UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 12, 2013 (June 7, 2013)


GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD.
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

    

Alberta, Canada
001-32714
98-0570897
Delaware
001-35211
38-3531640
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
1331 Lamar Street, Suite 650
 
 
Houston, Texas
 
77010
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(ZIP Code)

(713) 739-1800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
 
 
[ ]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


 







SECTION 1 - REGISTRANT'S BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

Item 1.01      Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Chesapeake Amendment

As previously disclosed in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2013, on March 28, 2013, Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. (“Gastar USA”), a subsidiary of Gastar Exploration Ltd. (the “Company”), entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and among Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., Arcadia Resources, L.P., Jamestown Resources, L.L.C., Larchmont Resources, L.L.C. and Gastar USA (the “Chesapeake Purchase and Sale Agreement”), to acquire proven reserves and undeveloped leasehold interests in Kingfisher and Canadian Counties, Oklahoma for a cash purchase price of approximately $74.2 million, subject to customary adjustments. On June 7, 2013, the parties to the Chesapeake Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into an Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Chesapeake Amendment”), dated June 7, 2013, in order to revise the description of the properties to be acquired and to evidence the withdrawal of Arcadia Resources, L.P. and Jamestown Resources, L.L.C. from the Chesapeake Purchase and Sale Agreement.

A copy of the Chesapeake Amendment is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The descriptions of the Chesapeake Amendment in this Current Report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.

Cubic Amendment

Also as previously announced, on April 19, 2013, Gastar Exploration Texas, LP (“Gastar Texas”) and Gastar USA entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement, by and among Gastar Texas, Gastar USA and Cubic Energy, Inc. (the “Cubic Purchase and Sale Agreement), pursuant to which Cubic Energy, Inc. will acquire from Gastar Texas certain leasehold interests in the Hilltop Area of East Texas, including production from interests in producing wells, for a cash purchase price of approximately $46.0 million, subject to adjustment for an accounting effective date of January 1, 2013 and other customary adjustments. On June 11, 2013, the parties to the Cubic Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into the First Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Cubic Amendment”), dated June 11, 2013, but effective as of June 5, 2013, in order to extend the closing date and termination date to June 28, 2013 and July 12, 2013, respectively, and to adjust the purchase price to reflect the exclusion of certain assets.

A copy of the Cubic Amendment is attached as Exhibit 2.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The descriptions of the Cubic Amendment in this Current Report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

On June 7, 2013, Gastar USA entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Gastar USA, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender and he lenders named therein (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but note defined in this section shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

The Revolving Credit Facility provided an initial borrowing base of $50.0 million, with borrowings bearing interest, at Gastar USA's election, at the reference rate or the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin. The reference rate is the greater of (i) the rate of interest publicly announced by the administrative agent, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points, or (iii) one month LIBOR plus 1.0%. The applicable interest rate margin varies from 1.0% to 2.0% in the case of borrowings based on the reference rate and from

    



2.0% to 3.0% in the case of borrowings based on the Eurodollar rate, depending on the utilization percentage in relation to the borrowing base. An annual commitment fee of 0.5% is payable quarterly based on the unutilized balance of the borrowing base. The Revolving Credit Facility had a scheduled maturity date of November 14, 2017.

The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by all of Gastar USA's current domestic subsidiaries and all future domestic subsidiaries formed during the term of the Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings and related guarantees are secured by a first priority lien on all domestic natural gas and oil properties currently owned by or later acquired by Gastar USA and its subsidiaries, excluding de minimus value properties as determined by the lender. The facility is secured by a first priority pledge of the stock of each domestic subsidiary, a first priority interest on all accounts receivable, notes receivable, inventory, contract rights, general intangibles and material property of the issuer and 65% of the stock of each foreign subsidiary of Gastar USA.

The Revolving Credit Facility contains various covenants, including among others:

restrictions on liens, incurrence of other indebtedness without lenders' consent and common stock dividends and other restricted payments;
maintenance of a minimum consolidated current ratio as of the end of each quarter of not less than 1.0 to 1.0, as adjusted;
maintenance of a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA, as of the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2013, of not greater than 4.50 to 1.00, as of the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2013, of not greater than 4.25 to 1.00, and for each quarter following, of not greater than 4.0 to 1.0; and
maintenance of an interest coverage ratio on a rolling four quarters basis, as adjusted, of EBITDA to interest expense, as of the end of each quarter, to be less than 2.5 to 1.0.

All outstanding amounts owed become due and payable upon the occurrence of certain usual and customary events of default, including among others:

failure to make payments;
non-performance of covenants and obligations continuing beyond any applicable grace period; and
the occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) of Gastar USA.

Should there occur an Event of Default (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) then the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Required Lenders (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), or may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, by notice to Gastar USA, declare (i) all amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility immediately due and payable and (ii) the commitments shall immediately cease and terminate unless and until reinstated by the lender in writing, provided that the terms of the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) shall be automatic if the cause of the Event of Default is the insolvency of Gastar USA. If amounts outstanding become immediately due and payable, the Administrative Agent may request that Gastar USA deposit 104% of the Minimum Collateral Amount (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) in the Cash Collateral Account.

A copy of the New Credit Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The description of the New Credit Agreement in this Current Report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.


    



Intercreditor Agreement

On June 7, 2013, Gastar USA entered into an Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Gastar USA, certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as First Priority Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Second Priority Agent (the “Intercreditor Agreement”), pursuant to which the liens on the collateral securing the 8.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2018 and related guarantees (together, the “Securities”) are contractually subordinated to the liens on the collateral that secure the revolving credit facility and certain other obligations. In the event of a foreclosure on the collateral or of insolvency proceedings, the holders of the Securities will receive proceeds from the collateral only after obligations under the revolving credit facility and such other obligations have been paid in full.

A copy of the Intercreditor Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The description of the Intercreditor Agreement in this Current Report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such agreement.

Second Amendment to Employee Change of Control Severance Plan

Effective June 7, 2013, the board of directors of the Company approved the adoption of an amendment (the “COC Severance Plan Amendment”) to the Gastar Exploration Ltd. Employee Change of Control Severance Plan, as amended and restated on February 15, 2008 and as further amended on April 11, 2012 (the “Plan”). The COC Severance Plan Amendment modifies Appendix A of the Plan to include the change of control severance payment formula under the Plan for the Chief Operating Officer at 60% for a severance period of 2.5 years.
    
A copy of the COC Severance Plan Amendment is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference and is hereby filed. The description of the COC Severance Plan Amendment in this Current Report is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the COC Severance Plan Amendment.

SECTION 2 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 2.01      Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On June 7, 2013, pursuant to the Chesapeake Purchase and Sale Agreement, as amended, and the Settlement Agreement, between Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C. and Chesapeake Energy Corporation and the Company, Gastar Texas and Gastar Exploration Texas, LLC (the “Settlement Agreement”), the Company and Gastar USA completed the acquisition of proven reserves and undeveloped leasehold interests, repurchase of 6,781,768 outstanding common shares of the Company currently held by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and settlement of all claims made in a the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, for an aggregate of approximately $84.0 million, subject to adjustment for customary due diligence items. The purchase price was funded with proceeds from the private placement of debt securities of Gastar USA that closed on May 15, 2013.

Copies of the Chesapeake Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Settlement Agreement were filed as Exhibit 2.1 and Exhibit 10.1, respectively, to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013 and are incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Chesapeake Amendment is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is 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 set forth under the heading “Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement” in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the information incorporated by reference therein, is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.


SECTION 5 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective June 7, 2013, Michael McCown was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. McCown joined us in December 2009 as a Senior Advisor and in July 2010 was elected Vice President - Northeast. Mr. McCown has been responsible for all operational activities on our Marcellus Shale assets and will in the future also be responsible for our Hunton Limestone assets. Prior to joining us, from 2006 to June 2010, Mr. McCown held various positions with CDX Gas LLC, predecessor to Vitruvian Exploration LLC, including Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President & General Manager. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. McCown was with EOG Resources Inc. as Operations Manager. He has over 36 years of experience in production, drilling and operations throughout the United States including the Uintah, San Juan Permian and Appalachian Basins. Mr. McCown's other experience includes managerial responsibilities for companies including Pennzoil Company, Devon Energy Corp. and East Resources. Mr. McCown has served two terms on the Board of WV Oil and Natural Gas Association and is a former President of that association. He also served on the Board of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia for seven years and he served as President of the Association from August 2010 through August 2011. Mr. McCown holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Ohio University and is a Registered Professional Petroleum Engineer.

The information set forth under the heading “Second Amendment to Change of Control Severance Plan” in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the information incorporated by reference therein, is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02 by reference.

SECTION 7 – REGULATION FD

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure

On June 7, 2013, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Chesapeake acquisition and certain management promotions. A copy of the Company's press release, dated June 7, 2013, is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information presented herein under Item 7.01 and set forth in the attached press release included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report is deemed to be “furnished” solely pursuant to Item 7.01 of this report and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information or the exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.


SECTION 9 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired.


    



As permitted under this item, the Company will file any financial statements required to be filed by this item by amendment to this Current Report not later than 71 days after the date this Current Report is required to be filed.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

As permitted under this item, the Company will file the pro forma financial information required to be filed by this item by amendment to this Current Report not later than 71 days after the date this Current Report is required to be filed.

(d) Exhibits

The following is a list of exhibits furnished as part of this Form 8-K:


Exhibit No.
 
Description of Document
 
 
 
2.1*
 
Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, by and among Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., Arcadia Resources, L.P., Jamestown Resources, L.L.C., Larchmont Resources, L.L.C. and Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.
 
 
 
2.2
 
First Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2013, but effective as of June 5, 2013, by and among Gastar Exploration Texas, LP, Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. and Cubic Energy, Inc.
 
 
 
10.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender, and the Lenders named therein.
 
 
 
10.2
 
Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as First Priority Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Second Priority Agent.
 
 
 
10.3
 
Second Amendment to Gastar Exploration Ltd. Employee Change of Control Severance Plan, dated June 7, 2013.


 
 
 
99.1
 
Press Release dated June 7, 2013.

__________________
*
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the schedules and similar attachments to Exhibit 2.1 have not been filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.



    



SIGNATURES

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



Date: June 12, 2013
GASTAR EXPLORATION LTD.
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ J. Russell Porter
 
 
J. Russell Porter
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ J. Russell Porter
 
 
J. Russell Porter
 
 
 
President


    



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
 
Description of Document
 
 
 
2.1*
 
Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, by and among Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., Arcadia Resources, L.P., Jamestown Resources, L.L.C., Larchmont Resources, L.L.C. and Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.
 
 
 
2.2
 
First Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2013, but effective as of June 5, 2013, by and among Gastar Exploration Texas, LP, Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. and Cubic Energy, Inc.
 
 
 
10.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender, and the Lenders named therein.
 
 
 
10.2
 
Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as First Priority Agent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Second Priority Agent.
 
 
 
10.3
 
Second Amendment to Gastar Exploration Ltd. Employee Change of Control Severance Plan, dated June 7, 2013.


 
 
 
99.1
 
Press Release dated June 7, 2013.


__________________
*
Pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K, the schedules and similar attachments to Exhibit 2.1 have not been filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.


    
 
Exhibit 2.1

AMENDMENT TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT TO PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT , dated as of June 7, 2013 (this “ Amendment ”), is made and entered into by and between among CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ CELLC ”), ARCADIA RESOURCES, L.P., an Oklahoma limited partnership (“ ARLP ”), JAMESTOWN RESOURCES, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ JRLLC ”), and LARCHMONT RESOURCES, L.L.C., an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ LRLLC ” and together with CELLC, ARLP and JRLLC, each, a “ Seller ” and collectively the “ Sellers ”), and GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC., a Delaware corporation (“ Buyer ”). Buyer and Sellers may be referred to herein collectively as the “ Parties ”, or individually as a “ Party ”.
RECITALS
WHEREAS , the Parties have entered into the Purchase and Sale Agreement, executed as of March 28, 2013 (the “ PSA ”); and
WHEREAS , the Parties desire to amend the PSA as set forth below.
NOW, THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Amendment, the benefits to be derived by each Party, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Sellers and Buyer agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1.
Amendment : The Parties hereby amend the PSA as follows:

(a)
In Section 1.1 of the PSA, subpart (a) of the definition of Properties is hereby amended by deleting the entire subpart (a) of such definition and replacing it with the following language:

(a) all Hydrocarbon leases listed on Exhibit “A-3” attached hereto and made a part hereof, whether producing or non-producing, and the operating rights, working interests, net revenue interests, and other rights to Hydrocarbons therein, but only (i) to the extent such leases and related interests cover the Target Formations or (ii) to the extent any such rights are necessary to operate, maintain, produce or plug and abandon any Wells at any non-Target Formation depths at which such Wells have been completed as of the Effective Time (the “ Real Property Interests ”),

(b)
In Section 1.1 of the PSA, subpart (e) of the definition of Properties is hereby amended by deleting the entire subpart (e) of such definition and replacing it with the following language:

(e) all Hydrocarbons produced from such Seller’s interest in the Wells attributable either to the Target Formations or to any non-Target Formation depths at which such

1


any Wells have been completed as of the Effective Time, and all Hydrocarbons attributable to Target Formations in, on, under or produced from such Seller’s Real Property Interests, or such lands pooled or unitized therewith, in each case, from and after the Effective Time, and the proceeds of the foregoing,

(c)
Exhibit “B” of the PSA is hereby deleted in its entirety and Exhibit A attached hereto is substituted in lieu thereof for all purposes;

(d)
The PSA is hereby amended by adding a new Section 5.12 to the PSA, as follows:

Section 5.12

For clarity, the Buyer shall not, and the term Properties does not include any rights to, do any of the following: recomplete, or add any additional perforations to, any Well in any formation above the Target Formations; provided, however, the Buyer shall be entitled to otherwise rework any producing perforated zones existing as of the Closing in the wellbore of any Well.

2.
Withdrawal of ARLLC and JRLLC from PSA .  ARLP and JRLLC (the “ Withdrawing Parties ”), on the one hand, and the Buyer, on the other hand, hereby acknowledge and agree that the interests in the Properties owned by the Withdrawing Parties (the “ Withdrawn Interests ”) are hereby withdrawn from the purchase and sale transactions under to the PSA.  The Buyer hereby releases the Withdrawing Parties from the obligation to sell the Withdrawn Interests to the Buyer and from all other obligations of the Withdrawing Parties under the PSA and any other documents or contracts executed in connection therewith, and each of the Withdrawing Parties hereby releases the Buyer from the obligation to purchase the Withdrawn Interests and from all other obligations owed to the Withdrawing Parties under the PSA and any other documents or contracts executed in connection therewith.  The unadjusted Purchase Price is hereby reduced by the aggregate Allocated Value of the Withdrawn Interests as set forth on  Exhibit “A”  to the PSA, and at Closing the Withdrawing Parties’ pro rata portion of the Deposit shall be applied against the remaining Purchase Price. The Withdrawing Parties, the Buyer, CELLC and LRLLC each acknowledge and agree that all references herein and in the PSA (a) to “Sellers” are deemed amended to refer solely to CELLC and LRLLC as the Sellers, (b) to “Party” and “Parties” are deemed amended to refer solely to, individually and collectively, CELLC, LRLLC and the Buyer, and (c) to “Properties” are deemed amended to refer solely to CELLC’s Properties and LRLLC’s Properties.

3.
FWPP Obligations . For clarity, the Chesapeake Energy Corporation (" CHK ") Founder Well Participation Program as well as any and all rights and obligations thereunder or under any prior employment agreements between CHK and Aubrey K. McClendon are Excluded Assets and Retained Liabilities of CHK, and do not constitute Assumed Obligations of the Buyer or comprise any part of the Properties.


2


4.
Additional Further Assurances . The Parties agree that after the Closing, promptly following Gastar's written notification, the Parties will duly execute such appropriate state, federal, or Indian conveyances to the extent necessary to complete the conveyance of the Properties to the Buyer.

5.
Confirmation . Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of the PSA shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms following the execution of this Amendment.

6.
Counterparts; Facsimiles, Electronic Transmission . This Amendment may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which will be an original instrument, but all of which will constitute one agreement. The execution and delivery of this Amendment by any Party may be evidenced by facsimile or scanned email, which shall be binding upon all Parties.

7.
Entire Agreement . This Amendment, the PSA, and those documents expressly referred to herein and therein, and the other documents executed in connection herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the Parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way. There are no oral agreements between the Parties.

8.
Miscellaneous : Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings given to those terms in the PSA. As amended above, the PSA shall continue in full force and effect.


[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE]


3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized representative as of the date first written above.

Sellers:
CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION, L.L.C. , an Oklahoma limited liability company
By: /s/ Douglas J. Jacobson                
Douglas J. Jacobson, Executive Vice President
ARCADIA RESOURCES, L.P. , an Oklahoma limited partnership
By: /s/ Scott R. Mueller                
Scott R. Mueller, Chief Financial Officer
JAMESTOWN RESOURCES, L.L.C. , an Oklahoma limited liability company
By: /s/ Scott R. Mueller                
Scott R. Mueller, Chief Financial Officer
LARCHMONT RESOURCES, L.L.C. , an Oklahoma limited liability company
By: /s/ Scott R. Mueller                
Scott R. Mueller, Chief Financial Officer

Buyer:
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC., a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ J. Russell Porter                
J. Russell Porter, Chief Executive Officer



Signature Page- Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement

Exhibit 2.2

FIRST AMENDMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT
This First Amendment of Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Amendment”) dated June 11, 2013, but effective as of June 5, 2013, is made by and among Gastar Exploration Texas, LP (“Seller”), Gastar Exploration USA, Inc. (“Seller Guarantor”) and Cubic Energy, Inc. (“Buyer”). Buyer and Seller are sometimes referred to herein, collectively, as the “Parties” and, individually, as a “Party”.

