any applicable Secured Debt Document, then such Discharge of First Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement with respect to such new First Lien Debt (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 Borrower designates such Funded Debt as First Lien Debt in accordance with Section 3.08, the Obligations under such First Lien Document shall automatically and without any further action be treated as First Lien Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth herein.

 

Financial Officer” means, for any Person, the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person or any other officer or director of such Person who is primarily responsible for matters relating to such Person’s financial affairs.

 

First Lien means a Lien granted, or purported to be granted, by a Security Document to the Collateral Trustee (or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting an accessory security interest (akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and for the account of the First Lien Secured Parties) or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting a non-accessory security interest (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties)), at any time, upon any property of the Borrower or any Grantor to secure First Lien Obligations.

 

First Lien Debt” means (1) the Obligations under the Credit Agreement, (2) all Specified Swap Agreement Obligations, (3) all Specified Cash Management Obligations and (4) any other Funded Debt (including borrowings under any other First Lien Debt Documents) that is secured by a First Lien and that was permitted to be incurred and permitted to be so secured under the applicable First Lien Debt Documents; provided, that, in the case of this clause (4):

 

(a) on or before such Funded Debt is incurred, such Funded Debt is designated by the Borrower as “First Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents in an Additional Secured Debt Designation executed and delivered in accordance with Section 3.08;

 

(b) unless such Funded Debt is incurred under an existing Secured Debt Document for any Series of First Lien Debt whose Secured Debt Representative is already party to this Agreement, the First Lien Debt Representative for such Funded Debt executes and delivers a Collateral Trust Joinder in accordance with Section 3.08(b); and

 

5

 

 

(c) all other requirements set forth in Section 3.08 have been complied with.

 

First Lien Debt Representative means (a) in the case of the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent and (b) in the case of any other Series of First Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of First Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of First Lien Debt or is appointed as a representative of such First 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 First Lien Debt, and who has executed a Collateral Trust Joinder, in each case, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.

 

First Lien Documents means, individually or collectively, the Credit Agreement and any other indenture, supplemental indenture, guarantee, notes, credit agreement or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any First Lien Debt is incurred or guaranteed and the First Lien Security Documents.

 

First Lien Obligations means, collectively, the First Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect of First Lien Debt, including without limitation, any Post-Petition Interest whether or not allowable, together with all guarantees of any of the foregoing. In addition to the foregoing, all obligations owing to the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as such, whether pursuant to this Agreement or one or more of the First Lien Documents or Junior Lien Documents, shall in each case be deemed to constitute First Lien Obligations (with the obligations described in this sentence being herein referred to as the “Collateral Trustee Obligations”), which Collateral Trustee Obligations shall be entitled to the priority provided in clause FIRST of Section 3.04(a).

 

First Lien Parallel Debt” means, in relation to a First Lien Underlying Debt, an obligation to pay to the Collateral Trustee an amount equal to (and in the same currency as) the amount of that First Lien Underlying Debt.

 

First Lien Secured Parties” means the holders of First Lien Obligations, each First Lien Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee.

 

First Lien Security Documents” means all security agreements (including Shared Swiss Security Documents and the Luxembourg First Ranking Share Pledge Agreements), pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, consents or direct arrangements, or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Grantor creating or perfecting (or purporting to create or perfect) or governing rights of enforcement with respect to, a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of any of the First Lien Secured Parties (or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting an accessory security interest (akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and for the account of the First Lien Secured Parties) or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting a non-accessory security interest (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties)), 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 Section 7.01.

 

6

 

 

First Lien Underlying Debt” means, in relation to the Borrower and a Grantor and at any given time, each First Lien Obligation owing by the Borrower or that Grantor to a First Lien Secured Party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any change or increase in those obligations pursuant to or in connection with any amendment or supplement or restatement or novation of any First Lien Document, in each case whether or not anticipated as of the date of this Agreement) excluding the Borrower’s or that Grantor’s First Lien Parallel Debt.

 

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

 

(a)in respect of borrowed money or advances (including drawn letters of credit under the Credit Agreement not yet reimbursed); or

 

(b)evidenced by loan agreements, bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), whether or not then available or drawn; or

 

(c)in respect of Cash Management Obligations secured by the same collateral securing the obligations in clauses (a) or (b) above; or

 

(d)in respect of obligations under Swap Agreements secured by the same collateral securing the obligations in clauses (a) or (b) above.

 

Grantorsmeans the Borrower, each Person signatory hereto as a Grantor and any other Person (if any) that at any time provides collateral security for any Secured Obligations.

 

Guaranteemeans 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 Funded Debt (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).

 

Indemnified Liabilities means, with respect to an Indemnitee, all losses, claims, damages, penalties, judgments, liabilities and related reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, all reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of litigation or preparation therefor (provided that, in the case of out of pocket attorneys’ fees, such fees and expenses shall be limited to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of (w) a single primary counsel for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, (x) a single maritime counsel for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, (y) one special counsel or local counsel as reasonably necessary in any relevant jurisdiction for all Indemnitees, taken as a whole, and (z) solely in the case of actual or bona fide perceived conflict of interest in connection with any indemnification, one additional primary counsel (and if, necessary, one special counsel or local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction) for all affected Indemnitees similarly situated, taken as a whole) incurred by any Indemnitee in connection with any claim, litigation, action, investigation or proceeding in any respect relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not suit is brought), whether or not such Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Grantor) with respect to the execution, delivery, performance, administration or enforcement of this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of any Secured Debt or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any law (including environmental laws) applicable to or enforceable against the Borrower, any other Grantor or any of the Collateral.

 

7

 

 

Indemniteehas the meaning set forth in Section 7.12(a).

 

Indenturehas the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding means, whether arising under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other applicable law of the United States, any State or jurisdiction thereof or any or any other country or political subdivision of such country:

 

(a)any voluntary or involuntary case commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Grantor under Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization, receivership, liquidation or adjustment or marshaling of the assets or liabilities of the Borrower or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Borrower or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Borrower or any other Grantor or its creditors, in each case whether or not voluntary;

 

(b)any liquidation, dissolution, marshaling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Borrower or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

 

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

 

Junior Lien means a Lien granted, or purported to be granted, by a Junior Lien Security Document to the Collateral Trustee (or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting an accessory security interest (akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and for the account of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting a non-accessory security interest (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties)), at any time, upon any property of the Borrower or any Grantor to secure Junior Lien Obligations.

 

Junior Lien Adequate Protection Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(d).

 

Junior Lien Debt means (1) the Notes issued on the date hereof and (2) any other Funded Debt (including borrowings under any Junior Lien Documents) that is secured by a Junior Lien and that was permitted to be incurred and permitted to be so secured under the applicable Secured Debt Documents; provided, that, in the case of any Funded Debt referred to in this clause (2):

 

8

 

 

(a)on or before such Funded Debt is incurred by the Borrower or by a Grantor, such Funded Debt is designated by the Borrower as “Junior Lien Debt” for the purposes of the Secured Debt Documents in an Additional Secured Debt Designation executed and delivered in accordance with Section 3.08; provided, that no Funded Debt may be designated as both Junior Lien Debt and First Lien Debt;

 

(b)unless such Funded Debt is issued under an existing Secured Debt Document for any Series of Junior Lien Debt whose Secured Debt Representative is already party to this Agreement, the Junior Lien Debt Representative for such Funded Debt executes and delivers a Collateral Trust Joinder in accordance with Section 3.08(b); and

 

(c)all other requirements set forth in Section 3.08 have been complied with.

 

Junior Lien Debt Representative means (a) in the case of the Indenture, the Trustee and (b) in the case of any other Series of Junior Lien Debt, the trustee, agent or representative of the holders of such Series of Junior Lien Debt who maintains the transfer register for such Series of Junior Lien Debt or is appointed as a representative for such 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 and who has executed a Collateral Trust Joinder, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity.

 

Junior Lien Documents means, collectively, the Indenture, the Notes, any other indenture, supplemental indenture, guarantee, notes, credit agreement or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any Junior Lien Debt is incurred or guaranteed and the Junior Lien Security Documents.

 

Junior Lien Obligations means, collectively, Junior Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect thereof including, without limitation, interest and premium (if any) (including Post-Petition Interest whether or not allowable) and all guarantees of any of the foregoing.

 

Junior Lien Parallel Debt” means, in relation to a Junior Lien Underlying Debt, an obligation to pay to the Collateral Trustee an amount equal to (and in the same currency as) the amount of that Junior Lien Underlying Debt.

 

Junior Lien Secured Parties” means the holders of Junior Lien Obligations and each Junior Lien Debt Representative.

 

Junior Lien Security Documents” means, individually and collectively, all security agreements (including Shared Swiss Security Documents and the Luxembourg Second Ranking Share Pledge Agreements), pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements, consents or direct arrangements or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Grantor creating or perfecting (or purporting to create or perfect) or governing rights of enforcement with respect to, a Lien upon Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, for the benefit of any of the Junior Lien Secured Parties (or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting an accessory security interest (akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and for the account of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) or in the case of a Security Document governed by Swiss law constituting a non-accessory security interest (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) granted to the Collateral Trustee (acting for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties)), 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 Section 7.01.

 

9

 

 

Junior Lien Underlying Debt” means, in relation to the Borrower and a Grantor and at any given time, each Junior Lien Obligation owing by the Borrower or that Grantor to a Junior Lien Secured Party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any change or increase in those obligations pursuant to or in connection with any amendment or supplement or restatement or novation of any Junior Lien Document, in each case whether or not anticipated as of the date of this Agreement) excluding the Borrower’s or that Grantor’s Junior Lien Parallel Debt.

 

Junior Trust Estate has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

 

Lienmeans any interest in any property or asset in favor of a Person other than the owner of such property or asset and securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, such Person, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, including, but not limited to, the security interest or lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, charge, conditional sale, security agreement or trust receipt, or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes.

 

Legal Defeasance Option” means “legal defeasance option” as defined in the Indenture.

 

Luxembourg First Ranking Share Pledge Agreements” means (i) a Luxembourg law-governed first ranking share pledge agreement over the shares of Rowan Offshore Luxembourg S.à r.l. entered into by and between Rowan Financing Holdings S.à r.l., as pledgor, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as security agent, and Rowan Offshore Luxembourg S.à r.l., as the company whose shares are pledged, and (ii) a Luxembourg law-governed first ranking share pledge agreement over the shares of Rowan Rigs S.à r.l. entered into by and between Rowan International Rig Holdings S.à r.l., as pledgor, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as security agent and Rowan Rigs S.à r.l., as the company whose shares are pledged.

 

Luxembourg Second Ranking Share Pledge Agreements” means: (i) a Luxembourg law-governed second ranking share pledge agreement over the shares of Rowan Offshore Luxembourg S.à r.l. entered into by and between Rowan Financing Holdings S.à r.l., as pledgor, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as security agent, and Rowan Offshore Luxembourg S.à r.l., as the company whose shares are pledged, and (ii) a Luxembourg law-governed second ranking share pledge agreement over the shares of Rowan Rigs S.à r.l. entered into by and between Rowan International Rig Holdings S.à r.l., as pledgor, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as security agent and Rowan Rigs S.à r.l., as the company whose shares are pledged.

 

Noteshas the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Obligationsmeans any principal, interest (including all interest and fees accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the applicable Secured Debt Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding), ,penalties, fees, premiums, expenses, indemnifications, damages, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit) and Cash Management Obligations and other liabilities payable by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries under the documentation governing any Secured Obligations.

 

10

 

 

Officer” means, for any Person, the chief executive officer, any president, chief operating officer, chief accounting officer, controller, any vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer, other Financial Officer, director, secretary or assistant secretary, or other similar officer of such Person or any other officer designated by the Borrower’s board of directors.

 

Officers’ Certificate means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an assistant treasurer or an assistant secretary of the Borrower or a direct or indirect parent of the Borrower.

 

Parallel Debt” means the First Lien Parallel Debt and the Junior Lien Parallel Debt.

 

Pay-Over Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(d).

 

Permitted Prior Lien” means any Lien that has priority over the Lien of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties which Lien was permitted to be prior to such Lien of the Collateral Trustee under each First Lien Document.

 

Personmeans an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization, including a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Post-Petition Interest” means interest, fees, expenses and other charges that pursuant to the First Lien Documents or Junior Lien Documents, as applicable, continue to accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not such interest, fees, expenses and other charges are allowed or allowable under the Bankruptcy Code or in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

Preferred Stock” means any Capital Stock of a Person, however designated, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of that Person, over shares of any other class of Capital Stock issued by that Person.

 

Reaffirmation Agreement” means an agreement reaffirming the security interests granted to the Collateral Trustee in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 1 to Exhibit A of this Agreement.

 

Reference Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.08(e).

 

Required Junior Lien Debtholders means, at any time, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all Junior Lien Debt then outstanding, calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.02. Solely for purposes of this definition and not for purposes of Section 3.04 hereof or any other provision of this Agreement, other than Section 7.02, Junior Lien Debt registered in the name of, or beneficially owned by, the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower will be deemed not to be outstanding and neither the Borrower nor any Affiliate of the Borrower will be entitled to vote any of the Junior Lien Debt.

 

11

 

 

Restricted Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(f).

 

Sale Proceeds” means the proceeds from the sale of the Borrower or one or more of the Grantors as a going concern.

 

Secured Debt means First Lien Debt and Junior Lien Debt.

 

Secured Debt Default means any event or condition that, under the terms of any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing any Series of Secured Debt, causes, or permits holders of Secured Debt outstanding thereunder (with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, and whether or not notice has been given or time has lapsed) to cause, the Secured Debt outstanding thereunder or any portion thereof to become immediately due and payable.

 

Secured Debt Documents means the Junior Lien Documents and the First Lien Documents.

 

Secured Debt Representative means each Junior Lien Debt Representative and each First Lien Debt Representative.

 

Secured Obligations means Junior Lien Obligations and First Lien Obligations.

 

Secured Parties means the holders of Secured Obligations, the Secured Debt Representatives and the Collateral Trustee.

 

Security Documents means this Agreement, each Collateral Trust Joinder, each First Lien Security Document and each Junior Lien Security Document, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed or restated, in whole or in part, from time to time, in accordance with its terms and Section 7.01.

 

Senior Trust Estate has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

 

Series of Junior Lien Debt means, severally, the Notes and each other issue or series of Junior Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained. For the avoidance of doubt, all reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit issued pursuant to a Junior Lien Document shall be part of the same Series of Junior Lien Debt as all other Junior Lien Debt incurred pursuant to such Junior Lien Document.

 

Series of First Lien Debt means, severally, Funded Debt under the Credit Agreement and each other issue or series of First Lien Debt for which a single transfer register is maintained. For the avoidance of doubt, all reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit issued pursuant to a First Lien Document and all Cash Management Obligations and obligations under Swap Agreements secured by the collateral securing a Series of First Lien Debt shall be part of the same Series of First Lien Debt as all other First Lien Debt incurred pursuant to such First Lien Document.

 

Series of Secured Debt means, severally, each Series of First Lien Debt and each Series of Junior Lien Debt.

 

Shared Accessory Swiss Security Document” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b).

 

12

 

 

Short Fall” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(d).

 

Specified Cash Management Obligations” means Cash Management Obligations between (a) the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, on the one hand, and (b) any Person that is a Credit Agreement Lender or an Affiliate of a Credit Agreement Lender, on the other hand, at the time such Person enters into such agreement or transaction or with respect to which such agreement existed at the time such Person became a Credit Agreement Lender or an affiliate of a Credit Agreement Lender (in any such case, regardless of whether such Person subsequently ceases to be a Credit Agreement Lender or an affiliate of a Credit Agreement Lender) (any Person referred to in this clause (b), a “Specified Cash Management Provider”).

 

Specified Cash Management Provider” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Specified Cash Management Obligations”.

 

Specified Swap Agreement” means any Swap Agreement that is entered into between (a) the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, on the one hand and (b) any Person that is a Credit Agreement Lender or an Affiliate of a Credit Agreement Lender, on the other hand, at the time such Person enters into such Swap Agreement or with respect to which such Swap Agreement existed at the time such Person became a Credit Agreement Lender or an Affiliate of a Credit Agreement Lender (in any such case, regardless of whether such Person subsequently ceases to be a Credit Agreement Lender or an Affiliate of a Credit Agreement Lender ).

 

Specified Swap Agreement Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Specified Swap Agreements, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any of the foregoing.

 

Standstill Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07.

 

Subsidiarymeans, for any Person (the “parent”), any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, (b) of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Voting Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of the board of directors, managers or similar governing body of such entity, is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the parent or by one or more of its other Subsidiaries or (c) that is, as of such date, otherwise controlled, by the parent or one or more of its other Subsidiaries; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, Ocean Deep Drilling ESV Nigeria Limited shall not constitute a “Subsidiary” under this definition or any Note Document until the earliest of such time that (x) Ocean Deep Drilling ESV Nigeria Limited owns a Vessel and otherwise constitutes a “Subsidiary” pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) above, (y) the Borrower and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Credit Agreement, Indenture or any other Secured Debt Document) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Voting Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of the board of directors, managers or similar governing body of such entity or (z) such entity otherwise constitutes a “Subsidiary” pursuant to clause (a) or (c) and the Borrower elects to treat such entity as a “Subsidiary.”

 

13

 

 

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Swiss Available Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.17(a).

 

Swiss Federal Tax Administration” means the tax authorities referred to in article 34 of the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss First Lien Accessory Security Document” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b).

 

Swiss Junior Lien Accessory Security Document” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(b).

 

Swiss Subsidiary Grantor” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.17.

 

Swiss Withholding Tax” means taxes imposed under the Swiss Withholding Tax Act.

 

Swiss Withholding Tax Act” means the Swiss Federal Act on the Withholding Tax of 13 October 1965 (Bundesgesetz über die Verrechnungssteuer), together with the related ordinances, regulations and guidelines, all as amended and applicable from time to time.

 

Taxes” means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).

 

Trust Estates has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

Trusteehas the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

UCCmeans the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or of any other state of the United States the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the creation, perfection or priority of security interests in any Collateral or as otherwise may be required to apply to any asset.

 

Underlying Debt” means the First Lien Underlying Debt and the Junior Lien Underlying Debt.

 

Vessel” means any (i) any mobile offshore drilling unit, the legs of which can be lowered to the seabed from the hull or platform thereof or (ii) any other drilling rig, drillship, semisubmersible drilling unit, mobile offshore drilling unit or vessel, the primary purpose of which is the exploration and production drilling for crude oil or hydrocarbons.

 

14

 

 

Voting Stock” of any Person means all classes of Capital Stock of that Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.

 

Section 1.02      Other Definition Provisions.

