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):    March 22, 2011 (March 10, 2011)
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
 
001-33024
(Commission File No.)
 
20-4745690
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1001 Fannin, Suite 800, Houston, Texas
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
77002
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 651-1144
 

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

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

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

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

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


 
 

 
 
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On March 17, 2011, EV Energy Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), EV Energy Finance Corp. (“Finance Corp” and together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”) and certain subsidiaries of the Partnership, as guarantors (the “Guarantors”), entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with the Initial Purchasers as defined therein (the “Initial Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Issuers agreed to sell $300,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”).  The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.  The Issuers offered and will issue the Notes only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions under which the Issuers and the Guarantors, on one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other, have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.  In addition, the Purchase Agreement requires the execution of a registration rights agreement, described below, relating to the Notes.

On March 22, 2011, as a result of the completion of this offering, our borrowing base under our Senior Secured Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”) was automatically reduced from $700 million to $610 million, or $0.30 for every $1.00 of principal amount of notes outstanding. The Partnership used $291.5 million of the net proceeds from this offering to repay debt outstanding under the Credit Facility. 
 
Indenture

On March 22, 2011, the Issuers entered into an Indenture (the “Indenture”), by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and U.S. National Bank Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), in connection with the private placement of the Notes.

Interest and Maturity

On March 22, 2011, the Issuers issued the Notes pursuant to the Indenture in a transaction exempt from registration requirements under the Securities Act.  The Notes were resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.  The Notes will mature on April 15, 2019.  The interest payment dates are each April 15 and October 15, beginning on October 15, 2011.

Optional Redemption

Before April 15, 2014, the Issuers may, at any time or from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the net proceeds of a public or private equity offering at a redemption price of 108.000% of the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption provided that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2) the redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of such public or private equity offering.

On and after April 15, 2015, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes to be redeemed to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:

Year
 
Percentage
 
2015
    104.000 %
2016
    102.000 %
2017 and thereafter
    100.000 %

Prior to April 15, 2015, the Issuers may redeem all or part of the notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of:

(1) the principal amount thereof, plus

(2) the Make Whole Premium, as defined in the Indenture, at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.
 
 
 

 
 
Certain Covenants

The Indenture governing the Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Partnership’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (1) pay distributions on, purchase or redeem its units or purchase or redeem subordinated debt; (2) make investments; (3) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain types of equity securities; (4) create certain liens; (5) sell assets; (6) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; (7) enter into inter-company agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from the restricted subsidiaries to the Partnership; (8) engage in transactions with affiliates; and (9) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. If the Notes achieve an investment grade rating from each of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, many of these covenants will terminate.

Events of Default

The Indenture also contains customary Events of Default.  Each of the following is an “Event of Default:”

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

(3) failure by the Partnership to comply with the covenant relating to mergers, consolidations or sales of assets or failure by the Company to purchase notes when required pursuant to the asset sale or change of control provisions of the Indenture;

(4) failure by the Partnership for 180 days after notice to comply with its reporting obligations;

(5) failure by the Partnership for 60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture;

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Partnership or any of its Guarantors (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Partnership or any of its Guarantors ), whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture, if that default:

(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”); or
 
(b) results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more, subject to a cure provision.

(7) failure by the Partnership or any of its Guarantors to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 consecutive days;

(8) any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, except, in each case, by reason of the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the indenture; and

(9) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the indenture with respect to Finance Corp., the Partnership or any of the Partnership’s restricted subsidiaries that is a significant subsidiary or any group of its restricted subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a significant subsidiary of the Partnership.

In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in the indenture with respect to Finance Corp., the Partnership, any Guarantors of the Partnership that is a significant subsidiary or any group of its restricted subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a significant subsidiary of the Partnership, all outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the issuance of the 2019 Notes, on March 22, 2011, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the initial purchasers entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) obligating us to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission so that noteholders can exchange the Notes issued in this offering for registered notes having substantially the same terms as the notes and evidencing the same indebtedness as the notes. The Issuers and the Guarantors will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange to be completed within 400 days after March 22, 2011. The Issuers and the Guarantors will also use commercially reasonable efforts to cause a shelf registration statement for the resale of the notes to become effective if the Issuers cannot effect the exchange offer within the 400-day time period. If the Issuers fail to satisfy these obligations on a timely basis, they will be required to pay additional interest to holders of the Notes
 
 
 

 
 
Miscellaneous

The descriptions set forth above are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, which are filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibits 1.1, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

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

The information included, or incorporated by reference, in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Report”) is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 of this Report.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 10, 2011, the Partnership issued a press release announcing private offering of senior notes. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

On March 17, 2011, the Partnership issued a press release announcing the pricing of the private offering of $300 million of 8.0% senior notes. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in the attached Exhibit 99.1 and 99.2 is deemed to be “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”).

Item 9.01 Exhibits.

 
(a)
Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
 
Not applicable.

 
(b)
Pro forma Financial Information.
 
Not applicable.

 
(c)
Shell Company Transactions.
 
Not applicable.
 
 
 

 

 
(d)
Exhibits.

 
1.1
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and the representatives of the Initial Purchasers named therein.

 
4.1
Indenture, dated as of March 22, 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and U.S. National Bank Association, as trustee.

 
4.2
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and the representatives of the Initial Purchasers named therein.

 
99.1
Press Release dated March 10, 2011, regarding announcement of private offering of senior notes.

 
99.2
Press Release dated March 17, 2011, regarding pricing of private offering of senior notes.

 
 

 
 
SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
  
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
  
  
 
Dated:  March 22, 2011
By:  
/s/ MICHAEL E. MERCER
  
Michael E. Mercer
  
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
EV Management LLC, general partner of 
EV Energy GP, L.P., general partner of 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
 
 
 

 
EXHIBIT INDEX

1.1
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and the representatives of the Initial Purchasers named therein.

4.1
Indenture, dated as of March 22, 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and U.S. National Bank Association, as trustee.

4.2
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 22, 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., EV Energy Finance Corp., the Guarantors named therein and the representatives of the Initial Purchasers named therein.

99.1
Press Release dated March 10, 2011, regarding announcement of private offering of senior notes.

99.2
Press Release dated March 17, 2011, regarding pricing of private offering of senior notes.
 
 
 

 
 
 
Execution Version
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
 
EV PROPERTIES, L.P.
EV PROPERTIES GP, LLC
EVPP GP, LLC
ENERVEST PRODUCTION PARTNERS, LTD.
ENERVEST MONROE GATHERING, LTD.
ENERVEST MONROE MARKETING, LTD.
EVCG GP, LLC
CGAS PROPERTIES, L.P.
AND
ENERVEST-CARGAS, LTD.

$300,000,000
 
8.000% Senior Notes due 2019
 
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
dated March 17, 2011
 
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

 
 

 

PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
March 17, 2011

RBC Capital Markets, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
BNP P aribas Securities Corp.

As Representatives of the Initial Purchasers
set forth on Schedule A hereto

c/o RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Three World Financial Center
200 Vesey Street, 9 th Floor
New York, New York 10281
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
Introductory .  EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp ” and, together with the Partnership, the “ Issuers ”), propose to issue and sell to the several Initial Purchasers named in Schedule A (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), acting severally and not jointly, the respective amounts set forth in such Schedule A of $300,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 8.000% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “ Notes ”).  RBC Capital Markets, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. have agreed to act as the representatives of the Initial Purchasers (the “ Representatives ”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes.

The Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture (the “ Indenture ”), dated as of the Closing Date (as defined below), among the Issuers, the Guarantors (as defined below) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).  The Notes will be issued only in book-entry form in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (the “ Depositary ”).
 
The holders of the Notes will be entitled to the benefits of a registration rights agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, pursuant to which the Issuers and the Guarantors will agree to file with the Commission (as defined below), under the circumstances set forth therein, (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act (as defined below) relating to another series of debt securities of the Issuers with terms substantially identical to the Notes (the “ Exchange Notes ”) to be offered in exchange for the Notes (the “ Exchange Offer ”) and (ii) to the extent required by the Registration Rights Agreement, a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act relating to the resale by certain holders of the Notes.
 
 
 

 
 
The payment of principal of, premium, if any, Additional Interest (as defined in the Indenture), if any, and interest on the Notes and the Exchange Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis, jointly and severally by (i) EV Properties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), EV Properties GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and general partner of the Operating Partnership (the “ Operating Partnership GP ”), EVPP GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EVPP GP ”), EVCG GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ EVCG GP ”), EnerVest Production Partners, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (“ EVPP ”), EnerVest Monroe Gathering, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (“ Gathering ”), EnerVest Monroe Marketing, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (“ Marketing ”), and CGAS Properties, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ Clinton Properties ”), and EnerVest-Cargas, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (“ EV Cargas ” and collectively the “ Initial Guarantors ”)) and (ii) any subsidiary of the Partnership formed or acquired after the Closing Date that executes a supplemental indenture to guarantee the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns (together with the Initial Guarantors, the “ Guarantors ”), each pursuant to their guarantees set forth in the Indenture (the “ Guarantees ”).   The Issuers and the Initial Guarantors are herein collectively referred to as the “ EVEP Parties .”  The Notes and the Guarantees related thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Securities ”; and the Exchange Notes and the Guarantees related thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Exchange Securities .”
 
The Issuers understand that the Initial Purchasers propose to make an offering of the Securities on the terms and in the manner set forth herein and in the Pricing Disclosure Package (as defined below) and agree that the Initial Purchasers may resell, subject to the conditions set forth herein, all or a portion of the Securities to purchasers (the “ Subsequent Purchasers ”) on the terms set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package (it being agreed that the first time when sales of the Securities are made by the Initial Purchasers is 3:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the date of this purchase agreement (this “ Agreement ”), which time is hereinafter referred to as the “ Time of Sale ”).  The Securities are to be offered and sold to or through the Initial Purchasers without being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, the “ Securities Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder), in reliance upon exemptions therefrom.  Pursuant to the terms of the Securities and the Indenture, investors who acquire Securities shall be deemed to have agreed that Securities may only be resold or otherwise transferred, after the date hereof, if such Securities are registered for sale under the Securities Act or if an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available (including the exemptions afforded by Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”) or Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”)).
 
The Issuers have prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Preliminary Offering Memorandum, dated March 10, 2011, including documents incorporated by reference therein (the “ Preliminary Offering Memorandum ”), and have prepared and delivered to each Initial Purchaser copies of a Pricing Supplement, dated March 17, 2011, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “ Pricing Supplement ”), describing the terms of the Securities, each for use by such Initial Purchaser in connection with its solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities.  The Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Pricing Supplement are herein referred to as the “ Pricing Disclosure Package .”  Promptly after this Agreement is executed and delivered, the Issuers will prepare and deliver to each Initial Purchaser a final offering memorandum dated the date hereof including documents incorporated by reference therein (the “ Final Offering Memorandum ”).

 
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All references herein to the terms “Pricing Disclosure Package” and “Final Offering Memorandum” shall be deemed to mean and include all information filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended, the “ Exchange Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder) prior to the Time of Sale and incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package (including the Preliminary Offering Memorandum) or the Final Offering Memorandum (as the case may be), and all references herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Final Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to mean and include all information filed under the Exchange Act after the Time of Sale and incorporated by reference in the Final Offering Memorandum.
 
The EVEP Parties hereby confirm their agreements with the Initial Purchasers as follows:
 
SECTION 1.     Representations and Warranties . Each of the EVEP Parties, jointly and severally, hereby represents, warrants and covenants to each Initial Purchaser that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date (references in this Section 1 to the “Offering Memorandum” are to (x) the Pricing Disclosure Package in the case of representations and warranties made as of the date hereof and (y) the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum in the case of representations and warranties made as of the Closing Date):
 
(a)            No Registration Required Subject to compliance by the Initial Purchasers with the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3 hereof and with the procedures set forth in Section 7 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and delivery of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers and to each Subsequent Purchaser in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum to register the Securities under the Securities Act or, until such time as the Exchange Securities are issued pursuant to an effective registration statement, to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “ Trust Indenture Act ,” which term, as used herein, includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder).
 
(b)            No Integration of Offerings or General Solicitation None of the Issuers, their respective affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) (each, an “ Affiliate ”), or any person acting on any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Issuers make no representation or warranty) has, directly or indirectly, solicited any offer to buy or offered to sell, or will, directly or indirectly, solicit any offer to buy or offer to sell, in the United States or to any United States citizen or resident, any security which is or would be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require the Securities to be registered under the Securities Act.  None of the Issuers, their respective Affiliates, or any person acting on any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Issuers makes no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage, in connection with the offering of the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act.  With respect to those Securities sold in reliance upon Regulation S, (i) none of the Issuers, their respective Affiliates or any person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Issuers make no representation or warranty) has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S and (ii) each of the Issuers, their respective Affiliates, and any person acting on any of their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to whom the Issuers make no representation or warranty) has complied and will comply with the offering restrictions set forth in Regulation S and, in connection therewith, the Offering Memorandum will contain the disclosure required by Rule 902.  The Partnership is a “reporting issuer”, as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act.
 
 
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(c)            Eligibility for Resale under Rule 144A The Securities are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A and will not be, at the Closing Date, of the same class as securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in a U.S. automated interdealer quotation system.
 
(d)            The Pricing Disclosure Package and Offering Memorandum Neither the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Time of Sale, nor the Final Offering Memorandum, as of its date or (as amended or supplemented in accordance with Section 3(a), as applicable) as of the Closing Date, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Issuers in writing by any Initial Purchaser through RBC Capital Markets, LLC expressly for use in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Final Offering Memorandum or amendment or supplement thereto, as the case may be, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by RBC Capital Markets, LLC consists of the information as described in Section 8(b) hereof.
 
(e)            Issuers Additional Written Communications .  The Issuers have not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or distributed, and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or distribute, any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Issuers or their respective agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below) a “ Issuers Additional Written Communication ”) other than (i) the Pricing Disclosure Package, (ii) the Final Offering Memorandum, and (iii) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case used in accordance with Section 3(a).  Each such Issuers Additional Written Communication, when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that this representation, warranty and agreement shall not apply to statements in or omissions from each such Issuers Additional Written Communication made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Issuers in writing by any Initial Purchaser through RBC Capital Markets, LLC expressly for use in any Issuers Additional Written Communication, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by RBC Capital Markets, LLC consists of the information as described in Section 8(b) hereof.
 
(f)            Incorporated Documents The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
 
 
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(g)            The Purchase Agreement This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each Issuer and each Initial Guarantor.
 
(h)            The Registration Rights Agreement The Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized and, on the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by, and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of, the EVEP Parties, enforceable against each EVEP Party in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, or by general equitable principles and except as rights to indemnification and contribution under the Registration Rights Agreement may be limited by applicable law.
 
(i)            Authorization of the Notes, the Guarantees and the Exchange Notes.  The Notes to be purchased by the Initial Purchasers from the Issuers are substantially in the form contemplated by the Indenture, have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed by the Issuers and, when authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Issuers, enforceable against each Issuer in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.  The Exchange Notes have been duly and validly authorized for issuance by the Issuers, and when issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Exchange Offer, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the Issuers in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or similar laws relating to or affecting enforcement of the rights and remedies of creditors or by general principles of equity and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.  The Guarantees of the Notes and the Exchange Notes have been duly authorized for issuance and sale pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and, when the Notes and the Exchange Notes have been authenticated in the manner provided for in the Indenture and delivered against payment of the purchase price therefor, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Initial Guarantors, enforceable against the Initial Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
 
(j)            Authorization of the Indenture The Indenture has been duly authorized by the EVEP Parties and, at the Closing Date, will have been duly executed and delivered by the EVEP Parties and will constitute a valid and binding agreement of the EVEP Parties, enforceable against the EVEP Parties in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors or by general equitable principles.  The Indenture will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

 
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(k)            Description of the Securities and the Indenture The Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the respective statements relating thereto contained in the Offering Memorandum.
 
(l)            Incorporation and Good Standing of the Partnership Entities.  Each of the EVEP Parties, EV Energy GP, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), and EV Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and general partner of the General Partner (“ GP LLC ” and, together with the General Partner and the EVEP Parties, the “ Partnership Entities ”) has been duly formed or incorporated and is validly existing as a limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as the case may be, in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of formation or incorporation with all necessary power and authority to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business, in all material respects as described in the Offering Memorandum and, in the case of the EVEP Parties, to enter into and perform its obligations under each of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Indenture.  Each of the Partnership Entities is, and at the Closing Date will be, duly registered or qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign limited partnership, foreign limited liability company or foreign corporation, as the case may be, in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its businesses requires such registration or qualification, except where the failure so to register or qualify would not (i) have a material adverse effect on the position (financial or other), partners’, members’ or stockholders’ equity, results of operations, business or prospects of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”) or (ii) subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material liability or disability, as set forth under its name on Schedule B to this Agreement.
 
(m)            Ownership of the General Partner Interest in the Partnership .  The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership with a 2% general partner interest in the Partnership.  Such general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (as amended, the “ Partnership Agreement ”) and is fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware LP Act ”)), and the General Partner owns such general partner interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except restrictions on transferability as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.
 
(n)            Capitalization .  All outstanding Common Units and the incentive distribution rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) (the “ Incentive Distribution Rights ”) and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).

 
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(o)            Ownership of the Incentive Distribution Rights.  The General Partner owns all of the Incentive Distribution Rights; all of the Incentive Distribution Rights and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); the General Partner owns the Incentive Distribution Rights, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except restrictions on transferability as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.
 
(p)            Ownership of Partnership Interests in the General Partner .  GP LLC owns 100% of the outstanding general partner interests in the General Partner, and EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (together with its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, “ EnerVest ”), EnCap Energy Capital Fund V, L.P., a Texas limited partnership, and EnCap V-B Acquisitions, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (collectively, the “ EnCap Entities ”) and EV Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ EV Investors ”), collectively own 100% of the outstanding limited partner interests in the General Partner; all of such interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the General Partner (the “ General Partner Partnership Agreement ”) and are fully paid (to the extent required under the General Partner Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act), and GP LLC, EnerVest, the EnCap Entities and EV Investors own such interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.
 
(q)            Ownership of Limited Liability Company Interests in the GP LLC .  EnerVest owns 100% of the outstanding limited liability company interests in GP LLC; all of such interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the GP LLC (the “ GP LLC Agreement ”) and are fully paid (to the extent required under the GP LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”)), and EnerVest owns such interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.
 
(r)            Ownership of Partnership Interests in the Operating Partnership .  Operating Partnership GP owns 100% of the outstanding general partner interests in the Operating Partnership, and the Partnership owns 100% of the outstanding limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership; all of such interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership (the “ Operating Partnership LP Agreement ”) and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Operating Partnership LP Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act), and Operating Partnership GP and the Partnership own such interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.

 
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(s)            Ownership of Limited Liability Company Interests in the Operating Partnership GP .  The Partnership owns 100% of the outstanding limited liability company interests in Operating Partnership GP; all of such interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Operating Partnership GP (the “ Operating Partnership GP LLC Agreement ”), and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Operating Partnership GP LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act), and the Partnership owns such interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.
 
(t)            Ownership of the Subsidiaries . The Partnership owns, directly or indirectly, 100% of the limited liability company interests, partnership interests or capital stock, as the case may be, in EVPP GP, EVCG GP, EVPP, Gathering, Marketing, Clinton Properties, and Finance Corp (collectively, the “ Subsidiaries ”) free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except as described in the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges and other claims. Such limited liability company interests, partnership interests or capital stock, as the case may be, have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreements, limited partnership agreements or charter documents, as the case may be, of the respective Subsidiaries, and are fully paid (to the extent required under their respective limited liability company agreement or limited partnership agreement) and non-assessable (except (i) in the case of a Delaware limited partnership, as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act; (ii) in the case of a Delaware limited liability company, as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act; and (iii) in the case of a Texas limited partnership, as such nonassessability may be affected by Section 153.210 of the Texas Business Organizations Code).
 
(u)            No Other Subsidiaries.  Other than ownership interests in the Initial Guarantors, the Partnership does not own or control directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the subsidiaries listed in Exhibit 21.1 to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year. Neither the Partnership nor any of its subsidiaries own, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity, other than as set forth in Exhibit 21.1 to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year. Other than its ownership of its general partner interests in the Partnership, the General Partner does not own, and as of the Closing Date will not own, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.  Other than its ownership of its general partner interests in the General Partner, GP LLC does not own, and as of the Closing Date will not own, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.
 
 
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(v)            Enforceability of Organizational Agreements.  Each partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or charter document of any Partnership Entity (collectively, the “ Organizational Agreements ”) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto and is a valid and legally binding agreement of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; provided that the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and provided , further , that the indemnity, contribution and exoneration provisions contained in any of such agreements may be limited by applicable laws and public policy.
 
(w)            Non-Contravention of Existing Instruments; No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required .
 
(i)       None of the Partnership Entities nor any of their respective subsidiaries (a) is in violation of its Organizational Agreements, (b) is (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, would be) in default (“ Default ”) under any indenture, mortgage, loan or credit agreement, note, contract, franchise, lease or other instrument to which any Partnership Entity or any of their respective subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound (including, without limitation, the Credit Facility), or to which any of the property or assets of any Partnership Entity or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject (each, an “ Existing Instrument ”), or (c) is in violation of any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over such Partnership Entity or such subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except with respect to clauses (b) and (c), for such Defaults or violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(ii)       The EVEP Parties’ execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Indenture, and the issuance and delivery of the Securities or the Exchange Securities, and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and by the Offering Memorandum (i) have been duly authorized by all necessary action (corporate or otherwise) and will not result in any violation of the Organizational Agreements of any Partnership Entity or any of their respective subsidiaries, (ii) will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, or Default or a Debt Repayment Triggering Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of any Partnership Entity or any of their respective subsidiaries pursuant to, or require the consent of any other party to, any Existing Instrument and (iii) will not result in any violation of any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the any Partnership Entity or any of their respective subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having  jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their properties.  As used herein, a “ Debt Repayment Triggering Event ” means any event or condition which gives, or with the giving of notice or lapse of time would give, the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by any Partnership Entity or any of their respective subsidiaries.
 
(iii)       No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental or regulatory authority or agency is required for the EVEP Parties’ execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, or the Indenture, or the issuance and delivery of the Securities or the Exchange Securities, or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and by the Offering Memorandum.

 
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(x)            Independent Public Accountants.  The accountants, Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified the audited financial statements contained in the Offering Memorandum other than the audited financial statements of Talon Oil & Gas LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Talon ”), are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Partnership, the General Partner and Petrohawk Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Petrohawk ”) as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ Securities Act Rules and Regulations ”) and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “ PCAOB ”).  The accountants, Travis Wolff, who have certified the audited financial statements of Talon incorporated by reference into the Offering Memorandum, are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Talon under Rule 101 of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and its interpretations and rulings, and within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Rules and Regulations.
 
(y)            Financial Statements.  As of December 31, 2010, after giving effect to the transactions described under “Capitalization,” the Partnership would have had, on a pro forma, as adjusted basis indicated in the Offering Memorandum, a capitalization as set forth therein. The historical financial statements (including the related notes and supporting schedules) contained in or incorporated by reference into the Offering Memorandum, together with the related notes (and any amendment or supplement thereto) comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby on the basis stated therein at the respective dates or for the respective periods to which they apply and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied throughout the periods involved, except to the extent disclosed therein.  The selected financial information set forth in the Offering Memorandum is accurately presented in all material respects and prepared on a basis consistent with the audited and unaudited historical consolidated financial statements and pro forma financial statements, as applicable, from which it has been derived.  The other financial information, including non-GAAP financial measures, if any, contained in the Offering Memorandum has been derived from the accounting records of the Partnership, the General Partner, Talon, Petrohawk and their respective subsidiaries, and fairly presents the information purported to be shown thereby.   There are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to have been filed by the Partnership under the Exchange Act that have not been so filed.  The pro forma financial statements included in or incorporated by reference into the Offering Memorandum comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of Regulation S-X and the pro forma adjustments have been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those statements.
 