WHEREAS, the Parties and Seller Guarantor executed a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “PSA”) on April 19, 2013. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the PSA. All references to “Section” are references to sections in the PSA.

WHEREAS, the undersigned desire to amend the PSA as provided herein by executing this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Amendment, the benefits to be derived by each party hereto, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties and Seller Guarantor agree as follows.

1.
PSA Amendments : The Parties hereby amend the PSA as follows:

(a)
Section 1.01 of the PSA is hereby amended by adding a new defined term as follows:

LOR 7 Well ” shall mean that certain well known as “Lone Oak Ranch 7” well having the NSA number 012948 and Gastar Account number 5003.


(b)
Section 9.01 of the PSA is hereby amended by deleting the words, “June 5, 2013” and replacing such words with “June 28, 2013”;

(c)
Section 11.01(b) of the PSA is hereby amended by deleting the words “June 20, 2013” immediately preceding the proviso and replacing such words with “July 12, 2013”;

(d)
The PSA is hereby amended by adding a new section 7.08 as follows:

Section 7.08 LOR 7 Well . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and subject to the terms and conditions of such contract operating agreement delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(f) , Buyer and Seller agree that the LOR 7 Well shall be retained by Seller and excluded from the purchase and sale contemplated by this Agreement. Buyer agrees that (a) the adjustment to the Purchase Price in respect of the exclusion of the LOR 7 Well from the purchase and sale contemplated by this Agreement shall be Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) and (b) no further adjustments to the Purchase Price shall be made on account of the exclusion of the LOR 7 Well from the purchase, sale and assignment contemplated by this Agreement.

(e)
The PSA is hereby amended by adding a new section 8.01(f) as follows:

(f) LOR 7 Well . Buyer shall have duly executed and delivered on or prior to the Closing Date, a contract operating agreement with respect to the LOR 7 Well in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Parties, which agreement shall contain provisions, among others, requiring Buyer, at Seller’s election, to operate the LOR 7 Well, obligating Buyer to






pay all lease operating expenses in connection with the LOR 7 Well, which lease operating expenses shall not be reimbursable by Seller and entitling Seller to all revenue and proceeds attributable to the LOR 7 Well (provided that Seller shall be responsible for any production tax or ad valorem tax applicable to the production from the LOR 7 Well attributable to Seller’s interest).

2.
Confirmation. Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of the PSA shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms following the execution of this Amendment.

3.
Amendment . This Amendment may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by all Parties.

4.
Entire Agreement. This Amendment, the PSA, the Confidentiality Agreement, and the documents to be executed pursuant hereto and thereto, and the exhibits and schedules attached hereto and thereto, constitute the entire agreement between the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof. No supplement, amendment, alteration, modification, waiver or termination of this Amendment or the PSA shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Parties and specifically referencing this Amendment and the PSA as being supplemented, amended, altered, modified, waived or terminated.
US 1930593v.1

5.
Miscellaneous : Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings given to those terms in the PSA. As amended above, the PSA shall continue in full force and effect. Sections 14.07 (No Third Party Beneficiaries), 14.08 (Assignment), 14.09 (Governing Law), 14.10 (Notices), 14.11 (Severability), 14.12 (Counterparts) of the PSA shall apply to this Amendment as if set forth in full in this Amendment, mutatis mutandis .




  
Signature Page Follows

2




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

    
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS, LP

By:
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS LLC

By:
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.

By: /s/ Michael A. Gerlich                
Name:    Michael Gerlich
Title:    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


CUBIC ENERGY, INC.


By: /s/ Calvin A. Wallen, III            
Name:    Calvin A. Wallen, III
Title:    President


GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.
(solely for the purpose of acknowledging this Amendment)

By: /s/ Michael A. Gerlich            
Name:    Michael Gerlich
Title:    Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


3

Exhibit 10.1


 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of June 7, 2013,
Among
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.,
as Borrower,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swing Line Lender, and Issuing Lender,
and
THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
as Lenders
$500,000,000

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
As Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner




TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page


ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1

Section 1.01
Certain Defined Terms
1

Section 1.02
Computation of Time Periods
25

Section 1.03
Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP
25

Section 1.04
Classes and Types of Advances
25

Section 1.05
Miscellaneous
25

ARTICLE II
CREDIT FACILITIES
26

Section 2.01
Commitment for Revolving Advances
26

Section 2.02
Borrowing Base
26

Section 2.03
Method of Borrowing
30

Section 2.04
Reduction of the Commitments
35

Section 2.05
Prepayment of Advances
35

Section 2.06
Repayment of Advances
37

Section 2.07
Letters of Credit
38

Section 2.08
Fees
44

Section 2.09
Interest
44

Section 2.10
Illegality
45

Section 2.11
Breakage Costs
46

Section 2.12
Increased Costs
46

Section 2.13
Payments and Computations
47

Section 2.14
Taxes
49

Section 2.15
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
52

Section 2.16
Defaulting Lender
53

Section 2.17
Existing Loans under the Restated Agreement
55

ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS
56

Section 3.01
Amendment and Restatement
56

Section 3.02
Conditions Precedent to All Borrowings
59

ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
60

Section 4.01
Existence; Subsidiaries
60

Section 4.02
Power
60

Section 4.03
Authorization and Approvals
60

Section 4.04
Enforceable Obligations
60

Section 4.05
Financial Statements
61

Section 4.06
True and Complete Disclosure
61

Section 4.07
Litigation; Compliance with Laws
61

Section 4.08
Use of Proceeds
62

Section 4.09
Investment Company Act
62

Section 4.10
Federal Power Act
62

Section 4.11
Taxes
62

Section 4.12
Pension Plans
62

Section 4.13
Condition of Property; Casualties
63





TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page

Section 4.14
No Burdensome Restrictions; No Defaults
63

Section 4.15
Environmental Condition
63

Section 4.16
Permits, Licenses, Etc
64

Section 4.17
Gas Contracts
64

Section 4.18
Liens; Titles, Leases, Etc
64

Section 4.19
Solvency and Insurance
64

Section 4.20
Hedging Agreements
64

Section 4.21
Material Agreements
65

Section 4.22
Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc
65

Section 4.23
Identification Numbers
66

Section 4.24
Oil and Gas Properties
66

ARTICLE V
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
67

Section 5.01
Compliance with Laws, Etc
68

Section 5.02
Maintenance of Insurance
68

Section 5.03
Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc
68

Section 5.04
Payment of Taxes, Etc
69

Section 5.05
Visitation Rights
69

Section 5.06
Reporting Requirements
69

Section 5.07
Maintenance of Property
72

Section 5.08
Agreement to Pledge
73

Section 5.09
Use of Proceeds
73

Section 5.10
Title Evidence and Opinions
73

Section 5.11
Further Assurances; Cure of Title Defects
73

Section 5.12
Leases; Development and Maintenance
74

Section 5.13
Oil and Gas Properties - Insurance
74

Section 5.14
Deposit Accounts
74

Section 5.15
Post-Closing Obligations
74

ARTICLE VI
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
75

Section 6.01
Liens, Etc
75

Section 6.02
Indebtednesss, Guaranties, and Other Obligations
76

Section 6.03
Agreements Restricting Liens and Distributions
77

Section 6.04
Merger or Consolidation; Asset Sales
77

Section 6.05
Restricted Payments
78

Section 6.06
Investments
79

Section 6.07
Affiliate Transactions
79

Section 6.08
Compliance with ERISA
80

Section 6.09
Sale-and-Leaseback
80

Section 6.10
Change of Business; Accounting Change
80

Section 6.11
Organizational Documents, Name Change
80

Section 6.12
Use of Proceeds; Letters of Credit
81

Section 6.13
Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments
81

Section 6.14
Hedging Limitations
81


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page

Section 6.15
Additional Subsidiaries
81

Section 6.16
Account Payables
82

Section 6.17
Leverage Ratio
82

Section 6.18
Interest Coverage Ratio
82

Section 6.19
Current Ratio
82

Section 6.20
Second Lien Debt
82

Section 6.21
Additional Liens
82

Section 6.22
Oil and Gas Properties - Operations
82

Section 6.23
Equity Interests
83

ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES
83

Section 7.01
Events of Default
83

Section 7.02
Optional Acceleration of Maturity
85

Section 7.03
Automatic Acceleration of Maturity
86

Section 7.04
Right of Set‑off
86

Section 7.05
Non-exclusivity of Remedies
87

Section 7.06
Application of Proceeds
87

ARTICLE VIII
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE ISSUING LENDER AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT
88

Section 8.01
Appointment and Authority
88

Section 8.02
Rights as a Lender
88

Section 8.03
Exculpatory Provisions
89

Section 8.04
Reliance by Agents, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender
90

Section 8.05
Delegation of Duties
90

Section 8.06
Resignation of Agent or Issuing Lender
90

Section 8.07
Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders
91

Section 8.08
No Other Duties, etc
92

Section 8.09
Indemnification
92

Section 8.10
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim
93

Section 8.11
Collateral and Guaranty Matters
94

ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
94

Section 9.01
Costs and Expenses
95

Section 9.02
Indemnification; Waiver of Damages
95

Section 9.03
Waivers and Amendments
96

Section 9.04
Severability
97

Section 9.05
Survival of Representations and Obligations
97

Section 9.06
Binding Effect
97

Section 9.07
Successors and Assigns
97

Section 9.08
Confidentiality
101

Section 9.09
Notices, Etc
101

Section 9.10
Usury Not Intended
102

Section 9.11
Usury Recapture
103

Section 9.12
Payments Set Aside
103

Section 9.13
Governing Law; Service of Process
103


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page

Section 9.14
Submission to Jurisdiction
104

Section 9.15
Electronic Execution of Assignments
104

Section 9.16
Execution in Counterparts
104

Section 9.17
Waiver of Jury
104

Section 9.18
Indenture Intercreditor Agreement
104

Section 9.19
Keepwell
104

Section 9.20
USA Patriot Act
105

Section 9.21
Flood Insurance Regulations
105

Section 9.22
Amendment and Restatement
105

Section 9.23
Release of Parent from Guaranty and Release of Liens on Equity Interests issued by Borrower
105


SCHEDULES:
Schedule I    -    Pricing Grid
Schedule II    -    Notice Information and Commitments
Schedule 4.01     -    Subsidiaries of Borrower
Schedule 4.05     -     Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 4.07     -     Litigation
Schedule 4.20    -     Hedging Contracts
Schedule 4.21    -    Material Agreements
Schedule 4.23    -    Identification Numbers
Schedule 4.24    -    Back-In and Reversionary Interests

EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A    –    Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B    –    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C    –    Form of Guaranty
Exhibit D    –    Form of Mortgage
Exhibit E-1    –    Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit E-2    –    Form of Swing Line Note
Exhibit F    –    Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit G    –    Form of Notice of Conversion or Continuation
Exhibit H    –    Form of Pledge Agreement
Exhibit I    –    Form of Security Agreement
Exhibit J    –    Form of Transfer Letters
Exhibit K    –    Form of Legal Opinion
Exhibit L    –    Form of Indenture Intercreditor Agreement
Exhibit M-1    –    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit M-2    –    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit M-3    –    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Exhibit M-4    –    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate



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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 7, 2013, is among Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Borrower ”), the lenders party hereto from time to time (the “ Lenders ”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for such Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”), as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity, the “ Collateral Agent ”), as swing line lender (in such capacity, the “ Swing Line Lender ”), and as issuing lender for such Lenders (in such capacity, the “ Issuing Lender ”).
The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
Section 1.01      Certain Defined Terms . As used in this Agreement, the terms defined above shall have the meanings set forth therein and the following terms shall have the following meanings (unless otherwise indicated, such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
Acceptable Letter of Credit Maturity Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.07 hereof.
Acceptable Security Interest ” in any Property means a Lien which (a) exists in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (b) is superior to all Liens or rights of any other Person in the Property encumbered thereby, other than Permitted Subject Liens, (c) secures the Secured Obligations, and (d) is perfected and enforceable.
" Account Control Agreement " shall mean, as to any deposit account of any Loan Party held with a bank, an agreement or agreements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, among the Loan Party owning such deposit account, the Collateral Agent, and such other bank governing such deposit account.
Acquisition ” means the purchase by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any business, including the purchase of all or substantially all the associated assets or operations or of stock (or other Equity Interests) of a Person.
Adjusted Reference Rate ” means, for any day, the fluctuating rate per annum of interest equal to the greatest of (a) the Reference Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the One-Month LIBOR plus 1.00%. Any change in the Adjusted Reference Rate due to a change in the Reference Rate, Eurodollar Rate or Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Reference Rate, Eurodollar Rate or Federal Funds Rate.
Administrative Agent ” means Wells Fargo, in its capacity as administrative agent pursuant to Article VIII until its resignation or removal, and any successor administrative agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.06.
Administrative Questionnaire ” means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent or such other form provided by a Lender and acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Advance ” means an advance by a Lender or a Swing Line Lender to the Borrower as part of a Borrowing.





Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person. The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” or “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of a Control Percentage, by contract, or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.
Agents ” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, and “ Agent ” means the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent individually.
Agreement ” means this Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as the same may be further amended, supplemented, restated, and otherwise modified from time to time.
Anti-Terrorism Laws ” shall mean any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224 and the Patriot Act.
Applicable Margin ” means, with respect to any Advance, the rate per annum set forth in the Pricing Grid for the relevant Type of such Advance based on the relevant Utilization Level applicable from time to time. The Applicable Margin for any Advance shall change when and as the relevant Utilization Level changes.
Assignment Agreement ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Existing Credit Agreement.
Assignment and Acceptance ” means an assignment and acceptance entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit A .
AutoBorrow Agreement ” means any agreement providing for automatic borrowing services between the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender.
Availability ” means, at any time, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the aggregate Commitments over (b) the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure.
Available Cash ” means, as of any date, the readily and immediately available unrestricted cash held in deposit accounts of any Loan Party (other than the Cash Collateral Account) on such date; provided that, such deposit accounts and the funds therein shall be unencumbered and free and clear of all Liens and other third party rights other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent pursuant to Security Instruments and (ii) a Lien in favor of the depositary institution holding such deposit accounts arising solely by virtue of such depositary institution's standard account documentation or any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only such deposit accounts.
Banking Service Provider ” means any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that provides Banking Services to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.
Banking Services ” means each and any of the following bank services: (a) commercial credit cards, (b) stored value cards and (c) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled

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disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).
Banking Services Obligations ” means any and all obligations of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary owing to Banking Service Providers, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.
BB Hedge ” means any hedge position or Hedge Contract considered by the Administrative Agent in determining the then effective Borrowing Base.
BB Value ” means (a) as to any Oil and Gas Property, the value, if any, attributed to such Oil and Gas Property under the then effective Borrowing Base, as determined by the Administrative Agent and (b) as to any Hedge Event, the net effect of such Hedge Event (after giving effect to any new hedge position or Hedge Contract entered into since the determination of the Borrowing Base then in effect), if any, on the then effective Borrowing Base, as determined by the Administrative Agent.
Blocked Person ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.22 hereof.
Borrower Series A Preferred Shares ” shall mean shares of Series A Cumulative Preferred Securities of the Borrower.
Borrowing ” means a Revolving Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing.
Borrowing Base ” means at any particular time, the Dollar amount determined in accordance with Section 2.02 on account of Proven Reserves attributable to Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries.
Borrowing Base Deficiency ” means, at any time, an amount equal to the excess of (a) the sum of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure over (b) the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the aggregate Commitments.
Business Day ” means a day (a) other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which the Administrative Agent is authorized to close under the laws of, or is in fact closed in, New York or Texas, and (b) if the applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, on which dealings are carried on by commercial banks in the London interbank market.
Capital Expenditures ” for any Person and period of its determination means, without duplication, the aggregate of all expenditures and costs (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities during that period and including that portion of payments under Capital Leases that are capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person) of such Person during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are required to be included in or reflected by the property, plant, or equipment or similar fixed asset accounts reflected in the balance sheet of such Person.
Capital Leases ” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property by such Person as lessee which would, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.
Cash Collateral Account ” means a special interest bearing cash collateral account pledged by the Borrower to the Issuing Lender containing cash deposited pursuant to Sections 2.05(c), 7.02(b), or 7.03(b)

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to be maintained with the Issuing Lender in accordance with Section 2.07(g) and bear interest or be invested in the Issuing Lender’s reasonable discretion.
Cash Collateralize ” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Lender, Swing Line Lender or Lenders, as collateral for Letter of Credit Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations or the Swing Line Advances, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Lender shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Lender. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
Casualty Event ” means the damage, destruction or condemnation, including by process of eminent domain or any Disposition of property in lieu of condemnation, as the case may be, of property of any Person or any of its Subsidiaries, including by process of eminent domain or any Disposition of property in lieu of condemnation.
CERCLA ” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, state and local analogs, and all rules and regulations and requirements thereunder in each case as now or hereafter in effect.
Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a)     the Parent ceases to own, either directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interest of the Borrower other than as a result of the Gastar Merger;
(b)     any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 33% or more of the Voting Securities of the Parent (or the Borrower if the Gastar Merger has been effected) and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right;
(c)    during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Parent (or the Borrower if the Gastar Merger has been effected) cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body, or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body; or
(d) a “Change of Control” (as defined in the Second Lien Note Agreement) shall have occurred.
Change in Law ” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any new Legal Requirement, (b) any change in any Legal Requirement