 

(a)      The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereto” 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. References to “Sections,” “Articles,” “clauses,” “recitals” and the “preamble” will be to Sections, Articles clauses, recitals and the preamble, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. Schedule, Exhibit and Annex references herein are to Schedules, Exhibits and Annexes to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. References to any Schedule, Exhibit or Annex shall mean such Schedule, Exhibit or Annex as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. (b)      The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

 

(c)            The expressions “payment in full,” “paid in full” and any other similar terms or phrases when used herein shall mean payment in cash in immediately available funds.

 

(d)            The use herein of the word “include” or “including,” when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.

 

(e)            All references herein to provisions of the UCC shall include all successor provisions under any subsequent version or amendment to any Article of the UCC.

 

(f)            All terms used in this Agreement that are defined in Article 9 of the UCC and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

(g)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any references contained herein to any section, clause, paragraph, definition or other provision of any Secured Debt Document (including any definition contained therein) shall be deemed to be a reference to such section, clause, paragraph, definition or other provision as in effect on the date of this Agreement; provided, that any reference to any such section, clause, paragraph or other provision shall refer to such section, clause, paragraph or other provision of such Secured Debt Document (including any definition contained therein) as amended or modified from time to time if such amendment or modification has been (1) made in accordance with the Secured Debt Documents and (2) prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, approved in a writing delivered to the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee by, or on behalf of, the requisite First Lien Secured Parties as are needed (if any) under the terms of the applicable First Lien Documents to approve such amendment or modification. Subject to the foregoing, any reference to any agreement or instrument will be deemed to be a reference to that agreement or instrument as supplemented, amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

15

 

 

(h)            Unless otherwise set forth herein, references to principal amount shall include, without duplication, any reimbursement obligations with respect to a letter or credit and the face amount thereof (whether or not such amount is, at the time of determination, drawn or available to be drawn).

 

Each of this Agreement and the other Security Documents will be construed without regard to the identity of the party who drafted it and as though the parties participated equally in drafting it. Consequently, each of the parties acknowledges and agrees that any rule of construction that a document is to be construed against the drafting party will not be applicable either to this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents.

 

Section 1.03      Luxembourg Terms. In this Agreement, any First Lien Document and any Junior Lien Document, where it relates to a company incorporated under the laws of the Luxembourg, an entity incorporated, formed or established in Luxembourg or a Lien governed by Luxembourg law, a reference to:

 

(a)winding up”, “administration” or “dissolution” includes, without limitation, any procedure or proceeding in relation to an entity becoming bankrupt (faillite), insolvency, voluntary or judicial liquidation, dissolution without liquidation (dissolution administrative sans liquidation), composition with creditors (concordat préventif de la faillite), moratorium or reprieve from payment (sursis de paiement), controlled management (gestion contrôlée), fraudulent conveyance (actio pauliana), general settlement with creditors, reorganisation or any other similar proceedings affecting the rights of creditors generally under Luxembourg law, and shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous liquidation or reorganisation proceedings;

 

(b)an “agent” includes, without limitation, a mandataire;

 

(c)a “receiver”, “administrative receiver”, “administrator” “trustee”, “custodian”, “sequestrator”, “conservator” or similar officer includes, without limitation,

 

(i)juge commissaire or insolvency receiver (curateur) appointed under the Luxembourg Commercial Code;

 

(ii)liquidateur appointed under Articles 1100-1 to 1100-15 (inclusive) of the Luxembourg law dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended;

 

(iii)juge-commissaire or liquidateur appointed under Article 1200-1 of the Luxembourg law dated 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended;

 

(iv)commissaire appointed under the Grand-Ducal decree of 24 May 1935 on the controlled management regime or under Articles 593 to 614 (inclusive) of the Luxembourg Commercial Code;

 

16

 

 

(v)juge délégué appointed under the Luxembourg act of 14 April 1886 on the composition to avoid bankruptcy, as amended; and

 

(vi)any other person performing the same function of any of the foregoing;

 

(d)a “matured obligation” includes, without limitation, an obligation certaine, liquide et exigible;

 

(e)a “lien”, “Security” or a “security interest” includes, without limitation, any hypothèque, nantissement, gage, privilège, transfert de propriété à titre de garantie, droit de rétention, gage sur fonds de commerce and any type of security in rem (sûreté réelle) or agreement or arrangement having a similar effect and any transfer of title by way of security;

 

(f)creditors process” means an executory attachment (saisie exécutoire) or a conservatory attachment (saisie conservatoire);

 

(g)a “guarantee” includes any garantie which is independent from the debt to which it relates, any professional payment guarantee (garantie professsionelle de paiement) within the meaning of the Luxembourg law on professional payment guarantees dated 22 July 2020, and any suretyship (cautionnement) within the meaning of Articles 2011 et seq. of the Luxembourg Civil Code;

 

(h)a person being “unable to pay its debts” includes that person being in a state of cessation de paiements (cessation de paiement);

 

(i)a person being “insolvent” includes that person being in a state of cessation of payments (cessation de paiements) and having lost its creditworthiness (ébranlement de credit);

 

(j)an “amalgamation”, “demerger”, “merger” or “corporate reconstruction” includes a scission and a fusion, trasferts d’actifs, de branche d’activités et d’universalité, transfert du patrimoine professional as well as assimilated transactions as foreseen by the Luxembourg law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended;

 

(k)an “attachment” includes a saisie;

 

(l)by-laws” or “constitutional documents” includes its up-to-date (restated) articles of association (statuts coordonnés);

 

(m)a “director”, “officer” or “manager” of any company or partnership incorporated or established in Luxembourg or governed by Luxembourg law include its gérant or administrateur and, in the case of a partnership, the gérants or administrateur of its associé gérant or general partner;

 

17

 

 

(n)shares” includes actions and/or parts sociales;

 

(o)gross negligence” means “faute lourde”; and

 

(p)willful misconduct” means “dol” or “faute dolosive”.

 

Article II.
The Trust Estates

 

Section 2.01      Declaration of Senior Trust.

 

(a)            Subject to Sections 2.03 to 2.05, to secure the payment of the First Lien Obligations and in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements set forth in this Agreement, each of the Borrower and each Grantor hereby confirms the grant to the Collateral Trustee, and the Collateral Trustee hereby accepts and agrees to hold, under this Agreement for the benefit of all current and future First Lien Secured Parties, all of the Borrower’s and such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all Collateral, now or hereafter granted to the Collateral Trustee under any First Lien Security Document for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties, together with all of the Collateral Trustee’s right, title and interest in, to and under the First Lien Security Documents, and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Trustee thereunder or in respect thereof and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof (collectively, the “Senior Trust Estate”).

 

(b)            The Collateral Trustee will hold the Senior Trust Estate for the benefit solely and exclusively of all current and future First Lien Secured Parties as security for the payment of all present and future First Lien Obligations.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time:

 

(i)            all Liens securing the First Lien Obligations have been released as provided in Section 4.01;

 

(ii)           the Collateral Trustee holds no other property in trust as part of the Senior Trust Estate;

 

(iii)          no monetary obligation (other than indemnification and other contingent obligations for which no claim or demand for payment, whether oral or written, has been made at such time) is outstanding and payable under this Agreement to the Collateral Trustee or any of its co-trustees or agents (whether in an individual or representative capacity); and

 

(iv)          the Borrower delivers to the Collateral Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all First Liens of the Collateral Trustee have been released in compliance with all applicable provisions of the First Lien Documents and that the Borrower and each Grantor is not required by any First Lien Document to grant any First Lien upon any property,

 

18

 

 

then the senior trust arising hereunder will terminate (subject to any reinstatement pursuant to Sections 3.08(e) or 7.23 hereof), except that all provisions set forth in Sections 7.11 and 7.12 that are enforceable by the Collateral Trustee or any of its co-trustees or agents (whether in an individual or representative capacity) will remain enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

(d)            The parties further declare and covenant that the Senior Trust Estate will be held and distributed by the Collateral Trustee subject to the further agreements herein.

 

Section 2.02      Declaration of Junior Trust.

 

(a)            Subject to Sections 2.03 to 2.05, to secure the payment of the Junior Lien Obligations and in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements set forth herein, each of the Borrower and each Grantor hereby confirms the grant to the Collateral Trustee, and the Collateral Trustee hereby accepts and agrees to hold, under this Agreement for the benefit of all current and future Junior Lien Secured Parties, all of the Borrower’s and such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all Collateral now or hereafter granted to the Collateral Trustee under any Junior Lien Security Document for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties, together with all of the Collateral Trustee’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Junior Lien Security Documents, and all interests, rights, powers and remedies of the Collateral Trustee thereunder or in respect thereof and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof (collectively, the “Junior Trust Estate,” and together with the Senior Trust Estate, the “Trust Estates”).

 

(b)            The Collateral Trustee will hold the Junior Trust Estate for the benefit solely and exclusively of all current and future Junior Lien Secured Parties as security for the payment of all present and future Junior Lien Obligations.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time:

 

(i)            all Liens securing the Junior Lien Obligations have been released as provided in Section 4.01;

 

(ii)           the Collateral Trustee holds no other property in trust as part of the Junior Trust Estate;

 

(iii)          no monetary obligation (other than indemnification and other contingent obligations for which no claim or demand for payment, whether oral or written, has been made at such time) is outstanding and payable under this Agreement to the Collateral Trustee or any of its co-trustees or agents (whether in an individual or representative capacity); and

 

(iv)          the Borrower delivers to the Collateral Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all Junior Liens of the Collateral Trustee have been released in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Junior Lien Documents and that the Borrower and each Grantor is not required by any Junior Lien Document to grant any Junior Lien upon any property,

 

19

 

 

then the junior trust arising hereunder will terminate, except that all provisions set forth in Sections 7.11 and 7.12 that are enforceable by the Collateral Trustee or any of its co-trustees or agents (whether in an individual or representative capacity) will remain enforceable in accordance with their terms.

 

(d)            The parties further declare and covenant that the Junior Trust Estate will be held and distributed by the Collateral Trustee subject to the further agreements herein.

 

Section 2.03      Swiss First Lien Security Documents.

 

(a)            In relation to any Swiss law governed First Lien Security Document (other than any Shared Swiss Security Document in relation to which Section 2.05 applies), the Collateral Trustee shall:

 

(i)            hold and administer any non-accessory security (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) (e.g. a security assignment) granted thereby as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) in its own name (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) but on behalf and for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties; and

 

(ii)           hold and administer any accessory security (akzessorische Sicherheit) (e.g. a pledge) granted thereby for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties.

 

(b)            In relation to any Swiss law governed First Lien Security Documents (other than any Shared Swiss Security Document in relation to which Section 2.05 applies) under which security of an accessory (akzessorische Sicherheit) nature is granted (each, a “Swiss First Lien Accessory Security Document”), each present and future First Lien Secured Party (other than the Collateral Trustee) hereby appoints and authorizes the Collateral Trustee to do all acts in the name and for the account of such First Lien Secured Party as its direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter), including, without limitation:

 

(i)            to accept and execute, and hold, administer and, if necessary, enforce the securities granted under, any of the Swiss First Lien Accessory Security Documents;

 

(ii)           to agree to amendments, restatements and other alterations of the Swiss First Lien Accessory Security Documents;

 

(iii)          to effect any release of the security under, and the termination of, any Swiss First Lien Accessory Security Documents; and

 

(iv)           to exercise such other rights, powers, authorities and discretions granted to the Collateral Trustee hereunder or under the relevant Swiss First Lien Accessory Security Documents.

 

20

 

 

Section 2.04      Swiss Junior Lien Security Documents.

 

(a)            In relation to any Swiss law governed Junior Lien Security Document (other than any Shared Swiss Security Document in relation to which Section 2.05 applies), the Collateral Trustee shall:

 

(i)            hold and administer any non-accessory security (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) (e.g. a security assignment) granted thereby as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) in its own name (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) but on behalf and for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties; and

 

(ii)           hold and administer any accessory security (akzessorische Sicherheit) (e.g. a pledge) granted thereby for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties.

 

(b)            In relation to any Swiss law governed Junior Lien Security Documents (other than Shared Swiss Security Document in relation to which Section 2.05 applies) under which security of an accessory (akzessorische Sicherheit) nature is granted (each, a “Swiss Junior Lien Accessory Security Document”), each present and future Junior Lien Secured Party (other than the Collateral Trustee) hereby appoints and authorizes the Collateral Trustee to do all acts in the name and for the account of such Junior Lien Secured Party as its direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter), including, without limitation:

 

(i)            to accept and execute, and hold, administer and, if necessary, enforce the securities granted under, any of the Swiss Junior Lien Accessory Security Documents;

 

(ii)           to agree to amendments, restatements and other alterations of the Swiss Junior Lien Accessory Security Documents;

 

(iii)          to effect any release of the security under, and the termination of, any Swiss Junior Lien Accessory Security Documents; and

 

(iv)           to exercise such other rights, powers, authorities and discretions granted to the Collateral Trustee hereunder or under the relevant Swiss Junior Lien Accessory Security Documents.

 

Section 2.05      Shared Swiss Security.

 

(a)            In relation to any Swiss law governed Security Document securing, subject to the preferences among Fist Lien Secured Parties and Junior Lien Secured Parties as set out in this Agreement, all Secured Obligations (i.e. First Lien Obligations and Junior Lien Obligations) (a “Shared Swiss Security Document”), the Collateral Trustee shall:

 

(i)            hold and administer any non-accessory security (nicht-akzessorische Sicherheit) (e.g. a security assignment) granted thereby as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) in its own name (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) but on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties; and

 

21

 

 

(ii)            hold and administer any accessory security (akzessorische Sicherheit) (e.g. a pledge) granted thereby for itself (including as creditor of the Parallel Debt) and as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the name and on behalf of the Secured Parties.

 

(b)            In relation to any Shared Swiss Security Document under which security of an accessory (akzessorische Sicherheit) nature is granted (each, a “Shared Accessory Swiss Security Document”), each present and future Secured Party (other than the Collateral Trustee) hereby appoints and authorizes the Collateral Trustee to do all acts in the name and for the account of such Secured Party as its direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter), including, without limitation:

 

(i)            to accept and execute, and hold, administer and, if necessary, enforce the securities granted under, any of the Shared Accessory Swiss Security Documents;

 

(ii)           to agree to amendments, restatements and other alterations of the Shared Accessory Swiss Security Documents;

 

(iii)          to effect any release of the security under, and the termination of, any of the Shared Accessory Swiss Security Document; and

 

(iv)           to exercise such other rights, powers, authorities and discretions granted to the Collateral Trustee hereunder or under the relevant Shared Accessory Swiss Security Document.

 

Section 2.06      Priority of Liens Between Classes.

 

(a)            Notwithstanding anything else contained herein or in any other Security Document, and notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing the Junior Lien Obligations granted on the Collateral or of any Liens securing the First Lien Obligations granted on the Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC, the time of incurrence of any Series of First Lien Debt or Series of Junior Lien Debt or the time of incurrence of any other First Lien Obligation or Junior Lien Obligation or any other applicable law or any defect or deficiencies in, or failure to perfect or lapse in perfection of, or avoidance as a fraudulent conveyance or otherwise of, the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations, the subordination of such Liens to any other Liens, or any other circumstance whatsoever, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced against the Borrower or any other Grantor, it is the intent of the parties that, and the parties hereto agree for themselves and the Junior Lien Secured Parties and First Lien Secured Parties represented by them that:

 

(i)            this Agreement and the other Security Documents (other than Swiss law governed Security Documents) create two separate and distinct Trust Estates and Liens: (i) the Senior Trust Estate and First Lien securing the payment and performance of the First Lien Obligations and (ii) the Junior Trust Estate and Junior Lien securing the payment and performance of the Junior Lien Obligations; and

 

(ii)            any Liens on Collateral (other than such Liens governed by Swiss law) securing the Junior Lien Obligations now or hereafter held by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties or held by any Junior Lien Secured Party, in each case, whether by grant, possession, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, are subject and subordinate to any Liens on Collateral securing the First Lien Obligations.

 

22

 

 

(b)            The administration, enforcement and distribution of enforcement proceeds among Secured Parties derived under or in connection with Shared Swiss Security Documents shall be governed by this Agreement, taking into account the preferences among First Lien Secured Parties and Junior Lien Secured Parties as set out herein.

 

(c)            For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that any Junior Lien Secured Party becomes a judgment lien creditor as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor, such judgment lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes hereof (including the priority of Liens).

 

Section 2.07      Restrictions on Enforcement of Junior Liens; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.