(z)            Independent Petroleum Engineers .  Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.  Services, whose reports dated December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 are referenced in the Offering Memorandum and who has delivered the letter referred to in Section 5(i) hereof, was, as of the date of each such report, and is, as of the date hereof, an independent reserve engineer with respect to the Partnership.

 
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(aa)            Title to Real Property .  The Partnership Entities have good, valid and indefeasible title to all of the interests in oil and gas properties underlying the Partnership Entities’ estimates of their net proved reserves contained in the Offering Memorandum and to all other real and personal property reflected in the Offering Memorandum as assets owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all (i) liens and security interests or (ii) other claims and other encumbrances (other than liens or security interests) except, in each case, (1) as described, and subject to the limitations contained, in the Offering Memorandum or (2) such as do not materially interfere with the use of such properties taken as a whole as they have been used in the past and are proposed to be used in the future as described, and subject to limitations contained, in the Offering Memorandum; provided that, with respect to any real property and buildings held under lease by any Partnership Entity, such real property and buildings are held under valid and subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as do not materially interfere with the use of the properties of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole as they have been used in the past and are proposed to be used in the future as described, and subject to the limitations contained, in the Offering Memorandum; the leases, mineral interests, operating agreements and other contract rights to which the Partnership Entities are a party give the Partnership Entities the right, in all material respects, to explore, develop or produce hydrocarbons as described, and subject to the limitations contained, in the Offering Memorandum.  The care taken by the Partnership Entities in acquiring or otherwise procuring such leases or mineral interests was generally consistent with standard industry practices in the areas in which the Partnership Entities operate for acquiring or procuring leases and interests therein to explore, develop or produce hydrocarbons.
 
(bb)            Information Underlying Reserve Report .  The information underlying the estimates of reserves of the Partnership Entities, which was supplied by the Partnership Entities to Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., for purposes of preparing the reserve reports, the estimates of net proved reserves and pre-tax present value, discounted at 10%, attributable thereto, and the letters (the “ Reserve Report Letters ”) of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., including, without limitation, production volumes, costs of operation and development, current prices for production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sales of production, was true and correct in all material respects on the dates such estimates were made and such information was supplied and was prepared in accordance with customary industry practices; other than normal production of the reserves and intervening market commodity price fluctuations, the Partnership Entities are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would result in a material adverse change in the reserves, or the present value of future net cash flows therefrom, as described in the Offering Memorandum and as reflected in the Reserve Report Letters; estimates of such reserves and present values as described in Offering Memorandum and reflected in the Reserve Report Letters comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X and Subpart 1200 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.
 
(cc)            No Material Adverse Effect; No Material Liability; Dividends, Repurchases and Redemptions .  Except as otherwise disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Offering Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto): (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the Partnership Entities, considered as one entity, have not incurred any material liability or obligation, indirect, direct or contingent, nor entered into any material transaction or agreement; and (iii) there has been no cash dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Partnership or, except for dividends paid to the Partnership or other subsidiaries, any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or repurchase or redemption by Partnership or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock.

 
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(dd)            Legal Proceedings.  Other than as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the EVEP Parties, threatened, against any of the Partnership Entities, or to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party, or to which any of their respective properties is subject,  where in any such case there is a reasonable possibility that such action, suit or proceeding might be determined adversely to such Partnership Parties and (B) any such action, suit or proceeding, if so determined adversely, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
 
(ee)            Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.  No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any Partnership Entity on the one hand, and the directors, managers, officers, members, partners, stockholders, customers or suppliers of any Partnership Entity on the other hand, which is required by the Exchange Act to be disclosed in an annual report on Form 10-K that is not so disclosed in the Offering Memorandum. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by any Partnership Entity to or for the benefit of any of the officers, directors or managers of any Partnership Entity or their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum. No Partnership Entity has, in violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, directly or indirectly, extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director, manager or executive officer of any Partnership Entity.
 
(ff)            Rights-of-Way.  Each of the Partnership Entities has such easements, rights-of-way, permits or licenses (collectively, “ rights-of-way ”) and consents with respect to the transfer of any of the foregoing, as are necessary to conduct its business in the manner described, and subject to the limitations contained, in the Offering Memorandum, except for (i) qualifications, reservations and encumbrances that would not have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) such rights-of-way or consents that, if not obtained, would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; other than as set forth, and subject to the limitations contained, in the Offering Memorandum, each of the Partnership Entities has fulfilled and performed all of its material obligations with respect to such rights-of-way or consents, and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such rights-of-way or consents, except for such revocations, terminations and impairments that would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and, except as described in the Offering Memorandum, none of such rights-of-way or consents contains any restriction that is materially burdensome to the business of the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole.
 
 
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(gg)            Permits . Each of the Partnership Entities has such permits, consents, licenses, franchises, certificates and authorizations of governmental or regulatory authorities (“ permits ”) as are necessary to own its properties and to conduct its business in the manner described in the Offering Memorandum, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in the Offering Memorandum and except for such permits that, if not obtained, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; except as set forth in the Offering Memorandum, each of the Partnership Entities has fulfilled and performed all its material obligations with respect to such permits which are or will be due to have been fulfilled and performed by such date and no event has occurred that would prevent the permits from being renewed or reissued or which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such permit, except for such non-renewals, non-issuances, revocations, terminations and impairments that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(hh)            Books and Records. Each Partnership Entity (i) makes and keeps books, records and accounts, which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of its assets and (ii) maintains systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for its assets; (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
 
(ii)            Disclosure Controls .  The Partnership has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in reports that it files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Partnership’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure; such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they were established.
 
(jj)            No Recent Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting . Since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures described in Section 4(ii) above, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that materially affected the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
(kk)            Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 . There is and has been no failure on the part of the Partnership and, to the knowledge of the EVEP Parties, any of GP LLC’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.
 
(ll)            No Deficiency in Internal Controls . Based on the evaluation of its internal controls and procedures conducted in connection with the preparation and filing of the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, the Partnership is not aware of (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of its internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that are likely to adversely affect the Partnership’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Partnership’s internal controls over financial reporting.
 
 
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(mm)            Tax Returns. Each of the Partnership Entities has filed (or has obtained extensions with respect to) all material federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, which returns are complete and correct in all material respects, and has timely paid all taxes due thereon, other than those (i) which are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or (ii) which, if not paid, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(nn)            Investment Company. None of the Partnership Entities is now, and after sale of the Securities to be sold by the EVEP Parties hereunder and application of the net proceeds from such sale as described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Use of Proceeds” will be an “investment company” or a company “controlled by” an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”).
 
(oo)            Environmental Compliance. The Partnership Entities (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety and the environment or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning any Hazardous Material (as hereinafter defined) (“ Environmental Laws ”), (ii) have received all permits required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses, (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit and (iv) do not have any liability in connection with the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material, except, in each case, where such noncompliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, failure to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits or liability would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The term “ Hazardous Material ” means (A) any “hazardous substance” as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, (B) any “hazardous waste” as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, (C) any petroleum or petroleum product, (D) any polychlorinated biphenyl and (E) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material, waste or substance regulated under or within the meaning of any other Environmental Law.
 
(pp)            No Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the employees of the Partnership Entities exists or, to the knowledge of any of the EVEP Parties, is imminent or threatened that is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
 
(qq)            Insurance. A Partnership Entity, EnerVest or EnerVest Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“ EVOC ”), maintains insurance covering the properties, operations, personnel and businesses of the Partnership Entities against such losses and risks and in such amounts as is reasonably adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. None of the Partnership Entities, EnerVest or EVOC has received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that substantial capital improvements or other expenditures will have to be made in order to continue such insurance (including after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby), and all such insurance is outstanding and duly in force on the date hereof and will be outstanding and duly in force on the Closing Date.
 
 
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(rr)            Litigation. Except as described in the Offering Memorandum there is (i) no action, suit or proceeding before or by any court, arbitrator or governmental agency, body or official, domestic or foreign, now pending or, to the knowledge of the EVEP Parties, threatened to which any of the Partnership Entities is or may be a party or to which the business or property of any of the Partnership Entities is or may be subject, (ii) no injunction, restraining order or order of any nature issued by a federal or state court or foreign court of competent jurisdiction to which any of the Partnership Entities is or may be subject, that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, is reasonably likely to (A) individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, (B) prevent or result in the suspension of the offer, issuance or sale of the Securities, or (C) in any manner draw into question the validity of this Agreement.
 
(ss)            Statistical and Market-Related Data.  All statistical or market-related data included in the Offering Memorandum are based on or derived from sources that the Issuers reasonably believe to be reliable and accurate, and the Issuers have obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.
 
(tt)            No Conflict with OFAC Laws . None of the Partnership Entities, nor, to the knowledge of the EVEP Parties, any director, officer, agent or employee of any of the Partnership Entities is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”); and the Partnership will not knowingly, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC .
 
(uu)            Lending Relationship .  Except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, to its knowledge, each of the Issuers (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Initial Purchaser and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Initial Purchaser.
 
(vv)            No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws . The operations of each of the Partnership Entities are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any govern-mental agency (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving any of the Partnership Entities with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the EVEP Parties, threatened, the adverse determination of which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
 
 
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(ww)            Solvency Each of the Issuers and the Initial Guarantors is, and immediately after the Closing Date will be, Solvent.  As used herein, the term “ Solvent ” means, with respect to any person on a particular date, that on such date (i) the fair market value of the assets of such person is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of such person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, including contingent obligations, as they mature and (iv) such person does not have unreasonably small capital.
 
(xx)            No Default in Senior Indebtedness.  No event of default exists under that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2007, by and among the Operating Partnership, as borrower, the Partnership, as parent, the other subsidiaries of the Partnership party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith (the “ Credit Agreement ”).
 
(yy)            No Restrictions on Subsidiaries . Except as provided in the Credit Agreement, no subsidiary of the Partnership is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Partnership, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock or equity interests, from repaying to the Partnership any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Partnership or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Partnership or any other subsidiary of the Partnership.
 
(zz)            No Stabilization .  Except as stated in this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum, none of the Partnership Entities has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any other security of the Issuers to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.
 
Any certificate signed by any officer of any Partnership Entity and delivered to the Initial Purchasers or to counsel for the Initial Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Partnership Entity to each Initial Purchaser as to the matters covered thereby.
 
SECTION 2.       Purchase, Sale and Delivery of the Securities .
 
(a)            The Securities Each of the EVEP Parties agrees to issue and sell to the Initial Purchasers, severally and not jointly, all of the Securities, and the Initial Purchasers agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the EVEP Parties the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their names on Schedule A , at a purchase price of 97.500% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from March 22, 2011, in each case, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, and upon the terms, subject to the conditions thereto, herein set forth.
 
 
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(b)            The Closing Date The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) shall occur at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin, Suite 2500, Houston, Texas 77002 (or such other place as may be agreed to by the Issuers and the Representatives) at 9:00 a.m. New York City time, on March 22, 2011 or such other time and date as the Representatives shall designate by notice to the Issuers (the time and date of such closing are called the “ Closing Date ”).  The EVEP Parties hereby acknowledge that circumstances under which the Representatives may provide notice to postpone the Closing Date as originally scheduled include, but are in no way limited to, any determination by the Issuers or the Initial Purchasers to recirculate to investors copies of an amended or supplemented Pricing Disclosure Package or Final Offering Memorandum or a delay as contemplated by the provisions of Section 16 hereof.
 
(c)            Delivery of the Securities At the Closing, the Issuers shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the Notes to RBC Capital Markets, LLC for the accounts of the several Initial Purchasers, through the facilities of the DTC, against the irrevocable release of a wire transfer of immediately available funds for the amount of the purchase price therefor.  The Notes shall be in global form, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the Depositary, broken out as to principal amount between Notes sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Notes sold pursuant to Regulation S as advised by the Representatives, and shall be delivered to the Trustee, as custodian for DTC, at the Closing.  Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified in this Agreement is a further condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers.
 
(d)            Initial Purchasers as Qualified Institutional Buyers Each Initial Purchaser severally and not jointly represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the EVEP Parties that it is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A (a “ Qualified Institutional Buyer ”).
 
SECTION 3.       Additional Covenants Each of the EVEP Parties further covenants and agrees jointly and severally with each Initial Purchaser as follows:
 
(a)            Preparation of Final Offering Memorandum; Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplement s and Issuers Additional Written Communications Promptly following the Time of Sale and in any event not later than the end of the second business day following the date hereof, the EVEP Parties will prepare and deliver to the Initial Purchasers the Final Offering Memorandum, which shall consist of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum as modified only by the information contained in the Pricing Supplement.  The EVEP Parties will not amend or supplement the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Pricing Supplement unless the Representatives shall previously have been furnished a copy of the proposed amendment or supplement prior to the proposed use or filing, and shall not have reasonably objected to such amendment or supplement.  The EVEP Parties will not amend or supplement the Final Offering Memorandum prior to the Closing Date unless the Representatives shall previously have been furnished a copy of the proposed amendment or supplement prior to the proposed use or filing, and shall not have reasonably objected to such amendment or supplement.  Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving or distributing any Issuers Additional Written Communication, the EVEP Parties will furnish to the Representatives copies of such written communication for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve or distribute any such written communication to which the Representatives reasonably object.
 
 
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(b)            Amendments and Supplements to the Final Offering Memorandum and Other Securities Act Matters If, prior to the later of (x) the Closing Date and (y) the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum, each as then amended or supplemented, in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum, as applicable, is delivered to a Subsequent Purchaser, not misleading, or it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum to comply with law, the EVEP Parties agree to promptly prepare (subject to Section 3(a) hereof) and furnish at their own expense to the Initial Purchasers, amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances at the Closing Date and at the time of sale of Securities, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, will comply with all applicable law.
 
(c)            Copies of the Offering Memorandum The EVEP Parties agree to furnish the Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto as they shall have reasonably requested.
 
(d)            Blue Sky Compliance Each of the EVEP Parties shall cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers to qualify or register (or to obtain exemptions from qualifying or registering) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the provinces of Canada or any other jurisdictions designated by the Initial Purchasers, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Securities.  None of the EVEP Parties shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation.  The EVEP Parties will advise the Initial Purchasers promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, each of the EVEP Parties shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.
 
(e)            Use of Proceeds The Partnership shall apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities sold by it in the manner described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

 
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(f)            The Depositary The Issuers will cooperate with the Initial Purchasers and use their best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of the Depositary.
 
(g)            Additional Issuer Information Prior to the completion of the placement of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers with the Subsequent Purchasers, the EVEP Parties shall file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC, all reports and documents required to be filed under Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act.  Additionally, at any time when the Partnership is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act, for the benefit of holders and beneficial owners from time to time of the Securities, the EVEP Parties shall furnish, at their expense, upon request, to holders and beneficial owners of Securities and prospective purchasers of Securities information (“Additional Issuer Information”) satisfying the requirements of Rule 144A(d).
 
(h)            Agreement Not To Offer or Sell Additional Securities For a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 90th day after the date of the Final Offering Memorandum, the EVEP Parties agree not to, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld), directly or indirectly, sell, offer, contract or grant any option to sell (including without limitation any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an open “put equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease a “call equivalent position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act, or otherwise dispose of or transfer (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by the EVEP Parties  at any time in the future of), or file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the Commission in respect of, any debt securities of the EVEP Parties similar to the Notes, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into debt securities of the EVEP Parties similar to the Notes (other than as contemplated by this Agreement and to register the Exchange Securities).
 
(i)            Future Reports to the Initial Purchasers If within the three years following the Closing Date the Partnership is not subject to Section 13 or 15 of the Exchange Act and any Notes or Exchange Notes remain outstanding, the EVEP Parties will, as soon as practicable once available, furnish to the Representatives copies of any report or communication of the Partnership furnished to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes or Exchange Notes, if, in each case, such documents are not filed with the Commission.
 
(j)            No Integration The EVEP Parties agree that they will not and will cause their respective Affiliates not to make any offer or sale of any security if, as a result of the doctrine of “integration” referred to in Rule 502 under the Securities Act, such offer or sale would render invalid (for the purpose of (i) the sale of the Securities by the EVEP Parties to the Initial Purchasers, (ii) the resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers or (iii) the resale of the Securities by such Subsequent Purchasers to others) the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(2) thereof or by Rule 144A or by Regulation S thereunder or otherwise.
 
 
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(k)            No Restricted Resales .  During the period of one year after the Closing Date, the Issuers will not, and will not permit any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to resell any of the Notes which constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 144 that have been reacquired by any of them.
 
(l)            Legended Securities Each certificate for a Note will bear the legend contained in “Notice to Investors” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum for the time period and upon the other terms stated in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum.
 
The Representatives, on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers, may, in their sole discretion, waive in writing the performance by any of the EVEP Parties of any one or more of the foregoing covenants or extend the time for their performance.
 
SECTION 4.       Payment of Expenses Each of the EVEP Parties agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Securities (including all printing and engraving costs), (ii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers, (iii) all fees and expenses of the EVEP Parties’ counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors, (iv) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum (including financial statements and exhibits), and all amendments and supplements thereto, this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes and Guarantees, (v) all filing fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the EVEP Parties or the Initial Purchasers in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities laws of the several states of the United States, the  provinces of Canada or other jurisdictions designated by the Initial Purchasers (including, without limitation, the cost of preparing, printing and mailing preliminary and final blue sky or legal investment memoranda and any related supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Final Offering Memorandum, (vi) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture, the Securities and the Exchange Securities, (vii) any fees payable in connection with the rating of the Securities or the Exchange Securities with the ratings agencies, (viii) any filing fees incident to, and any reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Initial Purchasers in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (the “ FINRA ”), if any, of the terms of the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities, and (ix) all fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) of the EVEP Parties in connection with approval of the Securities by the Depositary for “book-entry” transfer, and the performance by the EVEP Parties of their respective other obligations under this Agreement and (x) the expenses incident to the “road show” for the offering of the Securities, including the travel and lodging expenses of representatives and officers of the EVEP Parties.  Except as provided in this Section 4 and Sections 6, 8 and 9 hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own expenses, including the fees and disbursements of their counsel.
 
SECTION 5.       Conditions of the Obligations of the Initial Purchasers The obligations of the several Initial Purchasers to purchase and pay for the Securities as provided herein on the Closing Date shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the EVEP Parties set forth in Section 1 hereof as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made and to the timely performance by the EVEP Parties of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional conditions:
 
 
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(a)
Accountants’ Comfort Letter and Accountants’ Bring Down Comfort Letter.
 
(i)       At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from Deloitte & Touche LLP a letter or letters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that such firm is a registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules of the PCAOB and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the various financial information in the Pricing Disclosure Package and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to Initial Purchasers in connection with registered public offerings.
 
(ii)       At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from Travis Wolff a letter or letters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that such firm is a registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules of the PCAOB and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the various financial information in the Pricing Disclosure Package and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to Initial Purchasers in connection with registered public offerings.
 
(iii)       With respect to the letter or letters of Deloitte & Touche LLP and Travis Wolff referred to in the preceding two paragraphs and delivered to the Initial Purchasers concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ initial letters ”), the Partnership shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a letter (each a “ bring-down letter ”) of such accountants, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date (i) confirming that such firm is a registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act  and the rules of the PCAOB and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the Closing Date (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Pricing Disclosure Package or Final Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the initial letters and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letters.
 
 
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(b)            No Material Adverse Effect or Ratings Agency Change For the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date:
 
(i)       in the judgment of the Representatives there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect;
 
(ii)       there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities or indebtedness of the Issuers or any of their respective subsidiaries by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization registered as such under Section 15E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to the extent applicable; and
 
(iii)       there shall not have been any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 5 which is, in the sole judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Notes as contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package.
 
(c)            Opinion of Counsel for the Issuers.  On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received (i) the favorable opinion of Haynes and Boone, LLP, counsel for the Issuers, dated as of such Closing Date, the form of which is attached as Exhibit A ; and (ii) the favorable opinion of Fabené Welch, Esq., as General Counsel of EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B .
 
(d)            Opinion of Counsel for the Initial Purchasers On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received the favorable opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel for the Initial Purchasers, dated as of such Closing Date, with respect to such matters as may be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers.
 
(e)            Officers’ Certificate On the Closing Date the Initial Purchasers shall have received a written certificate executed by the Chief Executive Officer or President of each EVEP Party (or, if applicable, the Chief Executive Officer or President of such EVEP Party’s general partner, or such entity’s general partner) and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of each EVEP Party (or, if applicable, the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of such EVEP Party’s general partner, or such entity’s general partner), dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect set forth in Section 5(b)(ii) hereof and further to the effect that:
 
(i)       for the period from and after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date there has not occurred any Material Adverse Effect;
 
(ii)       the representations, warranties and covenants of such EVEP Party set forth in Section 1 and Section 3 hereof, respectively, were true and correct as of the date hereof and are true and correct as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as though expressly made on and as of the Closing Date;

 
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(iii)       no event of default exists under the Credit Facility; and
 
(iv)       such EVEP Party has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date.
 
(f)            Registration Rights Agreement The EVEP Parties shall have entered into the Registration Rights Agreement and the Initial Purchasers shall have received executed counterparts thereof.
 
(g)            Indenture.  The EVEP Parties and the Trustee shall have executed and delivered the Indenture, and the Initial Purchasers shall have received a counterpart thereof, duly executed by the EVEP Parties and the Trustee.
 
(h)            DTC Eligibility.  The Notes shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.
 
(i)            Engineers’ Comfort Letters .
 
(i)       At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Initial Purchasers shall have received from Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. a letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the date hereof.
 
(ii)       With respect to the letter of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Initial Purchasers concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Partnership shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a letter of such reserve engineers, addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, confirming in all material respects covering the matters in the letter referred to in the preceding paragraph.
 
(j)            Additional Documents On or before the Closing Date, the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers shall have received such information, documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.
 
If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Initial Purchasers by notice to the Issuers at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.
 
 
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SECTION 6.       Reimbursement of Initial Purchasers’ Expenses If this Agreement is terminated by the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 5 hereof, including if the sale to the Initial Purchasers of the Securities on the Closing Date is not consummated because of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of any EVEP Party to perform any agreement herein or to comply with any provision hereof, the EVEP Parties, jointly and severally, agree to reimburse the Initial Purchasers, severally, upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that shall have been reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers in connection with the proposed purchase and the offering and sale of the Securities, including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel, printing expenses, travel expenses, postage, facsimile and telephone charges.  If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 16 by reason of the default of one or more Initial Purchasers, the EVEP Parties shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Initial Purchaser on account of those expenses.
 
SECTION 7.       Offer, Sale and Resale Procedures Each of the Initial Purchasers, on the one hand, and the EVEP Parties, on the other hand, hereby agree to observe the following procedures in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities:
 
(A)           Offers and sales of the Securities will be made only by the Initial Purchasers or Affiliates thereof qualified to do so in the jurisdictions in which such offers or sales are made.  Each such offer or sale shall only be made to persons whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes to be Qualified Institutional Buyers or non-U.S. persons outside the United States to whom the offeror or seller reasonably believes offers and sales of the Securities may be made in reliance upon Regulation S upon the terms and conditions set forth in Annex I hereto, which Annex I is hereby expressly made a part hereof.
 
(B)           No general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Rule 502 under the Securities Act) will be used in the United States in connection with the offering of the Securities.
 
(C)           Upon original issuance by the Issuers, and until such time as the same is no longer required under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Notes (and all securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof, other than the Exchange Notes) shall bear the legend specified in Appendix I to the Indenture:
 
Following the sale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers to Subsequent Purchasers pursuant to the terms hereof, the Initial Purchasers shall not be liable or responsible to the EVEP Parties for any losses, damages or liabilities suffered or incurred by the EVEP Parties, including any losses, damages or liabilities under the Securities Act, arising from or relating to any resale or transfer of any Security.

 
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SECTION 8.        Indemnification .
 