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or in the administration, interpretation, implementation, or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statute.
Collateral ” means all “Collateral”, “Pledged Collateral” and “Mortgaged Properties” (as defined in each of the Mortgages, the Security Agreements, and the Pledge Agreement, as applicable) or similar terms used in the Security Instruments.
Commitment ” means, with respect to each Lender, the amount set opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule II hereof as its Commitment, or if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance, as set forth for such Lender as its Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.07(c), as such amount may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.04 or Article VII or otherwise under this Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Commitments on the date hereof is $500,000,000.00.
Commitment Fee Rate ” means the per annum commitment fee rate set forth on the Pricing Grid applicable from time to time. The Commitment Fee Rate shall change when and as the relevant Utilization Level changes.
Commitment Termination Date ” means the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the earlier termination in whole of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04 or Article VII .
Commodity Exchange Act ” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof).
Compliance Certificate ” means a compliance certificate in the form of the attached Exhibit B signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Connection Income Taxes ” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
Consolidated Net Income ” means, with respect to the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the net income for such period after taxes, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding however, (a) extraordinary or non-recurring items, including any write‑up or write‑down of assets, and (b) the cumulative effect of any change in GAAP.
Contracts ” means all contracts, agreements, operating agreements, farm-out or farm-in agreements, sharing agreements, mineral purchase agreements, contracts for the purchase, exchange, transportation, processing or sale of Hydrocarbons, rights-of-way, easements, surface leases, equipment leases, permits, franchises, licenses, pooling or unitization agreements, and unit or pooling designations and orders now or hereafter affecting any of the Oil and Gas Properties, Operating Equipment, Fixture Operating Equipment,

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or Hydrocarbons now or hereafter covered hereby, or which are useful or appropriate in drilling for, producing, treating, handling, storing, transporting or marketing oil, gas or other minerals produced from any of the Oil and Gas Properties, and all as such contracts and agreements as they may be amended, restated, modified, substituted or supplemented from time-to-time.
Control Percentage ” means, with respect to any Person, the percentage of the outstanding Voting Securities (including any options, warrants or similar rights to purchase such Voting Securities) of such Person having ordinary voting power which gives the direct or indirect holder of such Voting Securities the power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of such Person.
Controlled Group ” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
Convert ,” “ Conversion ,” and “ Converted ” each refers to a conversion of Advances of one Type into Advances of another Type pursuant to Section 2.03(b).
Credit Extensions ” means (a) an Advance made by any Lender, and (b) the issuance, increase or extension of any Letter of Credit by the Issuing Lender.
Debtor Relief Laws ” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
Default ” means (a) an Event of Default or (b) any event or condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.
Default Rate ” means a per annum rate equal to (a) in the case of principal of any Advance, 2.00% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Advance as provided in Sections 2.09(a), (b), or (c), (b) in the case of any other Obligation other than Letter of Credit Fees, 2.00% plus the non-default rate applicable to Reference Rate Advances as provided in Section 2.09(a), and (c) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances plus 2.00% per annum.
Defaulting Lender ” means, subject to Section 2.16, any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) (except, with regards to the funding of Swing Line Advances, the Swing Line Lender) fund its Pro Rata Share of any Advance or participation in Letters of Credit required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or any Swing Line Advance) within three Business Days of the date when due, (b) (except, with regards to the funding of Swing Line Advances, the Swing Line Lender) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund an Advance hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) (except,

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with regards to the funding of Swing Line Advances, the Swing Line Lender) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, or assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the FDIC or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender and each Lender.
Deposit Account ” shall have the meaning given to the term in the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor statute), as adopted and in force in the State of New York or, when the laws of any other state govern the method or manner of the perfection or enforcement of any Lien in any of the Collateral, the Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor statute) of such other state.
Disposition ” or “ Dispose ” means any sale, lease, transfer, assignment, farm-out, conveyance, release, abandonment, or other disposition of any Property (including any working interest, overriding royalty interest, production payments, net profits interest, royalty interest, or mineral fee interest).
Dollars ” and “ $ ” means lawful money of the United States of America.
EBITDAX ” means, for any period, without duplication, (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income, Interest Expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, depletion, exploration expenses and other non-cash charges for such period (including any provision for the reduction in the carrying value of assets recorded in accordance with GAAP and including non-cash charges resulting from the requirements of ASC 410, 718 and 815) for such period minus (c) all non-cash items of income which were included in determining such Consolidated Net Income (including non-cash income resulting from the requirements of ASC 410, 718 and 815); provided that , such EBITDAX shall be subject to pro forma adjustments for Acquisitions and non-ordinary course asset sales assuming that such transactions had occurred on the first day of the applicable calculation period for the ratios set forth in Sections 6.17 and 6.18, which adjustments shall be made in accordance with the guidelines for pro forma presentations set forth by the SEC or in a manner otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent and with supporting documentation acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Effective Date ” means June 7, 2013.
Eligible Assignee ” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 9.07(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 9.07(b)(iii)).

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Engineering Report ” means either an Independent Engineering Report or an Internal Engineering Report.
Environment ” or “ Environmental ” shall have the meanings set forth in 42 U.S.C. 9601(8) (1988).
Environmental Claim ” means any third party (including governmental agencies and employees) action, lawsuit, claim, demand, regulatory action or proceeding, order, decree, consent agreement or notice of potential or actual responsibility or violation (including claims or proceedings under the Occupational Safety and Health Acts or similar laws or requirements relating to health or safety of employees) which seeks to impose liability under any Environmental Law.
Environmental Law ” means, as to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, all Legal Requirements or common law theories applicable to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary arising from, relating to, or in connection with the Environment, health, or safety, including without limitation CERCLA, relating to (a) pollution, contamination, injury, destruction, loss, protection, cleanup, reclamation or restoration of the air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata, or other natural resources; (b) solid, gaseous or liquid waste generation, treatment, processing, recycling, reclamation, cleanup, storage, disposal or transportation; (c) exposure to pollutants, contaminants, hazardous, or toxic substances, materials or wastes; (d) the safety or health of employees; or (e) the manufacture, processing, handling, transportation, distribution in commerce, use, storage or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes.
Environmental Permit ” means any permit, license, order, approval, registration or other authorization under Environmental Law.
Equity Interest ” means with respect to any Person, any shares, interests, participation, or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, membership interests or partnership interests (or any other ownership interests) of such Person.
ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
Eurocurrency Liabilities ” has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor), as in effect from time to time.
Eurodollar Base Rate ” means (a) in determining Eurodollar Rate for purposes of the “Daily One Month LIBOR”, the rate per annum for Dollar deposits quoted by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference to the “Daily One-Month LIBOR” or the “LIBOR Market Index Rate” or other words of similar import, as the inter-bank offered rate in effect from time to time for delivery of funds for one (1) month in amounts approximately equal to the principal amount of the applicable Advances; provided that, the Administrative Agent may base its quotation of the inter-bank offered rate upon such offers or other market indicators of the inter-bank market as the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion deems appropriate including the rate determined under the following clause (b), and (b) in determining Eurodollar Rate for all other purposes, the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/100 th of 1.00%) equal to the interest rate per annum set forth on the Reuters Reference LIBOR1 page as the London Interbank Offered Rate, for deposits in Dollars at 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) two Business Days before the first day of the applicable Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, if such quotation is not available for any reason, then for purposes of this clause (b), Eurodollar Base Rate shall then be the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of the Advances being made, continued or converted by the Lenders and

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with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by the Administrative Agent’s London Branch (or other branch or Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, or in the event that the Administrative Agent does not have a London branch, the London branch of a Lender chosen by the Administrative Agent) to major banks in the London or other offshore inter-bank market for Dollars at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
Eurodollar Rate ” means a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error) pursuant to the following formula:
Eurodollar Rate =
Eurodollar Base Rate  
1.00 – Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage
Eurodollar Rate Advance ” means an Advance which bears interest as provided in Section 2.09(b).
Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage ” means, as of any day, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities. The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Advance shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
Event of Default ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
Excluded Swap Obligations ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any Swap Obligations if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act at the time the guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap (as defined by the Commodity Exchange Act), such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps (as defined by the Commodity Exchange Act) for which such guarantee or Lien is or becomes illegal.
Excluded Taxes ” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in an Advance or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Advance or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.15 or reallocation pursuant to Section 2.16) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.14, additional amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.14 and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

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Existing Credit Agreement ” shall mean that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 2009, among the Borrower, the Parent, certain affiliates of the Borrower party thereto, the lenders party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent, collateral agent, and letter of credit issuer.
Existing Lender ” means each “Lender” (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) party to the Existing Credit Agreement on the date hereof.
Exiting Lender ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.17 hereof.
Expiration Date ” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the date on which such Letter of Credit will expire or terminate in accordance with its terms.
Extraordinary Cash Proceeds ” means (a) with respect to any Disposition of assets, all cash and Liquid Investments received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary from such Disposition after payment of, or provision for, all estimated cash taxes attributable to such Disposition and payable by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, and other reasonable out of pocket fees and expenses actually incurred by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary directly in connection with such Disposition, (b) with respect to any settlement or litigation proceeding, the proceeds of such settlement or litigation proceeding after payment of all out of pocket fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such settlement or proceeding, (c) with respect to any Casualty Event, the insurance proceeds or award or other compensation as a result of a Casualty Event after payment of all out of pocket fees and expenses actually incurred by the applicable Loan Party to receive such proceeds, and (d) with respect to any novation, assignment, unwinding, termination, or amendment of any hedge position or any other Hedging Contract, the sum of the cash and Liquid Investments received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in connection with such transaction after giving effect to any netting agreements.
Facility Amount ” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Existing Credit Agreement.
FATCA ” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code.
Federal Funds Rate ” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for any such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
Federal Reserve Board ” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any of its successors.
Fee Letter ” means that certain fee letter agreement dated May 28, 2013, Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC to the Borrower.

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FERC ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.25(e) hereof.
Financial Statements ” means the audited financial statements, including the audited consolidated balance sheet, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, and the related audited consolidated statements of income, cash flow, and retained earnings of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, copies of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
Fixture Operating Equipment ” means any of the items described in the first sentence of the definition of “Operating Equipment,” which, as a result of being incorporated into realty or structures or improvements located therein or thereon, with the intent that they remain there permanently, constitute fixtures under the laws of the state in which such equipment is located.
Flood Laws ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19 hereof.
Foreign Lender ” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
Fronting Exposure ” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Bank, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the outstanding Letter of Credit Exposure other than Letter of Credit Exposure as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been funded by it, reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of outstanding Swing Line Advances other than a Swing Line Advance as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been funded by it or reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.
GAAP ” means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the requirements of Section 1.03.
Gastar Merger ” means the merger of Parent with and into Borrower, with Borrower being the surviving entity.
Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Guarantor ” means (a)  each Subsidiary of the Borrower executing a Guaranty and (b) if the Gastar Merger is not consummated on or prior to December 31, 2013, and if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Parent upon execution of a Guaranty.
Guaranty ” means a guaranty agreement substantially the form of the attached Exhibit C and executed by a Guarantor, and “ Guaranties ” shall mean all such guaranties collectively.
Hazardous Substance ” means the substances identified as such pursuant to CERCLA and those regulated under any other Environmental Law, including without limitation pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, petroleum products, radionuclides, radioactive materials, and medical and infectious waste.

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Hazardous Waste ” means any substance or material regulated or designated as such pursuant to any Environmental Law, including without limitation, pollutants, contaminants, flammable substances and materials, explosives, radioactive materials, oil, petroleum and petroleum products, chemical liquids and solids, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, toxic substances, and similar substances and materials.
Hedge Contract ” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, puts, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “ Master Agreement ”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement; provided that, a “Hedge Contract” shall not include any “Master Agreement” or other agreement that provides solely for the sale by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of physical Hydrocarbons in exchange for cash in the ordinary course of its business.
Hedge Event ” means any unwinding, termination, or expiration, any novation or assignment by the applicable Loan Party, or any amendment that changes the price protection to the applicable Loan Party, of a BB Hedge.
Hydrocarbon Hedge Agreement ” means a Hedge Contract which is intended to reduce or eliminate the risk of fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons ” means oil, gas, coal seam gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, and all other liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons produced or to be produced in conjunction therewith from a well bore and all products, by-products, and other substances derived therefrom or the processing thereof, and all other minerals and substances produced in conjunction with such substances, including, but not limited to, sulfur, geothermal steam, water, carbon dioxide, helium, and any and all minerals, ores, or substances of value and the products and proceeds therefrom.
Indebtedness ,” for any Person, means without duplication:
(a) indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;
(b) obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;
(c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (including, without limitation, obligations that are non-recourse to the credit of such Person but are secured by the assets of such Person, but excluding trade accounts payable);
(d) obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases and obligations of such Person in respect of synthetic leases;

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(e) obligations of such Person under letters of credit and agreements relating to the issuance of letters of credit or acceptance financing;
(f) obligations of such Person under any Hedge Contract;
(g) obligations of such Person owing in respect of redeemable preferred Equity Interest of such Person;
(h) any obligations of such Person owing in connection with any volumetric or production prepayments;
(i) obligations of such Person under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above;
(j) indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above secured by any Lien on or in respect of any Property of such Person; and
(k) all liabilities of such Person in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any Plan.
Indemnified Taxes ” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
Independent Engineer ” means Netherland Sewell & Associates, Inc., Wright & Company, Inc., or any other engineering firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Independent Engineering Report ” means a report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, prepared by an Independent Engineer, with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (or to be acquired by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, as applicable) which are or are to be included in the Borrowing Base, which report shall (a) specify the location, quantity, and type of the estimated Proven Reserves attributable to such Oil and Gas Properties, (b) contain a projection of the rate of production of such Oil and Gas Properties, (c) contain an estimate of the net operating revenues to be derived from the production and sale of Hydrocarbons from such Proven Reserves based on product price and cost escalation assumptions stated therein, and (d) contain such other information as is customarily obtained from and provided in such reports or is otherwise reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
Indenture Intercreditor Agreement ” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as the Effective Date among the Borrower, the Agents, and the Second Lien Agent, and substantially in the form of Exhibit L hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated as permitted therein.
Interest Expense ” means, for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for any period, total interest, letter of credit fees, and other fees and expenses incurred in connection with any Indebtedness for such period, whether paid or accrued, including (i) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, imputed interest under Capital Leases, and net costs under Interest Hedge Agreements, all as determined in conformity with GAAP, and (ii) all interest, dividends, distributions, or other payments made in respect of preferred Equity Interests.

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Interest Hedge Agreement ” means a Hedge Contract between the Borrower and one or more financial institutions providing for the exchange of nominal interest obligations between the Borrower and such financial institution or the cap of the interest rate on any Indebtedness of the Borrower.
Interest Period ” means, for each Eurodollar Rate Advance comprising part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Rate Advance or the date of the Conversion of any Reference Rate Advance into a Eurodollar Rate Advance and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and Section 2.03 and, thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and Section 2.03. The duration of each such Interest Period shall be one, three or six months, in each case as the Borrower may, upon notice received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the third Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period, select; provided , however , that:
(a) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period which ends after the Commitment Termination Date;
(b) Interest Periods commencing on the same date for Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing shall be of the same duration;
(c) whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, provided that if such extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding Business Day; and
(d) any Interest Period which begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month in which it would have ended if there were a numerically corresponding day in such calendar month.
Interim Financial Statements ” means the unaudited financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the consolidated balance sheet, for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2013 and including therein statements of income, cash flow, and retained earnings of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter period then ended, copies of which have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.
Internal Engineering Report ” means a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, prepared by the Borrower and certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (or to be acquired by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, as applicable) which are or are to be included in the Borrowing Base, which report shall be in substantially the same form and provide substantially the same information that this Agreement requires to be included in the Independent Engineering Report together with such other information as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
" Investment " means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, guarantee (by guaranty or other arrangement) or assumption of Debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other Debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) the purchase

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or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Issuing Lender ” means Wells Fargo, and any successor issuing bank pursuant to Section 8.06.
Leases ” means all oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, oil, gas and casinghead gas leases or any other instruments, agreements, or conveyances under and pursuant to which the owner thereof has or obtains the right to enter upon lands and explore for, drill, and develop such lands for the production of Hydrocarbons.
Legal Requirement ” means, as to any Person, any law, statute, ordinance, decree, requirement, order, judgment, rule, regulation (or official interpretation of any of the foregoing) of, and the terms of any license or permit issued by, any Governmental Authority, including, but not limited to, Regulations D, T, U, and X, which is applicable to such Person.
Lender Parties ” means Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, the Swing Line Lender, the Collateral Agent, and the Administrative Agent.
Lender Swap Counterparty ” means (a) any Person that is a Lender or Affiliate of a Lender on date hereof and that is a counterparty to any Hedge Contract with the Borrower or any Subsidiary listed on Schedule 4.20 and (b) any counterparty to any other Hedge Contract with the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that such counterparty is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedge Contract is entered into. For the avoidance of doubt, “Lender Swap Counterparty” shall not include any participant of a Lender pursuant to Section 9.07(d) other than to the extent such participant is otherwise a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.
Lenders ” means a party hereto that (a) is a lender listed on the signature pages of this Agreement on the date hereof or (b) is an Eligible Assignee that became a lender under this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.15 or 9.07. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” references the Revolving Lenders and the Swing Line Lender.
Lending Office ” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Letter of Credit ” means, individually, any standby letter of credit issued or deemed issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of the Borrower in connection with the Commitments and that is subject to this Agreement, and “ Letters of Credit ” means all such letters of credit collectively.
Letter of Credit Application ” means the Issuing Lender’s standard form letter of credit application for standby letters of credit that has been executed by the Borrower and accepted by the Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance of a Letter of Credit.
Letter of Credit Documents ” means all Letters of Credit, Letter of Credit Applications, and agreements, documents, and instruments entered into in connection with or relating thereto.
Letter of Credit Exposure ” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn maximum face amount of each Letter of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate unpaid amount of all Reimbursement Obligations at such time.