 

(a)            Until the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Grantor, the First Lien Secured Parties will have, subject to the exceptions set forth below in clauses (i) through (vi), the exclusive right to authorize and direct the Collateral Trustee with respect to each of the First Lien Security Documents, the Junior Lien Security Documents and the Collateral including, without limitation, the exclusive right to authorize or direct the Collateral Trustee to enforce, collect or realize on any Collateral or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Collateral (including, without limitation, the exercise of any right of setoff or any right under any lockbox agreement, account control agreement, landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement) and no Junior Lien Debt Representative or Junior Lien Secured Party may authorize or direct the Collateral Trustee with respect to such matters; provided, however, that the Required Junior Lien Debtholders (or any Junior Lien Debt Representative representing such Required Junior Lien Debtholders) may so direct the Collateral Trustee with respect to the enforcement of Junior Lien Security Documents and rights and remedies against the Collateral thereunder after the passage of a period of at least 180 days since the date on which any Junior Lien Secured Parties (acting in accordance with the terms of the applicable Junior Lien Documents in respect of such Series of Junior Lien Debt) or any Junior Lien Debt Representative (in accordance with the applicable Junior Lien Documents) has delivered written notice of an Event of Default under (and as defined in) any Junior Lien Documents and that it intends to exercise its rights and remedies pursuant to a Junior Lien Documents (the “Standstill Period”); provided further that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) in no event shall any Junior Lien Secured Party or Junior Lien Debt Representative authorize or direct the Collateral Trustee if, notwithstanding the expiration of the Standstill Period, the First Lien Secured Parties or a First Lien Debt Representative shall have caused the Collateral Trustee to commence and diligently pursue the exercise of rights and remedies with respect to all or any material portion of the Collateral and (y) the Standstill Period shall be stayed and shall not expire and shall be deemed not to have occurred (1) at any time the Collateral Trustee at the direction of the First Lien Secured Parties or First Lien Debt Representatives has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to all or any material portion of the Collateral (with prompt written notice of the commencement of such action to be given to the Junior Lien Debt Representatives) or (2) at any time the Borrower or any other Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Junior Lien Secured Parties may, in accordance with the applicable Junior Lien Documents, direct the Collateral Trustee or the Junior Lien Debt Representative, as applicable:

 

23

 

 

(i)             without any condition or restriction whatsoever, at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations;

 

(ii)            to deliver any notice or demand necessary to enforce (subject to the prior Discharge of First Lien Obligations) any right to claim, take or receive proceeds of Collateral, in each case, remaining after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations in the event of foreclosure or other enforcement of any Lien (other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Trustee or a First Lien Secured Party);

 

(iii)           as necessary to perfect or establish the priority (subject to First Liens) of the Junior Liens upon any Collateral, except that the Junior Lien Secured Parties may not require the Collateral Trustee to take any action to perfect any Collateral through possession or control other than the Collateral Trustee taking any action for possession or control required by the First Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee agreeing pursuant to Section 7.04 that the Collateral Trustee as agent for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties agrees to act as bailee and/or agent for the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties as specified in Section 7.04;

 

(iv)           as necessary to create, prove, preserve or protect (but not enforce) the Junior Liens upon any Collateral;

 

(v)            to file any necessary responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims of the Junior Lien Secured Parties, including any claims secured by the Collateral, if any, in each case that is in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(vi)           to vote on any plan of reorganization, arrangement, compromise or liquidation, file any proof of claim, make other filings and make any arguments and motions that are, in each case, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, with respect to the Junior Lien Obligations and the Collateral; provided that no filing of any claim or vote, or pleading related to such claim or vote, to accept or reject a disclosure statement, plan of reorganization, arrangement, compromise or liquidation, or any other document, agreement or proposal similar to the foregoing by the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) or any Junior Lien Debt Representative may violate, or otherwise be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(b)            Until the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Grantor, none of the Junior Lien Secured Parties or the Collateral Trustee (unless acting pursuant to an Act of Required Secured Parties) will:

 

(i)            request judicial relief, in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or in any other court, or take any other action, that would hinder, delay, limit or prohibit the lawful exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy otherwise available to the First Lien Secured Parties in respect of the First Liens or that would limit, invalidate, avoid or set aside any First Lien or subordinate the First Liens to the Junior Liens or, other than in relation to Liens pursuant to Shared Swiss Security Documents, grant the Junior Liens equal ranking to the First Liens;

 

24

 

 

(ii)            oppose or otherwise contest any motion for relief from the automatic stay or for any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement of First Liens made by any First Lien Secured Party in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding;

 

(iii)           oppose or otherwise contest any lawful exercise by any First Lien Secured Party of the right to credit bid First Lien Debt at any sale of Collateral in foreclosure of First Liens;

 

(iv)           oppose or otherwise contest any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any First Lien Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any First Lien;

 

(v)            contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Collateral Trustee or any other First Lien Secured Party or any other exercise by the Collateral Trustee or any other First Lien Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to the Collateral under the First Lien Documents or Shared Swiss Security Documents or otherwise and each Junior Lien Debt Representative (on behalf of itself and each Junior Lien Secured Party) hereby waives any and all rights it may have to object to the time or manner in which the Collateral Trustee, any First Lien Debt Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party seeks to enforce the First Lien Obligations or the First Liens;

 

(vi)           contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, enforceability, perfection, priority or extent of the First Liens or the amount, nature or extent of the First Lien Debt Obligations; or

 

(vii)          object to the forbearance by the Collateral Trustee from bringing or pursuing any foreclosure proceeding or action or any other exercise of any rights or remedies relating to the Collateral; provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Required Junior Lien Debtholders (or any Junior Lien Debt Representative representing such Required Junior Lien Debtholders) may direct the Collateral Trustee with respect to the enforcement of Junior Lien Security Documents and rights and remedies against the Collateral after expiration of the Standstill Period to the extent provided in this Section 2.07.

 

Both before and during an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the Junior Lien Secured Parties may take any actions and exercise any and all rights that would be available to a holder of unsecured claims that are not prohibited by, or otherwise inconsistent with, this Agreement or the terms of the relevant Junior Lien Documents.

 

(c)            At any time prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations and after (1) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Borrower, any other Grantor or any Grantor or (2) the Collateral Trustee and each Junior Lien Debt Representative have received written notice from any First Lien Debt Representative at the direction of an Act of Required Secured Parties stating that (A) any Series of First Lien Debt has become due and payable in full (whether at maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise) or (B) the holders of First Liens securing one or more Series of First Lien Debt have become entitled under any First Lien Documents to and desire to enforce any or all of the First Liens by reason of a default under such First Lien Documents, no payment of money (or the equivalent of money) shall be made from the proceeds of Collateral by the Borrower, any other Grantor or any Grantor to the Collateral Trustee (other than payments to the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties) for the benefit of any Junior Lien Secured Party (including, without limitation, payments and prepayments made for application to Junior Lien Obligations and all other payments and deposits made pursuant to any provision of any Junior Lien Document).

 

25

 

 

(d)            All proceeds of Collateral received by the Collateral Trustee, any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any other Junior Lien Secured Party in violation of Section 2.07(b) or 2.07(c), and all proceeds of Collateral received by any Junior Lien Debt Representative or other Junior Lien Secured Party in connection with any exercise of remedies against the Collateral, in each case, will be held by the Collateral Trustee, the applicable Junior Lien Debt Representative or any other applicable Junior Lien Secured Party in trust for the account of the First Lien Secured Parties and remitted to the Collateral Trustee upon demand by the Collateral Trustee or any First Lien Debt Representative for application in accordance with Section 3.04 hereof. The Junior Liens will remain attached to and enforceable against all proceeds so held or remitted until applied to satisfy the First Lien Obligations. All proceeds of Collateral received by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of any holder of Junior Lien Obligations or the Junior Lien Secured Parties not in violation of the terms of the Credit Agreement or Sections 2.07(b), 2.07(c) or 2.07(d) of this Agreement will be received by the Collateral Trustee and the Junior Lien Secured Parties free from the First Liens.

 

Without the consent of the Collateral Trustee or any of the holders of Junior Lien Obligations (or any of their Junior Lien Debt Representatives), holders of First Lien Obligations and the First Lien Debt Representatives may enter into intercreditor arrangements to govern the relative priority among the various Series of First Lien Debt whose provisions are not inconsistent with those of the Security Documents or this Agreement.

 

Without the consent of the Collateral Trustee or any of the holders of First Lien Obligations (or any of their First Lien Debt Representatives), holders of Junior Lien Obligations and the Junior Lien Debt Representatives may enter into intercreditor arrangements to govern the relative priority among the various Series of Junior Lien Debt whose provisions are not inconsistent with those of the Security Documents or this Agreement.

 

Section 2.08      Waiver of Right of Marshaling.

 

(a)            Prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the Junior Lien Secured Parties and the Collateral Trustee may not assert or enforce any marshaling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right accorded to a junior lienholder as against the First Lien Secured Parties (in their capacity as senior lienholders).

 

(b)            Following the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the Junior Lien Secured Parties may assert their right under the UCC or otherwise to any proceeds remaining following a sale or other disposition of Collateral by, or on behalf of, the First Lien Secured Parties.

 

26

 

 

Section 2.09      Discretion in Enforcement of First Liens.

 

(a)            In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, at any time prior to a Discharge of First Lien Obligations the First Lien Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to enforce (or refrain from enforcing) the provisions of the First Lien Documents and exercise (or refrain from exercising) remedies thereunder or any such rights and remedies, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole and exclusive discretion, including:

 

(i)            the exercise or forbearance from exercise of all rights and remedies in respect of the Collateral and/or the First Lien Obligations;

 

(ii)           the enforcement or forbearance from enforcement of any First Lien in respect of the Collateral;

 

(iii)          the exercise or forbearance from exercise of rights and powers of a holder of Capital Stock included in the Senior Trust Estate or subject to a Lien under a Swiss law governed First Lien Security Document or a Shared Swiss Security Document to the extent provided in the First Lien Security Documents;

 

(iv)          the acceptance of the Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of the First Lien Obligations; and

 

(v)           the exercise or forbearance from exercise of all rights and remedies of a secured lender under the UCC or any similar law of any applicable jurisdiction or in equity.

 

Section 2.10      Amendments to First Lien Documents and Discretion in Enforcement of First Lien Obligations; Amendments to Junior Lien Documents.

 

(a)            Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 2.09, the First Lien Secured Parties and the First Lien Debt Representatives may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Junior Lien Secured Parties or the Junior Lien Debt Representatives, without incurring responsibility to the Junior Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Debt Representatives and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Agreement or the obligations hereunder of the Junior Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Debt Representatives, do any one or more of the following:

 

(i)            change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend or shorten the time of payment of, or renew or alter, the First Lien Obligations, or otherwise amend or supplement in any manner the First Lien Obligations, or any instrument evidencing the First Lien Obligations or any agreement under which the First Lien Obligations are outstanding including, without limitation, increasing the principal or other amount thereof and/or the applicable margin or similar component of interest rate;

 

(ii)           release any Person or entity liable in any manner for the collection of the First Lien Obligations;

 

(iii)          release the First Lien on any Collateral; and

 

27

 

 

(iv)            exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Borrower and/or any Grantor.

 

(b)            Without the prior written consent of the First Lien Debt Representatives or unless permitted under the First Lien Documents, unless and until the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred, no Junior Lien Document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and no Junior Lien Debt may be refinanced, to the extent such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or refinancing, or the terms of such new Junior Lien Documents, would:

 

(i)            contravene the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(ii)           except with respect to the Notes, accelerate any date upon which a scheduled payment of principal or interest is due, cause the maturity date of such Junior Lien Debt to be prior to the date that is 91 days after the maturity date set forth in the Credit Agreement, or otherwise decrease the weighted average life to maturity of such Junior Lien Debt;

 

(iii)          except with respect to the Notes, modify (or undertake any action having the effect of a modification of) the mandatory prepayment provisions of the Junior Lien Document in a manner adverse to the First Lien Secured Parties; or

 

(iv)          reduce the capacity to incur the First Lien Debt to an amount less than the aggregate principal amount of First Lien Debt under the First Lien Documents on the day of any such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or refinancing.

 

Section 2.11      Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.

 

(a)            If in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the First Lien Secured Parties by an Act of Required Secured Parties shall desire to permit the use of “Cash Collateral” (as such term is defined in Section 363(a) of the Bankruptcy Code), or to permit the Borrower or any other Grantor to obtain financing, whether from the First Lien Secured Parties or any other Person under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar Bankruptcy Law (“DIP Financing”) then each of the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) and each Junior Lien Debt Representative for itself and on behalf of the other Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it, agrees that it will not raise any objection or otherwise contest (or support any Person objecting to or otherwise contesting) to such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing (including any proposed orders for such Cash Collateral use and/or DIP Financing which are acceptable to the First Lien Secured Parties), and to the extent the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations are subordinated to or pari passu with such DIP Financing, the Collateral Trustee will subordinate its Junior Liens on the Collateral to the Liens securing such DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) and will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith (except as expressly agreed by the First Lien Secured Parties or to the extent permitted by Section 2.11(d)); provided that the Junior Lien Secured Parties retain the right to object to any ancillary agreements or arrangements regarding Cash Collateral use or the DIP Financing that are inconsistent with the express terms hereof (including Section 2.11(d)). Each of the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) and each Junior Lien Debt Representative (on behalf of itself and the Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it) agrees that it will not seek consultation rights in connection with, and will not raise any objection or oppose or otherwise contest (or support any Person objecting to, opposing or otherwise contesting), a motion to sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of Collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar Bankruptcy Law if the requisite First Lien Secured Parties have consented to such sale, liquidation or other disposition. Each of the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) and each Junior Lien Debt Representative (on behalf of itself and the Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it) further agrees that it will not directly or indirectly oppose or impede entry of any order in connection with such sale, liquidation or other disposition, including orders to retain professionals or set bid procedures in connection with such sale, liquidation or disposition if (x) the requisite First Lien Secured Parties have consented to such (i) retention of professionals and bid procedures in connection with such sale, liquidation or disposition of such assets and (ii) the sale, liquidation or disposition of such assets, in which event the Junior Lien Secured Parties will be deemed to have consented to the sale or disposition of Collateral pursuant to Section 363(f) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar Bankruptcy Law and (y) such motion does not impair the rights of the Junior Lien Secured Parties under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar Bankruptcy Law.

 

28

 

 

(b)            Until the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred, the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) and each Junior Lien Debt Representative, on behalf of itself and the other Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it, agrees that none of them shall (i) seek (or support any other Person seeking) relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Collateral through an Act of Required Secured Parties, unless a motion for adequate protection permitted under Section 2.11(d) has been denied by a bankruptcy court or (ii) oppose (or support any other Person in opposing) any request by the First Lien Secured Parties for relief from such stay.

 

(c)            If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan both on account of First Lien Obligations and on account of Junior Lien Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the First Lien Obligations and on account of the Junior Lien Obligations are secured by Liens upon the same property, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.

 

(d)            The Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) and each Junior Lien Debt Representative, on behalf of itself and the other Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it, agrees that none of them shall contest (or support any other Person contesting) (1) any request by the First Lien Debt Representatives or the First Lien Secured Parties for adequate protection under any Bankruptcy Law or (2) any objection by the First Lien Debt Representatives or the First Lien Secured Parties to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on the First Lien Secured Parties claiming a lack of adequate protection. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (1) if the First Lien Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of additional collateral in connection with any Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing, then the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) or Junior Lien Debt Representative, on behalf of itself or any of the other Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it, may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional collateral, which Lien will be subordinated to the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations and such Cash Collateral use or DIP Financing (and all Obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Junior Lien Obligations are so subordinated to the First Lien Obligations under this Agreement and (2) each of the Collateral Trustee, the Junior Lien Debt Representatives and the Junior Lien Secured Parties shall only be permitted to seek adequate protection with respect to their rights in the Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in the form of (A) additional collateral, provided that as adequate protection for the First Lien Obligations, the Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, is also granted a senior Lien on such additional collateral; (B) replacement Liens on the Collateral, provided that as adequate protection for the First Lien Obligations, the Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, is also granted senior replacement Liens on the Collateral; (C) an administrative expense claim, provided that as adequate protection for the First Lien Obligations, the Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, is also granted an administrative expense claim which is senior and prior to the administrative expense claim of the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) and each Junior Lien Debt Representative on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it; and (D) cash payments with respect to interest on the Junior Lien Obligations, provided that (1) as adequate protection for the First Lien Obligations, the Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties, is also granted cash payments with respect to interest on the First Lien Obligations, and (2) such cash payments with respect to interest (at the non-default rate) on the Junior Lien Obligations do not exceed an amount equal to the interest accruing on the principal amount of Junior Lien Obligations outstanding on the date such relief is granted at the interest rate under the applicable Junior Lien Documents and accruing from the date the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) or the applicable Junior Lien Debt Representative on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it is granted such relief. If any Junior Lien Secured Party receives post-petition interest and/or adequate protection payments in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (“Junior Lien Adequate Protection Payments”), and the First Lien Secured Parties do not receive payment in full in cash of all First Lien Obligations upon the effectiveness of the plan of reorganization for, or conclusion of, that Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, then each Junior Lien Secured Party shall pay over to the First Lien Secured Party an amount (the “Pay-Over Amount”) equal to the lesser of (i) the Junior Lien Adequate Protection Payments received by such Junior Lien Secured Party and (ii) the amount of the short-fall (the “Short Fall”) in payment in full of the First Lien Obligations; provided that to the extent any portion of the Short Fall represents payments received by the First Lien Secured Parties in the form of promissory notes, equity or other property, equal in value to the cash paid in respect of the Pay-Over Amount, the First Lien Secured Parties shall, upon receipt of the Pay-Over Amount, transfer those promissory notes, equity or other property equal in value to the cash paid in respect of the Pay-Over Amount to the applicable Junior Lien Secured Parties in exchange for the Pay-Over Amount. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the First Lien Secured Parties shall not be deemed to have consented to, and expressly retain their rights to object to, the grant of adequate protection in the form of cash payments to the Junior Lien Secured Parties made pursuant to this Section 2.11(d).

 

29

 

 

(e)            Nothing contained herein shall prohibit or in any way limit any First Lien Debt Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party from objecting in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to any action taken by the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties), any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any of the other Junior Lien Secured Parties, including the seeking by the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties), any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any of the other Junior Lien Secured Parties of adequate protection or the assertion by the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties), any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any of the other Junior Lien Secured Parties of any of its rights and remedies under the Junior Lien Documents or otherwise.

 

(f)            [Reserved].

 

(g)            The Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties), each Junior Lien Debt Representative (on behalf of itself and the Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it), the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the First Lien Secured Parties) and each First Lien Debt Representative (on behalf of itself and the First Lien Secured Parties represented by it) each acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(i)            the grants of Liens pursuant to the First Lien Security Documents and the Junior Lien Security Documents (other than Liens pursuant to Shared Swiss Security Documents) constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens; and

 

(ii)            other than Liens granted pursuant to the Shared Swiss Security Documents, because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Collateral, the Junior Lien Obligations are fundamentally different from the First Lien Obligations and must be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the First Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral (including under Shared Swiss Security Documents) constitute only one secured claim (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that all distributions shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Borrower and/or the other Grantors in respect of the Collateral (with the effect being that, to the extent the aggregate value of the Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Junior Lien Secured Parties), the First Lien Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing (or that would be owing if there were such separate classes of senior and junior secured claims) in respect of Post-Petition Interest, including any additional interest payable pursuant to the First Lien Documents, arising from or related to a default, which is disallowed as a claim in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) before any distribution is made in respect of the claims held by the Junior Lien Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral, with the Collateral Trustee (on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties) or each Junior Lien Debt Representative, as applicable, for itself and on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties for whom it acts as representative, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the First Lien Secured Parties, Collateral or proceeds of Collateral otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Junior Lien Secured Parties).

 

30

 

 

 

(h)            The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that this Agreement is a “subordination agreement” under section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, which will be effective before, during and after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. All references in this Agreement to the Borrower or any other Grantor will include such Person as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Person in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.

 

(i)            Each Junior Lien Debt Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Junior Lien Secured Parties represented by it, waives any claim it may hereafter have against any First Lien Secured Party arising out of the election of any First Lien Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, and/or out of any cash collateral or financing arrangement or out of any grant of a security interest in connection with the Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding so long as such actions are not in express contravention of the terms of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.12      Collateral Shared Equally and Ratably within Class. The parties to this Agreement agree that the payment and satisfaction of all of the Secured Obligations within each Class will be secured equally and ratably by the Liens established in favor of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties belonging to such Class, notwithstanding the time of incurrence of any Secured Obligations within such Class or the date, time, method or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing such Secured Obligations within such Class and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC or any other applicable law, the time of incurrence of any Series of First Lien Debt or Series of Junior Lien Debt or the time of incurrence of any other First Lien Obligation or Junior Lien Obligation, or any defect or deficiencies in, or failure to perfect or lapse in perfection of, or avoidance as a fraudulent conveyance or otherwise of, the Liens securing the First Lien Obligations or the Junior Lien Obligations, the subordination of such Liens to any other Liens, or any other circumstance whatsoever, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced against the Borrower or any other Grantor, and it is the intent of the parties that, and each party hereto agrees for itself and the Junior Lien Secured Parties and First Lien Secured Parties (as applicable) represented by it that:

 

(a)            all Junior Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Junior Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of any Series of Junior Lien Debt, and that all such Junior Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all Junior Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision will not be violated with respect to any particular Collateral and any particular Series of Junior Lien Debt if the Secured Debt Documents in respect thereof prohibit the applicable Junior Lien Debt Representative from accepting the benefit of a Lien on any particular asset or property or such Junior Lien Debt Representative otherwise expressly declines in writing to accept the benefit of a Lien on such asset or property; and

 

(b)            all First Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all First Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of any Series of First Lien Debt, and that all such First Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all First Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision will not be violated with respect to any particular Collateral and any particular Series of First Lien Debt if the Secured Debt Documents in respect thereof prohibit the applicable First Lien Debt Representative from accepting the benefit of a Lien on any particular asset or property or such First Lien Debt Representative otherwise expressly declines in writing to accept the benefit of a Lien on such asset or property.