(a)            Indemnification of the Initial Purchasers Each of the EVEP Parties, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Initial Purchaser, director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of either of the Issuers), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuers Additional Written Information or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and to reimburse each Initial Purchaser and each such director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person for any and all reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees and reasonable disbursements of counsel chosen by the Representatives) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Initial Purchaser or such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers by the Initial Purchasers expressly for use in the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuers Additional Written Information or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto).  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the EVEP Parties may otherwise have.
 
(b)            Indemnification of the Issuers and the Guarantors.  Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each EVEP Party, each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls such EVEP Party within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such EVEP Party or any such director or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of such Initial Purchaser), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuers Additional Written Information or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuers Additional Written Information or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers by such Initial Purchaser expressly for use therein; and to reimburse such EVEP Party and each such director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or controlling person for any and all reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees and reasonable disbursements of counsel) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such EVEP Party or such director or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action.  Each of the EVEP Parties hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Initial Purchasers have furnished to the EVEP Parties expressly for use in the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuers Additional Written Information or the Final Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the first sentence of the third paragraph, the third sentence of the ninth paragraph, the tenth paragraph, the eleventh paragraph and the twelfth paragraph under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Final Offering Memorandum.  The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 8(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that each Initial Purchaser may otherwise have.

 
25

 
 
(c)            Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 8 or to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure.  In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), approved by the indemnifying party (the Representatives in the case of Sections 8(b) and 9 hereof), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action).
 
(d)            Settlements The indemnifying party under this Section 8 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 
26

 
 
SECTION 9.         Contribution.   If the indemnification provided for in Section 8 hereof is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the EVEP Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the EVEP Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the EVEP Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Issuers, and the total discount received by the Initial Purchasers bear to the aggregate initial offering price of the Securities.  The relative fault of the EVEP Parties, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the EVEP Parties, on the one hand, or the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission or inaccuracy.
 
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 8 hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.  The provisions set forth in Section 8 hereof with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 9; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 8 hereof for purposes of indemnification.
 
The EVEP Parties and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 9.
 
 
27

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the discount received by such Initial Purchaser in connection with the Securities distributed by it.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several, and not joint, in proportion to their respective commitments as set forth opposite their names in Schedule A .  For purposes of this Section 9, each director, officer, agent, affiliate and employee of an Initial Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls an Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Initial Purchaser, and each director of any EVEP Party, and each person, if any, who controls any EVEP Party within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the EVEP Parties.
 
SECTION 10.       Termination of this Agreement . Prior to the Closing Date, this Agreement may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to the Issuers if at any time (i) trading in securities generally, or the common units of the Partnership particularly, on the NASDAQ shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any stock exchanges by the Commission or the FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any federal or New York authority or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States has occurred; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States’ or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to market the Notes in the manner and on the terms described in the Pricing Disclosure Package or Final Offering Memorandum or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities.
 
SECTION 11.       Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the EVEP Parties, their respective officers and the several Initial Purchasers set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser, any EVEP Party or any of their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement.
 
SECTION 12.       Notices All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, couriered or facsimiled and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:
 
If to the Initial Purchasers:

RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Three World Financial Center
200 Vesey Street, 9 th Floor
New York, New York 10281
Facsimile:  212-858-7455
Attention:  Legal Department

 
28

 

with a copy to:
 
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas  77002
Facsimile:  713-615-5627
Attention:  Jeffery K. Malonson

If to any EVEP Party:

 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 900
Houston, Texas 77002
Fax: (713) 659-3556

with a copy to:

Haynes and Boone, LLP
1 Houston Center
1221 McKinney Street, Suite 2100
Houston, Texas 77010
Facsimile:  (713) 236-5699
Attention:  George G. Young III

Any party hereto may change the address or facsimile number for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.
 
SECTION 13.       Successors This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, including any substitute Initial Purchasers pursuant to Section 16 hereof, and to the benefit of the indemnified parties referred to in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.  The term “successors” shall not include any Subsequent Purchaser of other purchaser of the Securities as such from any of the Initial Purchasers merely by reason of such purchase.
 
SECTION 14.       Partial Unenforceability The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof.  If any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
 
SECTION 15.       Governing Law Provisions THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
 
 
29

 

SECTION 16.      Default of One or More of the Several Initial Purchasers If any one or more of the several Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities that it or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on the Closing Date, and the aggregate number of Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase does not exceed 10% of the aggregate number of the Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Initial Purchasers shall be obligated, severally, in the proportions that the number of Securities set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A bears to the aggregate number of Securities set forth opposite the names of all such non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, or in such other proportions as may be specified by the Initial Purchasers with the consent of the non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, to purchase the Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase on the Closing Date.  If any one or more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities and the aggregate number of Securities with respect to which such default occurs exceeds 10% of the aggregate number of Securities to be purchased on the Closing Date, and arrangements satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers and the Issuers for the purchase of such Securities are not made within 48 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability of any party, other than the defaulting Initial Purchaser, to any other party except that the provisions of Sections 4, 6, 8 and 9 hereof shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.  In any such case either the Initial Purchasers or the Issuers shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, as the case may be, but in no event for longer than seven days in order that the required changes, if any, to the Final Offering Memorandum or any other documents or arrangements may be effected.
 
As used in this Agreement, the term “Initial Purchaser” shall be deemed to include any person substituted for a defaulting Initial Purchaser under this Section 16.  Any action taken under this Section 16 shall not relieve any defaulting Initial Purchaser from liability in respect of any default of such Initial Purchaser under this Agreement.
 
SECTION 17.      No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  Each of  the EVEP Parties acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the EVEP Parties, on the one hand, and the several Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and the EVEP Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding and understand and accept the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) in connection with each transaction contemplated hereby and the process leading to such transaction each Initial Purchaser is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the EVEP Parties or their respective affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other party; (iii) no Initial Purchaser has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the EVEP Parties with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Initial Purchaser has advised or is currently advising any EVEP Party on other matters) or any other obligation to the EVEP Parties except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement; (iv) the several Initial Purchasers and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the EVEP Parties and that the several Initial Purchasers have no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any fiduciary or advisory relationship; and (v) the Initial Purchasers have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering contemplated hereby and the EVEP Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they deemed appropriate.
 
 
30

 
 
The EVEP Parties hereby waive and release, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the EVEP Parties may have against the several Initial Purchasers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of fiduciary duty.
 
SECTION 18.      General Provisions This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit.  The section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
 
 
31

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Issuers the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.
 
 
Very truly yours,
     
 
ISSUERS
     
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
     
 
By:
EV Energy GP, L.P., its General Partner
 
By:
EV Management, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
     
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
     
  INITIAL GUARANTORS
     
 
EV PROPERTIES GP, LLC
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
 
 
 

 

 
ENERVEST PRODUCTION PARTNERS, LTD.
     
 
By:
EVPP GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
     
 
CGAS PROPERTIES, L.P.
     
 
By:
EVCG GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
     
 
ENERVEST-CARGAS, LTD.
     
 
By:
EVPP GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
     
 
EVPP GP, LLC
 
EVCG GP, LLC
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
 
 
 

 
 
 
ENERVEST MONROE MARKETING, LTD.
 
ENERVEST MONROE GATHERING, LTD.
   
 
By:
EVPP GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
     
 
EV PROPERTIES, L.P.
   
 
By:
EV Properties GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
 
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:
Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief
     
Financial Officer
 
 
 

 

The foregoing Purchase Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Initial Purchasers as of the date first above written.
 
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
       
By:
 
/s/ Scott Schlossel
 
 
Name:  Scott Schlossel
 
 
Title:  Managing Director
 
       
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
       
By:
 
/s/ Adam Bernard
 
 
Name:  Adam Bernard
 
 
Title:  Executive Director
 
       
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
       
By:
 
/s/ Jeff Gore
 
 
Name:  Jeff Gore
 
 
Title:  Managing Director
 
       
BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.
       
By:
 
/s/ Jim Turner
 
 
Name:  Jim Turner
 
 
Title:  Managing Director
 

Acting on behalf of themselves and as the Representatives of the several Initial Purchasers

 
 

 


SCHEDULE A
 
Initial Purchasers
 
Aggregate Principal
Amount of Notes to
be Purchased
 
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
  $ 96,000,000.00  
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
    40,500,000.00  
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
    40,500,000.00  
BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
    27,000,000.00  
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
    24,000,000.00  
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) Inc.
    21,000,000.00  
BBVA Securities Inc.
    12,000,000.00  
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
    12,000,000.00  
ING Financial Markets LLC
    6,000,000.00  
Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.
    6,000,000.00  
US Bancorp Investments, Inc.
    6,000,000.00  
Comerica Securities, Inc.
    4,500,000.00  
Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.
    4,500,000.00  
Total
  $ 300,000,000  

 
 

 

SCHEDULE B
 
Foreign Qualifications
 
Entity:
 
Foreign Qualifications:
EV Management, LLC
 
Texas
     
EV Energy GP, L.P.
 
Texas
     
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
 
Texas
     
EV Properties GP, LLC
 
None
     
EV Properties, L.P.
 
Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kansas
     
EVPP GP LLC
 
None
     
EnerVest Production Partners, Ltd.
 
Louisiana, New Mexico
     
EnerVest Monroe Gathering, Ltd.
 
Louisiana
     
EnerVest Monroe Marketing, Ltd.
 
Louisiana
     
EVCG GP LLC
 
Ohio, Michigan
     
Enervest-Cargas, Ltd.
 
Louisiana
     
CGAS Properties, L.P.
 
Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York
     
EV Energy Finance Corp.
  
None
 
 
 

 

ANNEX I
 
Resale Pursuant to Regulation S or Rule 144A . Each Initial Purchaser understands that:
 
Such Initial Purchaser agrees that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell the Securities in the United States or to, or for the benefit or account of, a U.S. Person (other than a distributor), in each case, as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S (i) as part of its distribution at any time and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Securities pursuant hereto and the Closing Date, other than in accordance with Regulation S or another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  Such Initial Purchaser agrees that, during such 40-day restricted period, it will not cause any advertisement with respect to the Securities (including any “tombstone” advertisement) to be published in any newspaper or periodical or posted in any public place and will not issue any circular relating to the Securities, except such advertisements as are permitted by and include the statements required by Regulation S.
 
Such Initial Purchaser agrees that, at or prior to confirmation of a sale of Securities by it to any distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration during the 40-day restricted period referred to in Rule 903 of Regulation S, it will send to such distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration a confirmation or notice to substantially the following effect:
 
“The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered and sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of your distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the date the Securities were first offered to persons other than distributors in reliance upon Regulation S and the Closing Date, except in either case in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (or in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or to accredited investors in transactions that are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act), and in connection with any subsequent sale by you of the Securities covered hereby in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act during the period referred to above to any distributor, dealer or person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration, you must deliver a notice to substantially the foregoing effect.  Terms used above have the meanings assigned to them in Regulation S under the Securities Act.”

 
 

 
Execution Version
 


EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
 
AND
 
THE GUARANTORS NAMED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF
 
8.0% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019
 
INDENTURE
 
Dated as of March 22, 2011
 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
 
As Trustee
 


 
 

 
 
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
 
Trust Indenture Act Section
 
Indenture Section
310  
(a)(1)
 
7.10
 
(a)(2)
 
7.10
 
(a)(3)
 
N/A
 
(a)(4)
 
N/A
 
(a)(5)
 
7.10
 
(b)
 
7.10
 
(c)
 
N/A
311
(a)
 
7.11
 
(b)
 
7.11
 
(c)
 
N/A
312
(a)
 
2.05
 
(b)
 
11.03
 
(c)
 
11.03
313
(a)
 
7.06
 
(b)(1)
 
7.06
 
(b)(2)
 
7.06, 7.07
 
(c)
 
7.06, 11.02
 
(d)
 
7.06
314
(a)
 
4.03, 4.04, 11.02
 
(b)
 
N/A
 
(c)(1)
 
11.04
 
(c)(2)
 
11.04
 
(c)(3)
 
N/A
 
(d)
 
N/A
 
(e)
 
11.05
 
(f)
 
N/A
315
(a)
 
7.01
 
(b)
 
7.05, 11.02
 
(c)
 
7.01
 
(d)
 
7.01
 
(e)
 
6.11
316
(a)(last sentence)
 
2.08
 
(a)(1)(A)
 
6.05
 
(a)(1)(B)
 
6.04
 
(a)(2)
 
N/A
 
(b)
 
6.07
 
(c)
 
9.04
317
(a)(1)
 
6.08
 
(a)(2)
 
6.09
 
(b)
 
2.04
318
(a)
 
11.01
 
(b)
 
N/A
 
(c)
 
11.01
 
N/A means not applicable.
*This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
 
 
i

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
1
Section 1.01
Definitions
1
Section 1.02
Other Definitions
35
Section 1.03
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
35
Section 1.04
Rules of Construction
36
     
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
36
Section 2.01
Form and Dating
36
Section 2.02
Execution and Authentication
37
Section 2.03
Registrar and Paying Agent
37
Section 2.04
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
38
Section 2.05
Noteholder Lists
38
Section 2.06
Transfer and Exchange
38
Section 2.07
Replacement Notes
38
Section 2.08
Outstanding Notes
39
Section 2.09
Temporary Notes
39
Section 2.10
Cancellation
39
Section 2.11
Defaulted Interest
40
Section 2.12
CUSIP Numbers
40
Section 2.13
Issuance of Additional Notes
40
     
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
41
Section 3.01
Notices to Trustee
41
Section 3.02
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed
41
Section 3.03
Notice of Redemption
42
Section 3.04
Effect of Notice of Redemption
43
Section 3.05
Deposit of Redemption Price
43
Section 3.06
Notes Redeemed in Part
43
Section 3.07
Optional Redemption
43
Section 3.08
Mandatory Redemption
45
Section 3.09
Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds
45
     
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
46
Section 4.01
Payment of Notes
46
Section 4.02
Maintenance of Office or Agency
47
Section 4.03
Reports
47
Section 4.04
Compliance Certificate
48
Section 4.05
Taxes
49
Section 4.06
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
49
Section 4.07
Limitation on Restricted Payments
49
Section 4.08
Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
53
Section 4.09
Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
55
Section 4.10
Limitation on Asset Sales
59

 
ii

 
 
Section 4.11
Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates
60
Section 4.12
Limitation on Liens
63
Section 4.13
Additional Subsidiary Guarantees
64
Section 4.14
Existence
64
Section 4.15
Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control
64
Section 4.16
No Partial Inducements
67
Section 4.17
Limitations on Finance Corp. Activities
67
Section 4.18
Covenant Termination
67
Section 4.19
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
67
     
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSORS
68
Section 5.01
Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets
68
Section 5.02
Successor Substituted
70
     
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
70
Section 6.01
Events of Default
70
Section 6.02
Acceleration
73
Section 6.03
Other Remedies
73
Section 6.04
Waiver of Past Defaults
73
Section 6.05
Control by Majority
73
Section 6.06
Limitation on Suits
74
Section 6.07
Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment
74
Section 6.08
Collection Suit by Trustee
74
Section 6.09
Trustee is Authorized to File Proofs of Claim
75
Section 6.10
Priorities
75
Section 6.11
Undertaking for Costs
76
     
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
76
Section 7.01
Duties of Trustee
76
Section 7.02
Rights of Trustee
77
Section 7.03
Individual Rights of Trustee
78
Section 7.04
Trustee’s Disclaimer
78
Section 7.05
Notice of Defaults
79
Section 7.06
Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes
79
Section 7.07
Compensation and Indemnity
79
Section 7.08
Replacement of Trustee
80
Section 7.09
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
81
Section 7.10
Eligibility; Disqualification
81
Section 7.11
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers
82
     
ARTICLE EIGHT
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
82
Section 8.01
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
82
Section 8.02
Legal Defeasance and Discharge
82
Section 8.03
Covenant Defeasance
83
Section 8.04
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance
83
Section 8.05
Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
84

 
iii

 
 
Section 8.06
Repayment to Issuers
85
Section 8.07
Reinstatement
85
Section 8.08
Discharge
86
     
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
87
Section 9.01
Without Consent of Holders of Notes
87
Section 9.02
With Consent of Holders of Notes
88
Section 9.03
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
89
Section 9.04
Revocation and Effect of Consents
89
Section 9.05
Notation on or Exchange of Notes
90
Section 9.06
Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
90
Section 9.07
Acts of Holders
90
     
ARTICLE TEN
GUARANTEES OF NOTES
91
Section 10.01
Subsidiary Guarantees
91
Section 10.02
Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms
92
Section 10.03
Releases of Subsidiary Guarantees
93
Section 10.04
Limitation on Guarantor Liability
94
Section 10.05
“Trustee” to Include Paying Agent
94
     
ARTICLE ELEVEN
MISCELLANEOUS
94
Section 11.01
Trust Indenture Act Controls
94
Section 11.02
Notices.
94
Section 11.03
Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes
96
Section 11.04
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
96
Section 11.05
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
96
Section 11.06
Rules by Trustee and Agents
97
Section 11.07
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders
97
Section 11.08
Governing Law
97
Section 11.09
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
97
Section 11.10
Successors
97
Section 11.11
Severability
97
Section 11.12
Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
97
Section 11.13
Counterparts
98
Section 11.14
Benefits of Indenture
98
Section 11.15
Language of Notices, Etc.
98
Section 11.16
Patriot Act
98

 
iv

 

APPENDIX AND ANNEX
 
RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX
App.-1
   
EXHIBIT 1 Form of Initial Note
Exhibit 1 to App.-1
   
EXHIBIT 2 Form of Exchange Note
Exhibit 2 to App.-1
   
ANNEX A Form of Supplemental Indenture
A-1

 
v

 
 
This INDENTURE , dated as of March 22, 2011 is among EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Company ”), EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ” and, together with the Company, the “ Issuers ”), the guarantors listed on the signature page hereof (each, a “ Guarantor ” and, collectively, the “ Guarantors ”) and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).
 
The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Issuers’ Initial Notes, Exchange Notes and Additional Notes:
 
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
 
Section 1.01
Definitions.
 
Additional Assets ” means:
 
 
(1)
any assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business, other than Indebtedness or Capital Stock;
 
 
(2)
the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
 
 
(3)
Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;
 
provided, however , that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (2) or (3) is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.
 
Additional Interest ” means all Additional Interest then owing pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to in clause (1) of the definition of “Registration Rights Agreement” in the Appendix. Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to “interest” in this Indenture or the Notes shall be deemed to include any Additional Interest.
 
Additional Notes ” means, subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.09, 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 issued from time to time after the Initial Issuance Date under the terms of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.07, 2.09, 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 or 9.05 of this Indenture or Section 2.3 or 2.4 of the Appendix and other than Exchange Notes issued pursuant to an exchange offer for other Notes outstanding under this Indenture).
 
 
 

 
 
Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” of a specified Person means (without duplication), as of the date of determination:
 
 
(1)
the sum of:
 
 
(a)
discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal or other income taxes, as estimated by such Person in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the fiscal year of such Person for which audited financial statements are available, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenue from:
 
 
(i)
estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to acquisitions consummated since the date of such reserve report, which reserves were not reflected in such reserve report, and
 
 
(ii)
estimated crude oil and natural gas reserves of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved crude oil and natural gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, and in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines,
 
and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenue attributable to:
 
 
(A)
estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such reserve report, and
 
 
(B)
reductions in the estimated crude oil and natural gas reserves of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such reserve report since the date of such reserve report due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, and in the case of clauses (A) and (B) calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines;
 
 
(b)
the capitalized costs that are attributable to crude oil and natural gas properties of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved crude oil and natural gas reserves are attributable, based on such Person’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of such Person’s latest available annual or quarterly financial statements;
 
 
2

 
 
 
(c)
the Net Working Capital of such Person as of a date no earlier than the date of such Person’s latest available annual or quarterly financial statements; and
 
 
(d)
the greater of:
 
 
(i)
the net book value of other tangible assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the date of such Person’s latest available annual or quarterly financial statements, and
 
 
(ii)
the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the date of such Person’s latest available annual or quarterly financial statements ( provided that such Person shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed);
 
minus
 
 
(2)
the sum of:
 
 
(a)
Minority Interests;
 
 
(b)
to the extent not otherwise taken into account in determining Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, any net natural gas balancing liabilities of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such Person’s latest audited financial statements;
 
 
(c)
to the extent included in clause (1)(a) above, the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such Person’s year end reserve report), attributable to reserves subject to participation interests, overriding royalty interests or other interests of third parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties;
 
 
(d)
to the extent included in clause (1)(a) above, the discounted future net revenue calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such Person’s year end reserve report), attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto; and
 
 
3

 
 
 
(e)
the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in clause (1)(a) above, would be necessary to satisfy fully the obligations of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.
 
If the Company changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method to the full cost method or a similar method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” of the Company will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.
 
Affiliate ” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
 
Agent ” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.
 
Agent Members ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Applicable Law ,” except as the context may otherwise require, means all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs and orders of any court or governmental or congressional agency or authority and rules, regulations, orders, licenses and permits of any United States federal, state, municipal, regional, or other governmental body, instrumentality, agency or authority.
 
Applicable Procedures ” of a Depository means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of such Depository, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.
 
Asset Sale ” means:
 
 
(1)
the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any properties or assets (including by way of a Production Payment or a sale and leaseback transaction or mergers, consolidations or otherwise); provided, however , that the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will not be an “Asset Sale,” but will be governed by the provisions of Section 4.15 and/or the provisions of Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.10; and
 
 
4

 
 
 
(2)
the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by Applicable Law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company).
 
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed to be Asset Sales:
 
 
(1)
any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves properties or assets having a fair market value of less than $10.0 million;
 
 
(2)
a transfer of properties between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
 
(3)
an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;
 
 
(4)
any sale, lease or other disposition of equipment, inventory, products, accounts receivable or other properties or assets in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
(5)
the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents, Hedging Contracts or other financial instruments in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
(6)
a disposition of properties or assets that constitutes (or results in by virtue of the consideration received for such disposition) either a Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.07 or a Permitted Investment;
 
 
(7)
the farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped crude oil or natural gas properties owned or held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or in exchange for crude oil and natural gas properties owned or held by another Person;
 
 
(8)
an Asset Swap;
 
 
(9)
the creation or perfection of a Lien (but not, except to the extent contemplated in clause (10) below, the sale or other disposition of the properties or assets subject to such Lien);
 
 
(10)
the creation or perfection of a Permitted Lien and the exercise by any Person in whose favor a Permitted Lien is granted of any of its rights in respect of that Permitted Lien;
 
 
(11)
a surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
 
 
(12)
the grant in the ordinary course of business of any non-exclusive license or sublicense of patents, trademarks, registrations therefor and other similar intellectual property, including licenses of seismic data;
 
 
(13)
a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
5

 
 
 
(14)
the sale or transfer (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of crude oil and natural gas properties or direct or indirect interests in real property; provided that at the time of such sale or transfer such properties do not have associated with then any proved reserves; and
 
 
(15)
any Production Payments and Reserve Sales; provided that any such Production Payments and Reserve Sales, other than incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologist, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall have been created, incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, the property that is subject thereto.
 
Asset Swap ” means any substantially contemporaneous (and in any event occurring within 180 days of each other) purchase and sale or exchange of any assets or properties used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any cash received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof as if the Asset Swap were an Asset Sale.
 
Attributable Debt ” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net rental payments” under any lease for any period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder, excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of penalty, such net rental payment shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.
 
Available Cash ” for so long as the Company is a limited partnership, has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.  If the Company is an entity other than a limited partnership, Available Cash shall have the meaning set forth in the formation documents of such entity.
 
Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, United States Code, as may be amended from time to time, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
 
Beneficial Owner ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have correlative meanings.
 
 
6

 
 
Board of Directors ” means:
 
 
(1)
with respect to Finance Corp., the board of directors of the corporation;
 
 
(2)
with respect to the Company, the board of managers of the General Partner or any authorized committee thereof; provided that (i) so long as the General Partner is a limited partnership, the Board of Directors shall mean the board of directors or board,  managers or other body, or a committee thereof, of the general partner of the General Partner or other business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Company; and (ii) if the Company is not a limited partnership, Board of Directors means the board of directors, board of managers or other body, or committee thereof, of the Company or the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Company; and
 
 
(3)
with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
 
Board Resolution ” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.
 