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Letter of Credit Obligations ” means any obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in connection with the Letters of Credit, including the Reimbursement Obligations.
Leverage Ratio ” means, as of a fiscal quarter end, the ratio of (a)(i) the consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower (including all Second Lien Debt but excluding all of Borrower’s obligations under any Hedge Contract) minus (ii) the consolidated Available Cash of the Borrower, in each case, as of such fiscal quarter end to (b) the consolidated EBITDAX of the Borrower for the four fiscal quarter period then ended.
Lien ” means any mortgage, lien, pledge, assignment, charge, deed of trust, security interest, hypothecation, preference, deposit arrangement or encumbrance (or other type of arrangement having the practical effect of the foregoing) to secure or provide for the payment of any obligation of any Person, whether arising by contract, operation of law, or otherwise (including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, synthetic lease, Capital Lease, or other title retention agreement).
Liquid Investments ” means:
(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States maturing within 180 days from the date of any acquisition thereof;
(b) negotiable or nonnegotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits, or other similar banking arrangements maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof (“bank debt securities”), issued by (A) any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) or (B) any other bank or trust company so long as such certificate of deposit is pledged to secure the Borrower’s or any Subsidiaries’ ordinary course of business bonding requirements, or any other bank or trust company which has primary capital of not less than $500,000,000, if at the time of deposit or purchase, such bank debt securities are rated not less than ”AA” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and (ii) commercial paper issued by (A) any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) or (B) any other Person if at the time of purchase such commercial paper is rated not less than “A‑1” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or not less than “P‑1” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or upon the discontinuance of both of such services, such other nationally recognized rating service or services, as the case may be, as shall be selected by the Borrower with the consent of the Required Lenders;
(c) deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in investments described in clauses (a) and (b) above;
(d) repurchase agreements relating to investments described in clauses (a) and (b) above with a market value at least equal to the consideration paid in connection therewith, with any Person who regularly engages in the business of entering into repurchase agreements and has a combined capital surplus and undivided profit of not less than $500,000,000, if at the time of entering into such agreement the debt securities of such Person are rated not less than “AA” (or the then equivalent) by the rating service of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.; and
(e) such other instruments (within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC) as the Borrower may request and the Administrative Agent may approve in writing.
Loan Documents ” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Documents, the Guaranties, the Security Instruments, the Fee Letter, the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement, any AutoBorrow Agreement, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed by the Borrower, any Guarantor, or any of the

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Borrower’s or a Guarantor’s Subsidiaries or any of their officers at any time in connection with this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, “Loan Documents” does not include Hedge Contracts.
Loan Party ” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.
Material Adverse Change ” means a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent or any other Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender under any Loan Document.
Maturity Date ” means November 14, 2017.
Maximum Rate ” means the maximum nonusurious interest rate under applicable law (determined under such laws after giving effect to any items which are required by such laws to be construed as interest in making such determination, including without limitation if required by such laws, certain fees and other costs).
Minimum Collateral Amount ” means, at any time, (i) with respect to cash collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 104% of the Letter of Credit Exposure of the Issuing Lender with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and 100% of the Fronting Exposure of the Swing Line Lender with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit Amount and (ii) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender in their sole discretion.
Mortgage ” means each of the mortgages or deeds of trust executed by any one or more Loan Party in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit D or such other form as may be requested by either Agent, together with any assumptions or assignments of the obligations thereunder by any Loan Party, and “ Mortgages ” shall mean all of such Mortgages collectively.
Multiemployer Plan ” means a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
Non-Consenting Lender ” means any Lender that does not consent to a proposed agreement, amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document that (i) requires the consent of each Lender, including any increases to the Borrowing Base and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.
Non-Defaulting Lender ” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.
Notes ” means the Revolving Notes and the Swing Line Notes.
Notice of Borrowing ” means a notice of borrowing in the form of the attached Exhibit F signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Notice of Conversion or Continuation ” means a notice of conversion or continuation in the form of the attached Exhibit G signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
Obligations ” means all principal, interest (including post-petition interest), fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and other amounts payable by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective

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Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, including without limitation, the Letter of Credit Obligations and Reimbursement Obligations.
OFAC ” means The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Oil and Gas Properties ” means fee mineral interests, term mineral interests, Leases, subleases, farm-outs, royalties, overriding royalties, net profit interests, carried interests, production payments and similar mineral interests, and all unsevered and unextracted Hydrocarbons in, under, or attributable to such oil and gas Properties and interests.
One Month LIBOR ” means, for any day, the rate of interest equal to the Eurodollar Rate then in effect for delivery of funds for a one (1) month period.
Operating Equipment ” means all surface or subsurface machinery, equipment, facilities, supplies or other Property of whatsoever kind or nature now or hereafter located on any of the Property affected by the Oil and Gas Properties which are useful for the production, treatment, storage or transportation of Hydrocarbons, including all oil wells, gas wells, water wells, injection wells, casing, tubing, rods, pumping units and engines, christmas trees, derricks, separators, gun barrels, flow lines, pipelines, tanks, gas systems (for gathering, treating and compression), water systems (for treating, disposal and injection), supplies, derricks, wells, power plants, poles, cables, wires, meters, processing plants, compressors, dehydration units, lines, transformers, starters and controllers, machine shops, tools, storage yards and equipment stored therein, buildings and camps, telegraph, telephone and other communication systems, roads, loading racks, shipping facilities and all additions, substitutes and replacements for, and accessories and attachments to, any of the foregoing. Operating Equipment shall not include any items incorporated into realty or structures or improvements located therein or thereon in such a manner that they no longer remain personalty under the laws of the state in which such equipment is located.
Other Connection Taxes ” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Advance or Loan Document).
Other Taxes ” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment required by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.15 or made pursuant to Section 9.06).
Parent ” means Gastar Exploration, Ltd., an Alberta Canada corporation, and any permitted successor prior to the consummation of the Gastar Merger.
Patriot Act ” means the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).
PBGC ” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

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PDP Reserves ” means the Proven Reserves which are categorized as both “developed” and “producing” under the definitions for oil and gas reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
Permit ” means any approval, certificate of occupancy, consent, waiver, exemption, variance, franchise, order, permit, authorization, right or license of or from any Governmental Authority, including without limitation, an Environmental Permit.
Permitted Liens ” means the Liens permitted under Section 6.01.
Permitted Subject Liens ” means the Liens permitted under paragraphs (c) through (i) of Section 6.01.
Permitted Tax Distributions ” means Restricted Payments in the form of cash made by the Borrower to Parent in an amount equal to the income tax liabilities of the Parent attributable to the earnings of the Borrower for such tax years in which the Borrower is a pass-through entity or a member of a consolidated group for tax purposes (other than a consolidated group solely comprised of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries); provided that (a) such amount may not exceed the amount actually required to be paid by the Parent in income tax attributable to such earnings, and (b) no later than 10 Business Days following the making of such Restricted Payment, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with a calculation of such attributable taxes in detail and form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent); provided that, for purposes of determining the amount of Permitted Tax Distributions under this Agreement, the calculation of the tax liability shall be based on consolidated earnings of the Borrower (and not on earnings of any other Subsidiary of the Parent).
Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, limited liability corporation or company, limited liability partnership, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof or any trustee, receiver, custodian or similar official.
Plan ” means an employee benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) maintained for employees of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group and covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
Pledge Agreement ” means a pledge agreement in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit H and executed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Guarantors.
Pricing Grid ” means the pricing information set forth in Schedule I .
Pro Rata Share ” means, with respect to any Lender, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of aggregate Commitments of such Lender to the aggregate Commitments of all the Lenders (or if such Commitments have been terminated, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of outstanding Advances owing to such Lender to the aggregate outstanding Advances owing to all such Lenders.
Property ” of any Person means any property or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible) of such Person.
Proven Reserves ” means, at any particular time, the estimated quantities of Hydrocarbons which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from

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known reservoirs attributable to Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base under then existing economic and operating conditions (i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made).
Qualified ECP Guarantor ” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, (a) each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant Guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (b) a Loan Party for which another Person who constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder can cause such Loan Party to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Realty Collateral ” has the meaning set forth in the Mortgages.
Recipient ” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) the Issuing Lender, as applicable.
Reference Rate ” means a fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time equal to the rate of interest publicly announced by Wells Fargo, as its reference rate, whether or not the Borrower has notice thereof.
Reference Rate Advance ” means an Advance which bears interest as provided in Section 2.09(a).
Register ” has the meaning set forth in paragraph (c) of Section 9.07.
Regulations D, T, U, and X ” mean Regulations D, T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board, as the same is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
Reimbursement Obligations ” means all of the obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender for amounts paid by the Issuing Lender under Letters of Credit as established by the Letter of Credit Applications and Section 2.07(d).
Related Parties ” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
Release ” shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.
Required Lenders ” means, (a) at any time when there are more than two Lenders, Lenders holding at least 66⅔% of the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure; provided that, if no Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations are then outstanding, “Required Lenders” shall mean Lenders having at least 66⅔% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time and (b) at any time when there are one or two Lenders, all of the Lenders; provided further that, if there are two or more Lenders, the Commitment of, and the portion of the Advances and Letter of Credit Exposure held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders unless all of the Lenders are Defaulting Lenders.
Response ” shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.
Responsible Officer ” means (a) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, such Person’s Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, or Vice President, (b) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, a manager or the Responsible Officer of such Person’s managing member or

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manager, and (c) with respect to any Person that is a general partnership or a limited liability partnership, the Responsible Officer of such Person’s general partner or partners.
Restricted Payment ” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any direct or indirect dividend or distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) or any direct or indirect payment of any kind or character (whether in cash, securities or other Property) in consideration for or otherwise in connection with any retirement, purchase, redemption or other acquisition of any Equity Interest of such Person, or any options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest of such Person or (b) principal or interest payments (in cash, Property or otherwise) on, or redemptions of, subordinated debt of such Person; provided that the term “Restricted Payment” shall not include any dividend or distribution payable solely in common Equity Interests of such Person or warrants, options or other rights to purchase such Equity Interests.
Revolving Advance ” means an advance by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a) as part of a Revolving Borrowing and refers to a Reference Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Rate Advance.
Revolving Borrowing ” means a borrowing consisting of Advances made on the same day by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a).
Revolving Credit Exposure ” means, as to any Revolving Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Advances and such Revolving Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Advances at such time.
Revolving Lenders ” means Lenders having a Commitment or if such Commitments have been terminated, Lenders that are owed Revolving Advances.
Revolving Note ” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any Lender in the amount of such Lender’s Commitment, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit E-1 , evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from Advances owing to such Lender.
Sanctioned Entity ” means (a) a country or a government of a country, (b) an agency of the government of a country, (c) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by a country or its government, (d) a Person resident in a country, in each case, that is subject to a country sanctions program administered and enforced by OFAC.
Sanctioned Person ” means a person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals maintained by OFAC.
SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Second Lien Agent ” means Wells Fargo or such other Person serving in the capacity as the “collateral trustee” under the Second Lien Note Agreement to the extent permitted under the Second Lien Note Agreement and the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement.
Second Lien Debt ” means the “Obligations” as defined in the Second Lien Note Agreement.
Second Lien Loan Documents ” means the Second Lien Note Agreement, the promissory notes executed and delivered pursuant to the Second Lien Note Agreement, the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Responsible Officers in connection with the Second Lien Note Agreement.

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Second Lien Note Agreement ” means the Indenture dated as of May 15, 2013, among the Borrower and Second Lien Agent, as amended, supplemented, restated, extended, substituted, increased, replaced, renewed, refinanced or otherwise modified but only to the extent permitted under the terms of the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement.
Second Lien Note Issuance ” means the issuance by the Second Lien Agent of the Second Lien Notes in an aggregate principal amount of up to $200,000,000 on or about the Effective Date pursuant to the terms of the Second Lien Note Agreement.
Second Lien Notes ” means the senior, second-lien secured notes issued by the Second Lien Agent on or about the date hereof.
Secured Obligations ” means (a) all Obligations, (b) all obligations of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries owing to any Lender Swap Counterparty under any Hedge Contract; provided that, (i) when any Lender Swap Counterparty assigns or otherwise transfers any interest held by it under any Hedge Contract to any other Person pursuant to the terms of such agreement, the obligations thereunder shall constitute Secured Obligations only if such assignee or transferee is also then a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender and (ii) if a Lender Swap Counterparty ceases to be a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, obligations owing to such Lender Swap Counterparty shall be included as Secured Obligations only to the extent such obligations arise from transactions under such individual Hedge Contracts (and not the Master Agreement between such parties) entered into prior to the date hereof or at the time such Lender Swap Counterparty was a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, without giving effect to any extension, increases, or modifications thereof which are made after such Lender Swap Counterparty ceases to be a Lender hereunder or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, and (c) the Banking Services Obligations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, “Secured Obligations” shall not include the Excluded Swap Obligations.
Secured Parties ” means the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Lenders, the Lender Swap Counterparties, and the Banking Service Providers.
Security Agreements ” means the Security Agreements, each in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit I , executed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the Guarantors, and if applicable, the Collateral Agent.
Security Instruments ” means, collectively, (a) the Mortgages, (b) the Transfer Letters, (c) the Pledge Agreements, (d) the Security Agreements, (e) each other agreement, instrument or document executed at any time in connection with the Pledge Agreements, the Security Agreements, or the Mortgages, (f) each agreement, instrument or document executed in connection with the Cash Collateral Account; and (g) each other agreement, instrument or document executed at any time in connection with securing the Secured Obligations.
Solvent ” means, with respect to any Person as of the date of any determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the Property of such Person (both at fair valuation and at present fair saleable value) is greater than the total liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations, and other commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction,

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for which such Person’s Property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to current and anticipated future capital requirements and current and anticipated future business conduct and the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is engaged. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount which, in light of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person (the “ parent ”) at any date, any other Person the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any Person, a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at any time be owned by such parent or one or more Subsidiaries of such parent. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
Swing Line Advance ” means an advance by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower as part of a Swing Line Borrowing.
Swing Line Borrowing ” means the Borrowing consisting of a Swing Line Advance made by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.03(g) or, if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, any transfer of funds pursuant to such AutoBorrow Agreement.
Swing Line Lender ” means Wells Fargo, in its capacity as lender of Swing Line Advances hereunder.
Swing Line Note ” means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the Swing Line Lender, in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit E-2 , evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender resulting from Swing Line Advances owing to such Lender.
Swing Line Payment Date ” means (a) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, the earliest to occur of (i) the date required by such AutoBorrow Agreement, (ii) demand is made by the Swing Line Lender, (iii) the first day of each month, (iv) the fifteenth day of each month, (v) the last day of each month, and (vi) the Commitment Termination Date, or (b) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is not in effect, the earlier to occur of (i) three (3) Business Days after demand is made by the Swing Line Lender if no Default exists, and otherwise upon demand by the Swing Line Lender, (ii) the first day of each month, (iii) the fifteenth day of each month, (iv) the last day of each month, and (v) the Commitment Termination Date.
Swing Line Sublimit Amount ” means $5,000,000; provided that, on and after the Commitment Termination Date, the Swing Line Sublimit Amount shall be zero.
Taxes ” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Termination Event ” means (a) a reportable event described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other than a Reportable Event not subject to the provision for 30‑day notice to the PBGC under such regulations), (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates from a Plan

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during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.
Transfer Letters ” means, collectively, the letters in lieu of transfer orders in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit J and executed by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries executing a Mortgage.
Type ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.04.
UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may, from time to time, be in effect in the State of New York; provided, however, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection or priority of the security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.
U.S. Person ” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
Utilization Level ” means the applicable category (being Level I, Level II, Level III, Level IV or Level V) of pricing criteria contained in Schedule I , which is at any time of its determination based on the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the outstanding principal amount of the Advances and the Letter of Credit Exposure at such time by (b) the lesser of the Commitments and the Borrowing Base at such time.
Voting Securities ” means (a) with respect to any corporation (including any unlimited liability company), capital stock of such corporation having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have special voting power or rights by reason of the happening of any contingency), (b) with respect to any partnership, any partnership interest or other ownership interest having general voting power to elect the general partner or other management of the partnership or other Person, and (c) with respect to any limited liability company, membership certificates or interests having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect managers (or the individuals performing similar functions) of such limited liability company.
Wells Fargo ” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association.
Withholding Agent ” means the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Section 1.02      Computation of Time Periods . In this Agreement, with respect to the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”.
Section 1.03      Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP . Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders hereunder shall (unless otherwise disclosed to the Lenders in writing at the time of delivery thereof) be prepared, in accordance with GAAP