 

31

 

 

It is understood and agreed that nothing in this Section 2.12 is intended to alter the priorities among Secured Parties belonging to different Classes as provided in Section 2.06.

 

Section 2.13      Similar Liens and Agreements. The parties hereto agree that it is their intention that the Collateral for the First Lien Obligations and the Collateral for the Junior Lien Obligations be identical. In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, that the Security Documents creating or evidencing the First Liens and the Junior Liens will be in all material respects the same forms of documents other than as is necessary or appropriate to reflect the first lien and second lien nature of the Obligations thereunder.

 

Section 2.14      No New Liens. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has not occurred, (a) none of the Grantors shall, or shall permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (1) grant any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Junior Lien Obligation unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the First Lien Obligations, or (2) grant any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any First Lien Obligations unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Junior Lien Obligations; and (b) if any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any other Junior Lien Secured Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Junior Lien Obligations that are not also subject to the first priority Liens securing all First Lien Obligations under the First Lien Security Documents, such Junior Lien Debt Representative or other Junior Lien Secured Party (i) shall notify the Collateral Trustee promptly upon becoming aware thereof and, unless such Grantor shall promptly grant a similar Lien on such assets or property to each First Lien Debt Representative as security for the First Lien Obligations, shall assign such Lien to the Collateral Trustee as security for all First Lien Obligations for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties (but may retain a junior lien on such assets or property subject to the terms hereof) and (ii) until such assignment or such grant of a similar Lien to each First Lien Debt Representative, shall be deemed to hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of each First Lien Debt Representative and the other First Lien Secured Parties as security for the First Lien Obligations. To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to any First Lien Debt Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party, each Junior Lien Debt Representative agrees, for itself and on behalf of the other Junior Lien Secured Parties, that any amounts received by or distributed to any Junior Lien Secured Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.14 shall be subject to Section 3.04.

 

Section 2.15      Confirmation of Subordination in Parity Lien Security Documents. Each of the Borrower and the Grantors agree that each Junior Lien Security Document (other than any Shared Swiss Security Documents) shall include the following language (or language to similar effect approved by the Controlling Representative):

 

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the lien and security interest granted to the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the exercise of any right or remedy by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties hereunder are subject to the provisions of the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Collateral Trust Agreement”), among Valaris Limited, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee under the Indenture and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee and certain other persons party or that may become party thereto from time to time. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement and this Agreement, the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement shall govern and control to the extent permitted by mandatory law applicable to the Collateral Trust Agreement.”

 

32

 

 

Article III.
Appointment, Powers And Duties Of Collateral Trustee

 

Section 3.01      Appointment and Undertaking of the Collateral Trustee.

 

(a)            Each Secured Party acting through its respective Secured Debt Representative and/or by its acceptance of the benefits of the Security Documents hereby appoints the Collateral Trustee to serve as collateral trustee hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein. Subject to, and in accordance with, this Agreement, the Collateral Trustee will, as collateral trustee, for the benefit solely and exclusively of the present and future Secured Parties (including, in the case of Swiss law governed Security Documents, as direct representative (direkter Stellvertreter) in the case of such Security Documents that are accessory in nature (akzessorisch) or as indirect representative (indirekter Stellvertreter) in the case of Security Documents that are non-accessory in nature (nicht-akzessorisch), as applicable), in accordance with the terms of this Agreement:

 

(i)            accept, enter into, hold, maintain, administer and enforce all Security Documents, including all Collateral subject thereto, and all Liens created thereunder, perform its obligations hereunder and under the Security Documents and protect, exercise and enforce the interests, rights, powers and remedies granted or available to it under, pursuant to or in connection with the Security Documents;

 

(ii)           take all lawful and commercially reasonable actions permitted under the Security Documents that it may deem necessary or advisable to protect or preserve its interest in the Collateral subject thereto and such interests, rights, powers and remedies, subject to Section 5.01;

 

(iii)          deliver and receive notices pursuant to this Agreement and the Security Documents;

 

(iv)          sell, assign, collect, assemble, foreclose on, institute legal proceedings with respect to, or otherwise exercise or enforce the rights and remedies of a secured party (including a mortgagee, trust deed beneficiary and insurance beneficiary or loss payee) with respect to the Collateral under the Security Documents and its other interests, rights, powers and remedies;

 

33

 

 

(v)           remit as provided in Section 3.04 all cash proceeds received by the Collateral Trustee from the collection, foreclosure or enforcement of its interest in the Collateral under the Security Documents or any of its other interests, rights, powers or remedies;

 

(vi)         execute and deliver (i) amendments and supplements to the Security Documents as from time to time authorized pursuant to Section 7.01 upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate certifying that the amendment or supplement was permitted under Section 7.01 and (ii) acknowledgements of Collateral Trust Joinders delivered pursuant to Section 3.08 or 7.22 hereof;

 

(vii)         release or subordinate any Lien granted to it by any Security Document upon any Collateral if and as required by Section 3.02 or Article 4;

 

(viii)        act or decline to act in connection with any enforcement of Liens as provided in Section 3.03; and

 

(ix)          enter into, be party to and perform all obligations and exercise all rights and powers under any intercreditor agreements, including any amendments, modifications, supplements, restatements or replacements thereof from time to time to the extent permitted by the Secured Debt Documents.

 

(b)            Each party to this Agreement (in the case of each Secured Debt Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties represented by it) acknowledges and consents to the undertaking of the Collateral Trustee set forth in Section 3.01(a) and agrees to each of the other provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Collateral Trustee.

 

(c)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Collateral Trustee will not commence any exercise of remedies or any foreclosure actions or otherwise take any action or proceeding with respect to any of the Collateral (other than actions as necessary to prove, protect or preserve the Liens securing the Secured Obligations) unless and until it shall have been directed in writing by an Act of Required Secured Parties and then only in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Required Junior Lien Debtholders (or any Junior Lien Debt Representative representing such Required Junior Lien Debtholders) may direct the Collateral Trustee with respect to the enforcement of Junior Lien Security Documents and rights and remedies against the Collateral after expiration of the Standstill Period to the extent provided in Section 2.07.

 

(d)            The Collateral Trustee shall act or decline to act in connection with any enforcement of Liens as provided in Section 3.03.

 

(e)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Borrower nor any of its Affiliates may serve as Collateral Trustee.

 

34

 

 

Section 3.02      Release or Subordination of Liens. The Collateral Trustee will not release or subordinate any Lien of the Collateral Trustee (and the other Secured Parties, as applicable) granted under any Security Document or consent to the release or subordination of any Lien of the Collateral Trustee granted under any Security Document, except:

 

(a)            solely with respect to subordination, as directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the subordination was permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document;

 

(b)            as required by Article 4;

 

(c)            as ordered pursuant to applicable law under a final and nonappealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction; or

 

(d)            for the subordination of the Junior Trust Estate and the Junior Liens to the Senior Trust Estate and the First Liens.

 

Section 3.03      Enforcement of Liens. If the Collateral Trustee at any time receives written notice stating that a Secured Debt Default has occurred, the Collateral Trustee will promptly deliver written notice thereof to each Secured Debt Representative. Thereafter, the Collateral Trustee shall await direction by an Act of Required Secured Parties and will act, or decline to act, as directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties, in the exercise and enforcement of the Collateral Trustee’s interests, rights, powers and remedies in respect of the Collateral or under the Security Documents or applicable law and, following the initiation of such exercise of remedies, the Collateral Trustee will act, or decline to act, with respect to the manner of such exercise of remedies as directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties; provided, however, that upon expiration of the Standstill Period the Collateral Trustee shall exercise or decline to exercise enforcement rights, powers and remedies as directed by the Required Junior Lien Debtholders as provided in Section 2.07 hereof unless the First Lien Secured Parties or a First Lien Debt Representative shall have caused the Collateral Trustee to commence and diligently pursue the exercise of rights and remedies with respect to all or any material portion of the Collateral. Unless it has been directed to the contrary by an Act of Required Secured Parties, the Collateral Trustee in any event may (but will not be obligated to) take or refrain from taking such action with respect to any default under any Secured Debt Document as it may deem advisable.

 

Section 3.04      Application of Proceeds.

 

(a)            The Collateral Trustee will apply the proceeds of any collection, sale, foreclosure or other realization upon, or exercise of any right or remedy with respect to, any Collateral and the proceeds thereof, Sale Proceeds, and the proceeds of any insurance policy or any assignment of earnings required under any First Lien Document or Junior Lien Document or otherwise covering the Collateral in the following order of application:

 

FIRST, to the payment of all amounts payable under this Agreement on account of the Collateral Trustee’s fees and any reasonable and documented legal fees, costs and expenses or other liabilities of any kind incurred by the Collateral Trustee or any co-trustee or agent of the Collateral Trustee in connection with any Secured Debt Document (including, but not limited to, indemnification obligations that are then due and payable);

 

35

 

 

SECOND, to the repayment of obligations, other than the Secured Obligations, secured by a Permitted Prior Lien on the Collateral sold or realized upon to the extent that such other Lien has priority over the First Liens but only if such obligation is discharged (in whole or in part) in connection with such sale or other realization;

 

THIRD, to the respective First Lien Debt Representatives on a pro rata basis (or such other basis as set forth in any intercreditor agreement in respect of one or more Series of First Lien Debt in accordance with the written instruction of the respective First Lien Debt Representatives) for each Series of First Lien Debt that is secured by such Collateral, for application to the payment of all such outstanding First Lien Debt and any such other First Lien Obligations that are then due and payable and so secured (for application in such order as may be provided in the First Lien Documents applicable to the respective First Lien Obligations) in an amount sufficient to pay in full in cash all outstanding First Lien Debt and all other First Lien Obligations that are then due and payable (including all interest and fees accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the First Lien Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding, and including the discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (1) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (2) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the applicable First Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit constituting First Lien Debt);

 

FOURTH, to the respective Junior Lien Debt Representatives on a pro rata basis (or such other basis as set forth in any intercreditor agreement in respect of one or more Series of Junior Lien Debt in accordance with the written instruction of the respective Junior Lien Debt Representatives) for each Series of Junior Lien Debt that is secured by such Collateral for application to the payment of all outstanding Junior Lien Debt and any other Junior Lien Obligations that are so secured and then due and payable (for application in such order as may be provided in the Junior Lien Documents applicable to the respective Junior Lien Obligations) in an amount sufficient to pay in full in cash all outstanding Junior Lien Debt and all other Junior Lien Obligations that are then due and payable and so secured (including, to the extent legally permitted, all interest and fees accrued thereon after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the Junior Lien Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding, and including the discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (1) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (2) the percentage of the aggregate undrawn amount required for release of Liens under the terms of the applicable Junior Lien Document) of all outstanding letters of credit, if any, constituting Junior Lien Debt); and

 

FIFTH, any surplus remaining after the payment in full in cash of amounts described in the preceding clauses will be paid to the Borrower or the applicable Grantor, as the case may be, its successors or assigns, or to such other Persons as may be entitled to such amounts under applicable law or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Series of Secured Debt has released its Lien on any Collateral as described in Section 4.04, then such Series of Secured Debt and any related Secured Obligations of that Series thereafter shall not be entitled to share in the proceeds of any Collateral so released by that Series.

 

36

 

 

(b)            If any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any other Junior Lien Secured Party collects or receives any proceeds of such foreclosure, collection or other enforcement, proceeds of any insurance, Sale Proceeds or any proceeds subject to Liens that have been avoided or otherwise invalidated that should have been applied to the payment of the First Lien Obligations in accordance with Section 3.04(a) above, whether before or after the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, such Junior Lien Debt Representative or such Junior Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, will forthwith deliver the same to the Collateral Trustee, for the account of the First Lien Secured Parties, to be applied in accordance with Section 3.04(a). Until so delivered, such proceeds shall be segregated and will be held in trust by that Junior Lien Debt Representative or that other Junior Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, these provisions will not apply to payments received by any holder of Junior Lien Obligations if such payments are not proceeds of, or the result of a realization upon, Collateral.

 

(c)            This Section 3.04 is intended for the benefit of, and will be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, each present and future holder of Secured Obligations, each present and future Secured Debt Representative and the Collateral Trustee as holder of First Liens and Junior Liens. The Secured Debt Representative of each future Series of Secured Debt will be required to deliver a Collateral Trust Joinder including a lien sharing and priority confirmation as provided in Section 3.08 at the time of incurrence of such Series of Secured Debt.

 

(d)            In connection with the application of proceeds pursuant to Section 3.04(a), except as otherwise directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties, the Collateral Trustee may (but shall not be obligated to) sell any non-cash proceeds for cash prior to the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

(e)            In making the determinations and allocations in accordance with Section 3.04(a), the Collateral Trustee may conclusively rely upon information supplied by the relevant First Lien Debt Representative as to the amounts of unpaid principal and interest and other amounts outstanding with respect to its respective First Lien Debt and any other First Lien Obligations and information supplied by the relevant Junior Lien Debt Representative as to the amounts of unpaid principal and interest and other amounts outstanding with respect to its respective Junior Lien Debt and any other Junior Lien Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of the Secured Debt Representatives hereby agrees that, upon request of the Collateral Trustee, it shall promptly deliver a certificate to the Collateral Trustee specifying, as of the requested date, the amount of any Secured Obligations under the Secured Debt Documents represented by it. If requested by the Collateral Trustee, each Secured Debt Representative so requested shall supply the Collateral Trustee with reasonable supporting documentation to evidence the amount of such Secured Obligations.

 

37

 

 

Section 3.05      Powers of the Collateral Trustee.

 

(a)            The Collateral Trustee is irrevocably authorized and empowered to enter into and perform its obligations and protect, perfect, exercise and enforce its interest, rights, powers and remedies under the Security Documents and applicable law and in equity and to act as set forth in this Article 3 or, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, as requested in any lawful directions given to it from time to time in respect of any matter by an Act of Required Secured Parties.

 

(b)            No Secured Debt Representative or Secured Party (other than the Collateral Trustee) will have any liability whatsoever for any act or omission of the Collateral Trustee.

 

Section 3.06      Documents and Communications. The Collateral Trustee will permit each Secured Debt Representative upon reasonable written notice from time to time to inspect and copy, at the cost and expense of the party requesting such copies, any and all Security Documents and other documents, notices, certificates, instructions or communications received by the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as such.

 

Section 3.07      For Sole and Exclusive Benefit of the Secured Parties. The Collateral Trustee will accept, hold, administer and enforce all Liens on the Collateral at any time granted, transferred or delivered to it and all other interests, rights, powers and remedies at any time granted to or enforceable by the Collateral Trustee and all other property of the Trust Estates solely and exclusively for the benefit of the present and future holders of present and future Secured Obligations, and will distribute all proceeds received by it in realization thereon or from enforcement thereof solely and exclusively pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.04.

 

Section 3.08      Additional Secured Debt.

 

(a)            The Collateral Trustee will, as collateral trustee hereunder, perform its undertakings set forth in this Agreement with respect to any Funded Debt that is issued or incurred after the date hereof if:

 

(i)            such Funded Debt is identified as Junior Lien Debt or First Lien Debt in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.08(b); and

 

(ii)            unless such Funded Debt is issued under an existing Secured Debt Document for any Series of Secured Debt whose Secured Debt Representative is already party to this Agreement, the designated Secured Debt Representative identified pursuant to Section 3.08(b) signs a Collateral Trust Joinder and delivers the same to the Collateral Trustee.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the incurrence of revolving credit obligations under commitments that have previously been designated as Secured Debt, (y) the issuance of letters of credit and incurrence of reimbursement obligations in respect thereof or in respect of Cash Management Obligations or obligations under Swap Agreements under or in connection with commitments that have previously been designated as Secured Debt; and (z) the issuance of additional Notes under the Indenture shall automatically constitute Secured Debt and shall not require compliance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.08(b).

 

38

 

 

(b)            The Borrower will be permitted to designate as Secured Debt hereunder any Funded Debt that is incurred by the Borrower or any other Grantor after the date of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of all applicable Secured Debt Documents. The Borrower may only effect such designation by delivering to the Collateral Trustee an Additional Secured Debt Designation that:

 

(i)            states that the Borrower or such other Grantor intends to incur additional Secured Debt (“Additional Secured Debt”) which will either be (as specified in such Additional Secured Debt Designation) (A) First Lien Debt not prohibited by any Secured Debt Document to be incurred and secured by a First Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future First Lien Debt or (B) Junior Lien Debt not prohibited by any Secured Debt Document to be incurred and secured with a Junior Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Junior Lien Debt;

 

(ii)            specifies the name and address of the Secured Debt Representative for such Additional Secured Debt for purposes of Section 7.08 of this Agreement;

 

(iii)            states that the Borrower and each other Grantor has duly authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded (or caused to be recorded) in each appropriate governmental office all relevant filings and recordations to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt is secured by the Collateral in accordance with the Security Documents;

 

(iv)            attaches as Exhibit 1 to such Additional Secured Debt Designation a Reaffirmation Agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit 1 to Exhibit A of this Agreement, which Reaffirmation Agreement has been duly executed by the Borrower and each other Grantor; and

 

(v)            states that the Borrower has caused a copy of the Additional Secured Debt Designation and the related Collateral Trust Joinder to be delivered to each then existing Secured Debt Representative.

 

Although the Borrower shall be required to deliver a copy of each Additional Secured Debt Designation and each Collateral Trust Joinder to each then existing Secured Debt Representative, the failure to so deliver a copy of the Additional Secured Debt and/or Collateral Trust Joinder to any then existing Secured Debt Representative shall not affect the status of such debt as Additional Secured Debt if the other requirements of this Section 3.08 are complied with. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement will be construed to allow the Borrower or any other Grantor to incur additional Funded Debt or Liens if prohibited by the terms of any Secured Debt Document.