Business Day ” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in Houston, Texas or in New York, New York or another place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.
 
Capital Lease Obligation ” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
 
Capital Stock ” means:
 
 
(1)
in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
 
 
(2)
in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
 
 
(3)
in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests, as applicable; and
 
 
(4)
any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person,
 
 
7

 
 
but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
 
Cash Equivalents ” means:
 
 
(1)
United States dollars;
 
 
(2)
securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;
 
 
(3)
marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;
 
 
(4)
certificates of deposit, demand deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million or that is a lender under the Credit Agreement;
 
 
(5)
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;
 
 
(6)
commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; and
 
 
(7)
money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition.
 
Change of Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:
 
 
(1)
the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets (including Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act);
 
 
(2)
the adoption by the unitholders of the Company of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company;
 
 
8

 
 
 
(3)
for so long as the Company is a limited partnership,
 
(a)           the removal of the General Partner by the limited partners of the Company; or
 
(b)           the consummation of any transaction (including without limitation, and merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), excluding the Qualifying Owners, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like; provided , however , that the Persons who, from time to time, own Equity Interests in the Qualifying Owners will not be deemed Beneficial Owners of the Voting Stock of the General Partner by reason of the ownership of such Equity Interests;
 
(4)           for so long as the Company is an entity other than a limited partnership, the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), excluding the Qualifying Owners, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, units or the like; or
 
(5) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.
 
Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity to a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Equity Interests in one form of entity for Equity Interests in another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity or its general partner, as applicable, to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity or its general partner, as applicable, and, in either case no “person” Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity or its general partner, as applicable.
 
Clearstream ” means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme , or any successor securities clearing agency.
 
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
 
Company Officer ” means any person who is authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company to execute documents binding on the Company, either directly or as an officer of a general partner, manager or other business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Company
 
 
9

 
 
Consolidated Cash Flow ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:
 
 
(1)
an amount equal to any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
 
(2)
provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
 
(3)
the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
 
(4)
depreciation, depletion and amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment, non-cash equity based compensation expense and other non-cash items (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment and other non-cash items were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
 
(5)
unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
 
 
(6)
so long as such Person uses successful efforts or a similar method of accounting, the exploration expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus
 
 
(7)
non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business; and minus
 
 
(8)
to the extent increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (a) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments;
 
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
 
10

 
 
Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that:
 
 
(1)
the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;
 
 
(2)
the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or members;
 
 
(3)
the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;
 
 
(4)
any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of such Person or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale or leaseback transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person will be excluded;
 
 
(5)
any asset impairment writedowns on oil and gas properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines will be excluded;
 
 
(6)
unrealized losses and gains under Hedging Contracts included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including those resulting from the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815, will be excluded;
 
 
(7)
to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income, any non-cash or other charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity will be excluded; and
 
 
(8)
income resulting from transfers of assets (other than cash) between such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person, on the other hand, will be excluded.
 
Consolidated Net Worth ” means, with respect to any specified Person as of any date, the sum of:
 
 
(1)
the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of, or the consolidated capital of the unitholders of, such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date; plus
 
 
11

 
 
 
(2)
the respective amounts reported on such Person’s balance sheet as of such date with respect to any series of preferred stock (other than Disqualified Stock) that by its terms is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends may be declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such Person upon issuance of such preferred stock.
 
Continuing Directors ” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:
 
 
(1)
was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this Indenture; or
 
 
(2)
was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or election.
 
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee ” means the office of the Trustee in the City of New York at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 100 Wall Street, Suite 1600, New York, New York 10005, Attn: Corporate Trust Department, or such other address in the City of New York as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers, or the principal corporate trust office in the City of New York of any successor Trustee (or such other address as a successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers).
 
Credit Agreement ” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2007, by and among the Operating Partnership, as borrower, the Company, as parent, the other subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other lenders party thereto, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to time.
 
Credit Facilities ” means one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or secured or unsecured capital market financings, in each case with banks or other institutional lenders or institutional investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables), letters of credit or other borrowings or capital markets financings, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including refinancing with any capital markets transaction) in whole or in part from time to time.
 
Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
date of this Indenture ” means March 22, 2011.
 
Default ” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
 
 
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De Minimis Guaranteed Amount ” means a principal amount of Indebtedness that does not exceed $5.0 million.
 
Depository ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Disqualified Stock ” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the final stated maturity date 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 (x) the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 or (y) the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company’s purchase of the Notes as is required to be purchased pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. The amount (or principal amount) of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.
 
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
 
Domestic Subsidiary ” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.
 
Equity Interests ” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
 
Equity Offering ” means any public or private sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made for cash on a primary basis by the Company after the date of this Indenture.
 
Euroclear ” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or any successor securities clearing agency.
 
Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
Exchange Notes ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
 
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Existing Indebtedness ” means the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and intercompany Indebtedness) in existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
 
The term “ fair market value ” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated wiling seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company in the case of transactions involving $25.0 million or more and otherwise by a Company Officer.
 
Fitch ” means Fitch Ratings, a unit of Fimalac, S.A., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
 
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio ” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “ Calculation Date ”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.  If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any interest Hedging Contract applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such interest Hedging Contract is less than 12 months, then such interest Hedging Contract shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof).  If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of such Person, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such option rate chosen by such Person.  Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a Eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as such Person may designate.
 
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:
 
 
(1)
acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business), or any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including in each case any related financing transactions and increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the applicable four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, and the Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated giving pro forma effect to any expense and cost reductions or synergies that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable judgment of a Company Officer who serves as principal financial or accounting officer (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC related thereto);
 
 
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(2)
the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;
 
 
(3)
the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;
 
 
(4)
any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person at all times during such four-quarter period;
 
 
(5)
any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary of the specified Person at any time during such four-quarter period; and
 
 
(6)
interest income reasonably anticipated by such Person to be received during the applicable four-quarter period from cash or Cash Equivalents held by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, which cash or Cash Equivalents exist on the Calculation Date or will exist as a result of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, will be included.
 
Fixed Charges ” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
 
 
(1)
the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding any interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments but including amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to interest rate Hedging Contracts; plus
 
 
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(2)
the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
 
 
(3)
any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
 
 
(4)
all dividends on any series of preferred securities of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
 
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
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, the opinions and pronouncements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and in the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the date of this Indenture.  All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP. At any time after the date of this Indenture, the Company may elect to apply IFRS accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references in this Indenture to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture); provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided, further, that any calculation or determination in the indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Company's election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Company shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee and the Holders of Notes.
 
General Partner ” means EV Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its permitted assigns as general partner of the general partner of the Company or as the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of the Company.
 
Global Note ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Government Securities ” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.
 
The term “ guarantee ” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness or entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part). When used as a verb, “guarantee” has a correlative meaning.
 
 
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Guarantors ” means each of (a) the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, other than Finance Corp., executing this Indenture as initial Guarantors, (b) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that executes a supplement to this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.13 or 10.02 hereof and (c) the respective successors and assigns of such Restricted Subsidiaries in each case until such time as any such Restricted Subsidiary shall be released and relieved of its obligations pursuant to Section 10.03 hereof.
 
Hedging Contracts ” means, with respect to any specified Person:
 
 
(1)
interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest rates, or to otherwise reduce the cost of borrowing of such Person or any of such Restricted Subsidiaries, with respect to Indebtedness incurred;
 
 
(2)
foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one or more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
 
 
(3)
any commodity futures contract, commodity swap, commodity option, commodity forward sale or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by that Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time; and
 
 
(4)
other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or currency exchange rates;
 
and in each case are entered into only in the normal course of business and not for speculative purposes.
 
Holder ” or “ Noteholder ” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
 
Hydrocarbons ” means crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.
 
Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
 
 
(1)
in respect of borrowed money;
 
 
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(2)
evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;
 
 
(3)
in respect of letters of credit issued for the account of such Person that support obligations that constitute Indebtedness ( provided that the amount of such letters of credit included in Indebtedness shall not exceed the amount of the Indebtedness being supported) and, without duplication, the unreimbursed amount of all drafts drawn under letters of credit issued for the account of such Person;
 
 
(4)
in respect of bankers’ acceptances;
 
 
(5)
representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;
 
 
(6)
representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
 
 
(7)
representing any obligations under Hedging Contracts,
 
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and obligations under Hedging Contracts) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person ( provided that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person), and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person (including, with respect to any Production Payment, any warranties or guarantees of production or payment by such Person with respect to such Production Payment, but excluding other contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such Production Payment).
 
Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute or be deemed “Indebtedness”:
 
 
(i)
any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness;
 
 
(ii)
any obligation of a Person in respect of a farm-in agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property;
 
 
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(iii)
any obligations arising from agreements of a Person providing for indemnification, guarantees, adjustment of purchase price, holdbacks, contingent payment obligations based on a final financial statement or performance of acquired or disposed of assets or similar obligations (other than guarantees of Indebtedness), in each case, incurred or assumed by such Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets (including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise);
 
 
(iv)
subject to the parenthetical at the end of the preceding sentence of this definition, any Dollar-Denominated Production Payments or Volumetric Production Payments;
 
 
(v)
any Disqualified Stock; and
 
 
(vi)
accounts payable or other obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to trade creditors created or assumed by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in connection with the obtaining of goods or services.
 
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
 
 
(1)
the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
 
 
(2)
in the case of obligations under any Hedging Contracts, the termination value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligations that would be payable by such Person at such date; and
 
 
(3)
the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
 
Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
 
Initial Issuance Date ” means March 22, 2011.
 
Initial Notes ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Initial Purchasers ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Investment Grade Rating ” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or if either Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Issuers’ control, the equivalent investment grade rating from Fitch.
 
 
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Investments ” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans, advances or extensions of credit (including guarantees or similar arrangements, but excluding (1) commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and (2) advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender), or capital contributions or purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities (excluding any interest in a crude oil or natural gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law), together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment made by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person on the date of any such acquisition in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.
 
Joint Venture ” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes any Investment (other than an Investment constituting Cash Equivalents).
 
Lien ” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under Applicable Law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security agreement.
 
Make Whole Premium ” means, with respect to a Note at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) the present value at such time of (i) the redemption price of such Note at April 15, 2015 pursuant to Section 3.07(a) plus (ii) any required interest payments due on such Note through April 15, 2015 (except for currently accrued and unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate at such time plus 50 basis points, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months), over (b) the principal amount of such Note.
 
 
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Minority Interest ” means the percentage interest represented by any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are not owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
 
Moody’s ” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
 
Net Income ” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:
 
 
(1)
any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person; and
 
 
(2)
any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring item of gain (or loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring item of gain (or loss).
 
Net Proceeds ” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:
 
 
(1)
the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, title and recording tax expenses and sales commissions, severance costs, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale,
 
 
(2)
taxes paid or payable or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements,
 
 
(3)
amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the properties or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale,
 
 
(4)
all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale, and
 
 
(5)
any amounts to be set aside in any reserve established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such properties or assets or for liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.
 
 
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Net Working Capital ” means, with respect to any specified Person, (a) all current assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of business, less (b) all current liabilities of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except (i) current liabilities included in Indebtedness, (ii) current liabilities associated with asset retirement obligations relating to oil and gas properties, and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of business in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to Financial Standards Accounting Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 815).
 
Non-Recourse Debt ” means Indebtedness:
 
 
(1)
as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) is the lender;
 
 
(2)
no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and
 
 
(3)
as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of the Company or any if its Restricted Subsidiaries except as contemplated by clause (9) of the definition of Permitted Liens.
 
For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09, in the event that any Non-Recourse Debt of any of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
 
Notes ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Notes Custodian ” has the meaning specified in the Appendix.
 
Obligations ” means any principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization, whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages, guarantees, and other liabilities or amounts payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereto.
 
Offering Memorandum ” means the offering memorandum of the Issuers dated March 17, 2011 relating to the offering of the Initial Notes.
 
 
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Officer ” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of such Person.
 
Officers’ Certificate ” means a certificate signed on behalf of each of the Company and Finance Corp. by two of its Officers, one of whom, in the case of any Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.04, must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or Finance Corp., as the case may be, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.
 
Oil and Gas Business ” means:
 
 
(1)
the acquisition, exploration, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other Hydrocarbon properties;
 
 
(2)
the gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, distribution, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties;
 
 
(3)
any business relating to exploration for or development, production, treatment, processing, storage, transportation or marketing of oil, gas and other minerals and products produced in association therewith;
 
 
(4)
any other business that generates gross income that constitutes “qualifying income” under Section 7704(d) of the Code; and
 
 
(5)
any activity that is ancillary, complementary or incidental to or necessary or appropriate for the activities described in clauses (1) through (4) of this definition.
 
Omnibus Agreement means the Omnibus Agreement, dated September 29, 2006, by and among EnerVest, Ltd., EV Management, L.L.C., EV Energy GP, L.P., EV Energy Partners, L.P., as amended through, as in effect on, the date of this Indenture.
 
Operating Partnership ” means EV Energy Operating, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and any successor thereto.
 
Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.
 
Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of EV Energy Partners, L.P., dated as of September 29, 2006, as in effect on the date of this Indenture.
 
Pari Passu Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any Excess Proceeds from Asset Sales, Indebtedness of an Issuer or any Guarantor that ranks equally in right of payment with the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be, and the terms of which require the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to apply such Excess Proceeds to offer to repurchase such Indebtedness.
 
 
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Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness ” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of any other Person existing at the time (a) such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (b) such Person was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the date such Person was merged or consolidated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, either
 
 
(1)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09,
 
 
(2)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction, or
 
 
(3)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company would be greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction.
 
Permitted Business Investments ” means Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business, including investments or expenditures for actively exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting Hydrocarbons through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risk or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:
 
 
(1)
direct or indirect ownership of crude oil, natural gas, other restricted Hydrocarbon properties or any interest therein, gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems, or ancillary real property interests and interests therein; and
 
 
(2)
the entry into operating agreements, joint ventures, processing agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, production sharing agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of crude oil and natural gas and related Hydrocarbons and minerals, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in each case made or entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, excluding, however, Investments in corporations and publicly-traded limited partnerships or limited liability companies.
 
 
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Permitted Investments ” means:
 
 
(1)
any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (including through the purchase of Notes);
 
 
(2)
any Investment in cash and Cash Equivalents;
 
 
(3)
any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
 
 
(a)
such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
 
 
(b)
such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its properties or assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
 
 
(4)
any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 including pursuant to clause (7) or (8) of the items deemed not to be Asset Sales under the definition of “Asset Sale;”
 
 
(5)
any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
 
 
(6)
any Investments received in compromise or resolution of, or upon satisfaction of judgments with respect to, (a) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer, or (b) litigation, arbitration or other disputes (including pursuant to any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings) with Persons who are not Affiliates;
 
 
(7)
Hedging Contracts;
 
 
(8)
guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09;
 
 
(9)
guarantees by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
(10)
Permitted Business Investments;
 
 
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(11)
Investments that are in existence on the date of this Indenture;
 
 
(12)
Investments in any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits made in the ordinary course of business by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
 
(13)
guarantees of performance or other obligations (other than Indebtedness) arising in the ordinary course in the Oil and Gas Business, including obligations under oil and natural gas exploration, development, joint operating and related agreements and licenses or concessions related to the Oil and Gas Business;
 
 
(14)
loans or advances to officers, directors or employees made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary and otherwise in compliance with Section 4.11 of this Indenture;
 
 
(15)
Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the date of this Indenture or of any entity merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 5.01 of this Indenture, the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;
 
 
(16)
Investments received as a result of a foreclosure by, or other transfer of title to, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default; and
 
 
(17)
other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (17) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 4.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined at the time of such Investment;
 
provided, however , that with respect to any Investment, the Company may, in its sole discretion, allocate all or any portion of any Investment and later re-allocate all or any portion of any Investment to one or more of the above clauses (1) through (17) so that the entire Investment would be a Permitted Investment.
 
Permitted Liens ” means:
 
 
(1)
Liens securing any Indebtedness under any of the Credit Facilities;
 
 
(2)
Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;
 
 
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(3)
Liens on property (including Capital Stock) of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;
 
 
(4)
Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
 
 
(5)
any interest or title of a lessor to the property subject to a Capital Lease Obligation;
 
 
(6)
Liens on any asset or property acquired, constructed or improved by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (a) such Liens are in favor of the seller of such asset or property, in favor of the Person or Persons developing, constructing, repairing or improving such asset or property, or in favor of the Person or Persons that provided the funding for the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property, (b) such Liens are created within 360 days after the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement, (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the greater of (i) the cost of the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved plus related financing costs and (ii) the fair market value of the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved, measured at the date of such acquisition, or the date of completion of such construction or improvement, and (d) such Liens are limited to the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved (including the proceeds thereof, accessions thereto, upgrades thereof and improvements thereto);
 
 
(7)
Liens existing on the date of this Indenture other than Liens securing the Credit Facilities;
 
 
(8)
Liens to secure the performance of tenders, bids, statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
(9)
Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture;
 
 
(10)
Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;
 
 
(11)
Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;
 
 
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(12)
Liens arising under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of crude oil and natural gas and related Hydrocarbons and minerals, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business;
 
 
(13)
Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases;
 
 
(14)
Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or receivables securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted by Section 4.09;
 
 
(15)
Liens securing Obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, as the case may be, and Liens securing other obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under this Indenture;
 
 
(16)
Liens to secure payment and performance of Hedging Contracts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
 
(17)
Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
 
 
(18)
landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or like Liens arising by contract or statute in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
 
 
(19)
pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (A) in connection with leases, tenders, bids, statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, government contracts, performance bonds and similar obligations, or (B) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security or similar legislation;
 
 
(20)
any attachment or judgment Lien that does not constitute an Event of Default;
 
 
(21)
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 that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness 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 Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
 
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(22)
Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained or deposited with a depositary institution; provided that (A) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board and (B) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depositary institution;
 
 
(23)
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;
 
 
(24)
leases or subleases granted to others that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
 
 
(25)
Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, provided, however , that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of such Indebtedness;
 
 
(26)
Liens arising from the deposit of funds or securities in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing Indebtedness so long as such deposit of funds or securities and such decreasing or defeasing of Indebtedness are permitted under Section 4.07 of this Indenture;
 
 
(27)
Liens (other than Liens securing Indebtedness) on, or related to, assets to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business for the exploration, drilling, development, production, processing, transportation, marketing, storage or operation thereof;
 
 
(28)
Liens arising from royalties, overriding royalties, revenue interests, net revenue interests, net profit interests, reversionary interests, production payments, preferential rights of purchase, working interests and other similar interests, all as ordinarily exist with respect to properties and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries or otherwise as are customary in the Oil and Gas Business;
 
 
(29)
Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness then outstanding and secured by any Liens incurred pursuant to this clause (29) does not exceed the amount set forth in clause (17) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 of this Indenture; and
 
 
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(30)
Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured, provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property or assets that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder.
 
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness ” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any Disqualified Stock of the Company incurred or issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease, discharge, refund or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or any Disqualified Stock of the Company; provided that:
 
 
(1)
the principal amount, or in the case of Disqualified Stock, the amount thereof as determined in accordance with the definition of Disqualified Stock, of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness or amount of the Disqualified Stock being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or retired (plus all accrued and unpaid interest on the Indebtedness or accrued and unpaid dividends on the Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, and the amount of all fees, expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith);
 
 
(2)
such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or retired;
 
 
(3)
if the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or retired is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or retired; and
 
 
(4)
such Indebtedness is not incurred (other than by way of a guarantee) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp.) if the Company is the issuer or other primary obligor on the Indebtedness being exchanged, extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, discharged, refunded or retired.
 
 
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities shall be subject to the refinancing provision of the definition of Credit Facilities and not pursuant to the requirements set forth in this definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
 
Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
 
Production Payments ” means, collectively, Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments.
 
Production Payments and Reserve Sales ” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated), partnership or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the oil and gas business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.
 
Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
QIB ” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
 
Qualifying Owners ” means EnerVest, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, its successors, and their respective Subsidiaries.
 
Registered Exchange Offer ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Registration Rights Agreement ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Regulation S ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Reporting Default ” means a Default described in Section 6.01(d).
 
Responsible Officer ,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
 
Restricted Global Note ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Restricted Investment ” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
 
Restricted Notes Legend ” means the legend set forth in Section 2.3(b)(i) of the Appendix.
 
 
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Restricted Subsidiary ” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Finance Corp. shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
 
Rule 144A ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
S&P ” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
 
SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Senior Debt ” means
 
 
(1)
all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and all obligations under Hedging Contracts with respect thereto;
 
 
(2)
any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and
 
 
(3)
all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:
 
 
(a)
any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates; or
 
 
(b)
any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture.
 
For the avoidance of doubt, “Senior Debt” will not include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Significant Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.
 
Stated Maturity ” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
 
 
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Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person:
 
 
(1)
any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
 
 
(2)
any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there is more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only managing general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.
 
Subsidiary Guarantee ” means any guarantee pursuant to Article 10 hereof by a Guarantor of the Obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Notes.
 
TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) and the rules and regulations thereunder, as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA (except as provided in Sections 9.01(i) and 9.03 hereof).
 
Transfer Restricted Securities ” has the meaning provided in the Appendix.
 
Treasury Rate ” means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2015; provided, however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Company shall obtain the Treasury Rate 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 April 15, 2015 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. The Company will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Make Whole Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.
 
Trustee ” means the party named as such in the introductory paragraph hereto until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
 
 
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Uniform Commercial Code ” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.
 
Unrestricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp.) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
 
 
(1)
has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt owing to any Person other than the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
 
(2)
is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
 
 
(3)
is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
 
 
(4)
has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall also be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09, the Company will be in default of such covenant.
 
Volumetric Production Payments ” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all related undertakings and obligations.
 
Voting Stock ” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person; provided that with respect to a limited partnership or other entity which does not have a Board of Directors, Voting Stock means the Capital Stock of the general partner of such limited partnership or other business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operation of such Person.
 
 
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Weighted Average Life to Maturity ” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
 
 
(1)
the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity or redemption, in respect of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
 
 
(2)
the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock.
 
Section 1.02
Other Definitions.
 
Term
 
Defined in Section
Act
 
9.07
Affiliate Transaction
 
4.11
Appendix
 
2.01
Asset Sale Offer
 
3.09
Change of Control Offer
 
4.15
Change of Control Payment
 
4.15
Change of Control Settlement Date
 
4.15
Covenant Defeasance
 
8.03
Discharge
 
8.08
Event of Default
 
6.01
Excess Proceeds
 
4.10
Incremental Funds
 
4.07
incur
 
4.09
Legal Defeasance
 
8.02
Offer Amount
 
3.09
Offer Period
 
3.09
Paying Agent
 
2.03
Payment Default
 
6.01
Permitted Debt
 
4.09
Register
 
2.03
Registrar
 
2.03
Restricted Payments
 
4.07
Settlement Date
 
3.09
Termination Date
 
3.09
Trailing Four Quarters
 
4.07

Section 1.03
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
 
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. Any terms incorporated in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
 
 
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Section 1.04
Rules of Construction.
 
Unless the context otherwise requires:
 
 
(1)
a term has the meaning assigned to it;
 
 
(2)
an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
 
 
(3)
“or” is not exclusive;
 
 
(4)
words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
 
 
(5)
the meanings of the words “will” and “shall” are the same when used to express an obligation;
 
 
(6)
references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;
 
 
(7)
“herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole (as amended or supplemented from time to time) and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision of this Indenture; and
 
 
(8)
“including” means “including, without limitation.”
 
ARTICLE TWO
THE NOTES
 
Section 2.01
Form and Dating.
 