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applied on a basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest financial statements furnished to the Lenders hereunder (which prior to the delivery of the first financial statements under Section 5.06 hereof, shall mean the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements). All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with this Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with those used in the preparation of the annual or quarterly financial statements furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.06 hereof most recently delivered prior to or concurrently with such calculations (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements under Section 5.06 hereof, used in the preparation of the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements). If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth herein, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (a) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein, and (b) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. In addition, all calculations and defined accounting terms used herein shall, unless expressly provided otherwise, when referring to any Person, refer to such Person on a consolidated basis and mean such Person and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Section 1.04      Classes and Types of Advances . Advances are distinguished by “Class” and “Type.” The “Class” of an Advance refers to the determination of whether such Advances is a Revolving Advance or a Swing Line Advances. The “Type” of an Advance refers to the determination whether such Advance is a Eurodollar Rate Advance or Reference Rate Advance as determined in accordance with Section 2.03.
Section 1.05      Miscellaneous . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) any reference to any law or regulation herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
ARTICLE II     
CREDIT FACILITIES
Section 2.01      Commitment for Revolving Advances.
(a)      Revolving Advances . Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make Revolving Advances to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day

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during the period from the date of this Agreement until the Commitment Termination Date; provided that, after giving effect to such Revolving Advances, each Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure shall not exceed the lesser of such Lender’s Commitment at such time and such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing Base then in effect. Each Borrowing shall, in the case of Borrowings consisting of Reference Rate Advances, be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $250,000 in excess thereof, and in the case of Borrowings consisting of Eurodollar Rate Advances, be in an aggregate amount not less than $3,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and in each case shall consist of Advances of the same Type made on the same day by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Borrower may from time to time borrow, prepay, and reborrow Advances.
(b)      Evidence of Indebtedness . The Advances made by each Lender, and the Swing Line Advances made by the Swing Line Lender, shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender or the Swing Line Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the Lenders shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Advances made by such Lenders and Swing Line Lender to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender to the Borrower made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) the applicable Notes which shall evidence such Lender’s Revolving Advances to the Borrower in addition to such accounts or records. Upon the request of the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Swing Line Lender a Swing Line Note which shall evidence the Swing Line Advances to the Borrower in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender and the Swing Line Lender may attach schedules to such Notes with the date, Type (if applicable), amount, and maturity of its Advances and payments with respect thereto. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in the immediately preceding sentences, each Lender, Issuing Lender and Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the Register and the corresponding accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the Register and the corresponding accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
Section 2.02      Borrowing Base.
(a)      Borrowing Base . The initial Borrowing Base in effect as of Effective Date has been set by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and acknowledged by the Borrower as $50,000,000. Such initial Borrowing Base shall remain in effect until the next redetermination made pursuant to this Section 2.02. The Borrowing Base shall be determined in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 2.02(d) and is subject to periodic redetermination pursuant to Sections 2.02(b) and 2.02(c) and mandatory reductions pursuant to Section 2.02(d).
(b)      Calculation of Borrowing Base .
(i)      The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or before each February 28 th , beginning February 28, 2014, an Independent Engineering Report dated effective as of

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the immediately preceding December 31 st , and such other information as may be reasonably requested by any Lender with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base. In the normal course of business (but in any event within 60 days after the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ receipt of such Independent Engineering Report and other information), (A) the Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Lender the Administrative Agent’s recommendation for the redetermined Borrowing Base (which, regardless of when such Borrowing Base takes effect, will be "as of" May 1 st of such year), (B) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall redetermine the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.02(d), and (C) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the amount of the Borrowing Base as so redetermined.
(ii)      The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on or before each August 31 st , beginning August 31, 2013, an Internal Engineering Report dated effective as of the immediately preceding June 30 th and such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base. In the normal course of business (but in any event within 60 days after the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ receipt of such Internal Engineering Report and other information), (A) the Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Lender the Administrative Agent’s recommendation for the redetermined Borrowing Base (which, regardless of when such Borrowing Base takes effect, will be "as of" November 1 st of such year), (B) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall redetermine the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.02(d), and (C) the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the amount of the Borrowing Base as so redetermined.
(iii)      In the event that the Borrower does not furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Independent Engineering Report, Internal Engineering Report or other information specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above by the date specified therein, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may nonetheless redetermine the Borrowing Base and redesignate the Borrowing Base from time-to-time thereafter in their sole discretion until the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive the relevant Independent Engineering Report, Internal Engineering Report, or other information, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall redetermine the Borrowing Base as otherwise specified in this Section 2.02.
(iv)      Each delivery of an Engineering Report (including, without limitation, the initial Engineering Report delivered pursuant to Section 3.01) by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that (A) the Borrower and the Guarantors, as applicable, own the Oil and Gas Properties specified therein (other than any thereof that have been Disposed of since the date of such Engineering Report in a Disposition permitted by this Agreement) free and clear of any Liens (except Permitted Liens), (B) on and as of the date of such Engineering Report each Oil and Gas Property identified as PDP Reserves therein was developed for oil and gas, and the wells pertaining to such Oil and Gas Properties that are described therein as producing wells (“ Wells ”), were each producing oil and/or gas in paying quantities, except for Wells that were utilized as water or gas injection wells, carbon dioxide wells or as water disposal wells (each as noted in such Engineering Report), (C) the descriptions of quantum and nature of the record title interests of the Borrower and the Guarantors, as applicable, set forth in such Engineering Report include the entire record title interests of the Borrower and the Guarantors in such Oil and Gas Properties, are complete and accurate in all respects, and take into account all Permitted Liens, (D) there are no “back-in” or “reversionary” interests held by third parties which could reduce the interests of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors in such Oil and Gas Properties except as set forth in Engineering Report, (E) no operating or other agreement to which the Borrower or any of the Guarantors is a party or by which the Borrower or any of the Guarantors is bound affecting any part of such Oil and Gas Properties requires the Borrower or any of the Guarantors to bear any

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of the costs relating to such Oil and Gas Properties greater than the record title interest of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors in such portion of the such Oil and Gas Properties as set forth in such Engineering Report, except in the event the Borrower or any of the Guarantors is obligated under an operating agreement to assume a portion of a defaulting party’s share of costs, and (F) the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ ownership of the Hydrocarbons and the undivided interests in the Oil and Gas Properties as specified in such Engineering Report (i) will, after giving full effect to all Permitted Liens, afford the Borrower or the applicable Guarantor not less than those net interests (expressed as a fraction, percentage or decimal) in the production from or which is allocated to such Hydrocarbons specified as net revenue interest in such Engineering Report and (ii) will cause the Borrower or the applicable Guarantor to bear not more than that portion (expressed as a fraction, percentage or decimal), specified as working interest in such Engineering Report, of the costs of drilling, developing and operating the wells identified in such Engineering Report or identified in the exhibits to the Mortgages encumbering such Oil and Gas Properties (except for any increases in working interest with a corresponding increase in the net revenue interest in such Oil and Gas Property).
(c)      Interim Redeterminations . In addition to the scheduled Borrowing Base redeterminations provided for in Section 2.02(b), the Borrowing Base may be further redetermined by the Lenders as follows, in each case, based on such information as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders deem relevant (but in accordance with Section 2.02(d)):
(i)     the Administrative Agent may, and shall at the request of the Required Lenders, make a redetermination of the Borrowing Base during any six-month period between scheduled redeterminations;
(ii)     the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, make a redetermination of the Borrowing Base during any six-month period between scheduled redeterminations;
(iii)     the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may make additional redeterminations of the Borrowing Base in connection with any Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties or any Hedge Event if, after giving effect thereto, the sum of (A) the BB Value of all Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties made since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination and (B) the BB Value of all such Hedge Events since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination, equals or exceeds 10% of the Borrowing Base then in effect.
For the avoidance of doubt, such additional redeterminations of the Borrowing Base shall not constitute nor be construed as a consent to any transaction or proposed transaction that would not be permitted under the terms of this Agreement. The party requesting the redetermination under this paragraph (c) shall give the other party at least 10 days’ prior written notice that a redetermination of the Borrowing Base pursuant to this paragraph (c) is to be performed; provided that, no such prior written notice shall be required for any redetermination made by the Lenders during the existence of a Default. In connection with any redetermination of the Borrowing Base under this Section 2.02(c), the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with such information regarding the Borrower and the Guarantors’ business (including, without limitation, its Oil and Gas Properties, the Proven Reserves, and production relating thereto) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request; provided that, in the case of requests for an increase to the Borrowing Base of $1,000,000 or more, the request of an updated Internal Engineering Report is deemed to be reasonable. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of each redetermination of the Borrowing Base pursuant to this Section 2.02(c) and the amount of the Borrowing Base as so redetermined.

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(d)      Mandatory Reduction . If any Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties or Hedge Event has the effect of causing the sum of (i) the BB Value of all Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties made since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination (including such Disposition) and (ii) the BB Value of all Hedge Events since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination (including such Hedge Event) to exceed 5% of the Borrowing Base then in effect, then effective as of the date such Disposition is consummated or such Hedge Event is effected, as applicable, the Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced by the BB Value of Oil and Gas Properties that are covered by such Disposition and by the BB Value of such Hedge Event.
(e)      Standards for Redetermination . Each redetermination of the Borrowing Base by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall be made (i) in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (but in accordance with the other provisions of this Section 2.02(e)), (ii) in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ customary internal standards and practices for valuing and redetermining the value of Oil and Gas Properties in connection with reserve based oil and gas loan transactions, (iii) in conjunction with the most recent Independent Engineering Report or Internal Engineering Report, as applicable, or other information received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders relating to the Proven Reserves of the Borrower and the Guarantors, and (iv) based upon the estimated value of the Proven Reserves owned by the Borrower and the Guarantors as determined by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. In valuing and redetermining the Borrowing Base, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may also consider the business, financial condition, and Indebtedness obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors and such other factors as the Administrative Agent and the Lenders customarily deem appropriate, including without limitation, commodity price assumptions, projections of production, operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, capital costs, working capital requirements, liquidity evaluations, dividend payments, environmental costs, and legal costs. In that regard, the Borrower acknowledges that the determination of the Borrowing Base contains an equity cushion (market value in excess of loan value), which is essential for the adequate protection of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. No Proven Reserves shall be included or considered for inclusion in the Borrowing Base unless the Administrative Agent shall have received, at the Borrower’s expense, (A) evidence of title reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent covering at least 85% (by value) of the Proven Reserves and the Oil and Gas Properties relating thereto and (B) Mortgages and such other Security Instruments requested by either Agent to the extent necessary to cause the Collateral Agent to have an Acceptable Security Interest in 85% (by value) of the Proven Reserves and the Oil and Gas Properties relating thereto. At all times after the Administrative Agent has given the Borrower notification of a redetermination of the Borrowing Base under this Section 2.02, the Borrowing Base shall be equal to the redetermined amount or such lesser amount designated by the Borrower and disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders until the Borrowing Base is subsequently redetermined in accordance with this Section 2.02; provided that the Borrower shall not request that the Borrowing Base be reduced to a level that would result in a Borrowing Base Deficiency. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) to the extent the redetermined Borrowing Base is less than or equal to the Borrowing Base in effect prior to such redetermination, such redetermined Borrowing Base must be approved by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, and (y) to the extent the redetermined Borrowing Base is greater than the Borrowing Base in effect prior to such redetermination, such redetermined Borrowing Base must be approved by the Administrative Agent and all of the Lenders.
Section 2.03      Method of Borrowing.
(a)      Notice . Each Borrowing (other than the Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date), shall be made pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing given by Borrower to Administrative Agent not later than (i) 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the third Business Day before the date of the proposed

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Borrowing, in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance or (ii) 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Reference Rate Advance, by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice of such proposed Borrowing, by facsimile or by electronic mail. The Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date shall be made pursuant to the applicable Notices of Borrowing given not later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the Effective Date by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice of such proposed Borrowing, by facsimile or by electronic mail. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be by facsimile or by electronic mail (with a PDF file of the executed Notice of Borrowing attached), specifying (i) the requested date of such Borrowing, (ii) the requested Type and Class of Advances comprising such Borrowing, (iii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing, and (iv) if such Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the requested Interest Period for each such Advance; provided that, and all Borrowings to be made on the Effective Date shall consist only of Reference Rate Advance which may, subject to the terms of this Agreement, be thereafter Converted into Eurodollar Rate Advances. In the case of a proposed Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section 2.9(b). Each Lender shall, before 12:00 noon (Houston, Texas time) on the date of such Borrowing, make available for the account of its applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.02, or such other location as the Administrative Agent may specify by notice to the Lenders, in same day funds, such Lender’s pro rata share of such Borrowing. After the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article III, the Administrative Agent will make such funds available to the Borrower at its account with the Administrative Agent or as otherwise directed by the Borrower with written notice to the Administrative Agent.
(b)      Conversions and Continuations . In order to elect to Convert or continue a Revolving Advance under this paragraph, the Borrower shall deliver an irrevocable Notice of Conversion or Continuation to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s office no later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) (i) on the Business Day before the date of the proposed conversion date in the case of a Conversion to a Reference Rate Advance and (ii) at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion or continuation date in the case of a Conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Advance. Each such Notice of Conversion or Continuation shall be in writing or by facsimile or by electronic mail (with a PDF file of the executed Notice of Conversion or Continuation attached), specifying (i) the requested Conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount, Type, and Class of the Advance to be Converted or continued, (iii) whether a Conversion or continuation is requested and, if a Conversion, into what Type of Advance, and (iv) in the case of a Conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Advance, the requested Interest Period. Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion or Continuation under this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall provide each Lender with a copy thereof and, in the case of a Conversion to or a Continuation of a Eurodollar Rate Advance, notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section 2.09(b). The portion of Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing that are Converted to Advances of another Type shall constitute a new Borrowing.
(c)      Certain Limitations . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraphs (a) and (b) above:
(i)      at no time shall there be more than eight Interest Periods applicable to outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advances and the Borrower may not select Eurodollar Rate Advances for any Borrowing at any time that a Default has occurred and is continuing.
(ii)      if any Lender shall, at least one Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, Conversion, or continuation, notify the Administrative Agent that the introduction of or any

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change in or in the interpretation of any Legal Requirement makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to make Eurodollar Rate Advances or to fund or maintain Eurodollar Rate Advances, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances from such Lender shall be suspended until such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and the Advance made by such Lender in respect of such Borrowing, Conversion, or continuation shall be a Reference Rate Advance;
(iii)      if the Administrative Agent is unable to determine the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising any requested Borrowing, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Reference Rate Advance;
(iv)      if the Required Lenders shall, at least one Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising such Borrowing will not adequately reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or funding their respective Eurodollar Rate Advances, as the case may be, for such Borrowing, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Reference Rate Advance; and
(v)      if the Borrower shall fail to select the duration or continuation of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advances in accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of “Interest Period” in Section 1.01 and paragraph (b) above, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and such Advances shall be made available to the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing as Reference Rate Advances or, if an existing Advance, Convert into Reference Rate Advances.
(d)      Notices Irrevocable . Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Continuation or Conversion delivered by the Borrower hereunder, including its deemed request for borrowing made hereunder, shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower.
(e)      Funding by Lenders; Administrative Agent Reliance . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender before the date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of any Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03(a), and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to immediately repay to the Administrative Agent on demand such corresponding amount, together with interest on such amount, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable on such day to Advances comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the lesser of (A) the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (B) the Maximum Rate. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount and interest as provided above, such corresponding amount so repaid

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shall constitute such Lender’s Advance as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement even though not made on the same day as the other Advances comprising such Borrowing.
(f)      Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent . Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the lesser of (i) the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) the Maximum Rate.
(g)      Swing Line Advances .
(i)      Facility . On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, subject to the terms and conditions of such AutoBorrow Agreement, the Swing Line Lender may, in its sole discretion, from time-to-time on any Business Day during the period from the date of this Agreement until the last Business Day occurring before the Commitment Termination Date, make Swing Line Advances to the Borrower which shall be due and payable on the Swing Line Payment Date (except that no Swing Line Advance may mature after the Commitment Termination Date), and in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed the Swing Line Sublimit Amount at any time; provided that (A) no Swing Line Advance shall be made by the Swing Line Lender if the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 have not been met as of the date of such Swing Line Advance, it being agreed by the Borrower that the giving of the applicable Notice of Borrowing and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Swing Line Advance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of such Swing Line Advance such conditions have been met; (B) only if an AutoBorrow Agreement is not in effect, each Swing Line Advance shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $500,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof; (C) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, such additional terms and conditions of such AutoBorrow Agreement shall have been satisfied, and in the event that any of the terms of this Section 2.03(g)(i) conflict with such AutoBorrow Agreement, the terms of the AutoBorrow Agreement shall govern and control; and (D) after giving effect to such Swing Line Advance, the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of the Lenders shall not exceed the lesser of the aggregate Commitments in effect at such time and the Borrowing Base in effect at such time. No Lender shall have any rights or obligations under any AutoBorrow Agreement, but each Lender shall have the obligation to purchase and fund risk participations in the Swing Line Advances and to refinance Swing Line Advances as provided below. The indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender resulting from Swing Line Advances shall be evidenced as set forth in Section 2.01(b).
(ii)      Prepayment . Within the limits expressed in this Agreement, amounts advanced pursuant to Section 2.03(g)(i) may from time to time be borrowed, prepaid without penalty, and reborrowed. If the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Advances ever exceeds the Swing Line Sublimit Amount, the Borrower shall prepay to the Swing Line Lender outstanding principal of the Swing Line Advances such that such excess is eliminated. If an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, each prepayment of a Swing Line Borrowing shall be made as provided in such AutoBorrow Agreement.