 

(c)            With respect to any Secured Debt that is issued or incurred after the date hereof, the Borrower and each of the other Grantors agrees to take such actions (if any) as may from time to time reasonably be necessary or as may be requested by the Collateral Trustee, any First Lien Debt Representative, any Junior Lien Debt Representative or any Act of Required Secured Parties, and enter into such technical amendments, modifications and/or supplements to the then existing Guarantees and Security Documents (or execute and deliver such additional Security Documents), including, without limitation, the execution of an amendment to any vessel mortgage forming part of the Security Documents and its recordation with any applicable vessel registry, as may from time to time be reasonably necessary or requested by such Persons, to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt is secured by, and entitled to the benefits of, the relevant Security Documents, and each Secured Party (by its acceptance of the benefits hereof) hereby agrees to, and authorizes the Collateral Trustee to enter into, any such technical amendments, modifications and/or supplements (and additional Security Documents). The Borrower and each other Grantor hereby further agree that, if there are any recording, filing, documentary stamp tax or other similar fees payable in connection with any of the actions to be taken pursuant to this Section 3.08(c), all such amounts shall be paid by, and shall be for the account of, the Borrower and the respective Grantors, on a joint and several basis.

 

39

 

 

(d)            [reserved].

 

(e)            The Borrower shall have the right at any time on or after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred to enter into any First Lien Document evidencing First Lien Debt the incurrence of which is not prohibited by the applicable Secured Debt Documents and to designate such Funded Debt as First Lien Debt in accordance with Section 3.08(b). At any time from and after the date of such designation pursuant to Section 3.08(b) (the “Reference Date”), subject to compliance with Section 3.08(c), the obligations under such First Lien Document shall automatically and without further action be treated as First Lien Debt for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth herein, and the Junior Lien Obligations shall be at all times subordinated and junior to such First Liens Obligations pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including with respect to Junior Lien Obligations that were incurred or outstanding on or prior to the Reference Date.

 

Section 3.09      First Lien Parallel Debt

 

(a)            The Borrower and each Grantor undertakes with the Collateral Trustee to pay to the Collateral Trustee its First Lien Parallel Debts.

 

(b)            Each First Lien Parallel Debt is (x) a separate and independent obligation from, and is without prejudice to, its First Lien Underlying Debts, (y) constitutes a single obligation of the Borrower and each Grantor to the Collateral Trustee and (z) is an independent and separate claim of the Collateral Trustee to receive payment of that First Lien Parallel Debt (in its capacity as the independent and separate creditor of that First Lien Parallel Debt).

 

(c)            If any First Lien Underlying Debt is avoided or reduced other than as a result of payment to, or recovery or discharge by, the First Lien Secured Party to which the First Lien Underlying Debt is owed or otherwise with the consent of that First Lien Secured Party, the amount of the First Lien Parallel Debt corresponding to that First Lien Underlying Debt shall be equal to the amount which the First Lien Underlying Debt would have had if the avoidance or reduction had not occurred.

 

(d)            The Borrower nor any Grantor may pay any First Lien Parallel Debt other than at the instruction of, and in the manner determined by, the Collateral Trustee. Without prejudice to Section 3.09(b) above, each First Lien Parallel Debt is due and payable at the same time as, for the same amount of and in the same currency as its First Lien Underlying Debts and all payments to be made by the Borrower or a Grantor in respect of its First Lien Parallel Debts shall be calculated and be made without (and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

40

 

 

(e)            Any payment made, or amount recovered, in respect of the Borrower’s or a Grantor’s First Lien Parallel Debt shall reduce the First Lien Underlying Debts owed to any First Lien Secured Party by the amount which that First Lien Secured Party is entitled to receive out of that payment or recovery under the First Lien Documents.

 

Section 3.10      Junior Lien Parallel Debt

 

(a)            The Borrower and each Grantor undertakes with the Collateral Trustee to pay to the Collateral Trustee its Junior Lien Parallel Debts.

 

(b)            Each Junior Lien Parallel Debt is (x) a separate and independent obligation from, and without prejudice to, its Junior Lien Underlying Debts, (y) constitutes a single obligation of the Borrower and each Grantor to the Collateral Trustee and (z) is an independent and separate claim of the Collateral Trustee to receive payment of that Junior Lien Parallel Debt (in its capacity as the independent and separate creditor of that Junior Lien Parallel Debt).

 

(c)            If any Junior Lien Underlying Debt is avoided or reduced other than as a result of payment to, or recovery or discharge by, the Junior Lien Secured Party to which the Junior Lien Underlying Debt is owed or otherwise with the consent of that Junior Lien Secured Party, the amount of the Junior Lien Parallel Debt corresponding to that Junior Lien Underlying Debt shall be equal to the amount which the Junior Lien Underlying Debt would have had if the avoidance or reduction had not occurred.

 

(d)            The Borrower nor any Grantor may pay any Junior Lien Parallel Debt other than at the instruction of, and in the manner determined by, the Collateral Trustee. Without prejudice to Section 3.10(b) above, each Junior Lien Parallel Debt is due and payable at the same time as, for the same amount of and in the same currency as its Junior Lien Underlying Debts and all payments to be made by the Borrower or a Grantor in respect of its Junior Lien Parallel Debts shall be calculated and be made without (and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

(e)            Any payment made, or amount recovered, in respect of the Borrower’s or a Grantor’s Junior Lien Parallel Debt shall reduce the Junior Lien Underlying Debts owed to any Junior Lien Secured Party by the amount which that Junior Secured Party is entitled to receive out of that payment or recovery under the Junior Lien Documents.

 

Section 3.11      Appointment of Collateral Trustee as security trustee for any UK Security Document.

 

(a)            For the purposes of Liens or Collateral created under any UK Security Document (as defined below), the following additional provisions shall apply.

 

(b)            In this Section 3.11, the following expressions have the following meanings:

 

Appointee” means any receiver, administrator or other insolvency officer appointed in respect of any Grantor or its assets.

 

Charged Property” means the assets of the Grantors subject to a security interest under any UK Security Document.

 

41

 

 

Delegate” means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Collateral Trustee (in its capacity as security trustee).

 

UK Security Document” means any Security Document that purports to be governed by English law.

 

(c)            Each Secured Party acting through its respective Secured Debt Representative and/or by its acceptance of the benefits of the Security Documents appoints the Collateral Trustee to hold the security interests constituted by the UK Security Documents on trust for the Secured Parties on the terms of the Secured Debt Documents and the Collateral Trustee accepts that appointment.

 

(d)            The Collateral Trustee, its subsidiaries and associated companies may each retain for its own account and benefit any fee, remuneration and profits paid to it in connection with (i) its activities under the Secured Debt Documents; and (ii) its engagement in any kind of banking or other business with any Grantor.

 

(e)            Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Collateral Trustee as a trustee or fiduciary of, nor shall the Collateral Trustee have any duty or responsibility to, any Grantor.

 

(f)            The Collateral Trustee shall have no duties or obligations to any other person except for those which are expressly specified in the Secured Debt Documents or mandatorily required by applicable law.

 

(g)            The Collateral Trustee may appoint one or more Delegates on such terms (which may include the power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions as it thinks fit, to exercise and perform all or any of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in it by any UK Security Document and shall not be obliged to supervise any Delegate or be responsible to any person for any loss incurred by reason of any act, omission, misconduct or default on the part of any Delegate.

 

(h)            The Collateral Trustee may (whether for the purpose of complying with any law or regulation of any overseas jurisdiction, or for any other reason) appoint (and subsequently remove) any person to act jointly with the Collateral Trustee either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee on such terms and subject to such conditions as the Collateral Trustee thinks fit and with such of the duties, rights, powers and discretions vested in the Collateral Trustee by any UK Security Document as may be conferred by the instrument of appointment of that person.

 

(i)            The Collateral Trustee shall notify the Secured Parties of the appointment of each Appointee (other than a Delegate).

 

(j)            The Collateral Trustee may pay reasonable remuneration to any Delegate or Appointee, together with any costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Delegate or Appointee in connection with its appointment. All such remuneration, costs and expenses shall be treated, for the purposes of this Agreement, as paid or incurred by the Collateral Trustee and shall form part of the Secured Obligations.

 

42

 

 

(k)            Each Delegate and each Appointee shall have every benefit, right, power and discretion and the benefit of every exculpation (together “Rights”) of the Collateral Trustee (in its capacity as security trustee) under any UK Security Document and each reference to the “Collateral Trustee” (where the context requires that such reference is to the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as security trustee) in the provisions of any UK Security Document which confer Rights shall be deemed to include a reference to each Delegate and each Appointee.

 

(l)             Each Secured Party confirms its approval of all UK Security Documents and authorizes and instructs the Collateral Trustee: (i) to execute and deliver all UK Security Documents; (ii) to exercise the rights, powers and discretions given to the Collateral Trustee (in its capacity as security trustee) under or in connection with the UK Security Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions; and (iii) to give any authorizations and confirmations to be given by the Collateral Trustee (in its capacity as security trustee) on behalf of the Secured Parties under the UK Security Documents.

 

(m)           The Collateral Trustee may accept without inquiry the title (if any) which any person may have to the Charged Property.

 

(n)            Each other Secured Party confirms that it does not wish to be registered as a joint proprietor of any security interest constituted by a UK Security Document and accordingly authorizes: (a) the Collateral Trustee to hold such security interest in its sole name (or in the name of any Delegate) as trustee for the Secured Parties; and (b) the HM Land Registry (or other relevant registry) to register the Collateral Trustee (or any Delegate or Appointee) as a sole proprietor of such security interest.

 

(o)            Except to the extent that a UK Security Document otherwise requires, any moneys which the Collateral Trustee receives under or pursuant to a UK Security Document may be placed on deposit at any bank or institution (including the Collateral Trustee) in the name or under the control of the Collateral Trustee, and the Collateral Trustee shall hold those moneys, together with any accrued income (net of any applicable tax) to the order of the Secured Parties, and shall pay them to the Secured Parties on demand.

 

(p)            On a disposal of any of the Charged Property which is permitted under the Secured Debt Documents, the Collateral Trustee shall (at the cost of the Grantors) execute any release of the UK Security Documents or other claim over that Charged Property and issue any certificates of non-crystallisation of floating charges that may be required or take any other action that the Collateral Trustee considers desirable.

 

(q)            The Collateral Trustee shall not be liable for (i) any defect in or failure of the title (if any) which any person may have to any assets over which security is intended to be created by a UK Security Document; (ii) any loss resulting from the investment or deposit at any bank of moneys which it invests or deposits in a manner permitted by a UK Security Document; (iii) the exercise of, or the failure to exercise, any right, power or discretion given to it by or in connection with any Secured Debt Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Secured Debt Document; or (iv) any shortfall which arises on enforcing a UK Security Document.

 

43

 

 

(r)            The Collateral Trustee shall not be obligated to (i) obtain any authorization or environmental permit in respect of any of the Charged Property or a UK Security Document; (ii) hold in its own possession a UK Security Document, title deed or other document relating to the Charged Property or a UK Security Document; (iii) perfect, protect, register, make any filing or give any notice in respect of a UK Security Document (or the order of ranking of a UK Security Document), unless that failure arises directly from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iv) require any further assurances in relation to a UK Security Document.

 

(s)            In respect of any UK Security Document, the Collateral Trustee shall not be obligated to: (i) insure, or require any other person to insure, the Charged Property; or (ii) make any enquiry or conduct any investigation into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any insurance existing over such Charged Property.

 

(t)            In respect of any UK Security Document, the Collateral Trustee shall not have any obligation or duty to any person for any loss suffered as a result of: (i) the lack or inadequacy of any insurance; or (ii) the failure of the Collateral Trustee to notify the insurers of any material fact relating to the risk assumed by them, or of any other information of any kind, unless Secured Parties have requested it to do so in writing and the Collateral Trustee has failed to do so within fourteen (14) days after receipt of that request.

 

(u)            Every appointment of a successor Collateral Trustee under a UK Security Document shall be by deed.

 

(v)            Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 (UK) shall not apply to the duty of the Collateral Trustee in relation to the trusts constituted by this Agreement or any UK Security Document. In performing its duties, obligations and responsibilities, the Collateral Trustee shall be considered to be acting only in a mechanical and administrative capacity or as expressly provided in this Agreement, the relevant UK Security Document, First Lien Documents and Junior Lien Documents.

 

(w)            In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of the Trustee Act 1925 (UK) or the Trustee Act 2000 (UK), the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail to the extent allowed by law, and shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of the Trustee Act 2000 (U.K.).

 

(x)            The perpetuity period under the rule against perpetuities if applicable to this Agreement and any UK Security Document shall be 80 years from the date of this Agreement.

 

Article IV.
Obligations Enforceable By The Borrower And The Other Grantors

 

Section 4.01      Release or Subordination of Liens on Collateral

 

(a)      The Collateral Trustee’s Liens upon the Collateral will be released in any of the following circumstances:

 

(i)            in whole, as to both the First Liens and the Junior Liens, upon the later of the Discharge of First Lien Obligations and the Discharge of Junior Lien Obligations;

 

44

 

 

(ii)            in whole, as to the First Lien only, upon the written request of the Borrower to the Collateral Trustee, at any time when there has been a Discharge of First Lien Obligations;

 

(iii)            in whole, as to the Junior Lien only, upon the written request of the Borrower to the Collateral Trustee, at any time when there has been a Discharge of Junior Lien Obligations;

 

(iv)            as to a release of any Collateral that (x) is or becomes an Excluded Asset (as defined in the Credit Agreement, the Indenture or any other Secured Debt Document (or any equivalent defined term in such agreements)) or (y) is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Borrower or any other Grantor to a Person that is not (either before or after such sale, transfer or disposition) the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Credit Agreement, Indenture or any other Secured Debt Document) in a transaction or other circumstance that complies with each applicable Secured Debt Document; provided, that this clause (iv) shall not apply to sales of disposition subject to Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement or Article 5 (Successors) of the Indenture;

 

(v)            as to a release of less than all or substantially all of the Collateral (other than pursuant to clause (iv) above), if directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the release was permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document; provided, that this clause (v) shall not apply (A) in the case of the Discharge of First Lien Obligations or (B) to sales or dispositions subject to Section 7.1 (Restrictions on Fundamental Changes) of the Credit Agreement or Article 5 (Successors) of the Indenture;

 

(vi)            as to a release of all or substantially all of the Collateral (other than pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above), if (A) consent to release of that Collateral has been given by the requisite percentage or number of holders of each Series of Secured Debt at the time outstanding as provided for in the applicable Secured Debt Documents and (B) the Borrower has delivered an Officers’ Certificate to the Collateral Trustee certifying that any such necessary consents have been obtained;

 

(vii)            (A) if any Grantor is released from its obligations under each of the Junior Lien Documents, then the Junior Liens on the Collateral granted by such Grantor and the obligations of such Grantor under its Guarantee of the Junior Lien Obligations, shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released and (B) if any Grantor is released from its obligations under each of the First Lien Documents, then the First Liens on the Collateral granted by such Grantor and the obligations of such Grantor under its Guarantee of the First Lien Obligations, shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released;

 

(viii)            as to the Junior Lien only, upon (A) release (other than a release as a result of the Discharge of the First Lien Obligations) of the First Lien on such Collateral pursuant to the First Lien Documents and (B) delivery by the Borrower to the Collateral Trustee of an Officer’s Certificate certifying as to the same, together with an Officer’s Certificate; and

 

45

 

 

(ix)            notwithstanding any of the foregoing, (A) if the Collateral Trustee is exercising its rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral under the First Lien Security Documents pursuant to an Act of Required Secured Parties, and the Collateral Trustee releases any of the First Liens on any part of the Collateral or any Grantor is released from its obligations under its Guarantee of the First Lien Obligations in connection therewith, then the Junior Liens on such Collateral and the obligations of such Grantor under its Guarantee of the Junior Lien Obligations shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released and (B) if in connection with any exercise of rights and remedies by the Collateral Trustee under the First Lien Security Documents pursuant to an Act of Required Secured Parties, the Capital Stock of any Person are foreclosed upon or otherwise disposed of and the Collateral Trustee releases the First Lien on the property or assets of such Person then the Junior Liens with respect to the property or assets of such Person will be concurrently and automatically released to the same extent as the First Liens on such property or assets are released.

 

(b)            The Collateral Trustee agrees for the benefit of the Borrower and the other Grantors that if the Collateral Trustee at any time receives

 

(i)            an Officers’ Certificate stating that (A) the signing officer has read Article 4 of this Agreement and understands the provisions and the definitions relating hereto, (B) such officer has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the conditions precedent in this Agreement and all other Secured Debt Documents, if any, relating to the release of the Collateral have been complied with and (C) in the opinion of such officer, such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with;

 

(ii)            the proposed instrument or instruments releasing such Lien as to such property in recordable form, if applicable; and

 

(iii)            prior to the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, the written confirmation of each First Lien Debt Representative (or, at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations, each Junior Lien Debt Representative) (such confirmation to be given following receipt of, and may be based solely on, the Officers’ Certificate described in clause (i) above) that, in its view, such release is permitted by the respective Secured Debt Documents governing the Secured Obligations the holders of which such Secured Debt Representative represents;

 

then the Collateral Trustee will, at the cost of the Borrower, execute (with such acknowledgements and/or notarizations as are required) and deliver such release to the Borrower or other applicable Grantor on or before the later of (x) the date specified in such request for such release and (y) the second Business Day after the date of receipt of the items required by this Section 4.01(b) by the Collateral Trustee.

 

46

 

 

(c)            The Collateral Trustee hereby agrees that:

 

(i)            in the case of any release pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4.01(a), if the terms of any such sale, transfer or other disposition require the payment of the purchase price to be contemporaneous with the delivery of the applicable release, then, at the written request of and at the expense of the Borrower or other applicable Grantor, the Collateral Trustee will either (A) be present at and deliver the release at the closing of such transaction or (B) deliver the release under customary escrow arrangements that permit such contemporaneous payment and delivery of the release; and

 

(ii)            at any time when a Secured Debt Default under a Series of Secured Debt that constitutes Junior Lien Debt has occurred and is continuing, within one Business Day of the receipt by it of any Act of Required Secured Parties pursuant to Section 4.01(a)(v), the Collateral Trustee will deliver a copy of such Act of Required Secured Parties to each Secured Debt Representative.

 

(d)            Each Secured Debt Representative hereby agrees that:

 

(i)            as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of an Officers’ Certificate from the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(i), it will, to the extent required by Section 4.01(b)(iii), either provide (A) the written confirmation required by Section 4.01(b)(iii), (B) a written statement that such release is not permitted by Section 4.01(a) or (C) a request for further information from the Borrower reasonably necessary to determine whether the proposed release is permitted by Section 4.01(a) and after receipt of such information such Secured Debt Representative will as soon as reasonably practicable either provide the written confirmation or statement required pursuant to clause (A) or (B), as applicable; and

 

(ii)            within one Business Day of the receipt by it of any notice from the Collateral Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01(c)(ii), such Secured Debt Representative will deliver a copy of such notice to each registered holder of the Series of First Lien Debt or Series of Junior Lien Debt for which it acts as Secured Debt Representative.