Provisions relating to the Initial Notes and the Exchange Notes are set forth in the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix attached hereto (the “ Appendix ”) which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication therefor shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to the Appendix which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Exchange Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication therefor shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 2 to the Appendix, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which an Issuer is subject, if any, or usage ( provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in the Appendix are part of the terms of this Indenture.
 
 
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Section 2.02
Execution and Authentication.
 
An Officer of each Issuer shall sign the Notes on behalf of such Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.
 
If an Officer of either Issuer 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.
 
A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
 
On the Initial Issuance Date, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuers, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $300,000,000 of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in a written order of the Issuers. Such order shall specify the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and to whom the Notes shall be registered and delivered and, in the case of an issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.13 after the Initial Issuance Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09.
 
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate the Notes. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
 
Section 2.03
Registrar and Paying Agent.
 
The Issuers shall at all times maintain an office or agency in the United States where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”) and an office or agency in New York, New York 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 “ Register ”). The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.
 
The Issuers shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. 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 Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
 
The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Notes at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
 
 
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Section 2.04
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
 
Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on each due date of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any Note, an Issuer shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest when so becoming due. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that 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, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. 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 complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
 
Section 2.05
Noteholder Lists.
 
The Trustee 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 to the Trustee in writing, at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Noteholders.
 
Section 2.06
Transfer and Exchange.
 
The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer. When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture and Section 8-401(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. The Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any exchange or transfer pursuant to this Section (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Section 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 or 9.05).
 
Section 2.07
Replacement Notes.
 
If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. 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 to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar from any loss 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. In the event any such Note shall have matured, instead of issuing a new Note, the Company may direct the Trustee to pay the same without surrender thereof upon the Holder furnishing the Issuers and the Trustee with indemnity satisfactory to them and complying with such other reasonable regulations as the Trustee may prescribe and paying such reasonable expenses as the Issuers and the Trustee may incur in connection therewith.
 
 
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Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Issuers.
 
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 and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as otherwise provided in TIA § 316(a), a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
 
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee, any provider of an indemnity bond and the Issuers receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.
 
If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, by 11:00 a.m. New York time, on a redemption date or other maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, 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) shall cease to be outstanding and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on them shall cease 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 definitive Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes.
 
Section 2.10
Cancellation.
 
An Issuer 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, replacement or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, replacement, payment or cancellation. Upon written request, the Trustee will deliver a certificate of such cancellation to the Issuers unless the Issuers direct the Trustee to deliver canceled Notes to the Issuers instead. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes they have paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
 
 
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Section 2.11
Defaulted Interest.
 
If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Issuers shall pay 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 to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each 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 Numbers.
 
The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs” (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers and corresponding “ISINs” in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however , that 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.
 
Section 2.13
Issuance of Additional Notes.
 
The Issuers shall be entitled, subject to their compliance with Section 4.09, to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price, the date from which interest begins to accrue and the initial interest payment date. The Initial Notes, any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, consents, directions, declarations, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
 
With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuers shall set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:
 
 
(1)
the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;
 
 
(2)
the issue price, the issue date (and the corresponding date from which interest shall accrue thereon and the first interest payment date therefor) and the CUSIP number and any corresponding ISIN of such Additional Notes; provided, however , that any issuance of Additional Notes (i) is treated as part of the same issue as the Initial Notes within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.1275-1(f), (ii) is a qualified reopening of the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.1275-2(k), or (iii) is otherwise fungible with such Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), so that such Additional Notes will trade as part of a single class with such Initial Notes; and
 
 
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(3)
whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Securities and issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit 1 to the Appendix or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit 2 to the Appendix.
 
ARTICLE THREE
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
 
Section 3.01
Notices to Trustee.
 
If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days (unless a shorter period shall be agreeable to the Trustee) before the date of giving notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, a written notice setting forth (i) the clause of Section 3.07 pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the proposed redemption date, (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed, and (iv) whether the Issuers request that the Trustee give notice of such redemption.  Any such notice to the Trustee may be cancelled at any time prior to the mailing of notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.
 
Section 3.02
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
 
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes as follows: (1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or (2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis (or, in the case of Global Notes, the Trustee shall select Notes for redemption based on DTC’s method that most nearly approximates a pro rata selection).  In the event of partial redemption other than on a pro rata basis, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, not less than five (5) Business Days (unless a shorter period shall be agreeable to the Trustee) prior to the giving of notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.
 
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not $2,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.
 
The provisions of the next preceding paragraph of this Section 3.02 shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a Global Note, whether such Global Note is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Global Note shall be in an authorized denomination.
 
 
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Section 3.03
Notice of Redemption.
 
At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date (except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge), the Issuers shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
 
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
 
 (a)           the redemption date;
 
 (b)           the redemption price or, if the redemption price is not then determinable, the manner in which it is to be determined;
 
 (c)           if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued in the name of the applicable Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;
 
 (d)           the name and address of the Paying Agent;
 
 (e)           that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
 
 (f)           that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the redemption date and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Notes is to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Notes redeemed;
 
 (g)           the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
 
 (h)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
 
If any of the Notes to be redeemed is in the form of a Global Note, then the Issuers shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to redemption.
 
At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of optional redemption in the Issuers’ names and at their expense; provided , however , that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, as provided in Section 3.01, written notice requesting that the Trustee give such notice and a form of such notice of optional redemption.
 
 
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Section 3.04
Effect of Notice of Redemption.
 
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, subject to the following sentence, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the applicable redemption date at the applicable redemption price. Notice of any redemption, including upon an Equity Offering, may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including completion of the related Equity Offering. If mailed in the manner provided for in Section 3.03, the notice of redemption shall be conclusively presumed to have been given whether or not a Holder receives such notice.
 
Section 3.05
Deposit of Redemption Price.
 
Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary thereof is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.04 hereof) money sufficient in same day funds to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Paying Agent by an Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed.
 
If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest and Additional Interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption whether or not such Notes are presented for payment, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Notes shall be to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Notes redeemed. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of an Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal and premium, if any, from the redemption date until such amount is paid, and to the extent lawful, on any interest and Additional Interest, if any, not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
 
Section 3.06
Notes Redeemed in Part.
 
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall issue in the name of the applicable Holder and the Trustee shall authenticate for such Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
 
Section 3.07
Optional Redemption.
 
(a)           Except as set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 3.07, the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.07 prior to April 15, 2015. On or after April 15, 2015, the Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part at any time, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:
 
 
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YEAR
 
PERCENTAGE
 
2015
    104.0 %
2016
    102.0 %
2017 and thereafter
    100.0 %

(b)            Notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) of this Section 3.07, at any time prior to April 15, 2014, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 108.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, provided that, with respect to each such redemption:
 
  (i)           at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding any Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
 
  (ii)          such redemption occurs within 180 days after the date of the closing of the related Equity Offering.
 
(c)            Prior to April 15, 2015, the Issuers may redeem on one or more occasions all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of:
 
  (i)           100% of the principal amount thereof, plus
 
  (ii)          the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date, plus
 
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
 
(d)            The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in the last paragraph of Section 4.15 hereof.
 
(e)            Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through Section 3.06 hereof.
 
 
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Section 3.08
Mandatory Redemption.
 
Except as set forth under Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof, neither of the Issuers shall be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes or to repurchase the Notes at the option of the Holders.
 
Section 3.09
Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.
 
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “ Asset Sale Offer ”), it shall follow the procedures specified below.
 
The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by Applicable Law (the “ Offer Period ”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “ Settlement Date ”), the Company shall purchase and pay for the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (the “ Offer Amount ”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn), all Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the manner prescribed in the Notes.
 
Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
 
 (a)            that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open, including the time and date the Asset Sale Offer will terminate (the “ Termination Date ”);
 
 (b)            the Offer Amount and the purchase price;
 
 (c)            that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;
 
 (d)            that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Settlement Date;
 
 (e)            that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, together with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed and such customary documents as the Company may reasonably request, to the Company or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice, before the Termination Date;
 
 (f)            that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, prior to the Termination Date, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
 
 
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 (g)            that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders, and Pari Passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount the Company is required to repurchase, the Trustee shall select the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, shall be purchased); and
 
 (h)            that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
 
If any of the Notes subject to an Asset Sale Offer is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to repurchases.
 
Promptly after the Termination Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment Notes or portions thereof validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer in the aggregate principal amount required by Section 4.10 hereof, and prior to the Settlement Date it shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10.
 
Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Settlement Date, the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the Settlement Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due or on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Settlement Date, and the Company shall issue a new Note, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or before the Settlement Date.
 
ARTICLE FOUR
COVENANTS
 
Section 4.01
Payment of Notes.
 
The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes.  Principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the due date money deposited by an Issuer or a Guarantor in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, then due.
 
 
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The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Notes to the extent lawful; and they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace period), at the same rate to the extent lawful.
 
The Company shall notify the Trustee of the amounts and payment dates of any Additional Interest that may become payable under any Registration Rights Agreement.
 
Section 4.02
Maintenance of Office or Agency.
 
The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee) in New York, New York where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, and they shall maintain an office or agency in the United States (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
 
The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. Further, if at any time there shall be no such office or agency in the City of New York where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, the Issuers shall forthwith designate and maintain such an office or agency in the City of New York, in order that the Notes shall at all times be payable in the City of New York. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
 
The Issuers hereby designate the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.
 
Section 4.03
Reports.
 
 (a)           Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will file with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing, in which case the Company will furnish to the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations, and upon its prior request, to any Holder of Notes):
 
 
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  (i)           all quarterly and annual financial information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report thereon by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and
 
  (ii)          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.
 
The Company shall at all times comply with TIA § 314(a).
 
 (b)           For as long as the Notes remain outstanding, if at any time the Company is not filing the reports required by this Section 4.03 with the SEC, the Company shall furnish to the Holders of the Notes, and to securities analysts and prospective investors in the Notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
 
 (c)           If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then, to the extent material, the quarterly and annual financial information required by paragraph (a) of this Section 4.03 shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes to the financial statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
 
 (d)           The availability of the information or reports required by paragraph (a) of this Section 4.03 on the website of the SEC shall be deemed to satisfy all requirements hereunder to deliver them to any Person.
 
Section 4.04
Compliance Certificate.
 
 (a)           The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending on or after December 31, 2011, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto).
 
 
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 (b)           The Issuers shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Company Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, written notice specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
 
Section 4.05
Taxes.
 
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
 
Section 4.06
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
 
Each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each Issuer (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, 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 has been enacted.
 
Section 4.07
Limitation on Restricted Payments.
 
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
 
(1)           declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
 
(2)           repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
 
(3)           make any principal payment on or with respect to, or repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee (excluding (a) any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees acquired in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or other acquisition, and (c) any payment of principal or interest at the Stated Maturity thereof); or
 
 
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(4)           make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “ Restricted Payments ”),
 
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment and either:
 
(I)           if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (the “ Trailing Four Quarters ”) is not less than 2.25 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), (9) and (11) of the next succeeding paragraph) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
 
 (a)           Available Cash with respect to the Company’s preceding fiscal quarter, plus
 
 (b)           100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and the fair market value of any Capital Stock of Persons engaged primarily in the Oil and Gas Business or any other assets that are used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business, in each case received by the Company after the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), plus
 
 (c)           to the extent that any Restricted Investment made after the date of the Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any), plus
 
 (d)           the net reduction in Restricted Investments resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets in each case to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person (including without limitation, Unrestricted Subsidiaries) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries,
 
in each case to the extent such amounts have not been included in Available Cash for any period commencing on or after the date of this Indenture (items (b), (c) and (d) being referred to as “ Incremental Funds ”), minus
 
 (e)           the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds previously expended pursuant to this clause (I) and clause (II) below; or
 
 
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(II)           if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Trailing Four Quarters is less than 2.25 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), (9) and (11) of the next succeeding paragraph) with respect to the quarter for which such Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (II) meaning only distributions on units of the Company plus the related distributions to the General Partner), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
 
  (a)           $120.0 million less the aggregate amount of all prior Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (II)(a) since the date of this Indenture, plus
 
  (b)           Incremental Funds to the extent not previously expended pursuant to this clause (II) or clause (I) above.
 
The preceding provisions will not prohibit:
 
(1)           the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
 
(2)           the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent (a) contribution (other than from a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) to the equity capital of the Company or (b) sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), with a sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value occurs not more than 120 days after such sale; provided , however , that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of Available Cash and Incremental Funds;
 
(3)           the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
 
(4)           the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
 
(5)           so long as no Default (other than a Reporting Default) or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused thereby, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to any director or employee equity subscription agreement or equity option agreement or other employee benefit plan or to satisfy obligations under any Equity Interests appreciation rights or option plan or similar arrangement; provided , however , that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $5.0 million in any calendar year (with any portion of such $5.0 million amount that is unused in any calendar year to be carried forward to successive calendar years and added to such amount) plus, to the extent not previously applied or included,
 
 
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 (a)           the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from sales of Equity Interests of the Company to employees or directors of the Company or its Affiliates that occur after the date of this Indenture (to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clauses (I)(b) or (II)(b) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.07); and
 
 (b)           the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture;
 
(6)           repurchases of Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee at a purchase price not greater than (i) 101% of the principal amount of such subordinated Indebtedness in the event of a Change of Control or (ii) 100% of the principal amount of such subordinated Indebtedness in the event of an Asset Sale, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, in connection with any change of control offer or asset sale offer required by the terms of such Indebtedness, but only if:
 
 (a)           in the case of a Change of Control, the Company has first complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 4.15; or
 
 (b)           in the case of an Asset Sale, the Company has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations in accordance with Section 4.10;
 
(7)           the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company representing fractional shares of such Equity Interests in connection with a merger or consolidation involving the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or any other transaction permitted by this Indenture;
 
(8)           repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise or conversion of unit options, restricted units, phantom units, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other derivative securities if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise, exchange or conversion price thereof;
 
(9)           the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or former officers, directors or employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with the exercise or vesting of any equity compensation (including, without limitation, unit options, restricted units, phantom units, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other derivative securities) in order to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to such exercise or vesting;
 
(10)         any payments in connection with a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets in connection with a transaction that is not prohibited by the indenture not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate after the date of this Indenture; or
 
 
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(11)         so long as no Default (other than a Reporting Default) or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused thereby, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5.0 million since the date of this Indenture.
 
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair market value, on the date of the Restricted Payment, of the Restricted Investment proposed to be made or the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any Restricted Investment, assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant will be determined in accordance with the definition of that term.  For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, (x) in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in the preceding clauses (1)-(11), the Company will be permitted to divide or classify (or later divide, classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07; and (y) in the event a Restricted Payment is made pursuant to clause (I) or (II) of the second preceding paragraph, the Company will be permitted to classify whether all or any portion thereof is being (and in the absence of such classification shall be deemed to have classified the minimum amount possible as having been) made with Incremental Funds.
 
Section 4.08
Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.
 
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to:
 
(1)           pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(2)           make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
 
(3)           sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
However, the preceding restrictions of this Section 4.08 will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
 
(1)           agreements (including in respect of any Credit Facilities) as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements (or the agreements referred to in this clause (1)), or the Indebtedness to which those agreements (or the agreements referred to in this clause (1)) relate, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend, distribution and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its reasonable and good faith judgment;
 
(2)           this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;
 
 
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(3)           Applicable Law;
 
(4)           any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
 
(5)           instruments governing other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred pursuant to an agreement entered into subsequent to the date of this Indenture in accordance with Section 4.09; provided that the provisions relating to such encumbrance or restriction contained in such instruments are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the provisions contained in the Credit Agreement and in this Indenture as in effect on the date of this Indenture, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its reasonable and good faith judgment;
 
(6)           customary non-assignment provisions in Hydrocarbon purchase and sale or exchange agreements or similar operational agreements or in licenses or leases, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
(7)           Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
 
(8)           any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
 
(9)           Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its reasonable and good faith judgment;
 
(10)         Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
 
(11)         provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in Joint Venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into (a) in the ordinary course of business, or (b) with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitations are applicable only to the assets or property that are the subject of such agreements;
 
 
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(12)         any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets acquired after the date of this Indenture, so long as such encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or assets so acquired and is not and was not created in anticipation of such acquisition;
 
(13)         restrictions on cash, Cash Equivalents or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers or lessors under contracts or leases entered into in the ordinary course of business;
 
(14)         customary encumbrances and restrictions contained in agreements of the types described in the definition of “Permitted Business Investments”;
 
(15)         Hedging Contracts permitted from time to time under this Indenture;
 
(16)         the issuance of preferred securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the payment of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms thereof; provided that issuance of such preferred securities is permitted pursuant to Section 4.09 and the terms of such preferred securities do not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Equity Interests (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such preferred securities prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Equity Interests); and
 
(17)         any Permitted Investment.
 
Section 4.09
Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
 
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “ incur ”) any Indebtedness, the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock, and the Company will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any preferred securities; provided , however , that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness, the Company may issue Disqualified Stock or a Guarantor may issue preferred securities, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred securities are issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.25 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or Disqualified Stock or preferred securities had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
 
The first paragraph of this Section 4.09 will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness or the issuance of any Disqualified Stock described in clause (5) or (12) or any preferred securities described in clause (11) below (collectively, “ Permitted Debt ”):
 
(1)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness (including letters of credit) under one or more Credit Facilities, provided that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries thereunder) and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (a) $1.3 billion and (b) $900.0 million plus an amount equal to 35.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;
 
 
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(2)           the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
 
(3)           the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by (a) the Notes issued and sold on the Initial Issuance Date and the related Subsidiary Guarantees and (b) the Exchange Notes and the related Subsidiary Guarantees to be issued pursuant to any Registration Rights Agreement;
 
(4)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and related financing costs, and Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), provided that after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4) and then outstanding does not exceed $25.0 million;
 
(5)           the incurrence or issuance by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease, discharge, refund or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or Disqualified Stock of the Company, in each case that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred or issued under this Indenture (including Indebtedness previously incurred or Disqualified Stock previously issued pursuant to this clause (5));
 
(6)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among any of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that:
 
 (a)           if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and a Guarantor is not the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes, or if a Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and neither the Company nor another Guarantor is the obligee, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor; and
 
 (b)           (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is neither the Company nor a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence (as of the date of such issuance, sale or transfer) of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);
 
 
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(7)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations under Hedging Contracts;
 
(8)           the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;
 
(9)           the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations relating to net Hydrocarbon balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;
 
(10)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance, surety and similar bonds issued for the account of the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees and obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such obligations (in each case other than an obligation for money borrowed);
 
(11)         the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any preferred securities; provided, however , that:
 
 (a)           any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred securities being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and
 
 (b)           any sale or other transfer of any such preferred securities to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance (as of the date of such issuance, sale or transfer) of such preferred securities by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (11);
 
(12)         the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;
 
(13)         the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;
 
(14)         the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(15)         the incurrence by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness (other than for money borrowed) in respect of bid, performance, surety, plugging and abandonment or similar bonds issued for the account of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
 
 
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(16)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn outs, or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary in a transaction permitted by this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness incurred or assumed by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
 
(17)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of liability in respect of Indebtedness of any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Joint Venture but only to the extent that such liability is the result of the Company’s or any such Restricted Subsidiary’s being a general partner or member of, or owner of an Equity Interest in, such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture and not as guarantor of such Indebtedness and provided that after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (17) and then outstanding does not exceed $25.0 million; and
 
(18)         the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness or the issuance by the Company of additional Disqualified Stock, provided that, after giving effect to any such incurrence or issuance, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock incurred or issued under this clause (18) and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (a) $50.0 million and (b) 1.0% of the Company’s Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of such incurrence or issuance.
 
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (18) above, or is entitled to be incurred or issued pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.09, the Company will be permitted to divide and classify (or later classify, reclassify or re-divide in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Any Indebtedness under Credit Facilities on the date of this Indenture shall be considered incurred under the first paragraph of this Section 4.09. For purposes of determining any particular amount of Indebtedness under this covenant, (i) guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness otherwise included in the determination of such amount shall not also be included and (ii) if obligations in respect of letters of credit are incurred pursuant to a Credit Facility and are being treated as incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and the letters of credit relate to other Indebtedness, then such other Indebtedness shall not be included.
 
The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock or preferred securities in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock or preferred securities will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock or preferred securities for purposes of this Section 4.09, provided , in each such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.  Further, the accounting reclassification of any obligation of the Company or any of its Restricted subsidiaries as Indebtedness will not be deemed an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 4.09.
 
 
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Section 4.10
Limitation on Asset Sales.
 
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
 
(1)           the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or any Person assuming responsibilities for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
 
(2)           at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset Sale is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
 
 (a)           any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or such Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Subsidiary from further liability;
 
 (b)           any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are, within 180 days after the Asset Sale, converted by the Company or such Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and
 
 (c)           accounts receivable of a business retained by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, following the sale of such business, provided that such accounts receivable (i) are not past due more than 90 days and (ii) do not have a payment date greater than 120 days from the date of the invoices creating such accounts receivable.
 
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary) may apply those Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:
 
(I)            to prepay, repay, redeem or repurchase Senior Debt;
 
(II)          to invest in or acquire Additional Assets; or
 
(III)         to make capital expenditures in respect of the Company’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Business.
 
 
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The requirement of clause (II) or (III) of the preceding paragraph shall be deemed to be satisfied if a bona fide binding contract committing to make the investment, acquisition or expenditure referred to therein is entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Company within the time period specified in the preceding paragraph and such Net Proceeds are subsequently applied in accordance with such contract within six months following the date such agreement is entered into.
 
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute “ Excess Proceeds .”
 
On the 366th day after an Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $20.0 million, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes, and to all holders of Pari Passu Indebtedness then outstanding, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the Settlement Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Settlement Date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, shall be purchased). Upon surrender of a Note that is repurchased in part, the Issuers shall issue in the name of the applicable Holder and the Trustee shall authenticate for such Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the non-repurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.
 
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.10, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions by virtue of such compliance.
 
Section 4.11
Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.
 
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “ Affiliate Transaction ”), unless:
 
 
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(1)           the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or, if in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view; and
 
(2)           the Company delivers to the Trustee:
 
 (a)           with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.11; and
 
 (b)           with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with this Section 4.11 and that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions has been approved by either the Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (so long as the members of the Conflicts Committee approving the Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions are disinterested) or a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph of this Section 4.11:
 
(1)           any employment agreement or arrangement, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreement or plan, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement, severance agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, and payments, awards, grants or issuances of securities pursuant thereto;
 
(2)           transactions between or among any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
 
(3)           transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or indirectly, an Equity Interest in, or otherwise controls, such Person;
 
(4)           customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made available to officers, directors or employees of the General Partner, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, including reimbursement or advancement of out-of-pocket expenses and provisions of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance;
 
 
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(5)           sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to, or receipt of capital contributions from, Affiliates of the Company;
 
(6)           any Permitted Investments or Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07;
 
(7)           transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that would not otherwise constitute an Affiliate Transaction except for the fact that one director of such other Person is also a director of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable; provided that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, on any matter involving such other Person;
 
(8)           transactions (other than purchases and sales of assets) effected in accordance with the terms of the Omnibus Agreement or the Partnership Agreement, in each case as such agreements are in effect on the date of this Indenture, and any amendment or replacement of any such agreements so long as such amendment or replacement agreement is either (a) approved by a majority of disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company (or by a majority of the members of a committee of the Board of Directors, so long as all of the members of the committee are disinterested), or (b) not materially more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than the agreement so  amended or replaced;
 
(9)           any transaction in which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction meets the requirements of clause (1) of this Section 4.11;
 
(10)         (a) guarantees by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of performance of obligations of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, except for guarantees of Indebtedness in respect of borrowed money, and (b) pledges by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of Equity Interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders or other creditors of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
 
(11)         any Affiliate Transaction with a Person in its capacity as a holder of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if such Person is treated no more favorably than the other holders of Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;
 
(12)         in the case of contracts providing for the buying, selling or marketing of Hydrocarbons or operating, construction, storage, platform use or other operational contracts, any such contracts are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with unrelated third parties, or if neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has entered into a similar contract with a third party, then the terms are no less favorable than those available from third parties on an arm’s length basis;
 
 
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(13)         transactions with Unrestricted Subsidiaries, customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or lessors or lessees of property, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are, in the aggregate (taking into account all the costs and benefits associated with such transactions), not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person, in the good faith determination of the Company’s Board of Directors or any Company Officer involved in or otherwise familiar with such transaction, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party; and
 
(14)         any purchase of producing oil and gas properties from, or sale or conveyance of such properties to, any Affiliate, in one transaction or series of related transactions, provided that the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows from the properties involved in the transaction as set forth in the most recent reserve report available to the Company is less than $5.0 million.
 