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(iii)      Reimbursements for Swing Line Obligations .
(A)      With respect to the Swing Line Advances and the interest, premium, fees, and other amounts owed by the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender in connection with the Swing Line Advances, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Swing Line Lender such amounts when due and payable to the Swing Line Lender under the terms of this Agreement and, if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, in accordance with the terms of such AutoBorrow Agreement. If the Borrower does not pay to the Swing Line Lender any such amounts when due and payable to the Swing Line Lender, the Swing Line Lender may upon notice to the Administrative Agent request the satisfaction of such obligation by the making of a Revolving Borrowing in the amount of any such amounts not paid when due and payable. Upon such request, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested the making of a Revolving Borrowing in the amount of such obligation and the transfer of the proceeds thereof to the Swing Line Lender. The Revolving Borrowings requested pursuant to this Section 2.03(g)(iii)(A) may exceed the Borrowing Base by an amount not to exceed the Swing Line Sublimit Amount. The Administrative Agent shall promptly forward notice of such Revolving Borrowing to the Borrower and the Lenders, and each Lender shall, regardless of whether (1) the conditions in Section 3.02 have been met, (2) such notice complies with Section 2.03(a), or (3) a Default exists, make available such Lender’s ratable share of such Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver the proceeds thereof to the Swing Line Lender for application to such amounts owed to the Swing Line Lender. The Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably authorizes, empowers, and directs the Swing Line Lender to make such requests for Revolving Borrowings on behalf of the Borrower, and the Lenders to make Revolving Advances to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Swing Line Lender in satisfaction of such obligations. The Administrative Agent and each Lender may record and otherwise treat the making of such Revolving Borrowings as the making of a Revolving Borrowing to the Borrower under this Agreement as if requested by the Borrower. Nothing herein is intended to release the Borrower’s obligations under the Swing Line Note, but only to provide an additional method of payment therefor. The making of any Borrowing under this Section 2.03(g)(iii)(A) shall not constitute a cure or waiver of any Default or Event of Default, other than the payment Default or Event of Default which is satisfied by the application of the amounts deemed advanced hereunder, caused by the Borrower’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement or the Swing Line Note.
(B)      If at any time, the Commitments shall have expired or be terminated while any Swing Line Advance is outstanding, each Lender, at the sole option of the Swing Line Lender, shall either (1) notwithstanding the expiration or termination of the Commitments, make a Revolving Advance as a Reference Rate Advance, or (2) be deemed, without further action by any Person, to have purchased from the Swing Line Lender a participation in such Swing Line Advance, in either case in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share times the outstanding aggregate principal balance of the Swing Line Advances. The Administrative Agent shall notify each such Lender of the amount of such Revolving Advance or participation, and such Lender will transfer to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender on the next Business Day following such notice, in immediately available funds, the amount of such Revolving Advance or participation.
(C)      If any such Lender shall not have so made its Revolving Advance or its percentage participation available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(g), such Lender agrees to pay interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid at a per annum rate equal to the lesser of (1) the Federal Funds Rate for such day and for the first three days

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after such date and thereafter the interest rate applicable to the Revolving Advance and (2) the Maximum Rate. Whenever, at any time after the Administrative Agent has received from any Lender such Lender’s Revolving Advance or participating interest in a Swing Line Advance, the Administrative Agent receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent will pay to such Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s Revolving Advance or participating interest was outstanding and funded), which payment shall be subject to repayment by such Lender if such payment received by the Administrative Agent is required to be returned. Each Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Advance or purchase such participating interests pursuant to this Section 2.03(g) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender or any other Person may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or the termination of the Commitments; (iii) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower or any other Lender; or (iv) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. Each Swing Line Advance, once so participated by any Lender, shall cease to be a Swing Line Advance with respect to that amount for purposes of this Agreement, but shall continue to be a Revolving Advances.
(iv)      Method of Borrowing . If an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made as provided in such AutoBorrow Agreement. Otherwise, and except as provided in the clause (c) above, each request for a Swing Line Advance shall be made pursuant to telephone notice to the Swing Line Lender given no later than 1:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the date of the proposed Swing Line Advance, promptly confirmed by a completed and executed Notice of Revolving Borrowing sent via facsimile or, unless otherwise required by the Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender prior to such delivery, electronic mail (PDF), to the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender will promptly make the Swing Line Advance available to the Borrower at the Borrower’s account with the Swing Line Lender.
(v)      Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender . Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Advances (provided that any failure of the Swing Line Lender to provide such invoice shall not release the Borrower from its obligation to pay such interest). Until each Lender funds its Revolving Advance or risk participation pursuant to clause (g) above, interest in respect of Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Swing Line Advances shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(vi)      Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender . The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Advances directly to the Swing Line Lender.
(vii)      Discretionary Nature of the Swing Line Facility . Notwithstanding any terms to the contrary contained herein or in any AutoBorrow Agreement, the Swing Line facility provided herein or in any AutoBorrow Agreement (A) is an uncommitted facility and the Swing Line Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, make Swing Line Advances, and (B) may be terminated at any time by the Swing Line Lender upon written notice to the Borrower.
Section 2.04      Reduction of the Commitments.
(a)      The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days’ irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part the unused portion of the

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Commitments; provided that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
(b)      Any reduction and termination of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.04 shall be applied ratably to each Lender’s Commitment and shall be permanent, with no obligation of the Lenders to reinstate such Commitments.
Section 2.05      Prepayment of Advances.
(a)      Optional . The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any Advance except as provided in this Section 2.05(a) and all notices given pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be irrevocable and binding upon the Borrower. Each payment of any Advance pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be made in a manner such that all Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing are paid in whole or ratably in part other than Advances owing to a Defaulting Lender as provided in Section 2.16. The Borrower may prepay the Advances, after giving by 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time), (i) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Advances, at least three Business Days’ or (ii) in the case of Reference Rate Advances, same Business Day’s, irrevocable prior written notice to the Administrative Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of such prepayment. If any such notice is given, the Borrower shall prepay the Advances in whole or ratably in part in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount specified in such notice, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date; provided , however, that each partial prepayment with respect to: (A) any amounts prepaid in respect of Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be applied to Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing; (B) any prepayments made in respect of Reference Rate Advances shall be made in a minimum amounts of $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $250,000 in excess thereof, (C) any prepayments made in respect of any Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be made in an aggregate principal amount of at least $3,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and in an aggregate principal amount such that after giving effect thereto such Borrowing shall have a remaining principal amount outstanding with respect to such Borrowing of at least $3,000,000, and (D)(1) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is not in effect, each optional prepayment of Swing Line Advances shall be in a minimum amount not less than $500,000 and in multiple integrals of $100,000 in excess thereof and (2) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, each prepayment of Swing Line Advances shall be made as provided in such AutoBorrow Agreement.. Full prepayments of any Borrowing are permitted without restriction of amounts.
(b)      Borrowing Base Deficiency .
(i)      Other than as provided in clause (ii) or clause (iii) below, if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists, the Borrower shall, after receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent regarding such deficiency, take any of the following actions (and the failure of the Borrower to take such actions to remedy such Borrowing Base Deficiency shall constitute an Event of Default):
(A)      prepay Swing Line Advances or, if the Swing Line Advances have been repaid in full, prepay Revolving Advances or, if the Revolving Advances have been repaid in full, make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure, such that the Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within 5 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent;

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(B)      (i) deliver, within 5 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent, written notice to the Administrative Agent indicating the Borrower’s election to pledge as Collateral for the Secured Obligations additional Oil and Gas Properties acceptable to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders such that the Borrowing Base Deficiency is cured within 30 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and (ii) provide such pledge of additional Oil and Gas Properties within such time period;
(C)      (i) deliver, within 5 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent, written notice to the Administrative Agent indicating the Borrower’s election to repay the Advances and make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letters of Credit, each in five monthly installments equal to one-fifth of such Borrowing Base Deficiency with the first such installment due 30 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent and each following installment due 30 days after the preceding installment and (ii) make such payments and deposits within such time periods; provided that the Borrowing Base Deficiency cure permitted under this clause (C) shall not be available to the Borrower unless, (1) no Event of Default exists and is continuing at the time written notice of such election shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent, and (2) concurrent with the delivery of such written notice, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a calculation of the Borrower’s consolidated cash flow forecast and financial projections which demonstrates, to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, the Borrower’s ability to make each such installment payments and to otherwise pay its other Indebtedness and trade accounts payable as they become due ; or
(D)      (i) deliver, within 5 days after the date such deficiency notice is received by the Borrower from the Administrative Agent, written notice to the Administrative Agent indicating the Borrower’s election to combine the options provided in clause (B) and clause (C) above, and also indicating the amount to be prepaid in installments and the amount to be provided as additional Collateral, and (ii) make such five equal consecutive monthly installments and deliver such additional Collateral within the time required under clause (B) and clause (C) above.
(ii)      If, during the existence of a Borrowing Base Deficiency, any Loan Party (or the Administrative Agent as loss payee or assignee) receives Extraordinary Cash Proceeds, whether as one payment or a series of payments, then the Borrower shall, within three Business Days after receipt of such proceeds, prepay the Borrowings and make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure, in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (i) such Borrowing Base Deficiency and (ii) 100% of such proceeds.
(iii)      If, as a result of a Borrowing Base redetermination made under Section 2.02(c) or Section 5.10, or a mandatory Borrowing Base reduction provided in Section 2.02(d), a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall immediately prepay the Advances or, if the Advances have been repaid in full, make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral for the Letter of Credit Exposure, in an amount equal to (A) such portion of the Borrowing Base Deficiency resulting from such reduction plus (B) if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists prior to such reduction, then an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the net cash proceeds of the transaction that triggered such Borrowing Base reduction and (ii) such portion of the Borrowing Base Deficiency in existence immediately prior to such reduction.
(iv)      Each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid

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pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date. Each prepayment under this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied to the Advances as determined by the Administrative Agent and agreed to by the Lenders in their sole discretion. The failure of the Borrower to provide a notice of its election within the required 5 days as required in clause (i) above shall be deemed to be an election by the Borrower to take the actions provided in clause (i)(A) above.
(c)      Reduction of Commitments . On the date of each reduction of the aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.04, the Borrower agrees to make a prepayment in respect of the outstanding amount of the Advances to the extent, if any, that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure exceeds the lesser of (A) the aggregate Commitments, as so reduced and (B) the Borrowing Base. Each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date. Each prepayment under this Section 2.05(c) shall be applied to the Advances as determined by the Administrative Agent and agreed to by the Lenders in their sole discretion.
(d)      Illegality . If any Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any applicable Legal Requirement makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful for such Lender or its Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to maintain any Eurodollar Rate Advances of such Lender then outstanding hereunder, (i) the Borrower shall, no later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time), (A) if not prohibited by law, on the last day of the Interest Period for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advance made by such Lender or (B) if required by such notice, on the second Business Day following its receipt of such notice, automatically convert to Reference Rate Advances all of the Eurodollar Rate Advances made by such Lender then outstanding, together with accrued interest on the principal amount converted to the date of such conversion and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.12 as a result of such conversion being made on such date, (ii) such Lender shall simultaneously make a Reference Rate Advance to the Borrower on such date in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Rate Advances prepaid to such Lender, and (iii) the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances from such Lender for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until such Lender gives notice referred to above shall notify the Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.
(e)      No Additional Right; Ratable Prepayment . The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any Advance except as provided in this Section 2.05, and all notices given pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be irrevocable and binding upon the Borrower. Each payment of any Advance pursuant to this Section 2.05 shall be made in a manner such that all Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing are paid in whole or ratably in part.
Section 2.06      Repayment of Advances.
(a)      Revolving Advances . The Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders the outstanding principal amount of each Revolving Advance, together with any accrued interest thereon, on the Maturity Date or such earlier date pursuant to Section 7.02 or Section 7.03.
(b)      Swing Line Advances . Each Swing Line Advance shall be paid in full on each Swing Line Payment Date.
Section 2.07      Letters of Credit.

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(a)      Commitment for Letters of Credit . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Issuing Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.07, from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the date hereof until the Commitment Termination Date, to issue, increase or extend the expiration date of, Letters of Credit for the account of any Loan Party, provided that no Letter of Credit will be issued, increased, or extended:
(i)      if such issuance, increase, or extension would cause the Letter of Credit Exposure to exceed the lesser of (A) $5,000,000 and (B) an amount equal to (1) the lesser of the aggregate Commitments in effect at such time and the Borrowing Base in effect at such time minus (2) the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Advances;
(ii)      unless such Letter of Credit has an expiration date not later than the earlier of (A) one year after its issuance or extension (or 15 months from the date of such issuance or extension if required by the beneficiary thereof that is a Governmental Authority) and (B) five Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date (an “ Acceptable Letter of Credit Maturity Date ”); provided that, (1) if the Commitments are terminated in whole pursuant to Section 2.04, the Borrower shall either (A) deposit into the Cash Collateral Account cash in an amount equal to 104% of the Letter of Credit Exposure for the Letters of Credit which have an expiry date beyond the date the Commitments are terminated or (B) provide a replacement letter of credit (or other security) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender in an amount equal to 104% of the Letter of Credit Exposure, and (2) any such Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may expressly provide for an automatic extension of one additional year so long as such Letter of Credit expressly allows the Issuing Lender, at its sole discretion, to elect not to provide such extension; provided that, in any event, such automatic extension may not result in an expiration date that occurs after the fifth Business Day prior to the Revolving Maturity Date;
(iii)      unless such Letter of Credit is a standby letter of credit not supporting the repayment of indebtedness for borrowed money of any Person;
(iv)      unless such Letter of Credit is in form and substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion;
(v)      unless the Borrower has delivered to the Issuing Lender a completed and executed Letter of Credit Application;
(vi)      unless such Letter of Credit is governed by (A) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, or (B) the International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590, in either case, including any subsequent revisions thereof approved by a Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce and adhered to by the Issuing Lender;
(vii)      if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing, increasing or extending such Letter of Credit, or any Legal Requirement applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance, increase or extension of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing

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Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it;
(viii)      if the issuance, increase or extension of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally;
(ix)      if Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars;
(x)      if such Letter of Credit supports the obligations of any Person in respect of (x) a lease of real property, or (y) an employment contract if the Issuing Lender reasonably determines that the Borrower’s obligation to reimburse any draws under such Letter of Credit may be limited; or
(xi)      any Revolving Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless such Defaulting Lender’s Fronting Exposure as to Letters of Credit has been fully reallocated or Cash Collateralized pursuant to Section 2.16 below or the Issuing Lender has entered into other satisfactory arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the Issuing Lender’s risk with respect to such Lender.
(b)      Requesting Letters of Credit . Each Letter of Credit shall be issued, increased or extended pursuant to a Letter of Credit Application given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender by facsimile, electronic mail or other writing not later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas, time) on the third Business Day before the proposed date of issuance, increase or extension for the Letter of Credit. Each Letter of Credit Application shall be fully completed and shall specify the information required therein. Each Letter of Credit Application shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender shall before 2:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas, time) on the date of such Letter of Credit Application issue, increase or extend such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit.
(c)      Reimbursements for Letters of Credit; Funding of Participations .
(viii)      With respect to any Letter of Credit, in accordance with the related Letter of Credit Application, the Borrower agrees to pay on demand to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Issuing Lender an amount equal to any amount paid by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit. Upon the Issuing Lender’s demand for payment under the terms of a Letter of Credit Application, the Borrower may, with a written notice, request that the Borrower’s obligations to the Issuing Lender thereunder be satisfied with the proceeds of a Revolving Advance in the same amount (notwithstanding any minimum size or increment limitations on individual Revolving Advances). If the Borrower does not make such request and does not otherwise make the payments demanded by the Issuing Lender as required under this Agreement or the Letter of Credit Application, then the Borrower shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have requested such a Revolving Advance in the same amount and the transfer of the proceeds thereof to satisfy the Borrower’s obligations to the Issuing Lender, and the Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably authorizes, empowers, and directs the Lenders to make such Revolving Advance, to transfer the proceeds thereof to the Issuing Lender in satisfaction of such obligations, and to record and otherwise treat such payments as a Revolving Advance to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent and each Lender may record and otherwise treat the making of such Revolving Borrowings as the making of a Revolving Borrowing to the Borrower under this Agreement as if requested by the Borrower. Nothing herein is intended to release any of the Borrower’s obligations under any Letter of Credit Application, but only to provide an additional method of payment therefor. The making of any Revolving Borrowing under this Section 2.07(c) shall not constitute a cure or waiver of any Default, other than the payment Default which is satisfied by the application

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of the amounts deemed advanced hereunder, caused by the Borrower’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement or the Letter of Credit Application.
(ix)      Each Lender (including the Lender acting as Issuing Lender) shall, upon notice from the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has requested or is deemed to have requested a Revolving Advance pursuant to Section 2.03 and regardless of whether (A) the conditions in Section 3.02 have been met, (B) such notice complies with Section 2.03, or (C) a Default exists, make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender in an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the amount of such Revolving Advance not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Advance to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Issuing Lender.
(x)      If any such Lender shall not have so made its Revolving Advance available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.07, then (x) the unpaid Letter of Credit Obligations then due from the Borrower shall bear interest at the Default Rate and such interest shall be payable as provided in Section 2.09(c) and (y) to the extent the Borrower has not paid such interest or is not required to pay such interest, then such Lender agrees to pay interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid at the lesser of (A) the Federal Funds Rate for such day for the first three days and thereafter the interest rate applicable to the Revolving Advance and (B) the Maximum Rate. Whenever, at any time after the Administrative Agent has received from any Lender such Lender’s Revolving Advance, the Administrative Agent receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent will pay to such Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s Revolving Advance was outstanding and funded), which payment shall be subject to repayment by such Lender if such payment received by the Administrative Agent is required to be returned. Each Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Advance pursuant to this Section 2.07 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (1) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender or any other Person may have against the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (2) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or the termination of the Commitments; (3) any breach of this Agreement by any Loan Party or any other Lender; or (4) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
(xi)      If at any time, the Commitments shall have expired or shall have been terminated while any Letter of Credit Exposure is outstanding, each Revolving Lender, at the sole option of the Issuing Lender, shall fund its participation in such Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the unpaid amount of the Borrower’s payment obligations under drawn Letters of Credit. The Issuing Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent, and in turn, the Administrative Agent shall notify each such Lender of the amount of such participation, and such Lender will transfer to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender on the next Business Day following such notice, in immediately available funds, the amount of such participation. At any time after the Issuing Lender has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender funding of its participation in respect of such payment in accordance with this clause (iv), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the Issuing Lender any payment in respect of the related Letter of Credit Exposure or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of cash collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent shall distribute to such Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.