 

Section 4.02      Delivery of Copies to Secured Debt Representatives. The Borrower will deliver to each Secured Debt Representative a copy of each Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Collateral Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01(b)(i), together with copies of all documents delivered to the Collateral Trustee with such Officers’ Certificate. The Secured Debt Representatives will not be obligated to take notice thereof or to act thereon, except as provided by Section 4.01(d).

 

Section 4.03      Collateral Trustee not Required to Serve, File or Record. The Collateral Trustee is not required to serve, file, register or record any instrument releasing or subordinating its Liens on any Collateral; provided, however, that if the Borrower or any other Grantor shall make a written demand for a termination statement under Section 9-513(c) of the UCC, the Collateral Trustee shall comply with the written request of such Borrower or other Grantor to comply with the requirements of such UCC provision if the Collateral Trustee has received the documents contemplated in Section 4.01.

 

Section 4.04      Release of Liens in Respect of any Series of First Lien Debt or any Series of Junior Lien Debt.

 

(a)      Release of Liens in Respect of the Notes. In addition to any release pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof, the Collateral Trustee’s Junior Lien will no longer secure the Notes outstanding under the Indenture or any other Obligations under the Indenture, and the right of the holders of the Notes and such Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Trustee’s Junior Lien on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged:

 

(i)            upon satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture as set forth under Section 8.01(a) (Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance) of the Indenture;

 

47

 

 

(ii)            upon a Legal Defeasance Option or Covenant Defeasance Option of the Notes as set forth under Article 8 (Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance) of the Indenture;

 

(iii)            upon payment in full and discharge of all Notes outstanding under the Indenture and all Obligations that are outstanding, due and payable under the Indenture at the time the Notes are paid in full and discharged; or

 

(iv)            in whole or in part, with the consent of the holders of the requisite percentage of Notes in accordance with Article 9 (Amendments) of the Indenture.

 

(b)            Release of Liens in Respect of any Series of First Lien Debt Other than the Obligations under the Credit Agreement or any Series of Junior Lien Debt other than the Notes and other Obligations under the Indenture. In addition to any release pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof, as to any Series of First Lien Debt (other than Obligations under the Credit Agreement), the Collateral Trustee’s (and First Lien Secured Parties, as applicable) First Lien will no longer secure such Series of First Lien Debt if the requirements of a Discharge of First Lien Obligations are satisfied with respect to such Series of First Lien Debt and all First Lien Obligations related thereto. In addition to any release pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof, as to any Series of Junior Lien Debt (other than the Notes or other Obligations under the Indenture), the Collateral Trustee’s (and First Lien Secured Parties, as applicable) Junior Lien will no longer secure such Series of Junior Lien Debt if the requirements of a Discharge of Junior Lien Obligations are satisfied with respect to such Series of Junior Lien Debt and all Junior Lien Obligations related thereto.

 

(c)            Release of Liens in Respect of the Credit Agreement. In addition to any release pursuant to Section 4.01 hereof, the Collateral Trustee’s (and First Lien Secured Parties, as applicable) First Liens on the Collateral shall be released in accordance with Section 11.30 of the Credit Agreement to the extent the terms and conditions thereunder have been satisfied.

 

Section 4.05      Collateral Matters. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other First Lien Document or Junior Lien Document to the contrary, the time period for any delivery, filing, perfection or other action in respect of the Collateral or insurance (including any notice in respect thereof) as provided in any First Lien Document can be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion and any such extension shall be applicable to an equal extent under the corresponding Junior Lien Documents.

 

Article V.
Immunities Of The Collateral Trustee

 

Section 5.01      No Implied Duty. The Collateral Trustee will not have any fiduciary duties nor will it have responsibilities or obligations other than those expressly assumed by it in this Agreement and the other Security Documents. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Collateral Trustee will not be required to take any action that is contrary to applicable law or any provision of this Agreement or the other Security Documents, or in connection with which it determines it would incur liability.

 

48

 

 

Section 5.02      Appointment of Agents and Advisors. The Collateral Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents, attorneys, accountants, appraisers or other experts or advisors selected by it with due care and will not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any of them.

 

Section 5.03      Other Agreements. The Collateral Trustee has accepted its appointment as Collateral Trustee hereunder and is bound by the Security Documents executed by the Collateral Trustee as of the date of this Agreement and, as directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties, the Collateral Trustee shall execute additional intercreditor agreements or Security Documents delivered to it after the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that such additional Security Documents do not adversely affect the rights, privileges, benefits and immunities of the Collateral Trustee. The Collateral Trustee will not otherwise be deemed to have knowledge of, be bound by, or be held obligated by, the provisions of any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing Secured Debt (other than this Agreement and the other Security Documents to which it is a party).

 

Section 5.04      Solicitation of Instructions.

 

(a)            The Collateral Trustee may at any time solicit written confirmatory instructions, in the form of an Act of Required Secured Parties, an Officers’ Certificate or an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, as to any action that it may be requested or required to take, or that it may propose to take, in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement or the other Security Documents and, subject to Section 5.05, will not be deemed to have breached its obligations pursuant to this Agreement by failing to take such action if such written confirmatory instructions are not provided.

 

(b)            No written direction given to the Collateral Trustee by an Act of Required Secured Parties that in the sole judgment of the Collateral Trustee imposes, purports to impose or might reasonably be expected to impose upon the Collateral Trustee any obligation or liability not set forth in or arising under this Agreement and the other Security Documents will be binding upon the Collateral Trustee unless the Collateral Trustee elects, at its sole option, to accept such direction.

 

Section 5.05      Limitation of Liability. The Collateral Trustee will not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any other Security Document, except for its own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall the Collateral Trustee be liable for any punitive, consequential, special or indirect damages of any kind even if such damages were foreseeable.

 

Section 5.06      Documents in Satisfactory Form. The Collateral Trustee will be entitled to require that all agreements, certificates, opinions, instruments and other documents at any time submitted to it, including those expressly provided for in this Agreement, be delivered to it in a form and with substantive provisions reasonably satisfactory to it.

 

49

 

 

Section 5.07      Entitled to Rely. The Collateral Trustee may seek and conclusively rely upon, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, any judicial order or judgment, upon any advice, opinion or statement of legal counsel, independent consultants and other experts selected by it in good faith and upon any certification, instruction, notice or other writing delivered to it by the Borrower or any other Grantor in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement or delivered to it by any Secured Debt Representative as to the Secured Parties for whom it acts, without being required to determine the authenticity thereof or the correctness of any fact stated therein or the propriety or validity of service thereof. The Collateral Trustee may act in reliance upon any instrument comporting with the provisions of this Agreement or any signature reasonably believed by it to be genuine and may assume that any Person purporting to give notice or receipt or advice or make any statement or execute any document in connection with the provisions hereof or the other Security Documents has been duly authorized to do so. To the extent an Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel is required or permitted under this Agreement to be delivered to the Collateral Trustee in respect of any matter, the Collateral Trustee may rely conclusively on such Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel as to such matter and such Officers’ Certificate or opinion of counsel shall be full warranty and protection to the Collateral Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Security Documents.

 

Section 5.08      Secured Debt Default. The Collateral Trustee will not be required to inquire as to the occurrence or absence of any Secured Debt Default and will not be affected by or required to act upon any notice or knowledge as to the occurrence of any Secured Debt Default unless and until it is directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties.

 

Section 5.09      Actions by Collateral Trustee. As to any matter not expressly provided for by this Agreement or the other Security Documents, the Collateral Trustee will act or refrain from acting as directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties and will be fully protected if it does so, and any action taken, suffered or omitted pursuant to hereto or thereto shall be binding on the Secured Parties.

 

Section 5.10      Security or Indemnity in favor of the Collateral Trustee. The Collateral Trustee will not be required to advance or expend any funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers or rights hereunder unless it has been provided with security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any and all liability or expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take such action.

 

Section 5.11      Rights of the Collateral Trustee. In the event of any conflict between any terms and provisions set forth in this Agreement and those set forth in any other Security Document, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall supersede and control the terms and provisions of such other Security Document. In the event there is any bona fide, good faith disagreement between the other parties to this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents resulting in adverse claims being made in connection with Collateral held by the Collateral Trustee and the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents do not unambiguously mandate the action the Collateral Trustee is to take or not to take in connection therewith under the circumstances then existing, or the Collateral Trustee is in doubt as to what action it is required to take or not to take hereunder or under the other Security Documents, it will be entitled to refrain from taking any action (and will incur no liability for doing so) until directed otherwise in writing by a request signed jointly by the parties hereto entitled to give such direction or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

50

 

 

Section 5.12      Limitations on Duty of Collateral Trustee in Respect of Collateral. Beyond the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of Collateral in its possession, the Collateral Trustee will have no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession or control of any agent or bailee or any income thereon or as to preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto and the Collateral Trustee will not be responsible for filing any financing or continuation statements or recording any documents or instruments in any public office at any time or times or otherwise perfecting or maintaining the perfection of any Liens on the Collateral. The Collateral Trustee shall deliver to each other Secured Debt Representative a copy of any such written request. The Collateral Trustee will be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords its own property, and the Collateral Trustee will not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in the value of any of the Collateral by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Collateral Trustee in good faith.

 

(a)            Except as provided in Section 5.12(a), the Collateral Trustee will not be responsible for the existence, genuineness or value of any of the Collateral or for the validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of the Liens on any of the Collateral, whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any action or omission to act on its part hereunder, except to the extent such action or omission constitutes gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Collateral Trustee, for the validity or sufficiency of the Collateral or any agreement or assignment contained therein, for the validity of the title of any Grantor to the Collateral, for insuring the Collateral or for the payment of taxes, charges, assessments or Liens upon the Collateral or otherwise as to the maintenance of the Collateral. The Collateral Trustee hereby disclaims any representation or warranty to the current and future holders of the Secured Obligations concerning the perfection of the security interests granted to it or in the value of any Collateral.

 

Section 5.13      Assumption of Rights, Not Assumption of Duties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein:

 

(i)            each of the parties to the Security Documents (other than this Agreement) will remain liable thereunder to the extent set forth therein to perform all of their respective duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed;

 

(ii)            the exercise by the Collateral Trustee of any of its rights, remedies or powers hereunder will not release such parties from any of their respective duties or obligations under the other Security Documents; and

 

(iii)            the Collateral Trustee will not be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of any of the parties to the Security Documents other than the Collateral Trustee.

 

51

 

 

Section 5.14      No Liability for Clean Up of Hazardous Materials. In the event that the Collateral Trustee is required to acquire title to an asset for any reason, or take any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto, in order to carry out any fiduciary or trust obligation for the benefit of another, which in the Collateral Trustee’s sole discretion may cause the Collateral Trustee to be considered an “owner or operator” under any environmental laws or otherwise cause the Collateral Trustee to incur, or be exposed to, any environmental liability or any liability under any other federal, state or local law, the Collateral Trustee reserves the right, instead of taking such action, either to resign immediately as Collateral Trustee or to arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court appointed receiver. The Collateral Trustee will not be liable to any Person for any environmental liability or any environmental claims or contribution actions under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by reason of the Collateral Trustee’s actions and conduct as authorized, empowered and directed hereunder or relating to any kind of discharge or release or threatened discharge or release of any hazardous materials into the environment.

 

Section 5.15      Rights of Collateral Trustee. In its appointment hereunder and in acting or refraining to act hereunder, the Collateral Trustee shall enjoy all the same rights, protections, indemnities and limitations of liabilities provided to it under the applicable Secured Debt Documents as if they were expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

Article VI.
Resignation And Removal Of
The Collateral Trustee

 

Section 6.01      Resignation or Removal of Collateral Trustee. Subject to the appointment of a successor Collateral Trustee as provided in Section 6.02 and the acceptance of such appointment by the successor Collateral Trustee:

 

(a)            the Collateral Trustee may resign at any time by giving not less than 30 days’ notice of resignation to each Secured Debt Representative and the Borrower; and

 

(b)            the Collateral Trustee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by an Act of Required Secured Parties.

 

Section 6.02      Appointment of Successor Collateral Trustee. Upon any such resignation or removal, a successor Collateral Trustee may be appointed by an Act of Required Secured Parties. If no successor Collateral Trustee has been so appointed and accepted such appointment within 30 days after the predecessor Collateral Trustee gave notice of resignation or was removed, the retiring Collateral Trustee may (at the expense of the Borrower), at its option, appoint a successor Collateral Trustee, or petition a court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a successor Collateral Trustee, which must be a bank or trust company:

 

(i)            authorized to exercise corporate trust powers;

 

(ii)           having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000;

 

(iii)          maintaining an office in New York, New York; and

 

(iv)          that is not a Secured Debt Representative, the Borrower or an Affiliate of the Borrower.

 

52

 

 

Other than as contemplated in Section 5.14, the Collateral Trustee will fulfill its obligations hereunder until a successor Collateral Trustee meeting the requirements of this Section 6.02 has accepted its appointment as Collateral Trustee and the provisions of Section 6.03 have been satisfied.

 

Section 6.03      Succession. When the Person so appointed as successor Collateral Trustee accepts such appointment:

 

(a)            such Person will succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the predecessor Collateral Trustee, and the predecessor Collateral Trustee will be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder; and

 

(b)            the predecessor Collateral Trustee will (at the expense of the Borrower) promptly transfer all Liens and collateral security and other property of the Trust Estates within its possession or control to the possession or control of the successor Collateral Trustee and will execute instruments and assignments as may be necessary or desirable or reasonably requested by the successor Collateral Trustee to transfer to the successor Collateral Trustee all Liens, interests, rights, powers and remedies of the predecessor Collateral Trustee in respect of the Security Documents or the Trust Estates, including, without limitation, the execution of an amendment to any vessel mortgage forming part of the Security Documents and its recordation with any applicable vessel registry.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, thereafter the predecessor Collateral Trustee will remain entitled to enforce the immunities granted to it in Article 5 and the provisions of Sections 7.11 and 7.12.

 

Section 6.04      Merger, Conversion or Consolidation of Collateral Trustee. Any Person into which the Collateral Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, amalgamation conversion or consolidation to which the Collateral Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all of the business of the Collateral Trustee shall be the successor of the Collateral Trustee pursuant to Section 6.03; provided that (i) without the execution or filing of any paper with any party hereto or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, except where an instrument of transfer or assignment is required by law to effect such succession, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, such Person satisfies the eligibility requirements specified in clauses (i) through (iv) of Section 6.02 and (ii) prior to any such merger, conversion or consolidation, the Collateral Trustee shall have notified the Borrower, each First Lien Debt Representative and each Junior Lien Debt Representative thereof in writing; provided that such notification may take place as soon as practicable subsequent to any such merger, conversion or consolidation to the extent the Collateral Trustee was prohibited by binding legal documentation from providing earlier notice.

 

Article VII.
Miscellaneous Provisions

 

Section 7.01      Amendment.

 

(a)            No amendment or supplement to the provisions of this Agreement or any other Security Document will be effective without the approval of the Collateral Trustee acting as directed by an Act of Required Secured Parties, except that:

 

(i)            any amendment or supplement that has the effect solely of:

 

53

 

 

(a)            adding or maintaining Collateral, securing additional Secured Obligations that are otherwise not prohibited by the terms of any Secured Debt Document to be secured by the Collateral or preserving, perfecting or establishing the Liens thereon or the rights of the Collateral Trustee therein;

 

(b)            curing any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; or

 

(c)            providing for the assumption of the Borrower or any Grantor’s obligations under any Secured Debt Document in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower or such Grantor to the extent not prohibited by the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Indenture or any other Secured Debt Documents;

 

will become effective when executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other applicable Grantor party thereto and the Collateral Trustee;

 

(ii)            no amendment or supplement that reduces, impairs or adversely affects the right of any Secured Party:

 

(a)            to vote its outstanding Secured Debt as to any matter described as subject to an Act of Required Secured Parties or direction by the Required Junior Lien Debtholders (or amends the provisions of this Section 7.01(a)(ii) or the definitions of “Act of Required Secured Parties, Required Junior Lien Debtholdersor Controlling Representative”);

 

(b)            except as specifically contemplated by Section 7.01(a)(i)(a), to share in the order of application described in Section 3.04 in the proceeds of enforcement of or realization on any Collateral that has not been released in accordance with the provisions described in Sections 3.02, 4.01 or 4.04;

 

(c)            to require that Liens securing Secured Obligations be released only as set forth in the provisions described in Sections 3.02, 4.01 or 4.04; or

 

(d)            under Section 2.11 or this Section 7.01,

 

will become effective without the consent of the requisite percentage or number of holders of each Series of Secured Debt so affected. All references to sections of this Agreement in this Section 7.01 shall refer to such sections as in effect on the date hereof; and

 

(iii)            no amendment or supplement that imposes any obligation upon the Collateral Trustee or any Secured Debt Representative or adversely affects the rights of the Collateral Trustee or any Secured Debt Representative, respectively, in its capacity as such will become effective without the consent of the Collateral Trustee or such Secured Debt Representative, respectively.

 

(b)            Notwithstanding Section 7.01(a) but subject to Sections 7.01(a)(ii) and 7.01(a)(iii):

 

(i)            [reserved]; and

 

54

 

 

(ii)            any amendment or waiver of, or any consent under, any provision of this Agreement or any other First Lien Security Document will apply automatically to any comparable provision of any comparable Junior Lien Security Document without the consent of or notice to any Junior Lien Secured Party and without any action by the Borrower or any other Grantor or any Junior Lien Secured Party.

 

(c)            The Collateral Trustee will not enter into any amendment or supplement to this Agreement or any other Security Document unless it has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that such amendment or supplement will not result in a breach of any provision or covenant contained in any of the Secured Debt Documents. Prior to executing any amendment or supplement pursuant to this Section 7.01, the Collateral Trustee will be entitled to receive (i) an opinion of counsel of the Borrower stating that the execution of such document is authorized or permitted hereunder, and with respect to amendments adding Collateral, an opinion of counsel of the Borrower addressing customary creation and perfection and (ii) if such additional Collateral consists of Capital Stock of any Person which constitute certificated securities, priority matters with respect to such additional Collateral (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and qualifications).

 

Section 7.02      Voting. In connection with any matter under this Agreement requiring a vote of holders of Secured Debt, each Series of Secured Debt will cast its votes in accordance with the Secured Debt Documents governing such Series of Secured Debt. The amount of Secured Debt to be voted by a Series of Secured Debt will equal (1) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Secured Debt held by such Series of Secured Debt (including outstanding letters of credit whether or not then available or drawn), plus (2) other than in connection with an exercise of remedies, the aggregate unfunded commitments to extend credit which, when funded, would constitute Funded Debt of such Series of Secured Debt. Following and in accordance with the outcome of the applicable vote under its Secured Debt Documents, the Secured Debt Representative of each Series of Secured Debt will vote the total amount of Secured Debt under that Series of Secured Debt as a block in respect of any vote under this Agreement.