In addition, if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries purchases or otherwise acquires assets or properties from a Person which is not an Affiliate, the purchase or acquisition by an Affiliate of the Company of an interest in all or a portion of the assets or properties acquired shall not be deemed an Affiliate Transaction (or cause such purchase or acquisition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to be deemed an Affiliate Transaction), and if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells, conveys or otherwise disposes of assets or other properties to a Person who is not an Affiliate, the sale or other disposition by an Affiliate of the Company of an interest in all or a portion of the assets or properties sold shall not be deemed an Affiliate Transaction (or cause such sale or other disposition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to be deemed an Affiliate Transaction).
 
Section 4.12
Limitation on Liens.
 
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of their property or assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired), securing Indebtedness, unless the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, is secured on an equal and ratable basis with (or, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, on a basis senior (to at least the same extent as the Notes are senior in right of payment) to) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
 
Any Lien on any property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged at such time as there are no other Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) on such property or assets securing Indebtedness.
 
 
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Section 4.13
Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.
 
If, after the date of this Indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or any Indebtedness of any Guarantor in excess of the De Minimis Guaranteed Amount, or any Domestic Subsidiary, if not then a Guarantor, incurs any Indebtedness under any of the Credit Facilities, then in either case that Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Annex A hereto and delivering it to the Trustee within 30 Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed or incurred such Indebtedness, as the case may be, together with any Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel required by Section 9.06; provided, however , that the preceding shall not apply to Subsidiaries of the Company that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with this Indenture for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the preceding, any Subsidiary Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that was incurred pursuant to this Section 4.13 shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released at such time as such Guarantor ceases both (x) to guarantee any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers and any Indebtedness of any other Guarantor (except as a result of payment under any such other guarantee) and (y) to be an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility.
 
Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall also be released in accordance with Article 10.
 
Section 4.14
Existence.
 
Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms hereof (including consolidation and merger permitted by Section 5.01), the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its limited partnership existence, and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to preserve the existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (except Finance Corp.) if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
 
Section 4.15
Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.
 
Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price (the “ Change of Control Payment ”) in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of settlement (the “ Change of Control Settlement Date ”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date. Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice of the Change of Control Offer to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:
 
 
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 (a)           that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment;
 
 (b)           the purchase price and the Change of Control Settlement Date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days but no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed;
 
 (c)           that the Change of Control Offer will expire as of the time and date specified in such notice and that the Company shall pay the Change of Control Purchase Price for all Notes accepted for purchase promptly thereafter on the Change of Control Settlement Date;
 
 (d)           that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;
 
 (e)           that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Change of Control Settlement Date;
 
 (f)           that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, properly endorsed for transfer, together with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed and such customary documents as the Company may reasonably request, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the termination of the Change of Control Offer;
 
 (g)           that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, prior to the termination of the Change of Control Offer, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have the Notes purchased; and
 
 (h)           that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.
 
If any of the Notes subject to a Change of Control Offer is in the form of a Global Note, then the Company shall modify such notice to the extent necessary to accord with the procedures of the Depository applicable to repurchases. Further, the Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under such provisions by virtue of such compliance.
 
 
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On or before the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof (in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) properly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.  Promptly after such acceptance, on the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company shall:
 
 (i)            deposit with the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered (and not validly withdrawn); and
 
 (ii)           deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.
 
On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Paying Agent shall mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of the Depository) and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided , however , that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Settlement Date.
 
The Change of Control provisions of this Section 4.15 shall be applicable whether or nor any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.
 
Prior to complying with any of the provisions of this Section 4.15, but in any event no later than the Change of Control Settlement Date, the Company or any Guarantor shall either repay all of its other outstanding Indebtedness or obtain the requisite consents, if any, under all agreements governing such Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of Notes required by this Section 4.15.
 
The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (2) notice of redemption of all Notes has been given pursuant to Section 3.07, unless there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.
 
A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for such Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.
 
 
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In the event that Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making such Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuers will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice as provided in Section 3.03, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Notes that remain outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
 
Section 4.16
No Partial Inducements.
 
The Company shall not, and the Company shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly, to pay (or cause to be paid) any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Beneficial Owner or Holder of the Notes for or as an inducement to any consent to any waiver, supplement or amendment of any terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes, unless such consideration is offered to be paid (or agreed to be paid) to all Beneficial Owners and Holders of the Notes which so consent in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent.
 
Section 4.17
Limitations on Finance Corp. Activities.
 
Finance Corp. shall not incur Indebtedness unless (1) the Company is a co-issuer or guarantor of such Indebtedness or (2) the net proceeds of such Indebtedness are loaned to the Company, used to acquire outstanding debt securities issued by the Company or used to repay Indebtedness of the Company as permitted under Section 4.09. Finance Corp. shall not engage in any business not related directly or indirectly to obtaining money or arranging financing for the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
 
Section 4.18
Covenant Termination.
 
If at any time (a) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating, (b) no Default (other than a Reporting Default) has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture and (c) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying to the foregoing provisions of this sentence, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.09, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09,   4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.17, 4.19, and clause (d) of Section 5.01 of this Indenture.  However, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will remain subject to all of the other provisions of this Indenture.
 
Section 4.19
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
 
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be either (i) an Investment made as of the time of the designation that will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of Section 4.07 or (ii) represent Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation shall only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Subsidiary so designated otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
 
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The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
 
ARTICLE FIVE
SUCCESSORS
 
Section 5.01
Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
 
Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly, (x) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the survivor), or (y) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions to another Person, unless:
 
 (a)           either (1) such Issuer is the survivor or (2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided, however , that Finance Corp. may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a corporation satisfying such requirement so long as the Company is not a corporation;
 
 (b)           the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes, this Indenture and the applicable Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to a supplemental indenture or other agreement in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
 
 (c)           immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;
 
 (d)           in the case of a transaction involving the Company and not Finance Corp., either
 
 (i)           the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made will, at the time of such transaction immediately after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transaction as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.09 hereof; or
 
 
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 (ii)          immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions on a pro forma basis as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended four full quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of the transaction, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made, will be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or
 
 (iii)         immediately after giving effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company will be greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; and
 
 (e)           such Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
 
Notwithstanding the restrictions described in the foregoing clause (d), any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Finance Corp.) may consolidate with, merge into or dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, and the Company will not be required to comply with the preceding clause (e) in connection with any such consolidation, merger or disposition.
 
Notwithstanding the second preceding paragraph of this Section 5.01, the Company may reorganize as any other form of entity in accordance with the following procedures provided that:
 
 (1)           the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale, contribution or exchange of assets or otherwise) of the Company into a form of entity other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;
 
 (2)           the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
 
 (3)           the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the applicable Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
 
 
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 (4)           immediately after such reorganization no Default (other than a Reporting Default) or Event of Default exists; and
 
 (5)           such reorganization is not materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the Notes (for purposes of this clause (5) a reorganization will not be considered materially adverse to the Holders or Beneficial Owners of the Notes solely because the successor or survivor of such reorganization (a) is subject to federal or state income taxation as an entity or (b) is considered to be an “includible corporation” of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(b) of the Code or any similar state or local law).
 
For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease, assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, the Capital Stock of which constitutes all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.
 
Section 5.02
Successor Substituted.
 
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of an Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof in which such Issuer is not the surviving entity, the successor formed by such consolidation or into or with which such Issuer is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as such Issuer herein and shall be substituted for such Issuer (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” or “Finance Corp.,” as the case may be, shall refer instead to the successor and not to the Company or Finance Corp., as the case may be); and thereafter (except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s assets), it shall be discharged and released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Notes.  The Trustee shall enter into a supplemental indenture to evidence the succession and substitution of such successor and such discharge and release of such Issuer.
 
ARTICLE SIX
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
 
Section 6.01
Events of Default.
 
An “Event of Default” occurs if one of the following shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be involuntary or be effected by operation of law):
 
 (a)           an Issuer defaults in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to the Notes, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
 
 
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(b)         an Issuer defaults in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at their Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon acceleration or otherwise;
 
(c)          the Company fails to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof;
 
(d)          the Company fails to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 for 180 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding of such failure;
 
(e)          the Company fails to comply with any other covenant or other agreement in this Indenture or the Notes (including the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 to the extent not described in clause (c) of this Section 6.01) for 60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding of such failure;
 
(f)          a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Initial Issuance Date, if such default:
 
(i)           is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “ Payment Default ”); or
 
(ii)          results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity
 
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more; provided , however , that if any such Payment Default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 60 days from the continuance of such Payment Default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree;
 
(g)          the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 consecutive days;
 
 
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(h)          (i) any Subsidiary Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or (ii) any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, except, in each case, by reason of the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; and
 
(i)           the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
 
(i)          commences a voluntary case,
 
(ii)         consents in writing to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
 
(iii)        consents in writing to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
 
(iv)        makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
 
(v)         admits in writing it generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or
 
(j)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
 
(i)           is for relief against the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, in an involuntary case;
 
(ii)         appoints a Custodian (x) of the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or (y) for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company; or
 
(iii)        orders the liquidation of the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company;
 
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
 
 
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Section 6.02
Acceleration.
 
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Interest, if any, and premium, if any, thereon. Notwithstanding the preceding, if an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (j) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs with respect to the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Interest, if any, and premium, if any, thereon. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, that have become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.
 
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 and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
 
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
 
Section 6.04
Waiver of Past Defaults.
 
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive (including in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
 
Section 6.05
Control by Majority.
 
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
 
 
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Section 6.06
Limitation on Suits.
 
A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
 
(a)           the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
 
(b)           the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
 
(c)           such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
 
(d)           the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and
 
(e)           during such 60-day period, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
 
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
 
Section 6.07
Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal of and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
 
Section 6.08
Collection Suit by Trustee.
 
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers and the Guarantors for the whole amount of principal of, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and Additional Interest, if any, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
 
 
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Section 6.09
Trustee is Authorized to File Proofs of Claim.
 
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
 
Section 6.10
Priorities.
 
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
 
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the Trustee’s costs and expenses of collection;
 
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, respectively; and
 
Third: to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
 
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
 
 
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Section 6.11
Undertaking for Costs.
 
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
 
ARTICLE SEVEN
TRUSTEE
 
Section 7.01
Duties of Trustee.
 
(a)           If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
 
(b)          Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
 
(i)           the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
 
(ii)          in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
 
(c)           The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
 
(i)           this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
 
(ii)          the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
 
(iii)         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 pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
 
(d)          Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
 
 
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(e)           The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with an Issuer. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
Section 7.02
Rights of Trustee.
 
(a)           The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
 
(b)           Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee 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. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
 
(c)           The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed by it 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 the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
 
(e)           Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from an Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of such Issuer. The Trustee may, from time to time or at any time, request that the Issuers deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers of each Issuer authorized at such time to deliver, on behalf of such Issuer, an Officers’ Certificate or order to, or otherwise take specified actions on behalf of such Issuer with respect to, the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed on behalf of such Issuer by any person authorized, on behalf of such Issuer, to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered by such Issuer.
 
(f)           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 unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
 
(g)           The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Company’s covenants in Article 4 hereof. In addition, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except: (1) any Event of Default occurring pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof; or (2) any Default or Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer shall have received written notification or obtained actual knowledge.
 
 
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(h)          The permissive right of the Trustee to act hereunder shall not be construed as a duty.
 
(i)            In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, 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.
 
(j)            The delivery of documents and information to the Trustee under Section 4.03 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from the information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder, except to the extent that such documents and information would constitute notice under Section 7.02(g) of this Indenture.
 
(k)           The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and in its capacity as Trustee under any other agreement executed in connection with this Indenture to which the Trustee is a party.
 
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, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee (if this Indenture is then qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
 
Section 7.04
Trustee’s Disclaimer.
 
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for either Issuer’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to an Issuer or upon either Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
 
 
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Section 7.05
Notice of Defaults.
 
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it receives written notice detailing such Default or Event of Default.  Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.
 
Section 7.06
Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
 
Within 60 days after each April 15 beginning with April 15, 2012, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b)(2), to the extent applicable, and § 313(b)(1). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).
 
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to the Issuers and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on or de-listed from any stock exchange.
 
Section 7.07
Compensation and Indemnity.
 
The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such reasonable compensation as the Issuers and the Trustee may agree in writing for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. 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 promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
 
The Issuers and the Guarantors shall indemnify the Trustee, jointly and severally, against any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims or expenses, including taxes (other than those based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) and the reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses of counsel, incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by an Issuer, any Guarantor or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability, damage, claim or expense may be attributable to its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers and the Guarantors promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not relieve the Issuers or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers and the Guarantors shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel; provided that the Issuers and the Guarantors will not be required to pay such fees and expenses if they assume the Trustee’s defense with counsel acceptable to and approved by the Trustee (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) and there is no conflict of interest between the Issuers and the Trustee in connection with such defense. The Issuers and the Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
 
 
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The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
 
To secure the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ 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, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
 
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or 6.01(j) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
 
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
 
Section 7.08
Replacement of Trustee.
 
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
 
The Trustee may resign in writing upon thirty (30) days notice at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of Notes of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing and may appoint a successor trustee with the consent of the Issuers. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:
 
(a)           the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
 
(b)           the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
 
(c)           a receiver, Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
 
(d)           the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
 
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.
 
 
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If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers or the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Issuers, for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been a Holder of a Note for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder of a Note may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
 
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, 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 mail a notice of its succession to Holders of the Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
 
Section 7.09
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
 
If the Trustee consolidates with, or merges or converts into, or transfers or sells all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or banking association, the successor corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Issuers and the Holders of the Notes.
 
Section 7.10
Eligibility; Disqualification.
 
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Notes shall serve as a Trustee.
 
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).
 
 
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Section 7.11
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.
 
The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
 
ARTICLE EIGHT
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
 
Section 8.01
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
 
The Issuers may, at the option of their respective Boards of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, exercise their rights under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof with respect to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
 
Section 8.02
Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
 
Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have discharged their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes, and each Guarantor shall be deemed to have discharged its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee, on the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, and each Guarantor shall be deemed to have paid and discharged its Subsidiary Guarantee (which in each case shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below) and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.09 and 4.02 hereof and the Appendix, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith and (d) the Legal Defeasance provisions of this Article 8. Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 8.03 hereof.
 
If the Issuers exercise their Legal Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, and any security for the Notes (other than the trust) will be released.
 
 
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Section 8.03
Covenant Defeasance.
 
Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Article 4 (other than those in Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 4.06 and, solely with respect to the Issuers, 4.14) and in clause (d) of Section 5.01 hereof on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers and any Guarantor may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof and Sections 6.01(f) through 6.01(h) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
 
If the Issuers exercise their Covenant Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and any security for the Notes (other than the trust) will be released.
 
Section 8.04
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
 
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
 
(a)           the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking firm, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the outstanding Notes on the date of fixed maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to the date of fixed maturity or to a particular redemption date;
 
(b)           in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:
 
(i)           the Issuers have received a ruling from, or a ruling has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service; or
 
 
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(ii)          since the Initial Issuance Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
 
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(c)           in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(d)           no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness or other borrowing of funds or the grant of Liens securing such Indebtedness or other borrowing, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit pursuant to this Section 8.04);
 
(e)           such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
 
(f)           the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders over the other creditors of the Issuers or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuers or others; and
 
(g)           the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
 
Section 8.05
Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
 
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.08 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
 
 
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The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or 8.08 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
 
Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the written request of the Issuers any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 or 8.08 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment banking, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge, as the case may be.
 
Section 8.06
Repayment to Issuers.
 
Subject to applicable escheat and abandoned property laws, any money or non-callable Government Securities deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by an Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their written request or (if then held by an Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured creditor, look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money or non-callable Government Securities, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that, if any Note then outstanding is not in global form, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuers.
 
Section 8.07
Reinstatement.
 
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.05 hereof, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.05 hereof; provided , however , that, if an Issuer makes any payment of principal of, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, such Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities deposited with or held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
 
 
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Section 8.08
Discharge.
 
This Indenture shall be satisfied and discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder (except for (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive solely from the trust fund described in clause (1)(b) of this Section 8.08, and as more fully set forth in such clause (1)(b), payments in respect of the principal of and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due, (b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.09 and 4.02 hereof and the Appendix and (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to all the Notes, when:
 
(1)           either:
 
(a)           all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(b)           all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise, and the Issuers or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, accrued interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of fixed maturity or redemption;
 
(2)           no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the incurrence of Indebtedness or other borrowing of funds or the grant of Liens securing such Indebtedness or other borrowing, all or a portion of the proceeds of which will be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
 
(3)           the Issuers and the Guarantors have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by them under this Indenture;
 
(4)           the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at fixed maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be; and
 
 
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(5)           the Issuers have delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture (“ Discharge ”) have been satisfied.
 
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
 
Section 9.01
Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
 
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
 
(a)           to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
(b)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
 
(c)           to provide for the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to the Holders of Notes pursuant to Article 5 hereof;
 
(d)           to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;
 
(e)           to secure the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to the requirements of Section 4.12 or otherwise;
 
(f)            to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture;
 
(g)           to add any additional Guarantor with respect to the Notes or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Article 10 hereof;
 
(h)           to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
 
(i)            to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee; or
 
(j)            to conform the text of this Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes to any provision described in the “Description of Notes” contained in the Offering Memorandum.
 
Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Section 9.01, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
 
 
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Section 9.02
With Consent of Holders of Notes.
 
Except as provided above in Section 9.01 and below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).  However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
 
(a)           reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
(b)           reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (other than the provisions relating to the covenants in Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);
 
(c)           reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;
 
(d)           waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
 
(e)           make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;
 
(f)           make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or Events of Default or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes (except as permitted in clause (g) below);
 
(g)           waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);
 
(h)           release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or
 
(i)            make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.
 
 
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Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by Board Resolutions authorizing their execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, unless such amended or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
 
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
 
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.
 
Section 9.03
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
 
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
 
A consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver under this Indenture by any Holder given in connection with a purchase, tender or exchange of such Holder’s Notes shall not be rendered invalid by such purchase, tender or exchange.
 
Section 9.04
Revocation and Effect of Consents.
 
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and, except as provided in the second succeeding paragraph, thereafter binds every Holder.
 
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the second to last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment or waiver or revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date except to the extent that the requisite number of consents to the amendment, supplement or waiver have been obtained within such 90-day period or as set forth in the next paragraph of this Section 9.04.
 
 
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After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (a) through (i) of Section 9.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind only each Holder of a Note who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same indebtedness as the consenting Holder’s Note.
 
Section 9.05
Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
 
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers, in exchange for all Notes, may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
 
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
 
Section 9.06
Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
 
The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If any such amendment or supplement does adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee, the Trustee may, but need not, sign such amended or supplemented Indenture. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
 
Section 9.07
Acts of Holders.
 
(a)           Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “ Act ” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
 
 
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(b)           Without limiting the generality of this Section, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, (i) a Holder, including a Depository or its nominee that is a Holder of a Global Note, may give, make or take, by an agent or agents duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in or pursuant to this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders, and a Depository or its nominee that is a Holder of a Global Note may duly appoint in writing as its agent or agents members of, or participants in, such Depository holding interests in such Global Note in the records of such Depository; and (ii) with respect to any Global Note the Depository for which is The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), any consent or other action given, made or taken by an Agent Member of DTC by electronic means in accordance with the Automated Tender Offer Procedures system or other customary procedures of, and pursuant to authorization by, DTC shall be deemed to constitute the Act of the Holder of such Global Note, and such Act shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee upon the delivery by DTC of an “agent’s message” or other notice of such consent or other action having been so given, made or taken in accordance with the customary procedures of DTC.
 
(c)           The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a Person acting in a capacity other than such Person’s individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
 
(d)           The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Register.
 
(e)           Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to give, make or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so, or duly appoint in writing any Person or Persons as its agent or agents to do so, with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note.
 
ARTICLE TEN
GUARANTEES OF NOTES
 
Section 10.01
Subsidiary Guarantees.
 
Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes held thereby and the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder and thereunder, that: (a) the principal of, and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, upon repurchase or redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes, and all other payment Obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Notes will be promptly paid in full and performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other Obligations, the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, upon repurchase or redemption or otherwise. Failing payment when so due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. An Event of Default under this Indenture or the Notes shall constitute an event of default under the Subsidiary Guarantees, and shall entitle the Holders to accelerate the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent as the Obligations of the Issuers.
 
 
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The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against an Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance (other than complete performance) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Each Guarantor further, to the extent permitted by law, hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of an Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against an Issuer, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
 
If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to an Issuer, the Guarantors, or any Custodian, Trustee or other similar official acting in relation to any of the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by an Issuer or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, the Subsidiary Guarantees, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to, and hereby waives, any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of the Obligations guaranteed hereby.
 
Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (a) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of its Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations guaranteed thereby, and (b) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purpose of its Subsidiary Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Subsidiary Guarantees.
 
Section 10.02
Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
 
(a)           No Guarantor shall sell or otherwise dispose of, in one or more related transactions, all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person (other than the Company or another Guarantor), unless, (i) either (1) the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) unconditionally assumes, pursuant to a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Annex A hereto, all the obligations of such Guarantor under the Notes, this Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee on terms set forth therein, or (2) such transaction or series of related transactions complies with the provisions of Section 4.10, and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists.
 
 
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(b)           In the case of any such consolidation or merger and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and substantially in the form of Annex A hereto, of the Subsidiary Guarantee of, and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants of this Indenture to be performed by, the applicable Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for such Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.
 
Section 10.03
Releases of Subsidiary Guarantees.
 
The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be released: (1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10; (2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition complies with Section 4.10 and that Guarantor no longer qualifies as a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of such disposition; (3) if the Company designates such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.18 of this Indenture; (4) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance or Discharge in accordance with Article 8; (5) upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor provided no Default or Event of Default has occurred that is continuing; (6) at such time as such Guarantor ceases both (x) to guarantee any other Indebtedness of either of the Issuers and any Indebtedness of any other Guarantor (except as a result of payment under any such other guarantee) and (y) to be an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility; or (7) upon such Guarantor consolidating with, merging into or transferring all of its properties or assets to the Company or another Guarantor, and as a result of, or in connection with, such transaction such Guarantor dissolving or otherwise ceasing to exist.
 
Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that any of the conditions described in the foregoing clauses (1)-(7) has occurred, the Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably requested by the Company in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes and for the other obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.
  
 
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Section 10.04
Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
 
The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
 
Section 10.05
“Trustee” to Include Paying Agent.
 
In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article 10 shall in each case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully and for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article 10 in place of the Trustee.
 
ARTICLE ELEVEN
MISCELLANEOUS
 
Section 11.01
Trust Indenture Act Controls.
 
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c) in respect of an indenture qualified under the TIA, such TIA-imposed duties shall control, whether or not this Indenture is then qualified under the TIA.
 
Section 11.02
Notices.
 
Any notice or communication by an Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the other parties hereto is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to their respective addresses:
 
If to any of the Issuers or the Guarantors:
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
c/o EV Energy Management, LLC
1001 Fannin, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No.: (713) 651-1260
  
 
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with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Haynes and Boone, LLP
1221 McKinney Street, Suite 2100
Houston, Texas 77010
Attention: George G. Young III
Facsimile No.: (713) 236-5699
 
If to the Trustee:
 
U.S. Bank National Association
Corporate Trust Services
5555 San Felipe Street, Suite 1150
Houston, Texas 77056
Attention: Steven A. Finklea
Facsimile No.: (713) 235-9213
 
An Issuer, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the other parties hereto, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
 
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if sent by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, in each case to the address shown above.
 