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(d)      Participations . Upon the date of the issuance or increase of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have sold to each other Lender and each other Lender shall have been deemed to have purchased from the Issuing Lender a participation in the related Letter of Credit Obligations equal to such Lender’s Revolving Pro Rata Share at such date and such sale and purchase shall otherwise be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Issuing Lender shall promptly notify each such participant Lender by facsimile, telephone, or electronic mail (PDF) of each Letter of Credit issued or increased and the actual dollar amount of such Lender’s participation in such Letter of Credit.
(e)      Obligations Unconditional . The obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of each Letter of Credit shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, notwithstanding the following circumstances:
(i)      any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit Documents;
(ii)      any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Letter of Credit Documents;
(iii)      the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which any Loan Party may have at any time against any beneficiary or transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Lender, any Lender or any other person or entity, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or in any Letter of Credit Documents or any unrelated transaction;
(iv)      any statement or any other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect to the extent the Issuing Lender would not be liable therefor pursuant to the following paragraph (g);
(v)      payment by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or
(vi)      any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing;
provided , however, that nothing contained in this paragraph (e) shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any remedies of the Borrower in connection with the Letters of Credit, including, without limitation, those remedies specified in paragraph (g) below.
(f)      Prepayments of Letters of Credit . In the event that any Letter of Credit shall be outstanding or shall be drawn and not reimbursed on or prior to the Acceptable Letter of Credit Maturity Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to 104% of the Letter of Credit Exposure allocable to such Letter of Credit, such amount to be due and payable on the Acceptable Letter of Credit Maturity Date, and to be held in the Cash Collateral Account and applied in accordance with paragraph (h) below.
(g)      Liability of Issuing Lender . The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. Neither the Issuing Lender nor any of its officers or directors shall be liable or responsible for:

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(i)      the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith;
(ii)      the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged;
(iii)      payment by the Issuing Lender against presentation of documents which do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to the relevant Letter of Credit; or
(iv)      any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit ( INCLUDING THE ISSUING LENDER’S OWN NEGLIGENCE ),
except that the Borrower shall have a claim against the Issuing Lender, and the Issuing Lender shall be liable to, and shall promptly pay to, the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, as opposed to consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the Issuing Lender’s willful misconduct or gross negligence (as determined in a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction) in determining whether documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.
(h)      Cash Collateral Account .
(i)      If the Borrower is required to deposit funds in the Cash Collateral Account pursuant to Sections 2.05(b), 7.02(b), 7.03(b) or any other provision under this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall establish the Cash Collateral Account and the Borrower shall execute any documents and agreements, including the Administrative Agent’s standard form assignment of deposit accounts, that the Administrative Agent requests in connection therewith to establish the Cash Collateral Account and grant the Administrative Agent a first priority, perfected Lien in such account and the funds therein. The Borrower hereby pledges to the Administrative Agent and grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the Cash Collateral Account, whenever established, all funds held in the Cash Collateral Account from time to time, and all proceeds thereof as security for the payment of the Secured Obligations. The Borrower hereby agrees to maintain a first priority security interest in all the Cash Collateral Account and such Cash Collateral as security for the Secured Obligations and as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Exposure, to be applied pursuant to Section 2.07(i)(ii) below.
(ii)      Funds held in the Cash Collateral Account shall be held as cash collateral for obligations with respect to Letters of Credit and promptly applied by the Administrative Agent at the request of the Issuing Lender to any reimbursement or other obligations under Letters of Credit that exist or occur. To the extent that any surplus funds are held in the Cash Collateral Account above the Letter of Credit Exposure during the existence of an Event of Default the Administrative Agent may (A) hold such surplus funds in the Cash Collateral Account as cash collateral for the Obligations or (B) apply such surplus funds to any Obligations in any manner directed by the Required Lenders. If no Default exists, then at the Borrower’s written request, the Administrative Agent shall promptly release any surplus funds held in the Cash Collateral Account above the sum of (x) 104% of the Letter of Credit Exposure and (y) all Defaulting Lenders’ Pro

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Rata Share of outstanding Swing Line Advances other than Swing Line Advances as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been funded by it or reallocated to other Lenders.
(iii)      Funds held in the Cash Collateral Account may be invested in Liquid Investments maintained with, and under the sole dominion and control of, the Administrative Agent or in another investment if mutually agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, but the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to make any investment of the funds therein. The Administrative Agent shall exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account and shall be deemed to have exercised such care if such funds are accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own property, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any such funds.
(i)      Defaulting Lender . At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.16 and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.
(i)      Grant of Security Interest by Defaulting Lender; Agreement to Provide Cash Collateral . To the extent cash collateral is provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Lender, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for such Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations, to be applied pursuant to clause (ii) below. Such Defaulting Lender shall execute any documents and agreements, including the Administrative Agent’s standard form assignment of deposit accounts, that the Administrative Agent requests in connection therewith to establish such cash collateral account and to grant the Administrative Agent a first priority security interest in such account and the funds therein. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).
(ii)      Application . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.07(i) or Section 2.16 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Exposure (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.
(iii)      Termination of Requirement . Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.07(i) following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 2.16, the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations; and provided

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further that to the extent that such Cash Collateral was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.
(iv)      Letters of Credit Issued for Guarantors or any Subsidiary . Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Guarantor or any Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Issuing Lender hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit issued hereunder by the Issuing Lender. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of any Guarantor, the Borrower or any Subsidiary inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business (indirectly or directly) derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such other Persons.
Section 2.08      Fees.
(a)      Commitment Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee at a per annum rate equal to the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily amount by which (i) the lesser of such Lender’s Commitment then in effect and such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing Base then in effect exceeds (ii) the sum of such Lender’s outstanding Revolving Advances plus such Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Exposure, from the Effective Date until the Commitment Termination Date; provided that , no Commitment Fee shall accrue on the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period such Lender remains a Defaulting Lender. The commitment fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September, and December commencing on June 30, 2013 and continuing thereafter through and including the Commitment Termination Date. For the avoidance of doubt and for purposes of this Section 2.08(a) only, outstanding Swing Line Advances shall not reduce the amount of unused Commitments.
(b)      Letter of Credit Fees .
(xii)      Subject to Section 2.16, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders a per annum letter of credit fee for each Letter of Credit issued hereunder in an amount equal to the greater of (A) the Applicable Margin then in effect for Eurodollar Rate Advances times the daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (B) $600 per annum, during the period such Letter of Credit is in effect, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September, and December commencing on June 30, 2013 and continuing thereafter through and including the Commitment Termination Date.
(xiii)      The Borrower also agrees to pay to the Issuing Lender such other usual and customary fees associated with any transfers, amendments, drawings, negotiations or reissuances of any Letters of Credit. Such fees shall be due and payable as requested by the Issuing Lender in accordance with the Issuing Lender’s then current fee policy.
(xiv)      The Borrower shall have no right to any refund of letter of credit fees previously paid by the Borrower, including any refund claimed because any Letter of Credit is canceled prior to its expiration date.
(c)      Other Fees . The Borrower agrees to pay to Wells Fargo the fees provided for in the Fee Letter.

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Section 2.09      Interest . The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance made by each Lender from the date of such Advance until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
(a)      Reference Rate Advances . Each Reference Rate Advance shall bear interest at the Adjusted Reference Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for Reference Rate Advances in effect from time to time. The Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender all accrued but unpaid interest on such Lender’s Reference Rate Advances, quarterly in arrears, on each March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st commencing on June 30, 2013, on the date such Reference Rate Advance shall be paid in full and on the Commitment Termination Date.
(b)      Eurodollar Rate Advances . Each Eurodollar Rate Advance shall bear interest during its Interest Period equal to at all times the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Rate Advances for such period. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender all accrued but unpaid interest on each of such Lender’s Eurodollar Rate Advances on the last day of the Interest Period therefor (and in the case of a Eurodollar Rate Advance with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, on each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period), on the date any Eurodollar Rate Advance is repaid, and on the Commitment Termination Date.
(c)      Swing Line Advances . The Swing Line Advances shall bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Reference Rate Advances or such other per annum rate to be agreed to between the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall pay all accrued but unpaid interest on each Swing Line Advance to the Swing Line Lender, quarterly in arrears, on each March 31st, June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st commencing on June 30, 2013, and on the Commitment Termination Date or such dates as otherwise agreed to between the Swing Line Lender and the Borrower.
(d)      Default Rate . Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 7.01(a) or Section 7.01(e), all Obligations shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at the Default Rate and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default (including under Section 7.01(a) or Section 7.01(e)), upon the request of the Required Lenders, all Obligations shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at the Default Rate. Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.09(d) and all interest accrued but unpaid on or after the Commitment Termination Date shall be due and payable on demand.
Section 2.10      Illegality . If any Lender in its good faith judgment shall notify the Borrower that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any Legal Requirement makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to make, maintain, or fund any Eurodollar Rate Advances of such Lender then outstanding hereunder, (a) the Borrower shall, no later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas, time) (i) if not prohibited by law, on the last day of the Interest Period for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Advance or (ii) if required by such notice, on the second Business Day following its receipt of such notice, prepay all of the Eurodollar Rate Advances of such Lender then outstanding, together with accrued interest on the principal amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.11 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date, (b) such Lender shall simultaneously make a Reference Rate Advance to the Borrower on such date in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Rate Advances prepaid to such Lender, and (c) the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Rate Advances from such Lender for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until such Lender shall notify the Borrower that the circumstances causing

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such suspension no longer exist. Each Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Lending Office if the making of such designation would avoid the effect of this paragraph and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.
Section 2.11      Breakage Costs . Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a)      any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment (including any deemed payment or repayment and any reallocated repayment to Non-Defaulting Lenders provided for herein) of any Advance other than a Reference Rate Advance on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b)      any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make an Advance) to prepay, borrow, continue or Convert any Advance other than a Reference Rate Advance on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
(c)      any assignment of an Eurodollar Rate Advance on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.13;
including any loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Advance, from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 2.11, the requesting Lender shall be deemed to have funded the Eurodollar Rate Advances made by it at the Eurodollar Base Rate used in determining the Eurodollar Rate for such Advance by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the offshore interbank market for Dollars for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Advance was in fact so funded.
Section 2.12      Increased Costs .
(a)      Increased Costs Generally . If any Change in Law shall:
(i)      impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge, or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, financial institutions generally, including any Lender (or its applicable Lending Office) (except any reserve requirement included in the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage) or the Issuing Lender;
(ii)      subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or
(iii)      impose on financial institutions generally, including any Lender (or its applicable Lending Office) or on the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Advances made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

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and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender (or its applicable Lending Office) or such other Recipient of making, Converting to, continuing or maintaining any loan or of maintaining its obligation to make or accept and purchase any such loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable Lending Office), the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Lender within three Business Days after written demand made by such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b)      Capital Requirements . If any Lender or Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of financial institutions generally, including such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s holding company or any corporation controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Advances made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Advances held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the corporation controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender, or such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s policies, the policies of the corporation controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender, and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time within three Business Days after written demand by such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or Issuing Lender, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender, the corporation controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender, or such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c)      Certificate . Any Lender claiming compensation under this Section 2.12 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender as specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 2.12 hereunder which shall be determined by such Lender in good faith and which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d)      Delay in Requests . Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.12 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
Section 2.13      Payments and Computations .

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(a)      Payments . All payments of principal, interest, and other amounts to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement and other Loan Documents shall be made to the Administrative Agent in Dollars and in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction, or counterclaim.
(b)      Payment Procedures . The Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement and under the Notes not later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the day when due in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at the location referred to in the Notes (or such other location as the Administrative Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower) in same day funds and, as to payments of principal, accompanied by a Notice of Optional Payment from the Borrower, with appropriate insertions and executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. The Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter, and in any event prior to the close of business on the day any timely payment is made, cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal, interest or fees ratably (other than amounts payable solely to the Administrative Agent or a specific Lender pursuant to Sections 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.14, 2.15, and 9.02 and such other provisions herein which expressly provide for payments to a specific Lender, but after taking into account payments effected pursuant to Section 7.04) in accordance with each Lender’s applicable pro rata share to the Lenders for the account of their respective applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the account of its applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon receipt of other amounts due solely to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender or a specific Lender, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such amounts to the appropriate party to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c)      Non‑Business Day Payments . Whenever any payment shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of Eurodollar Rate Advances to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.
(d)      Computations . All computations of interest for Reference Rate Advances shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365/366 days and all computations of all other interest and fees shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day, but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an amount of interest or fees shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
(e)      Sharing of Payments by Lenders . If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Advances or other Obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Advances and accrued interest thereon or other such Obligations greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Advances and such other Obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Advances and other amounts owing them; provided that:

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(i)      if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii)      the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Advances or participations in Letter of Credit Exposure to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).
Each Loan Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable Legal Requirement, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Loan Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Loan Party in the amount of such participation.
Section 2.14      Taxes .
(a)      Defined Terms . For purposes of this Section 2.14, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Lender and the term “applicable Legal Requirement” includes FATCA.
(b)      Payments Free of Taxes . Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Legal Requirement. If any applicable Legal Requirement (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Legal Requirement and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(c)      Payment of Other Taxes by Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Legal Requirement, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(d)      Indemnification by Loan Parties . The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e)      Indemnification by the Lenders . Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but

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only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.06 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
(f)      Evidence of Payments . As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.14, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(g)      Status of Lenders .
(i)      Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Legal Requirement or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.14(g)(ii)(A), and (ii)(B) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii)      Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(A)      any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B)      any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable: (i) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect

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to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty; (ii) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI; (iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit M-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “ U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate ”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or (iv) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit M-2 or Exhibit M-3 , IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit M-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C)      any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Legal Requirement as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Legal Requirement to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D)      if a payment made to a Recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Recipient shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Legal Requirement and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Legal Requirement (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Recipient has complied with such Recipient’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Recipient agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(h)      Treatment of Certain Refunds . If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this

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Section 2.14 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.14), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(i)      Survival . Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.14 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.
Section 2.15      Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders .
(a)      Designation of a Different Lending Office . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Advances hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.14, as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b)      Replacement Lender . If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.14 and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 2.15(a), or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort (and in the case of a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent may) upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.07), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.12 or Section 2.14) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:

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(i)      As to assignments required by the Borrower, the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 9.07, unless such fee has been waived by the Administrative Agent;
(ii)      such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its applicable Advances and participations in Letter of Credit Obligations, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.11) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii)      in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.14, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;
(iv)      such assignment does not conflict with applicable Legal Requirement; and
(v)      with respect to a Non-Consenting Lender, the proposed amendment, modification, waiver, consent or release with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document has been approved by the Required Lenders and such agreement, amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of such assignment (and, if applicable, one or more other assignments) contemplated by this Section.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Solely for purposes of effecting any assignment involving a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.15 and to the extent permitted under applicable Legal Requirements, each Lender hereby designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority , for and on behalf of and in the name of such Lender to execute, acknowledge and deliver the Assignment and Acceptance required hereunder if such Lender is a Defaulting Lender and such Lender shall be bound thereby as fully and effectively as if such Lender had personally executed, acknowledged and delivered the same.
Section 2.16      Defaulting Lender .
(a)      Defaulting Lender Adjustments . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirement:
(vi)      Waivers and Amendments . Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders.
(vii)      Defaulting Lender Waterfall . Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 7.04 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first , to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second , to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lender or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third , to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance

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with Section 2.07) and the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure, if any, with respect to such Defaulting Lender; fourth , as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Advance hereunder in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth , if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s current or potential future funding obligations with respect to Advances under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.07 and the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Swing Line Advances; sixth , to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or the Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Swing Line Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh , so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth , to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Advances were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Advances of, and Letter of Credit Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on the applicable pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Advances of, or Letter of Credit Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Advances and funded and unfunded participations in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Advances are held by the Revolving Lenders pro rata in accordance with the applicable Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.16. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16 shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(viii)      Certain Fees .
(A)      No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(B)      Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive fees under Section 2.08(b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Revolving Pro Rata Share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.07.
(C)      With respect to any fee under Section 2.08(b) not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Exposure that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the Issuing Lender the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable

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to the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.
(ix)      Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure . All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Obligations and Swing Line Advances shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Share (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed the lesser of (i) such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment then in effect and (ii) such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing Base then in effect. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
(x)      Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Advances . If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under Legal Requirement, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Advances in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.07.
(b)      Defaulting Lender Cure . If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Lender agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Advances of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Advances and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Advances to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided , further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Notwithstanding the above, the Borrower’s and the Administrative Agent’s right to replace a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Agreement shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other rights and remedies available to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent against such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, at law, in equity or by statute.
(c)      Letters of Credit . So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.
Section 2.17      Existing Loans under the Restated Agreement . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, effective as of the Effective Date, in order to accommodate and orderly effect the reallocations, adjustments, acquisitions and decreases under this Section 2.17 below, all outstanding Advances under the Existing Credit Agreement on the date hereof which are not being repaid with the proceeds from the Second