 

Section 7.03      Further Assurances; Insurance. The Borrower and each of the Grantors will do or cause to be done all acts and things that may be required, or that the Collateral Trustee from time to time may reasonably request, to assure and confirm that the Collateral Trustee holds, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, duly created and enforceable and perfected Liens upon the Collateral, (including any property or assets that are acquired or otherwise become, or are required by any Secured Debt Document to become, Collateral after the date hereof), in each case as contemplated by, and with the Lien priority required under, the Secured Debt Documents.

 

(a)            Upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Trustee or any Secured Debt Representative at any time and from time to time, the Borrower and each of the other Grantors will promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such security documents, instruments, certificates, notices and other documents, and take such other actions as may be reasonably required, or that the Collateral Trustee 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 Secured Debt Documents for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

55

 

 

(b)            The Borrower and the other Grantors will, to the extent required under any Secured Debt Documents:

 

(i)            keep their properties adequately insured at all times by financially sound and reputable insurers;

 

(ii)           maintain such other insurance, to such extent and against such risks (and with such deductibles, retentions and exclusions), including fire and other risks insured against by extended coverage and coverage for acts of terrorism, as is customary with companies in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations, including public liability insurance against claims for personal injury or death or property damage occurring upon, in, about or in connection with the use of any properties owned, occupied or controlled by them;

 

(iii)          maintain such other insurance as may be required by law;

 

(iv)          maintain insurance with respect to each vessel that is subject to a Security Document on such terms as may be required by the Credit Agreement, the Indenture and the Security Documents; and

 

(v)           maintain such other insurance as may be required by the Credit Agreement, the Indenture and the Security Documents.

 

(c)            Upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Trustee (to be no more often than annually), the Borrower and the other Grantors will furnish to the Collateral Trustee full information as to their property and liability insurance carriers.

 

Section 7.04      Perfection of Junior Trust Estate. Solely for purposes of perfecting the Liens of the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as agent of the Junior Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Debt Representatives in any portion of the Junior Trust Estate in the possession or control of the Collateral Trustee (or its agents or bailees) as part of the Senior Trust Estate including, without limitation, any instruments, goods, negotiable documents, tangible chattel paper, certificated securities, uncertificated securities, securities accounts or money, the Collateral Trustee, the First Lien Secured Parties and the First Lien Debt Representatives hereby acknowledge that the Collateral Trustee also holds such property as gratuitous bailee for the benefit of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Debt Representatives (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-106(d), 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the UCC). Solely with respect to any deposit accounts under the control (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) of the Collateral Trustee in its capacity as agent of the holders of the First Lien Obligations, the Collateral Trustee agrees to also hold control over such deposit accounts as gratuitous agent for the benefit of the Junior Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Debt Representatives.

 

56

 

 

Section 7.05      When Discharge of Secured Obligations Deemed to Not Have Occurred.

 

If, at any time after the Discharge of First Lien Obligations has occurred, the Borrower enters into any Additional Secured Debt evidencing any First Lien Debt permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be secured by a First Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future First Lien Debt, then such Discharge of First Lien Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (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 First Lien Debt Representative in respect of such Additional Secured Debt becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 3.08, the obligations under such First Lien Documents shall automatically be treated as First Lien Obligations for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth herein, and the First Lien Debt Representative under such new First Lien Documents shall be a First Lien Debt Representative for all purposes of this Agreement and this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto from such date of reinstatement. Upon receipt of an Additional Secured Debt Designation from the Borrower in accordance with Section 3.08, each Junior Lien Representative shall promptly enter into such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Agreement) as the Borrower or such applicable Junior Lien Debt Representative shall reasonably request in order to provide to such First Lien Debt Representative the rights contemplated hereby, in each case consistent in all material respects with the terms of this Agreement. If the First Lien Obligations under such additional First Lien Documents are secured by assets of the Grantors constituting Collateral that do not also secure the Junior Lien Obligations, then the Junior Lien Obligations shall be secured at such time by a junior-priority Lien on such assets to the same extent provided in the Junior Lien Documents and this Agreement. This Section 7.05 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.06      Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)            Except as provided in Section 5.02, the Collateral Trustee may not, in its capacity as such, delegate any of its duties or assign any of its rights hereunder, and any attempted delegation or assignment of any such duties or rights will be null and void. All obligations of the Collateral Trustee hereunder will inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of, and be enforceable by, each Secured Debt Representative and each present and future holder of Secured Obligations, each of whom will be entitled to enforce this Agreement as a third-party beneficiary hereof, and all of their respective successors and assigns.

 

(b)            Neither the Borrower nor any other Grantor may delegate any of its duties or assign any of its rights hereunder, and any attempted delegation or assignment of any such duties or rights will be null and void. All obligations of the Borrower and the other Grantors hereunder will inure to the sole and exclusive benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Collateral Trustee, each Secured Debt Representative and each present and future holder of Secured Obligations, each of whom will be entitled to enforce this Agreement as a third-party beneficiary hereof, and all of their respective successors and assigns.

 

Section 7.07      Delay and Waiver. No failure to exercise, no course of dealing with respect to the exercise of, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy arising under this Agreement or any of the other Security Documents will impair any such right, power or remedy or operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy will preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

 

57

 

 

Section 7.08      Notices. Any communications, including notices and instructions, between or among the parties hereto or notices provided herein to be given may be given to the following addresses:

 

If to the Collateral Trustee: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB 
  500 Delaware Avenue 
  Wilmington, DE 19801 
  Attention: Geoffrey J. Lewis 
  Telephone: (302) 421-9137 
  Email: glewis@wsfsbank.com
 
If to the Borrower or any other Grantor: Valaris Limited 
  Clarendon House 
  2 Church Street 
  Hamilton, Bermuda HM11 
  Attention: Darin Gibbins, VP 
  – Investor Relations & 
  Treasurer 
  Email: Darin.Gibbons@valaris.com
 
with a further copy to: Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 
  811 Main Street 
  Houston, TX 77002 
  Attention: Shalla Prichard 
  Telephone: (346) 718-6644 
  Email:Sprichard@gibsondunn.com
 
If to the Administrative Agent: Citibank, N.A. 
  Citibank Delaware 
  1615 Brett Road 
  OPS III 
  New Castle, DE 19720 
  Attention: Agency Operations 
  Telephone: (302) 894-6010 
  Email: GIAgentOfficeOps@Citi.com
 
If to the Trustee: Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB 
  500 Delaware Avenue 
  Wilmington, DE 19801 
  Attention: Geoffrey J. Lewis 
  Telephone: (302) 421-9137 
  Email: glewis@wsfsbank.com

 

and if to any other Secured Debt Representative, to such address as it may specify by written notice to the parties named above.

 

58

 

 

All notices and communications will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the relevant address set forth above or, as to holders of Secured Debt, its address shown on the register kept by the office or agency where the relevant Secured Debt may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange. To the extent applicable, any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in § 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, to the extent required thereunder. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a holder of Secured Debt or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders of Secured Debt.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

 

Any party hereto may change the address at which it is to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other parties hereto.

 

Section 7.09      Notice Following Discharge of First Lien Obligations and Junior Lien Obligations. Promptly following the Discharge of First Lien Obligations with respect to one or more Series of First Lien Debt, each First Lien Debt Representative with respect to each applicable Series of First Lien Debt that is so discharged will provide written notice of such discharge to the Collateral Trustee and to each other Secured Debt Representative. Promptly following the Discharge of Junior Lien Obligations with respect to one or more Series of Junior Lien Debt, each Junior Lien Debt Representative with respect to each applicable Series of Junior Lien Debt that is so discharged will provide written notice of such discharge to the Collateral Trustee and to each other Secured Debt Representative.

 

Section 7.10      Entire Agreement. This Agreement states the complete agreement of the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral negotiations and prior writings in respect of such undertaking.

 

Section 7.11      Compensation; Expenses. The Borrower and the other Grantors jointly and severally agree to pay, promptly upon demand:

 

(a)            such compensation to the Collateral Trustee and its agents as the Borrower and the Collateral Trustee may agree in writing from time to time;

 

(b)            all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, costs, expenses and disbursements of legal counsel and any auditors, accountants, consultants or appraisers or other professional advisors and agents engaged by the Collateral Trustee or any Secured Debt Representative incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation, closing, administration, performance or enforcement of this Agreement and the other Security Documents or any consent, amendment, waiver or other modification relating hereto or thereto and any other document or matter requested by the Borrower or any other Grantor; provided that in the case of attorneys’ fees, such fees shall be limited to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of (x) a primary counsel for the Collateral Trustee, its agents, the other Secured Debt Representatives and the other Secured Parties, taken as a whole, (y) if reasonably required by any Secured Debt Representative, a single maritime counsel for the Collateral Trustee, its agents, the other Secured Debt Representatives and the other Secured Parties, taken as a whole, and (z) if reasonably required by any Secured Debt Representative, one special counsel or local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for the Collateral Trustee, its agents, the other Secured Debt Representatives and the other Secured Parties, taken as a whole; and

 

59

 

 

after the occurrence and during the continuance of any Secured Debt Default, all costs and expenses incurred by the Collateral Trustee, its agents and any Secured Debt Representative in connection with the creation, perfection, preservation, releasing, collection, foreclosure or enforcement of the Collateral Trustee’s Liens on the Collateral or any interest, right, power or remedy of the Collateral Trustee or in connection with the collection or enforcement of any of the Secured Obligations or the proof, protection, administration or resolution of any claim based upon the Secured Obligations in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, including all filing, recording and other fees, expenses and taxes (including stamp or documentary taxes), search fees, and disbursements of attorneys, accountants, auditors, consultants, appraisers and other professionals engaged by the Collateral Trustee, its agents or the Secured Debt Representatives; provided that in the case of attorneys’ fees, such fees shall be limited to the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of (i) a single primary counsel for the Collateral Trustee, its agents, the other Secured Debt Representatives and the other Secured Parties, taken as a whole, (ii) one special counsel or local counsel as reasonably necessary in any relevant jurisdiction for all of the Collateral Trustee, its agents, the other Secured Debt Representatives and the other Secured Parties, taken as a whole, and (iii) solely in the case of actual or bona fide perceived conflict of interest in the case of clause (ii) above as between the Collateral Trustee, on one hand, and the other Secured Debt Representatives, on the other hand, one separate special counsel or local counsel, as applicable, as reasonably necessary in any relevant jurisdiction for the Secured Debt Representatives (other than the Collateral Trustee), taken as a whole.

 

The agreements in this Section 7.11 will survive repayment of all other Secured Obligations and the removal or resignation of the Collateral Trustee.

 

Section 7.12      Indemnity.

 

(a)            The Borrower and the other Grantors jointly and severally agree to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless the Collateral Trustee, each Secured Debt Representative, each Secured Party and each of their respective Affiliates and each and all of the directors, officers, partners, trustees, employees, attorneys and agents, and (in each case) their respective heirs, representatives, successors and assigns (each of the foregoing, an “Indemnitee”) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, no Indemnitee will be entitled to indemnification hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liability to the extent such Indemnified Liability (x) is found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, willful misconduct, willful breach of its obligations hereunder or under any other Secured Debt Document or violation of law, (y) results from or is in connection with any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding that does not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that has been brought by an Indemnitee against any other Indemnitee (other than any claims against an Indemnitee acting in its capacity as an agent or similar capacity hereunder) or (z) relates to Taxes, except any Taxes arising from a non-Tax claim.

 

(b)            All amounts due under this Section 7.12 will be payable upon demand.

 

60

 

 

(c)            To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in Section 7.12(a) may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they violate any law or public policy, each of the Borrower and the other Grantors will contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by all Indemnitees or any of them.

 

(d)            Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, any right it may have to claim or recover against any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for any lost profits or special indirect or consequential damages or (to the fullest extent a claim for punitive damages may lawfully be waived) any punitive damages arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Document or any agreement or instrument or transaction contemplated hereby; provided that the foregoing waiver shall not impair the obligation of the Borrower and the other Grantors under Section 7.12(a) to indemnify the Indemnitees for any such damages claimed by a third party.

 

(e)            The agreements in this Section 7.12 will survive repayment of all other Secured Obligations and the removal or resignation of the Collateral Trustee.

 

Section 7.13      Actions Upon Breach; Specific Performance. If any Junior Lien Secured Party, in contravention of the terms of this Agreement, in any way takes, attempts to or threatens to take any action with respect to the Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement), or fails to take any action required by this Agreement, this Agreement shall create an irrebuttable presumption and admission by such Junior Lien Secured Party that relief against such Junior Lien Secured Party by injunction, specific performance and/or other appropriate equitable relief is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to the First Lien Secured Parties, it being understood and agreed by each Junior Lien Debt Representative, on behalf of itself and each Junior Lien Secured Party represented by it, that (i) the First Lien Secured Parties’ damages from actions of any Junior Lien Secured Party may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable and (ii) each Junior Lien Secured Party waives any defense that the Borrower and the other Grantors and/or the First Lien Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage and/or be made whole by the awarding of damages. Each of the First Lien Debt Representatives may demand specific performance of this Agreement. Each Junior Lien Debt Representative, on behalf of itself and each other Junior Lien Secured Party represented by it, hereby irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense which might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action which may be brought by any First Lien Debt Representative or any other First Lien Secured Party. No provision of this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed to constitute a waiver by any First Lien Debt Representative or any Junior Lien Debt Representative (on behalf of itself and each other Secured Party represented by it) of any right to seek damages from any Person in connection with any breach or alleged breach of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.14      Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

 

61

 

 

Section 7.15      Section Headings. The section headings and Table of Contents used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

 

Section 7.16      Obligations Secured. All obligations of the Borrower and the other Grantors set forth in or arising under this Agreement will be Secured Obligations and are secured by all Liens granted by the Security Documents.

 

Section 7.17      Swiss Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and any other Secured Debt Document, the obligations of any Grantor incorporated in Switzerland or, if different, any Grantor is considered to be tax resident in Switzerland for Swiss Withholding Tax purposes (a “Swiss Subsidiary Grantor”) and the rights of the Secured Parties are subject to the following limitations:

 

(a)            If and to the extent that:

 

(i)            a Swiss Subsidiary Grantor guarantees or becomes directly or indirectly liable for obligations other than obligations of one of its wholly owned direct or indirect subsidiaries (the “Restricted Obligations”); and

 

(ii)            a payment in fulfilling such Restricted Obligations would in accordance with applicable Swiss law constitute a repayment of capital (Einlagerückgewähr), a violation of the legally protected reserves (gesetzlich geschützte Reserven) or the payment of a (constructive) dividend (Gewinnausschüttung) by such Swiss Subsidiary Grantor or would otherwise be restricted under then applicable mandatory Swiss law,

 

then such Restricted Obligations (and the amount of any payment in relation thereto) shall from time to time be limited to the amount as determined in accordance with applicable Swiss law as then in effect (the “Swiss Available Amount”). This limitation shall not release the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor from its obligations in excess of the Swiss Available Amount, but merely postpone the performance date thereof until such times as performance is again permitted under applicable Swiss law. Any and all indemnities and guarantees of such Swiss Subsidiary Grantor contained in any Secured Debt Documents shall be construed in a manner consistent with this Section 7.17.

 

(b)            In case a Swiss Subsidiary Grantor who must make a payment in respect of Restricted Obligations under this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Document is obliged to withhold Swiss Withholding Tax in respect of such payment, such Swiss Subsidiary Grantor shall:

 

(i)            use its best efforts to make such payments without deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax, or with deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax at a reduced rate, by discharging the liability for such tax by notification pursuant to applicable law (including double tax treaties) rather than payment of the tax;

 

62

 

 

(ii)            if the notification procedure pursuant to the preceding sub-paragraph (i) does not apply, deduct Swiss Withholding Tax at the rate of 35% (or such other rate as in force from time to time), or if the notification procedure pursuant to the preceding sub-paragraph (i) applies for a part of the Swiss Withholding Tax only, deduct Swiss Withholding Tax at the reduced rate resulting after the discharge of part of such tax by notification under applicable law, from any payment made by it in respect of Restricted Obligations and promptly pay any such taxes to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration;

 

(iii)            notify the Collateral Trustee that such notification, or as the case may be, deduction has been made and provide the Collateral Trustee with evidence that such a notification of the Swiss Federal Tax Administration has been made or, as the case may be, such taxes deducted have been paid to the Swiss Federal Tax Administration; and

 

(iv)            in the case of a deduction of Swiss Withholding Tax, use its best efforts to ensure that any person other than the Collateral Trustee or a Secured Party, which is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax deducted from such payment in respect of Restricted Obligations, will, as soon as possible after such deduction (A) be in a position to apply for a refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax under applicable law (including tax treaties) and pay to the Collateral Trustee upon receipt any amounts so refunded or (B) if the Collateral Trustee or any other Secured Party is entitled to a full or partial refund of the Swiss Withholding Tax deducted from such payment and if requested by the Collateral Trustee, provide the Collateral Trustee or the Secured Party those documents that are required by law and applicable tax treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax in order to enable the Collateral Trustee or the Secured Party to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss Withholding Tax, it being understood that the Collateral Trustee and the Secured Parties shall co-operate with each other to secure such refund.

 

(c)            If a Swiss Subsidiary Grantor is obliged to withhold Swiss Withholding Tax in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the Collateral Trustee and the relevant Secured Parties shall be entitled to further request payment under the guarantees granted or other liabilities assumed to it under this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Document and apply proceeds therefrom against the Restricted Obligations up to an amount which is equal to that amount which would have been obtained if no withholding of Swiss Withholding Tax were required, whereby such further payments shall always be limited to the Swiss Available Amount. In case the proceeds irrevocably received by the Collateral Trustee or a Secured Party pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) above and this paragraph (c) have the effect that the proceeds received by the Collateral Trustee and the Secured Parties exceed the Swiss Available Amount, then the Collateral Trustee and the Secured Parties shall promptly return such overcompensation to the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor.