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
 
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.
 
If either of the Issuers or a Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
 
Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
 
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Note, such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository for such Note (or its designee), pursuant to its Applicable Procedures, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice.
 
 
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Section 11.03
Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
 
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
 
Section 11.04
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
 
Upon any request or application by an Issuer to the Trustee to take any action or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, such Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee:
 
(a)           an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
 
(b)           an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
 
Section 11.05
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
 
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and shall include:
 
(a)           a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant;
 
(b)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
 
(c)           a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been satisfied; and
 
(d)           a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
 
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
 
 
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Section 11.06
Rules by Trustee and Agents.
 
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
 
Section 11.07
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Unitholders.
 
No past, present or future director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or this Indenture, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
 
Section 11.08
Governing Law.
 
THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
Section 11.09
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
 
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
 
Section 11.10
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 in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
 
Section 11.11
Severability.
 
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
 
Section 11.12
Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
 
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
 
 
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Section 11.13
Counterparts.
 
This Indenture may be signed in counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
 
Section 11.14
Benefits of Indenture.
 
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the Holders of Notes, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
 
Section 11.15
Language of Notices, Etc.
 
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
 
Section 11.16
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 their possession or control as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
 
[ Signatures on following pages ]
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
 
ISSUERS :
   
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
   
 
By:  EV Energy GP, L.P., its general partner
 
By:  EV Management, L.L.C., its general partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
GUARANTORS :
   
 
EV PROPERTIES GP, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
ENERVEST PRODUCTION PARTNERS, LTD.
   
 
By:  EVPP GP, LLC, its general partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Indenture
 
 
 

 
 
 
CGAS PROPERTIES, L.P.
   
 
By:  EVCG GP, LLC, its general partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
ENERVEST-CARGAS, LTD.
   
 
By:  EVPP GP, LLC, its general partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
EVPP GP, LLC
 
EVCG GP, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
 
Signature Page to Indenture
 
 
 

 
 
ENERVEST MONROE MARKETING, LTD.
 
ENERVEST MONROE GATHERING, LTD.
   
 
By:  EVPP GP, LLC, its general partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
EV PROPERTIES, L.P.
   
 
By:  EV Properties GP, LLC, its general partner
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Michael E. Mercer, Senior Vice President
   
and Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Indenture
 
 
 

 
 
 
TRUSTEE :
   
 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
   
 
By:
/s/ Steven Finklea
   
Steven Finklea
   
Vice President

Signature Page to Indenture
 
 
 

 
 
RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX
 
PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES
AND EXCHANGE NOTES
 
1.    Definitions
 
1.1   Definitions.
 
For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
 
Depository ” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depository institution hereinafter appointed by the Company.
 
Exchange Notes ” means (1) the 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with a Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.
 
Initial Notes ” means (1) $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 issued pursuant to this Indenture on the Initial Issuance Date, (2) Additional Notes, if any, issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (3) any 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 issued pursuant to Section 2.3(b)(ii) hereof in exchange for any Initial Notes.
 
Initial Purchasers ” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC,  J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and the co-managers named in the Offering Memorandum and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement.
 
Notes ” means the Initial Notes, the Additional Notes, and the Exchange Notes treated as a single class.
 
Notes Custodian ” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.
 
Purchase Agreement ” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, the Purchase Agreement dated March 17, 2011 among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Issuers and the Persons purchasing or underwriting such Additional Notes.
 
Registered Exchange Offer ” means the offer by the Issuers, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Notes, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes registered under the Securities Act.
 
 
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Registration Rights Agreement ” means (1) with respect to the Initial Notes issued on the Initial Issuance Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 22, 2011 among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Notes issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Issuers and the Persons purchasing such Additional Notes under the related Purchase Agreement, in each case, as amended from time to time.
 
Shelf Registration Statement ” means the registration statement issued by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Notes pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.
 
Transfer Restricted Securities ” means Notes that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(b)(i) hereof.
 
1.2   Other Definitions .
 
Term
 
Defined in Section:
“Agent Members”                                           
 
2.1(b)
“Distribution Compliance Period”
 
2.1(b)
“Global Note”                                                                    
 
2.1(a)
“Regulation S”                                                          
 
2.1(a)
“Regulation S Notes”                                        
 
2.1(a)
“Resale Restriction Termination Date”
 
2.3(b)
“Restricted Global Note”
 
2.1(a)
“Rule 144A”                                                          
 
2.1(a)
“Rule 144A Notes”                                                                 
 
2.1(a)
2.1   The Notes .
 
(a)   Form and Dating . Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Notes”) under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) or in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S Notes”) under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”), in each case as provided in a Purchase Agreement, shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons with the global Notes legend and Restricted Notes Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto (each, a “Restricted Global Note”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depository (or with such other custodian as the Depository may direct), and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. Beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note representing Initial Notes sold in reliance on either Rule 144A or Regulation S may be held through Euroclear or Clearstream, as indirect participants in the Depository. 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 Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided. Exchange Notes shall be issued in global form (with the global Notes legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto) or in certificated form as provided in Section 2.4 of this Appendix. Exchange Notes issued in global form, Unrestricted Initial Notes issued in global form and Restricted Global Notes are sometimes referred to in this Appendix as “Global Notes.”
 
 
App - 2

 
 
(b)   Book-Entry Provisions . This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.
 
The Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as custodian for the Depository. If such Global Notes are Restricted Global Notes, then separate Global Notes shall be issued to represent Rule 144A Notes and Regulation S Notes so long as required by law or the Depository.
 
Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the Depository or under such Global Note, and the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers, the Guarantors or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers, the Guarantors or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
 
Until the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of any Initial Notes and the original issue date of such Initial Notes (such period, the “Distribution Compliance Period”), a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note representing Regulation S Notes may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Restricted Global Note representing Rule 144A Notes only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in Exhibit 1 hereto) to the effect that such transfer is being made to a Person who the transferor reasonably believes is purchasing for its own account or accounts as to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that such Person is a QIB, in each case in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction.  After the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, such certification requirements shall not apply to such transfers of beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note representing Regulation S Notes.
 
Beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note representing Rule 144A Notes may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in a Restricted Global Note representing Regulation S Notes, whether before or after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, only if the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in Exhibit 1 hereto) to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S or Rule 144 (if available).
 
 
App - 3

 
 
(c)   Certificated Notes . Except as provided in Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes. Certificated Notes shall not be exchangeable for beneficial interests in Global Notes, except with the consent of the Issuers.
 
2.2   Authentication . The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1) on the Initial Issuance Date, an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019, (2) at any time or from time to time, any Additional Notes for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Issuers pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Indenture and (3) at any time or from time to time, Exchange Notes for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Notes, in each case upon a written order of the Issuers. Such order (x) shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which such Notes are to be authenticated and to whom such Notes shall be registered and delivered; (ii) whether such Notes constitute Initial Notes or Exchange Notes; (iii) whether or not such Notes constitute Additional Notes; and (iv) if such Notes constitute Additional Notes, the issue price, the issue date (and the corresponding date from which interest shall accrue thereon and the first interest payment date therefor) and the CUSIP number and any corresponding ISIN of such Additional Notes and whether such Additional Notes shall be Transfer Restricted Securities and issued in the form of Initial Notes as set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Notes as set forth in Exhibit 2 hereto and (y) in the case of any issuance of Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.13 of this Indenture, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09 of this Indenture.
 
2.3   Transfer and Exchange .
 
(a)   Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes . (i)  The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Note. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.
 
(ii)            Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix, a Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.
 
(iii)            In the event that a Restricted Global Note is exchanged for Notes in certificated form pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix, prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Notes, such Notes may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Notes intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.
 
 
App - 4

 
 
(b)   Legend .
 
(i)            Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Restricted Global Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
 
THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER SUCH NOTES NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, 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, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) OR THE LAST DAY ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WERE THE OWNERS OF SUCH NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH NOTE) (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”), OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AN ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM SUCH NOTE IS TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) THAT IS (A) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40 DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(F) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES IN CLAUSES (i)(A) OR (B), TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AS TO ANY NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY UPON DELIVERY TO THE TRUSTEE BY THE COMPANY OR THE HOLDER THEREOF OF A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL HEREOF, IN ANY CASE AT ANY TIME AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
 
 
App - 5

 
 
(ii)            The Company, acting in its discretion, may remove the legend set forth in paragraph (i) above from any Transfer Restricted Security at any time on or after the Resale Restriction Termination Date applicable to such Transfer Restricted Security. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, the Company may effect such removal by issuing and delivering, in exchange for such Transfer Restricted Security, a Note without such legend, registered to the same Holder and in an equal principal amount, and upon receipt by the Trustee of a written order of the Company given at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed date of exchange specified therein (which shall be no earlier than the Resale Restriction Termination Date), the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Note as directed in such order.
 
(iii)           After a transfer of any Initial Notes pursuant to and during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Initial Note will cease to apply, the requirement that any such Initial Note issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Initial Note or an Initial Note in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Initial Notes upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s certificated Initial Note or directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Note, as applicable.
 
(iv)           Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Notes, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Notes that Initial Notes issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Notes that do not exchange their Initial Notes, and Exchange Notes in certificated or global form will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Notes in such Registered Exchange Offer.
 
(c)   Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note . At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Note shall be returned to the Trustee for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for certificated Notes, redeemed, purchased or canceled, or if any Certificated Note is exchanged for such a beneficial interest, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced or increased, as appropriate, 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) with respect to such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Notes Custodian, to reflect such reduction or increase, as the case may be.
 
 
App - 6

 

 
(d)   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 certificated Notes and Global Notes at the 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 any exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 of this Indenture).
 
(iii)         The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
 
(iv)         Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the 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, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the 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. Accordingly, for purposes of clause (3) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 of this Indenture, “the Notes issued and sold on the Initial Issuance Date” shall be deemed to refer to and include any Notes issued in exchange for, or upon registration of transfer of, or in lieu of, any such Notes (or any predecessor Notes thereof) pursuant to Section 2.3 or 2.4 hereof or Section 2.06, 2.07, 2.09, 3.06, 4.10, 4.15 or 9.05 of this Indenture.
 
(e)   No Obligation of the Trustee .
 
(i)            The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository 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 Depository) of any notice (including any notice of optional redemption) 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 or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository 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 Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
 
 
App - 7

 
 
(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 Depository 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.
 
2.4   Certificated Notes .
 
(a)   A Global Note deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as custodian for the Depository pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of certificated 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 Depository notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Note or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and in either event a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days, (ii) the Issuers, at their option, notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes, or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and DTC notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Notes.  Except as provided in the preceding sentence, and notwithstanding any contrary indication in Section 2.3(b), beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for Certificated Notes only with the consent of the Company, including if an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company acquires such interests.
 
(b)   Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section shall be surrendered by the Depository or the Notes Custodian to the Trustee located at its Corporate Trust Office 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 certificated Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any certificated Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(b), bear the Restricted Notes Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto.
 
(c)   Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the Holder of a Global Note shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
 
 
App - 8

 
 
(d)   In the event of the occurrence of any of the circumstances specified in Section 2.4(a), the Issuers shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.

 
App - 9

 

EXHIBIT 1 TO RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX
 
[FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL 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 AN ISSUER OR ITS 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 NOTE 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 NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 1

 
 
[Restricted Notes Legend]
 
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE OFFERED, 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, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE IN AN “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION” PURSUANT TO RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, PRIOR TO THE DATE WHICH IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF (OR OF ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) OR THE LAST DAY ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WERE THE OWNERS OF THIS NOTE (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF THIS NOTE) (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”), OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO AN ISSUER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL GIVE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE IS TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER (i) THAT IS (A) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(D) PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 40 DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (B) PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (2)(F) PRIOR TO THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE, TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND (ii) IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES IN CLAUSES (i)(A) OR (B), TO REQUIRE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THIS NOTE IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON DELIVERY TO THE TRUSTEE BY THE COMPANY OR THE HOLDER THEREOF OF A WRITTEN REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL HEREOF, IN ANY CASE AT ANY TIME AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 
Exhibit 1 to App - 2

 

EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

No. [       ]
      Principal Amount $[       ]
CUSIP No. [                    ]
ISIN No. [                    ]
8.0% Senior Note due 2019
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited liability company, and EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally promise to pay to _____________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of _______ Dollars on April 15, 2019 [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on Schedule A hereto] 1 .
 
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15
 
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1
 
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
 
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
   
 
By:  EV Energy GP, L.P., its general partner
 
By:  EV Management, L.L.C., its general partner
   
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
     
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
     
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
 

1 If this is a Global Note, add this provision.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 3

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the
Notes referred to in the Indenture.
 
By:
   
 
Authorized Signatory
 

Dated:
   
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 4

 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL NOTE]
 
8.0% Senior Note due 2019
 
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
 
1.            Interest .  EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), and EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Finance Corp.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), jointly and severally promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.0% per annum from March 22, 2011 until maturity and shall pay any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing October 15, 2011. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payment to be made on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, and no additional interest will accrue solely as a result of such delayed payment. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Issuers shall pay (i) interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful and (ii) interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
2.            Method of Payment .  The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and any Additional Interest to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, due at maturity. The Notes will be payable as to principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest and any Additional Interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account in the United States of America will be required with respect to any amounts due on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Note is a Global Note, payment may be made pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository as permitted in the Indenture. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 5

 
 
3.            Paying Agent and Registrar .  Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
 
4.            Indenture .  The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 22, 2011 (“Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers, and the aggregate principal amount of the Notes is unlimited.
 
5.            Optional Redemption .
 
(a)         Except as set forth in subparagraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Paragraph 5, the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to April 15, 2015. On or after April 15, 2015, the Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part at any time, upon prior notice as set forth in Paragraph 6, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:
 
YEAR
 
PERCENTAGE
 
2015
    104.0 %
2016
    102.0 %
2017 and thereafter
    100.0 %
 
(b)         Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to April 15, 2014, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 108.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that, with respect to each such redemption, (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding any Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of the related Equity Offering.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 6

 
 
(c)         Prior to April 15, 2015, the Issuers may redeem on one or more occasions all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (2) the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
 
(d)         The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in the last paragraph of Section 4.15 of the Indenture.
 
6.            Notice of Redemption .  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance or Discharge) before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.  If mailed in the manner provided for in Section 3.03 of the Indenture, the notice of optional redemption shall be conclusively presumed to have been given whether or not a Holder receives such notice.  Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest and Additional Interest, if any, cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. The notice of redemption with respect to a redemption described in paragraph 5(c) above need not set forth the Make Whole Premium but only the manner of calculation thereof.
 
7.            Mandatory Redemption .
 
Except as set forth in Paragraph 8 below, neither of the Issuers shall be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes or to repurchase the Notes at the option of the Holders.
 
8.            Repurchase at Option of Holder .
 
(a)         Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of settlement (the “Change of Control Settlement Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date. Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice of the Change of Control Offer to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by Section 4.15 of the Indenture.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 7

 
 
(b)         On the 366th day after an Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $20.0 million, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, and to all holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness then outstanding, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of settlement, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the date of settlement, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, shall be purchased) on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.
 
9.            Guarantees .  The payment by the Issuers of the principal of and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each of the Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
 
10.          Denominations, Transfer, Exchange .  The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes due on transfer or exchange. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, they need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
 
11.          Persons Deemed Owners .  The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
 
12.          Amendment, Supplement and Waiver .  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, (2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, (3) to provide for the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to Holders of the Notes pursuant to Article 5 of the Indenture, (4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, (5) to secure the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Indenture or otherwise, (6) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, (7) to add any additional Guarantor with respect to the Notes or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, (8) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, (9) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee or (10) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes to any provision described in the “Description of Notes” contained in the Offering Memorandum.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 8

 
 
13.            Defaults and Remedies .  Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at their Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon acceleration or otherwise; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 180 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with Section 4.03 of the Indenture; (v) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; (vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Initial Issuance Date, if such default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $10.0 million or more; provided that if any such Payment Default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 60 days from the continuation of such Payment Default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; (vii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 consecutive days; (viii)(a) any Subsidiary Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or (b) any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, except in each case, by reason of the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture; and (ix) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company as specified in Section 6.01(i) or 6.01(j) of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the preceding, in the case of an Event of Default arising from such events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in Section 6.01(i) or 6.01(j) of the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest) if a committee of Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in their interests. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, that have become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes.  The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually an Officer’s Certificate regarding compliance with the Indenture, and, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers are required upon any Company Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 9

 
 
14.          Defeasance and Discharge .  The Notes are subject to defeasance and discharge upon the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.
 
15.          No Recourse Against Others .  No past, present or future director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture 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 are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
 
16.          Authentication .  This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
 
17.          Abbreviations .  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 10

 
 
18.          Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities .  In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 22, 2011, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).
 
19.          CUSIP Numbers .  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and corresponding ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
 
20.          Governing Law .  THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
21.          Successors .  In the event a successor assumes all the obligations of an Issuer under the Notes and the Indenture, pursuant to the terms thereof, such Issuer will be released from all such obligations.
 
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
c/o EV Energy Management, LLC
1001 Fannin, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Investor Relations
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 11

 

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.
Signature Guarantee:

 
(Signature must be guaranteed)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 
[Include the following only if the Restricted Notes Legend is included hereon]
 
[In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to one year after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes (or the date of any subsequent reopening of the Notes) and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (or, in the case of Regulation S Notes, prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period), the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with their terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 
(1)
¨
to an Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof; or

 
(2)
¨
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 12

 
 
 
(3)
¨
to a person who the undersigned reasonably believes is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that is purchasing 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

 
(4)
¨
pursuant to offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 
(5)
¨
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933; or

 
(6)
¨
pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933.

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 registered holder thereof; provided, however , that if box (4) or (6) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has 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.

     
 
Signature
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 13

 

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 and any Guarantors 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.

Dated:
 
 
Notice: To be executed by an executive officer

 
Exhibit 1 to App - 14

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
 
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:
 
¨      Section 4.10             ¨      Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount (in minimum denomination of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) you elect to have purchased: $__________

Date:
Your Signature:
 
 
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
 
 
Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification No.:
 
 
Signature Guarantee:
 
 
(signature must be guaranteed)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 
Exhibit 1 to App - 15

 

[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTE]
 
SCHEDULE A

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
 
The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

Date
 
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
   
Signatory of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Notes Custodian
 
                                 
                                 
                                 
 
 
Exhibit 1 to App - 16

 

EXHIBIT 2 TO RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX
 
[FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]*/
 
*/
If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend from Exhibit 1 to Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix and the attachment from such Exhibit 1 captioned “[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES] — SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE.”

All references to “Additional Interest” in the Note shall be deleted unless if, at the date of issuance of the Exchange Note, any Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) has occurred with respect to the related Initial Notes during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.

 
Exhibit 2 to App - 1

 

[FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
 
No. [   ]
$                    
 
CUSIP No. [________]
 
ISIN No. [________]
8.0% Senior Note due 2019
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited liability company, and EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally promise to pay to _____________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___________ Dollars on April 15, 2019 [or such greater or lesser amount as may be indicated on Schedule A hereto]. 1
 
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15
 
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1
 
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
 
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
   
 
By:  EV Energy GP, L.P., its general partner
 
By:  EV Management, L.L.C., its general partner
     
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
     
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
     
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
 

1  If this Note is a Global Note, add this provision.

 
Exhibit 2 to App - 2

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF
AUTHENTICATION
 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the
Notes referred to in the Indenture.
 
By:
   
 
Authorized Signatory
 

Dated:
   
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 3

 

[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE NOTE]
 
8.0% Senior Note due 2019
 
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
 
1.            Interest .  EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), and EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Finance Corp.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), jointly and severally promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 8.0% per annum from March 22, 2011 until maturity and shall pay any Additional Interest payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing October 15, 2011. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payment to be made on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such Interest Payment Date, and no additional interest will accrue solely as a result of such delayed payment. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of original issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication. The Issuers shall pay (i) interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% higher than the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful and (ii) interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
 
2.            Method of Payment .  The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and any Additional Interest to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 1 or October 1 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any, together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, due at maturity. The Notes will be payable as to principal, interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest and any Additional Interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account in the United States of America will be required with respect to any amounts due on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Note is a Global Note, payment may be made pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depository as permitted in the Indenture. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 4

 
 
3.            Paying Agent and Registrar .  Initially, U.S. Bank National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
 
4.            Indenture .  The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of March 22, 2011 (“Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers, and the aggregate principal amount of the Notes is unlimited.
 
5.            Optional Redemption .
 
(a)         Except as set forth in subparagraphs (b), (c) and (d) of this Paragraph 5, the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to April 15, 2015. On or after April 15, 2015, the Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part at any time, upon prior notice as set forth in Paragraph 6, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes redeemed to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 15 of the years indicated below:
 
YEAR
 
PERCENTAGE
 
2015
    104.0 %
2016
    102.0 %
2017 and thereafter
    100.0 %
 
(b)         Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to April 15, 2014, the Issuers may on one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 108.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that, with respect to each such redemption, (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding any Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of the closing of the related Equity Offering.
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 5

 
 
(c)         Prior to April 15, 2015, the Issuers may redeem on one or more occasions all or part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus (2) the Make Whole Premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
 
(d)         The Notes may also be redeemed, as a whole, following certain Change of Control Offers, at the redemption price and subject to the conditions set forth in the last paragraph of Section 4.15 of the Indenture.
 
6.            Notice of Redemption .  Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days (except as otherwise provided in the Indenture if the notice is issued in connection with a Legal Defeasance, Covenant, Defeasance or Discharge) before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.  If mailed in the manner provided for in Section 3.03 of the Indenture, the notice of optional redemption shall be conclusively presumed to have been given whether or not a Holder receives such notice.  Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the redemption date interest and Additional Interest, if any, cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption. The notice of redemption with respect to a redemption described in paragraph 5(c) above need not set forth the Make Whole Premium but only the manner of calculation thereof.
 
7.            Mandatory Redemption .  Except as set forth in Paragraph 8 below, neither of the Issuers shall be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes or to repurchase the Notes at the option of the Holders.
 
8.            Repurchase at Option of Holder .
 
(a)         Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of settlement (the “Change of Control Settlement Date”), subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Settlement Date. Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice of the Change of Control Offer to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of Control and setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by Section 4.15 of the Indenture:
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 6

 
 
(b)         On the 366th day after an Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $20.0 million, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, and to all holders of any Pari Passu Indebtedness then outstanding, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of settlement, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the date of settlement, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000, shall be purchased) on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes.
 
9.            Guarantees .  The payment by the Issuers of the principal of and interest, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior unsecured basis by each of the Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Indenture.
 
10.          Denominations, Transfer, Exchange .  The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes due on transfer or exchange. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, they need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
 
11.          Persons Deemed Owners .  The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
 
12.          Amendment, Supplement and Waiver .  Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented (1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, (2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, (3) to provide for the assumption of an Issuer’s obligations to Holders of the Notes pursuant to Article 5 of the Indenture, (4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, (5) to secure the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Indenture or otherwise, (6) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, (7) to add any additional Guarantor with respect to the Notes or to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture, (8) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, (9) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee or (10) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Notes to any provision described in the “Description of Notes” contained in the Offering Memorandum.
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 7

 
 
13.            Defaults and Remedies .  Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at their Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon acceleration or otherwise; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 180 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with Section 4.03 of the Indenture; (v) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; (vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the Initial Issuance Date, if such default (a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a “Payment Default”) or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $10.0 million or more; provided that if any such Payment Default is cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 60 days from the continuation of such Payment Default beyond the applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree; (vii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million (to the extent not covered by insurance by a reputable and creditworthy insurer as to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 consecutive days; (viii) (a) any Subsidiary Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or (b) any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, except in each case, by reason of the release of such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture; and (ix) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, Finance Corp., any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company as specified in Section 6.01(i) or 6.01(j) of the Indenture. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, by notice to the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the preceding, in the case of an Event of Default arising from such events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization described in Section 6.01(i) or 6.01(j) of the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power conferred on it. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest) if a committee of Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in their interests. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, that have become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest, premium, if any, or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes.  The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually an Officer’s Certificate regarding compliance with the Indenture, and, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers are required upon any Company Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 8

 
 
14.          Defeasance and Discharge .  The Notes are subject to defeasance and discharge upon the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.
 
15.          No Recourse Against Others .  No past, present or future director, officer, partner, employee, incorporator, manager or unitholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture 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 are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
 
16.          Authentication .  This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
 
17.          Abbreviations .  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
 
 
Exhibit 2 to App - 9

 
 
18.         [ Additional Rights of Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities .  In addition to the rights provided to Holders of the Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March __, 2011, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).] 2
 
19.          CUSIP Numbers .  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and corresponding ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP and corresponding ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
 
20.          Governing Law .  THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
21.          Successors .  In the event a successor assumes all the obligations of an Issuer under the Notes and the Indenture, pursuant to the terms thereof, such Issuer will be released from all such obligations.
 
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture [or the Registration Rights Agreement]. 3   Requests may be made to:
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
c/o EV Energy Management, LLC
1001 Fannin, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Investor Relations
 

2 Delete if this Note is not being issued in exchange for an Initial Note.
3 Delete if this Note is not being issued in exchange for an Initial Note.

 
Exhibit 2 to App - 10

 

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.
Signature Guarantee:

 
(Signature must be guaranteed)

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 
Exhibit 2 to App - 11

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
 
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:
 
¨ Section 4.10                 ¨ Section 4.15
 
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount (in minimum denomination of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) you elect to have purchased: $___________
 
Date:
 
 
Your Signature:
    
 
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other
 
side of this Note.)
 
 
Soc. Sec. or Tax Identification No.:
 
Signature Guarantee:
 
(signature must be guaranteed)
 
Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 
Exhibit 2 to App - 12

 

 ANNEX A
 

 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.,
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
 
AND
 
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN
 
8.0% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2019
 
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
 
DATED AS OF ___________________, ________
 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
 
As Trustee
 

 
 
 
A - 1

 

This SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of ___________, _______ (this “Supplemental Indenture”) is among EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation ( “Finance Corp.” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), [____________] (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), which is a subsidiary of the Company, each of the existing Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee.
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, the Issuers, the initial Guarantors and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of March   , 2011 (as heretofore amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has issued $300,000,000 in principal amount of 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”);
 
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor (as defined in the Indenture);
 
WHEREAS, Section 9.01(g) of the Indenture provides that the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture in order to add any additional Guarantor with respect to the Notes, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes; and
 
WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Issuers, of the Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Issuers, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the other Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:
 
Section 1. Capitalized Terms . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture.
 
Section 2. Relation to Indenture . This Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.
 
Section 3. Effectiveness of Supplemental Indenture . This Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Issuers, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the other Guarantors and the Trustee.
 
Section 4. Agreement to Guarantee . The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees, by its execution of this Supplemental Indenture, to be bound by the provisions of the Indenture applicable to Guarantors to the extent provided for in Article 10 thereof.
 
 
A - 2

 
 
Section 5. Ratification of Obligations . Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed ( mutatis mutandis ) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms.
 
Section 6. The Trustee . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Supplemental Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.
 
Section 7. Governing Law . THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
 
Section 8. Counterparts . The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.
 
[ Signatures on following pages ]

 
A - 3

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
 
 
ISSUERS :
   
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
   
 
By:  EV Energy GP, L.P., its general partner
 
By:  EV Management, L.L.C., its general partner
     
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
     
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
   
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
     
 
GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY :
   
 
[_________________________]
     
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
     
 
EXISTING GUARANTORS : 1
     
 
TRUSTEE :
   
 
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as
 
Trustee
     
 
By:
   
   
Name:
   
Title:
 

1 Insert signature blocks for each of the Guarantors existing at the time of execution of this Supplemental Indenture.

 
A - 4

 

Execution Version

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

EV Energy Partners, L.P.

EV Energy Finance Corp.,

the Guarantors party hereto,

and

RBC Capital Markets, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and
BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

as representative of the Initial Purchasers

Dated as of March 22, 2011
 
 
 

 
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
This Registration Rights Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of March [22], 2011, by and among EV Energy Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), EV Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp ” and, together with the Partnership, the “ Issuers ”), the entities listed on Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “ Guarantors ”),   and RBC Capital Markets, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BNP Paribas Securities Corp. as representative of the initial purchasers listed on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (each an Initial Purchaser and, collectively, the   Initial Purchasers ”), each of whom has agreed to purchase   the Issuers’ 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “ Initial Notes ”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “ Guarantees ”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement (as defined below).  The Initial Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “ Initial Securities .”
 
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated March 17, 2011 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (i) for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of Initial Securities, including the Initial Purchasers.  In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial Securities, the Issuers have agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section5(f) of the Purchase Agreement.
 
The parties hereby agree as follows:
 
SECTION 1.          Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
 
Additional Interest: As defined in Section 5 hereof.
 
Advice : As defined in Section 6(c) hereof.
 
Affiliate: As defined in Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission.
 
Agreement:   As defined in the preamble hereto.
 
Blackout Period :   As defined in the last paragraph of Section 4(a) hereof.
 
Broker-Dealer :   Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.
 
Business Day :   Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.
 
Closing Date :   The date of this Agreement.
 
Commission :   The Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 
 

 
 
Company : As defined in the preamble hereto
 
Consummate :   A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Issuers to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
Controlling Person : As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.
 
Exchange Act :   The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
Exchange Date : The date that Exchange Securities are delivered by the Issuers to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities that were tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
Exchange Deadline : As defined in Section 3(b) hereof.
 
Exchange Offer :   An offer registered under the Securities Act by the Issuers and the Guarantors pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Issuers offer the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders with terms that are identical in all respects to the Transfer Restricted Securities (except that Exchange Securities will not contain terms with respect to any increase in annual interest rate as described herein and the transfer restrictions).
 
Exchange Offer Registration Statement :   The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus, as defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
 
Exchange Securities :   The 8.0% Senior Notes due 2019, of the same series under the Indenture as the Initial Securities, including the Guarantees attached thereto, to be offered to Holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement.
 
Finance Corp : As defined in the preamble.
 
FINRA : The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., an independent regulatory organization (formerly National Association of Securities Dealers or NASD).
 
 
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Guarantees : As defined in the preamble hereto.
 
Guarantors :  As defined in the preamble hereto.
 
Holder :   As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.
 
Indemnified Holder :   As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.
 
Indenture :   The Indenture, dated as of March 22, 2011, by and among the Issuers, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), pursuant to which the Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
 
Initial Notes :   As defined in the preamble hereto.
 
Initial Placement :   The issuance and sale by the Issuers of the Initial Securities to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
 
Initial Purchaser :   As defined in the preamble hereto.
 
Initial Securities :   As defined in the preamble hereto.
 
Issuers : As defined in the preamble hereto
 
Person :   An individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or other legal entity, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
Prospectus :   The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such Prospectus.
 
Registration Default :   As defined in Section 5 hereof.
 
Registration Statement :   Any Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.
 
Securities Act :   The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
Shelf Filing Deadline :   As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
 
Shelf Registration Statement :   As defined in Section 4(a)(x) hereof.
 
 
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Transfer Restricted Securities :   Each Initial Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Security is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security and entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; (b) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement; (c) if a Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed in accordance with Section 4 hereof, one year from the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement; (d) the date on which such Initial Security is sold pursuant to Rule 144 under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Initial Security relating to restrictions on transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or otherwise, is removed and the restrictive CUSIP number is redesignated as non-restrictive, by the Issuers or pursuant to the Indenture; (e) the date upon which such Initial Security is distributed to the public by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein) and (f) the date on which such Initial Security ceases to be outstanding.
 
Trust Indenture Act :   The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
Trustee :  U.S. Bank National Association.
 
Underwritten Registration or   Underwritten Offering :   A registration in which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.
 
SECTION 2.          Securities Subject to this Agreement .
 
(a)            Transfer Restricted Securities.  The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.
 
(b)            Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities.  A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (a “ Holder ”) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
 
SECTION 3.          Registered Exchange Offer .
 
(a)           Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), the Issuers and the Guarantors shall (i) cause to be filed with the Commission sufficiently promptly so as to avoid a Registration Default with respect to the Exchange Offer, a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer (the “ Exchange Offer Registration Statement ”), (ii) use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act sufficiently promptly so as to avoid a Registration Default with respect to the Exchange Offer, (iii) in connection with the foregoing, file (A) all pre-effective amendments to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, a post-effective amendment to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) upon the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.
 
 
-4-

 
 
(b)           The Issuers and the Guarantors shall cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously and shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however , that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders.  The Issuers shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws.  No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 400 days after the Closing Date (or if such 400th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (such 400 th day herein referred to as the “ Exchange Deadline ”).
 
(c)           The Issuers shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Initial Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Issuers), may exchange such Initial Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Initial Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission.
 
 
-5-

 
 
The Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities.
 
The Issuers shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.
 
SECTION 4.          Shelf Registration .
 
(a)            Shelf Registration.  If (i) the issuers and the Guarantors are not required to file an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer for the Initial Securities because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy; (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer for the Initial Securities is not Consummated by the Exchange Deadline; or (iii) with respect to any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or Guarantors (A) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (B) such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (C) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Securities acquired directly from the Issuers or one of their Affiliates, then, upon such Holder’s request, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall (1) if permitted by law, cause the Transfer Restricted Securities of such Holder to be reissued in a form that does not bear any restrictive legends relating to the Securities Act and does not have a restrictive CUSIP number so that such Securities may be sold to the public in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act by a person that is not an Affiliate of the Issuer or any of the Guarantors where no conditions of Rule 144 are then applicable (other than the holding period requirement in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of Rule 144 so long as such holding period requirement is satisfied at such time of such reissue) and (2) in the event the Issuers cannot or do not comply with the provisions of the foregoing clause within 20 Business Days of the later of (I) the date of receipt by the Issuer of such notice of such Holder and (II) the first to occur of the Exchange Date and the Exchange Deadline (such later date being a “Shelf Filing Deadline” ), then the Issuers and the Guarantors shall

(x)        cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either event, the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”) on or prior to the Shelf Filing Deadline which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and
 
 
-6-

 
 
(y)           use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission on or before the 90th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 90th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).
 
Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall keep any such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by the Holders entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of one year following the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Transferred Registered Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement).  Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be deemed not to have used commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective during the requisite period if any of the Issuers or the Guarantors voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Transfer Restricted Securities during that period, unless (X) such action is required by applicable law; or (Y) such action is taken by any of the Issuers or Guarantors in good faith and for valid business reasons (not including avoidance of the Issuers or the Guarantors obligations hereunder) including, but not limited to, the acquisition or divestiture of assets, so long as the Issuers and the Guarantors promptly thereafter comply with the requirements of the last paragraph of Section 6(c) hereof (the period during which the Shelf Registration Statement is not available under clauses (X) or (Y) above, the “ Blackout Period ”).  The Blackout Period shall not exceed 45 days in any three-month period or   90 days in any twelve-month period.
 
(b)            Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement.  No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Issuers in writing, within ten Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Issuers may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein.  Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuers all information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously furnished to the Issuers by such Holder not materially misleading.
 
 
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SECTION 5.          Additional Interest.  If (a) the Exchange Offer is not Consummated on or prior to the Exchange Deadline, (b) a Shelf Registration Statement applicable to the Transfer Restricted Securities required to be filed by the terms of this Agreement is not declared effective (or does not automatically become effective) on or prior to the 90th calendar day following any Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 90th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), or (c) a Shelf Registration Statement applicable to the Transfer Restricted Securities required to be filed by the terms of this Agreement is declared effective (or automatically becomes effective) as required but thereafter fails to remain effective or becomes unusable in connection with resales for more than 30 calendar days, excluding any Blackout Period (each such event referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above, a “ Registration Default ”), the Issuers hereby agree that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 1.0% per annum (“ Additional Interest ”) for the period of occurrence of the Registration Default until the earlier of the consummation of the Exchange Offer and such time as no Registration Default is in effect.  Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, Additional Interest will cease to accrue and the interest rate on the Transfer Restricted Securities will revert to the original rate; provided , however , that, if after the date such Additional Interest ceases to accrue, another Registration Default occurs, Additional Interest will again commence accruing pursuant to the foregoing provisions.
 
All obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.
 
SECTION 6.          Registration Procedures .
 
(a)            Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the applicable provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.  As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Issuers, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Issuers (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Issuers or the Guarantors, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities in its ordinary course of business.  In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Issuers’ preparations for the Exchange Offer.  Each Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters, and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Issuers.
 
 
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(b)           Shelf Registration Statement.  In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement, each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto each of the Issuers and the Guarantors will as expeditiously as possible prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof.
 
(c)           General Provisions.  In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Initial Securities by Broker-Dealers), each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
 
(i)           use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors) for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable; upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Issuers shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement, in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purposes as soon as practicable thereafter;
 
(ii)          prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply fully with the applicable provisions of Rules 424, 430A and 430B under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;
 
 
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(iii)         advise the underwriters, if any, and selling Holders promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein (with respect to the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.  If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;
 
(iv)         furnish without charge to each of the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each underwriter, if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders and underwriters in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Issuers will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all such documents incorporated by reference) to which an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period); provided, that this clause (iv) shall not apply to any filing by the Partnership of any annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to matters unrelated to the Initial Securities, the Transfer Restricted Securities and the Exchange Securities and the offering or exchange therefor.  The objection of an Initial Purchaser or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;
 
 
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(v)          in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, make available at during normal business hours for inspection by the Initial Purchasers, the managing underwriters, if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such Initial Purchasers or any of the underwriters, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors and cause the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent requested by the managing underwriters, if any;
 
(vi)         if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and underwriters, if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriters, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Issuers are notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
 
(vii)        in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each of the underwriters, if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits incorporated therein by reference);
 
 
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(viii)      deliver to each selling Holder and each of the underwriters, if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; each of the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby consents to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriters, if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;
 
(ix)         in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and make such representations and warranties, and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be requested by any Initial Purchaser or by any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall:
 
(A)         furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:
 
(1)           a certificate, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement signed by (y) the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President and (z) and the Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer of each of the Issuers and the Guarantors, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;
 
(2)           an opinion, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors, covering the matters set forth in Sections 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matter as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Issuers and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Issuers and the Guarantors, representatives of the underwriters, if any, and counsel to the underwriters, if any, in connection with the preparation of such Shelf Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the Shelf Registration Statement, at the time such Shelf Registration Statement became effective, and contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such Registration Statement as of its date contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.  Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial, accounting and reserve data included in any Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus;
 
 
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(3)           a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from the Partnership’s independent accountants and any other independent accountants who have certified audited financial statements contained in or incorporated by reference into the Shelf Registration Statement, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, without exception; and
 
(4)           a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from any of the Partnership’s independent petroleum engineers whose reports are referenced in the Shelf Registration Statement or any document incorporated by reference into the Shelf Registration Statement, each in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers.
 
(B)          set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and
 
(C)          deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(ix)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 6(c)(ix), if any.
 
 
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If at any time the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors contemplated in Section 6(c)(ix)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Issuers or the Guarantors shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriters, if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
 
(x)          prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriters, if any, may request and do any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however , that none of the Issuers nor the Guarantors shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign entity where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
 
(xi)         shall issue, in connection with the Consummation of the Exchange Offer and in accordance with the Indenture, Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities surrendered to the Issuers by the Holders in exchange therefore;
 
(xii)        cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriters, if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriters;
 
(xiii)       use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other domestic governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriters, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xii) hereof;
 
(xiv)       if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
 
 
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(xv)        provide a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Exchange Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Exchange Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and take all other action necessary to ensure that all such Exchange Securities are eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;
 
(xvi)       cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with the FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter” as that term is defined within the rules and regulations of the FINRA) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the FINRA;
 
(xvii)      otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Issuers’ first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;
 
(xviii)     cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of the Initial Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner; and
 
(xix)        in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, cause all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Issuers are then listed if requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities or the managing underwriters, if any.
 
 
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Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof or any Blackout Period described in Section 4(a) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xiv) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “ Advice ”) by the Issuers that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus.  If so directed by the Issuers, each Holder will deliver to the Issuers (at the Issuers’ expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice.  In the event the Issuers shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof or notice of any Blackout Period to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xiv) hereof or shall have received the Advice.
 
SECTION 7.          Registration Expenses .
 
(a)           All expenses incident to the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of the FINRA)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing of Prospectuses), if any, messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers, the Guarantors and, subject to Section 7(b) hereof, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; and (v) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Issuers and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).
 
Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Issuers or the Guarantors.
 
 
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(b)           In connection with any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement, the Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. or such other counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.
 
SECTION 8.          Indemnification .
 
(a)           The Issuers and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “ controlling person ”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “ Indemnified Holder ”), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of each such Indemnified Holder for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim damage, liability or action, joint or several, directly or indirectly arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein (in the case of the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto) or necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Issuers by any of the Holders expressly for use therein.  This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Issuers or any of the Guarantors may otherwise have.
 
In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Issuers or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Issuers and the Guarantors in writing; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Issuers or any of the Guarantors of their respective obligations pursuant to this Agreement.  Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Issuers and the Guarantors (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Holder is not entitled to indemnification hereunder).  The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders.  The Issuers and the Guarantors shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ prior written consent, and each of the Issuers and the Guarantors agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Issuers and the Guarantors.  The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless (i) such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
 
 
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(b)           Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective directors, officers of the Issuers and the Guarantors who sign a Registration Statement, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Issuers or any of the Guarantors, and the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers and the Guarantors to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement or Prospectus.  In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Issuers, the Guarantors or their respective directors or officers or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the Issuers and the Guarantors, and the Issuers, the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.
 
(c)           If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Issuers and the Guarantors from the Initial Placement and in the case of the Holders shall be deemed to be equal to the total discount received by such Holder with respect to the Initial Securities), the amount of Additional Interest which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and actions referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
 
 
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The Issuers, the Guarantors and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discount received by such Holder with respect to the Initial Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Initial Securities held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.
 
SECTION 9.          Rule 144A.  Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
 
 
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SECTION 10.        Participation in Underwritten Registrations.  No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
 
SECTION 11.        Selection of Underwriters.  The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering.  In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bankers and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however , that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriters must be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers.
 
SECTION 12.        Miscellaneous .
 
(a)            Remedies.  Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors hereby agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
 
(b)            No Inconsistent Agreements.  Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Issuers’ or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
 
(c)            Adjustments Affecting the Securities.  The Issuers will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Initial Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
 
 
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(d)           Amendments and Waivers.   The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Issuers have (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Issuers or its Affiliates).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered; provided, however, that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Issuers shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or departure is to be effective.
 
(e)           Notices.   All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
 
(i)           if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Trustee under the Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee under the Indenture; and
 
(ii)          if to the Issuers:
 
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P.
 
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 800
 
Houston, Texas 77002
 
Fax: (713) 659-3556
 
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
 
Haynes & Boone LLP
1 Houston Center
1221 McKinney Street, Suite 2100
Houston, Texas 77010
Facsimile:  (713) 236-5699
Attention:  George G. Young III
 
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
 
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.
 
 
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(f)             Successors and Assigns.   This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however , that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.
 
(g)            Counterparts.   This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
 
(h)            Headings.   The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
 
(i)             Governing Law.   THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
 
(j)             Severability.   In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
 
(k)            Entire Agreement.   This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Issuers with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
 
[ signature page follows ]
 
 
-22-

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 
 
ISSUERS
   
 
EV ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
   
 
By:
EV Energy GP, L.P., its General Partner
 
By:
EV Management, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
   
 
EV ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
     
 
GUARANTORS
   
 
EV PROPERTIES GP, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer

 
 

 
 
 
ENERVEST PRODUCTION PARTNERS, LTD.
   
 
By:
EVPP GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
   
 
CGAS PROPERTIES, L.P.
   
 
By:
EVCG GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
   
 
ENERVEST-CARGAS, LTD.
   
 
By:
EVPP GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
     
 
EVPP GP, LLC
 
EVCG GP, LLC
   
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
 
 
 

 
 
 
ENERVEST MONROE MARKETING, LTD.
 
ENERVEST MONROE GATHERING, LTD.
     
 
By:
EVPP GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
   
 
EV PROPERTIES, L.P.
     
 
By:
EV Properties GP, LLC, its General Partner
     
 
By:
/s/ Michael E. Mercer
   
Name:  Michael E. Mercer
   
Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief
   
  Financial Officer
 
 
 

 
 
The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
 
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
 
By:
/s/ David Capaldi
 
Name: David Capaldi
 
Title: Managing Director
   
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
   
By:
/s/ T.S. Benson
 
Name: T.S. Benson
 
Title: Managing Director
 
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
 
By:
/s/ Robert H. Johnson, Jr.
 
Name: Robert H. Johnson, Jr.
 
Title: Managing Director
 
BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.
 
By:
/s/ Jim Turner
 
Name: Jim Turner
 
Title: Managing Director

Acting on behalf of themselves and as the Representatives of the several Initial Purchasers
 
 
 

 
 
SCHEDULE A
 
Guarantors
 
EV PROPERTIES, L.P.
EV PROPERTIES GP, LLC
EVPP GP, LLC
ENERVEST PRODUCTION PARTNERS, LTD.
ENERVEST MONROE GATHERING, LTD.
ENERVEST MONROE MARKETING, LTD.
EVCG GP, LLC
CGAS PROPERTIES, L.P.
ENERVEST-CARGAS, LTD.

 
 

 

EV Energy Partners Announces Private Offering of Senior Notes
 
HOUSTON, TX — (Marketwire - March 10, 2011) - EV Energy Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: EVEP) today announced that, subject to market conditions, it intends to offer $250 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2019 in a private placement to eligible purchasers.
 
The Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay indebtedness under its existing revolving credit facility.
 
The securities to be offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The senior unsecured notes are expected to be eligible for trading by qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and non-US persons under Regulation S. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, except as required by law.
 
(code #: EVEP/G)
 
This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Partnership expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding closing of the offering and the use of proceeds of the offering. These statements reflect the Partnership’s expectations or forecasts based on assumptions made by the Partnership. These statements are subject to risks including those relating to market conditions, financial performance and results, prices and demand for natural gas and oil and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward looking statements. These risks are further described in the Partnership’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Partnership undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P., Houston
Michael E. Mercer
713-651-1144
http://www.evenergypartners.com

 
 

 

EV Energy Partners Prices Private Offering of $300 Million of 8.0% Senior Notes
 
HOUSTON, TX — (Marketwire - March 17, 2011) - EV Energy Partners, L.P. (NASDAQ: EVEP) today announced that it priced its private offering to eligible purchasers of $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.0% senior unsecured notes due 2019 at an offering price equal to 100% of par.  The offering was upsized from the previously announced $250 million to $300 million.  The Partnership intends to use the net proceeds, after expenses, from the notes offering of approximately $291.7 million to repay indebtedness under its existing revolving credit facility. The offering is expected to close on March 22, 2011, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
 
The securities to be offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The senior unsecured notes are expected to be eligible for trading by qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and non-US persons under Regulation S. This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, except as required by law.
 
(code #: EVEP/G)
 
This press release includes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Partnership expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding closing of the offering and the use of proceeds of the offering. These statements reflect the Partnership’s expectations or forecasts based on assumptions made by the Partnership. These statements are subject to risks including those relating to market conditions, financial performance and results, prices and demand for natural gas and oil and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward- looking statements. These risks are further described in the Partnership’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made and the Partnership undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
EV Energy Partners, L.P., Houston
Michael E. Mercer
713-651-1144
http://www.evenergypartners.com