 

(d)            If and to the extent requested by the Collateral Trustee and if and to the extent this is from time to time permitted under applicable Swiss mandatory law notwithstanding the restrictions referred to in this Section 7.17, in order to allow the Collateral Trustee and the Secured Parties to obtain a maximum benefit under this Agreement and any other Secured Debt Document, the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor and each other Grantor shall take all such measures and/or promptly procure the fulfilment of all such prerequisites, in each case to the extent within its respective power, as are necessary and appropriate to achieve, without delay, payment towards the discharge of the Restricted Obligations and to enable it to promptly perform its obligations under this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Document and make the (required) payment(s) thereunder from time to time, including the following:

 

(i)            the preparation of an up-to-date (interim) audited balance sheet of the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor;

 

63

 

 

 

(ii)            the confirmation of the auditors of the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor that the relevant amount represents the Swiss Available Amount;

 

(iii)            the passing of unanimous written resolutions of the quotaholders of the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor approving the (resulting) distribution;

 

(iv)            the conversion of restricted reserves into profits and reserves freely available for the distribution as dividends (to the extent permitted by mandatory Swiss law);

 

(v)            to the extent permitted by applicable Swiss law, (A) write up or realize any of its assets shown in its balance sheet with a book value that is significantly lower than the market value of the assets, in case of a realization, however, only if such assets are not necessary for the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor’s business (nicht betriebsnotwendig) and/or (B) reduce its quota capital; and

 

(vi)            all such other measures necessary or useful and/or to promptly procure the fulfilment of all prerequisites reasonably necessary to allow the Swiss Subsidiary Grantor to promptly make the payments and perform the obligations agreed hereunder from time to time with a minimum of limitations.

 

Section 7.18      Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY DISPUTE, CLAIM OR CONTROVERSY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT (WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF A DIFFERENT GOVERNING LAW (OTHER THAN THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTIONS OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH APPLY TO A SECURITY DOCUMENT, OR ANY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF THE UCC RELATING TO THE LAW GOVERNING PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OR PRIORITY OF THE SECURITY INTERESTS).

 

Section 7.19      Consent to Jurisdiction. Except as contemplated by Section 7.18, all judicial proceedings brought against any party hereto arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of the State of New York sitting in the borough of Manhattan or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and (ii) by executing and delivering this Agreement, each of the Borrower and each other Grantor, for itself and in connection with its properties, the Collateral Trustee, the Administrative Agent and the Trustee irrevocably:

 

(i)            accepts generally and unconditionally the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts;

 

(ii)            waives any defense of forum non conveniens;

 

64

 

 

(iii)            agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to such party at its address provided in accordance with Section 7.08;

 

(iv)            agrees that service as provided in clause (iii) above is sufficient to confer personal jurisdiction over such party in any such proceeding in any such court and otherwise constitutes effective and binding service in every respect; and

 

(v)            agrees that each party hereto retains the right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring proceedings against any party in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 7.20      Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY, COMMON LAW, STATUTE OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.

 

Section 7.21      Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic imaging means), each of which when so executed and delivered will be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together will be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif” format) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereby by electronic means.

 

65

 

 

Section 7.22      Grantors and Additional Grantors. The Borrower represents and warrants that each Person who is a Grantor on the date hereof has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement. The Borrower will cause each Person that hereafter becomes a Grantor or is required by any Secured Debt Document to become a party to this Agreement to become a party to this Agreement, for all purposes of this Agreement, by causing such Person to execute and deliver to the Collateral Trustee a Collateral Trust Joinder, whereupon such Person will be bound by the terms hereof to the same extent as if it had executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date hereof. The Borrower shall promptly provide each Secured Debt Representative with a copy of each Collateral Trust Joinder executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 7.22; provided, however, that the failure to so deliver a copy of the Collateral Trust Joinder to any then existing Secured Debt Representative shall not affect the inclusion of such Person as a Grantor if the other requirements of this Section 7.22 are complied with.

 

Section 7.23      Continuing Nature of this Agreement. This Agreement, including the subordination provisions hereof, will be reinstated if at any time any payment or distribution in respect of any of the First Lien Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise by any First Lien Secured Party or First Lien Debt Representative or any representative of any such party (whether by demand, settlement, litigation or otherwise). In the event that all or any part of a payment or distribution made with respect to the First Lien Obligations is recovered from any First Lien Secured Party or any First Lien Debt Representative in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, any such payment or distribution received by any Junior Lien Secured Party or Junior Lien Debt Representative with respect to the Junior Lien Obligations from the proceeds of any Collateral at any time after the date of the payment or distribution that is so recovered, whether pursuant to a right of subrogation or otherwise will be forthwith delivered by such Junior Lien Secured Party or Junior Lien Debt Representative to the Collateral Trustee, for the account of the First Lien Secured Parties to be applied in accordance with Section 3.04. Until so delivered, such proceeds will be held by that Junior Lien Debt Representative or that Junior Lien Secured Party, as the case may be, for the benefit of the First Lien Secured Parties. This Section 7.23 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

Section 7.24      Insolvency. This Agreement will be applicable both before and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding by or against the Borrower or any other Grantor. The relative rights of the First Lien Secured Parties and the Junior Lien Secured Parties as provided for in this Agreement will continue after the commencement of any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of its commencement, as provided in this Agreement.

 

Section 7.25      Rights and Immunities of Secured Debt Representatives. The Administrative Agent will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Trustee will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the Indenture and any future Secured Debt Representative will be entitled to all of the rights, protections, immunities and indemnities set forth in the credit agreement, indenture or other agreement governing the applicable Secured Debt with respect to which such Person will act as representative, in each case as if specifically set forth herein. In no event will any Secured Debt Representative be liable for any act or omission on the part of the Borrower, the other Grantors or the Collateral Trustee hereunder.

 

66

 

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

67

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

  VALARIS LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Darin Gibbins
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer
   
  GRANTORS:
   
  Executed as a deed by:
  ALPHA ACHIEVER COMPANY
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
   
  Executed as a deed by:
  ALPHA ORCA COMPANY
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
   
  Executed as a deed by:
  ATWOOD OFFSHORE WORLDWIDE LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Executed as a deed by:
  ENSCO ENDEAVORS LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: President and Director
   
  ENSCO GLOBAL GMBH
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Managing Director
   
  Executed as a deed by:
  ENSCO GLOBAL LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: Director
   
  ENSCO HOLDCO LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Peter Wilson
    Name: Peter Wilson
    Title: Director
   
  ENSCO INTERCONTINENTAL GMBH
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Managing Director
   
  ENSCO OCEANICS COMPANY LLC
   
  By: /s/ Nicolas Jaciuk
    Name: Nicolas Jaciuk
    Title: President and Manager

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  Executed as a deed by:
  ENSCO OFFSHORE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
   
  ENSCO OFFSHORE U.K. LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
   
  Executed as a deed by:
  ENSCO OVERSEAS LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Director
   
  ENSCO WORLDWIDE GMBH
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Managing Director
   
  ROWAN FINANCIAL HOLDINGS
S.À R.L.
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorised Signatory

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement] 

 

 

 

 

  ROWAN INTERNATIONAL RIG HOLDINGS S.À R.L.
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorised Signatory
   
  ROWAN OFFSHORE LUXEMBOURG S.À R.L.
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorised Signatory
   
  ROWAN RIGS S.À R.L.
   
  By: /s/ Kevin Klein
    Name: Kevin Klein
    Title: Authorised Signatory
   
  VALARIS HOLDCO 2 LIMITED
   
  By: /s/ Darin Gibbins
    Name: Darin Gibbins
    Title: Director

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Executed as a Deed by ROWAN DRILLING    
(GIBRALTAR) LIMITED    
as a Grantor      /s/ Kevin Klein 
acting by a director   Kevin Klein
in the presence of:   Director
     
     
Witness Signature: /s/ Leah Felcman    
     
Witness Name: Leah Felcman    

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Executed as a Deed by GREEN TURTLE LIMITED    
as a Grantor       
acting by a director   /s/ Kevin Klein 
in the presence of:   Kevin Klein
    Director
     
Witness Signature: /s/ Leah Felcman    
     
Witness Name: Leah Felcman    

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

Executed as a Deed by ROWAN OFFSHORE    
(GIBRALTAR) LIMITED    
as a Grantor      /s/ Kevin Klein 
acting by a director   Kevin Klein
in the presence of:   Director
     
     
Witness Signature: /s/ Leah Felcman    
     
Witness Name: Leah Felcman    

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

COLLATERAL TRUSTEE:

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB

   
  By: /s/ John McNichol
    Name:   John McNichol
    Title:     Assistant Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  CITIBANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement
   
  By: /s/ Maureen Maroney
    Name: Maureen Maroney
    Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

TRUSTEE:

 

WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB

   
  By: /s/ John McNichol
    Name:      John McNichol
    Title:        Assistant Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

 

 

 

[EXHIBIT A
to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

[FORM OF]
ADDITIONAL SECURED DEBT DESIGNATION

 

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Collateral Trust Agreement”), among Valaris Limited (the “Borrower”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee under the Indenture and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Additional Secured Debt Designation is being executed and delivered in order to designate additional secured debt as [First Lien Debt] [Junior Lien Debt] entitled to the benefit of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

The undersigned, the duly appointed [specify title] of the Borrower hereby certifies on behalf of the Borrower that:

 

1.1[insert name of the Borrower or other Grantor] intends to incur additional Secured Debt (“Additional Secured Debt”) which will be [select appropriate alternative] [First Lien Debt permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be secured by a First Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future First Lien Debt] or [Junior Lien Debt permitted by each applicable Secured Debt Document to be secured with a Junior Lien equally and ratably with all previously existing and future Junior Lien Debt];

 

1.2the name and address of the Secured Debt Representative for the Additional Secured Debt for purposes of Section 7.08 of the Collateral Trust Agreement is:

 

_____________________________

 

_____________________________

 

Telephone: ___________________

 

Email: ________________________

 

1.3Each of the Borrower and each other Grantor has duly authorized, executed (if applicable) and recorded (or caused to be recorded) in each appropriate governmental office all relevant filings and recordations to ensure that the Additional Secured Debt is secured by the Collateral in accordance with the Security Documents;

 

1.4Attached as Exhibit 1 hereto is a Reaffirmation Agreement duly executed by the Borrower and each other Grantor, and

 

1.5the Borrower has caused a copy of this Additional Secured Debt Designation and the related Collateral Trust Joinder to be delivered to each existing Secured Debt Representative.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

A-1

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Additional Secured Debt Designation to be duly executed by the undersigned officer as of ___________________, 20____.

 

  Valaris Limited
   
  By:  
    Name:   
    Title:  

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT

 

The undersigned, the duly appointed Collateral Trustee under the Collateral Trust Agreement, hereby acknowledges receipt of an executed copy of this Additional Secured Debt Designation.

 

  Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee
   
  By:  
    Name:   
    Title:  

 

A-2

 

  

EXHIBIT 1
TO ADDITIONAL SECURED DEBT DESIGNATION

 

[FORM OF]

 

REAFFIRMATION AGREEMENT

 

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Collateral Trust Agreement”), among Valaris Limited (the “Borrower”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee under the Indenture, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Reaffirmation Agreement is being executed and delivered as of ____, 20__ in connection with an Additional Secured Debt Designation of even date herewith, which Additional Secured Debt Designation has designated additional secured debt as [First/Junior] Lien Debt (as described therein) entitled to the benefit of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

Each of the undersigned hereby consents to the designation of additional secured debt as [First/Junior] Lien Debt as set forth in the Additional Secured Debt Designation of even date herewith and hereby confirms its respective guarantees, pledges, grants of security interests and other obligations, as applicable, under and subject to the terms of each of the [First/Junior] Lien Documents to which it is party, and agrees that, notwithstanding the designation of such additional indebtedness or any of the transactions contemplated thereby, such guarantees, pledges, grants of security interests and other obligations, and the terms of each [First/Junior] Lien Document to which it is a party, are not impaired or adversely affected in any manner whatsoever and shall continue to be in full force and effect and such additional secured debt shall be entitled to all of the benefits of such [First/Junior] Lien Documents.

 

Sections 7.18, 7.19, 7.20, 7.21 and 7.25 of the Collateral Trust Agreement will apply with like effect to this Reaffirmation Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Reaffirmation Agreement to be duly executed as of the date written above.

 

  [names of Grantors]
   
  By:  
     
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3

 

 

[EXHIBIT B
to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

[FORM OF]
COLLATERAL TRUST JOINDER – ADDITIONAL DEBT

 

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Collateral Trust Agreement”), among Valaris Limited (the “Borrower”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee under the Indenture and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Collateral Trust Joinder is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 3.08 of the Collateral Trust Agreement as a condition precedent to the debt for which the undersigned is acting as agent being entitled to the benefits of being additional secured debt under the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

1. Joinder. The undersigned, _____________________, a _______________, (the “New Representative”) as [trustee] [administrative agent] under that certain [describe applicable indenture, credit agreement or other document governing the additional secured debt] hereby agrees to become party as [a Junior Lien Debt Representative] [a First Lien Debt Representative ] under the Collateral Trust Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Collateral Trust Agreement as of the date thereof.

 

2. Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation.

 

[Option A: to be used if Additional Debt is Junior Lien Debt] The undersigned New Representative, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Junior Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as Junior Lien Debt Representative hereby agrees, for the enforceable benefit of each current and future First Lien Debt Representative, each other current and future Junior Lien Debt Representative and each other current and future First Lien Secured Party and Junior Lien Secured Party and as a condition to being treated as Secured Debt under the Collateral Trust Agreement that:

 

(a) as provided by Section 2.12 of the Collateral Trust Agreement, all Junior Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all Junior Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of any Series of Junior Lien Debt and that all such Junior Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all Junior Lien Secured Party equally and ratably; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision will not be violated with respect to any particular Collateral and any particular Series of Junior Lien Debt if the Secured Debt Documents in respect thereof prohibit the applicable Junior Lien Debt Representative from accepting the benefit of a Lien on any particular asset or property or such Junior Lien Debt Representative otherwise expressly declines in writing to accept the benefit of a Lien on such asset or property; and

 

B-1

 

 

(b) the New Representative and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of Junior Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as Junior Lien Debt Representative are bound by the provisions of the Collateral Trust Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of Junior Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of Junior Liens.]

 

[or]

 

[Option B: to be used if Additional Debt is First Lien Debt] [The undersigned New Representative, on behalf of itself and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of First Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as First Lien Debt Representative hereby agrees, for the enforceable benefit of each current and future Junior Lien Debt Representative, each other existing and future First Lien Debt Representative and each current and future First Lien Secured Party and Junior Lien Secured Party and as a condition to being treated as Secured Debt under the Collateral Trust Agreement that:

 

(a) as provided by Section 2.9 of the Collateral Trust Agreement, all First Lien Obligations will be and are secured equally and ratably by all First Liens at any time granted by the Borrower or any other Grantor to secure any Obligations in respect of any Series of First Lien Debt and that all such First Liens will be enforceable by the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of all First Lien Secured Parties equally and ratably; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, this provision will not be violated with respect to any particular Collateral and any particular Series of First Lien Debt if the Secured Debt Documents in respect thereof prohibit the applicable First Lien Debt Representative from accepting the benefit of a Lien on any particular asset or property or such First Lien Debt Representative otherwise expressly declines in writing to accept the benefit of a Lien on such asset or property; and

 

(b) the New Representative and each holder of Obligations in respect of the Series of First Lien Debt for which the undersigned is acting as First Lien Debt Representative are bound by the provisions of the Collateral Trust Agreement, including the provisions relating to the ranking of First Liens and the order of application of proceeds from the enforcement of First Liens.]

 

3. Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions. The provisions of Sections 7.18, 7.19, 7.20, 7.21 and 7.24 of the Collateral Trust Agreement will apply with like effect to this Collateral Trust Joinder.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

B-2

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Collateral Trust Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of ___________________, 20____.

 

  [insert name of the new representative]
   
  By:  
    Name:     
    Title:  

 

The Collateral Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of this Collateral Trust Joinder and agrees to act as Collateral Trustee for the New Representative and the holders of the Obligations represented thereby:

 

  Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee
   
  By:  
    Name:   
    Title:  

 

B-3

 

 

[EXHIBIT C
to Collateral Trust Agreement]

 

[FORM OF]
COLLATERAL TRUST JOINDER – ADDITIONAL GRANTOR

 

Reference is made to the Collateral Trust Agreement, dated as of April 19, 2023 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified and in effect from time to time, the “Collateral Trust Agreement”), among Valaris Limited (the “Borrower”), the other Grantors from time to time party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee under the Indenture and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Collateral Trust Agreement. This Collateral Trust Joinder is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 7.22 of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

 

1. Joinder. The undersigned, _____________________, a _______________, hereby agrees to become party as a Grantor under the Collateral Trust Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Collateral Trust Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Collateral Trust Agreement as of the date thereof.

 

2. Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions. The provisions of Sections 7.18, 7.19, 7.20, 7.21 and 7.25 of the Collateral Trust Agreement will apply with like effect to this Collateral Trust Joinder.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

C-1

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Collateral Trust Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of ___________________, 20____.

 

  [___________________________________]

 

  By:  
    Name:   
    Title:  

 

The Collateral Trustee hereby acknowledges receipt of this Collateral Trust Joinder and agrees to act as Collateral Trustee with respect to the Collateral pledged by the new Grantor:

 

  Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Collateral Trustee
   
  By:  
    Name:   
    Title:  

 

C-2

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 Press Release

 

Valaris Limited Announces Closing of $700 Million Private Placement of 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes Due 2030 and Availability of $375 Million Revolving Credit Facility

 

Hamilton, Bermuda, April 19, 2023 … Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) (“Valaris”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Valaris Finance Company LLC, today announced the closing of their private placement (the “Offering”) under Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of $700 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2030 (the “Second Lien Notes”). Valaris is using a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering to fund the previously announced redemption of all of its outstanding Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2028 (the “First Lien Notes”) and intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes. In connection with the closing of the Offering, Valaris discharged its obligations under the indenture governing the First Lien Notes.

 

In addition, the commitments under Valaris’ previously announced senior secured five-year credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) became available to be borrowed upon the closing of the Offering. The Credit Agreement provides for commitments permitting borrowings of up to $375 million and is (i) guaranteed by the same subsidiaries that guarantee the Second Lien Notes and by Valaris Finance Company LLC and (ii) secured on a first lien basis by the same assets that secure the Second Lien Notes.

 

About Valaris Limited

 

Valaris Limited (NYSE: VAL) is the industry leader in offshore drilling services across all water depths and geographies. Operating a high-quality rig fleet of ultra-deepwater drillships, versatile semisubmersibles, and modern shallow-water jackups, Valaris has experience operating in nearly every major offshore basin. Valaris maintains an unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, with a focus on technology and innovation. Valaris Limited is a Bermuda exempted company.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “plan,” “project,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will” and similar words and specifically include statements regarding the Offering and the use of proceeds therefrom and the Credit Agreement. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to vary materially from those indicated. For additional information regarding known material risks, you should also carefully read and consider Valaris’ most recent annual report on Form 10-K, which is available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Valaris undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

Investor & Media Contacts: Darin Gibbins
  Vice President - Investor Relations and Treasurer
  +1-713-979-4623
   
  Tim Richardson
  Director - Investor Relations
  +1-713-979-4619