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Lien Notes, are (and shall be deemed to be) refinanced with the initial Advances to be made under this Agreement on the Effective Date. Such Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be assigned, renewed, extended, modified, and rearranged as Obligations outstanding under and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Existing Lenders have agreed among themselves, in consultation with the Borrower, to adjust their respective Facility Amounts and to payoff in full such lenders that were party to the Existing Credit Agreement which will not become a Lender hereunder (each an " Exiting Lender "). The Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrowers and each Exiting Lender (by receipt of the payment in full of the Loans as defined in, and owing to it under, the Existing Credit Agreement) consent to such reallocation and each Existing Lender’s adjustment of, and each Existing Lender's assignment of, an interest in the Facility Amounts and the Existing Lenders’ partial assignments of their respective Facility Amounts (pursuant to this Section 2.5). On the Effective Date and after giving effect to such reallocations, adjustments, assignments and decreases, the Commitment of each Lender shall be as set forth on Schedule II . With respect to such reallocations, adjustments, acquisitions and decreases, each Existing Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Facility Amount allocated to it from each of the other Lenders and each Exiting Lender pursuant to the terms of the Assignment Agreement attached as an exhibit to the Existing Credit Agreement as if each such Exiting Lender and Existing Lender had executed such Assignment Agreement with respect to such allocation, adjustment, and decrease. The Lenders shall make all appropriate adjustments and payments between and among themselves to account for the revised pro rata shares resulting from the initial allocation of the Lenders' Facility Amounts under this Agreement.
ARTICLE III     
CONDITIONS
Section 3.01      Amendment and Restatement . The effectiveness of this Agreement and the amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement is subject to the conditions precedent that:
(f)      Documentation . The Administrative Agent shall have received the following duly executed by all the parties thereto, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders, and, where applicable, in sufficient copies for each Lender:
(xii)      this Agreement, a Note payable to each Lender in the amount of its Commitment, if requested by such Lender, the Guaranties, the Pledge Agreement, the Security Agreements, Mortgages encumbering the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ Proven Reserves and associated Oil and Gas Properties in connection therewith, the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement, assignments of the mortgages and deeds of trust in effect under the Existing Credit Agreement (other than the deed of trust encumbering the Oil and Gas Properties located in Leon and Robertson County, Texas) necessary to effectuate, or reflect of public record, the Collateral Agent as the beneficiary or mortgagee, as applicable, under such mortgages and deeds of trust, and all attached exhibits and schedules;
(xiii)      a favorable opinion of the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ counsel dated as of the date of this Agreement and substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit K covering the matters discussed in such Exhibit and such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(xiv)      copies, certified as of the date of this Agreement by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower of (A) the resolutions of the Borrower approving the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party, (B) the certificate or articles of incorporation of the Borrower, (C) the bylaws of the Borrower and (D) all other documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents;

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(xv)      certificates of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to sign this Agreement, the Notes, Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Conversion or Continuation, and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party;
(xvi)      copies, certified as of the date of this Agreement by a Responsible Officer or the secretary or an assistant secretary of each Guarantor of (A) the resolutions of the Board of Directors (or other applicable governing body) of such Guarantor approving the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (B) the partnership agreement, articles or certificate of incorporation, or certificate of formation (as applicable) and the limited liability company agreement, operating agreement, partnership agreement or bylaws (as applicable) of such Guarantor, and (C) all other documents evidencing other necessary corporate action and governmental approvals, if any, with respect to the Guaranty, the Security Instruments, and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party;
(xvii)      a certificate of the secretary or an assistant secretary of each Guarantor certifying the names and true signatures of officers of such Guarantor authorized to sign the Guaranty, Security Instruments and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party;
(xviii)      appropriate UCC‑1 and UCC-3, as applicable, Financing Statements covering the Collateral for filing with the appropriate authorities and any other documents, agreements or instruments necessary to create an Acceptable Security Interest in such Collateral;
(xix)      certificates evidencing the Equity Interests, if any, required in connection with the Pledge Agreements and powers executed in blank for each such certificate;
(xx)      insurance certificates naming the Collateral Agent loss payee or as additional insured, as applicable, and evidencing insurance which meets the requirements of this Agreement and the Security Instruments, and which is otherwise satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(xxi)      certificates of good standing for the Borrower and the Guarantors in each state in which each such Person is organized or qualified to do business, which certificate shall be (A) dated a date not sooner than 14 days prior to the date of this Agreement and (B) otherwise effective on the Effective Date;
(xxii)      the initial Independent Engineer’s Report dated effective as of a date acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(xxiii)      a certificate dated as of the date of this Agreement from the Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that (A) all representations and warranties of the Borrower and each Guarantor set forth in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of such date (except in the case of representations and warranties that are made solely as of an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date or time); (B) no Default has occurred and is continuing; and (C) the conditions in this Section 3.01 have been met; and
(xxiv)      such other documents, governmental certificates, agreements and lien searches as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
(g)      Payment of Fees . On the date of this Agreement, the Borrower shall have paid the fees required by Section 2.08(c) and all costs and expenses payable pursuant to Section 9.04.

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(h)      Delivery of Financial Statements . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received true and correct copies of (i) the Financial Statements, (ii) the Interim Financial Statements and (ii) such other financial information as the Lenders may reasonably request.
(i)      Security Instruments . The Administrative Agent shall have received all appropriate evidence required by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion necessary to determine that the Collateral Agent (for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured Parties) shall have an Acceptable Security Interest in the Collateral (which shall include (i) all of the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ Proven Reserves and Oil and Gas Properties (as set forth in the initial Independent Engineering Report) and (ii) all Property constituting security for the Second Lien Note Agreement) and that all actions or filings necessary to protect, preserve and validly perfect such Liens have been made, taken or obtained, as the case may be, and are in full force and effect.
(j)      Title . The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied in its sole discretion with the title to the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base and that such Oil and Gas Properties constitute at least 85% of the present value of the Proven Reserves of the Borrower and the Guarantors as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, as determined by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(k)      Environmental . The Administrative Agent shall have received such Phase I environmental assessments or other reports as it may reasonably require and shall be satisfied with the condition of the Oil and Gas Properties with respect to the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ compliance with Environmental Laws.
(l)      No Default . No Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(m)      Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties contained in Article IV hereof and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects.
(n)      Material Adverse Change . No event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change shall have occurred.
(o)      No Proceeding or Litigation; No Injunctive Relief . No action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including, without limitation, the enactment or promulgation of a statute or rule) by or before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority shall be threatened or pending and no preliminary or permanent injunction or order by a state or federal court shall have been entered (i) in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or (ii) which, in any case, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
(p)      Consents, Licenses, Approvals, etc . The Administrative Agent shall have received true copies (certified to be such by the Borrower or other appropriate party) of all consents, licenses and approvals required in accordance with applicable law, or in accordance with any document, agreement, instrument or arrangement to which the Borrower, the Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries is a party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents. In addition, the Borrower, the Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries shall have all such material consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the continued operation of the Borrower, the Guarantors and respective Subsidiaries, and such approvals shall be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose material and adverse conditions on this Agreement and the actions contemplated hereby.

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(q)      Material Contracts . The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent copies of all contracts, agreements, or instruments contemplated by Section 4.21.
(r)      Required Commodity Hedges . The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be satisfied with the Borrower’s and the Guarantors’ existing Hedge Contracts, as listed on Schedule 4.20 .
(s)      Payment of Existing Debt . Administrative Agent shall have received sufficient evidence satisfactory to it indicating that simultaneously with the effectiveness of this Agreement, (i) the obligations of each Loan Party (for purposes of this paragraph (o), as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) under the Existing Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (for purposes of this paragraph (o), as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall have been satisfied in full and all of the commitments thereunder shall have been terminated and (ii) acceptable provisions have been made for the termination of the Liens securing the same.
(t)      Second Lien Debt . The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent true, correct and complete copies (certified to be such by the Borrower) of the Second Lien Note Agreement and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Responsible Officers at any time in connection with the Second Lien Note Agreement on or before the date hereof, the terms and conditions of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
(u)      USA Patriot Act . The Borrower has delivered to each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act such information requested by such Lender in order to comply with the Patriot Act.
Section 3.02      Conditions Precedent to All Borrowings . The obligation of each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of each Borrowing and of the Issuing Lender to issue, increase, or extend any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of such Borrowing or the date of the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit:
(h)      the following statements shall be true (and each of the giving of the applicable Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion or Continuation, or Letter of Credit Application and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Borrowing or the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of such Borrowing or on the date of such issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, such statements are true):
(i)      the representations and warranties contained in Article IV of this Agreement and the representations and warranties contained in the Security Instruments, the Guaranties, and each of the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit, before and after giving effect to such Borrowing or to the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit and to the application of the proceeds from such Borrowing, as though made on and as of such date except to the extent that any such representation or warranty expressly relates solely to an earlier date, in which case it shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of such earlier date; and
(ii)      such Borrowing or such issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit is, at the time of incurrence, permitted to be incurred and secured under the Second Lien Note Agreement;

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(iii)      no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Borrowing or from the application of the proceeds therefrom, or would result from the issuance, increase, or extension of such Letter of Credit; and
(i)      the Administrative Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions, or documents reasonably deemed necessary or desirable by any Lender as a result of circumstances occurring after the date of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and
(j)      the incurrence of such Borrowing or Letter of Credit Obligation by the Borrower shall be permitted under the Second Lien Note Agreement.
ARTICLE IV     

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each Loan Party represents and warrants as follows:
Section 4.01      Existence; Subsidiaries . The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and in good standing and qualified to do business in each other jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of Property or conduct of its business requires such qualification. Each Subsidiary of the Borrower is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and in good standing and qualified to do business in each jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of Property or conduct of its business requires such qualification. As of the date hereof, the Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Alberta Canada and in good standing and qualified to do business in each other jurisdiction where its ownership or lease of Property or conduct of its business requires such qualification. As of the date hereof, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those identified in Schedule 4.01 .
Section 4.02      Power . The execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and by the Guarantors of the Guaranties and the other Loan Documents to which they are a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) are within the Borrower’s and such Guarantors’ governing powers, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary governing action, (c) do not contravene (i) the Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, limited liability company agreement, or other similar governance documents or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower or any Guarantor, and (d) will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement. At the time of each Advance and the issuance, extension or increase of a Letter of Credit, such Advance and such Letter of Credit, and the use of the proceeds of such Advance and such Letter of Credit, will be within the Borrower’s governing powers, will have been duly authorized by all necessary governing action, will not contravene (i) the Borrower’s certificate of incorporation and corporate bylaws or other organizational documents or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower and will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement.
Section 4.03      Authorization and Approvals . No consent, order, authorization, or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required for the due execution, delivery, and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party or by each Guarantor of its Guaranty or the other Loan Documents to which it is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except for

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(a) the filing of UCC-1 or UCC-3 financing statements and Mortgages in the appropriate state and county filing offices and (b) those consents and approvals that have been obtained or made on or prior to the date hereof and that are in full force and effect. At the time of each Borrowing and each issuance, increase or extension of a Letter of Credit, provided that the filings above have been duly consummated, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority will be required for such Borrowing or such issuance, increase or extension of such Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds of such Borrowing or such Letter of Credit.
Section 4.04      Enforceable Obligations . This Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Guaranties and the other Loan Documents to which each Guarantor is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the Guarantors. Each Loan Document is the legal, valid, and binding obligation of the Borrower and each Guarantor which is a party to it enforceable against the Borrower and each such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar law affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
Section 4.05      Financial Statements.
(j)      The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders copies of the Financial Statements and the and the Interim Financial Statements, and the Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements are accurate and complete in all material respects and present fairly the financial condition of Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for their respective period in accordance with GAAP. As of the date of the Financial Statements, there were no material contingent obligations, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long‑term commitments, or unrealized or anticipated losses of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except as disclosed therein and adequate reserves for such items have been made in accordance with GAAP.
(k)      Since December 31, 2012, no event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change has occurred.
(l)      As of the date hereof, the Borrower, the Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries have no Indebtedness other than (i) Indebtedness under this Agreement (including Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement), (ii) Indebtedness under the Second Lien Note Agreement, (iii) Indebtedness under the agreements listed on Schedule 4.20 , and (iv) any other Indebtedness listed on Schedule 4.05 .
Section 4.06      True and Complete Disclosure . All factual information (excluding estimates and projections) heretofore or contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of the Guarantors in writing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is, and all other such factual information hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower and the Guarantors in writing to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders was or shall be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information was or is dated or certified and did not or does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading at such time. All projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information furnished by the Borrower were prepared on the basis of assumptions, data, information, tests, or conditions believed to be reasonable at the time such projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information were furnished.

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Section 4.07      Litigation; Compliance with Laws.
(e)      There is no pending or, to the best knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened action or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or Subsidiary before any court, Governmental Authority or arbitrator which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change other than as set forth in Schedule 4.07 or which purports to affect the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement, any Note, or any other Loan Document. As of the Effective Date, there is no pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened action or proceeding instituted against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary which seeks to adjudicate any Loan Party or any Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its Property.
(f)      Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary have complied in all material respects with all material statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the conduct of their respective businesses or the ownership of their respective Property.
Section 4.08      Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of the Advances will be used by the Borrower for the purposes described in Section 5.09. Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U). No proceeds of any Advance will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock in violation of Regulation T, U or X.
Section 4.09      Investment Company Act . Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 4.10      Federal Power Act . Neither the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, nor any of the Lenders, solely by virtue of the execution, delivery and performance of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, the Loan Documents shall be or become subject to regulation (a) under the Federal Power Act, as amended, (b) as a “public utility” or “public service corporation” or the equivalent under the applicable law of any state, or (c) under the applicable laws of any state relating to public utilities or public service corporations.
Section 4.11      Taxes.
(f)      Reports and Payments . All Returns (as defined below in clause (c) of this Section) required to be filed by or on behalf of the Borrower, the Guarantors, or any member of the Controlled Group (hereafter collectively called the “ Tax Group ”) have been duly filed on a timely basis or appropriate extensions have been obtained and such Returns are true, complete and correct, except where the failure to so file would not be reasonably expected to cause a Material Adverse Change; and all Taxes shown to be payable on the Returns or on subsequent assessments with respect thereto will have been paid in full on a timely basis, and no other material Taxes will be payable by the Tax Group with respect to items or periods covered by such Returns, except in each case to the extent of (i) reserves reflected in the Financial Statements, or (ii) taxes that are being contested in good faith. The reserves for accrued Taxes reflected in the financial statements delivered to the Lenders under this Agreement are adequate in the aggregate for the payment of all unpaid Taxes, whether or not disputed, for the period ended as of the date thereof and for any period prior thereto,

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and for which the Tax Group may be liable in its own right, as withholding agent or as a transferee of the assets of, or successor to, any Person.
(g)      Returns Definition . “Returns” in this Section 4.11 shall mean any federal, state, local, or foreign report, declaration of estimated Tax, information statement or return relating to, or required to be filed in connection with, any Taxes, including any information return or report with respect to backup withholding or other payments of third parties.
Section 4.12      Pension Plans . No Termination Event has occurred with respect to any Plan, and each Plan has complied with and been administered in all material respects in accordance with applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. No Plan has failed to satisfy the minimum funding standards applicable to such Plan (as set forth in Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code). To the knowledge of any Loan Party, each Multiemployer Plan has complied with and been administered in all material respects with applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. The present value of all benefits vested under each Plan (based on the assumptions used to fund such Plan) did not, as of the last annual valuation date applicable thereto, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such vested benefits by more than $1,000,000. Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan for which there is any withdrawal liability. As of the most recent valuation date applicable thereto, neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group would have become subject to any liability under ERISA if any Multiemployer Plan was determined to be insolvent or in reorganization. Based upon GAAP existing as of the date of this Agreement and current factual circumstances, the Borrower has no reason to believe that the annual cost during the term of this Agreement to the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group for post-retirement benefits to be provided to the current and former employees of the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group under Plans that are welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.
Section 4.13      Condition of Property; Casualties . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary has good and indefeasible title to all of its other material Properties, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. The material Properties used or to be used in the continuing operations of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary are in good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted. Since the date of the Financial Statements, neither the business nor the material Properties of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary, taken as a whole, has been materially and adversely affected as a result of any fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of Property or cancellation of contracts, Permits, or concessions by a Governmental Authority, riot, activities of armed forces, or acts of God or of any public enemy.
Section 4.14      No Burdensome Restrictions; No Defaults.
(d)      No Loan Party and no Subsidiary is a party to any indenture, loan, or credit agreement or any lease or other agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or corporate restriction or provision of applicable law or governmental regulation that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change. No Loan Party and no Subsidiary is in default in any material respect under or with respect to any contract, agreement, lease, or other instrument to which a Loan Party or Subsidiary is a party. No Loan Party and no Subsidiary has received any notice of default under any material contract, agreement, lease, or other instrument to which such Person is a party a copy of which has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent.
(e)      No Default has occurred and is continuing.

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Section 4.15      Environmental Condition.
(a)      Permits, Etc . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary (i) have obtained all Environmental Permits necessary for the ownership and operation of their respective Properties and the conduct of their respective businesses; (ii) have at all times been and are in material compliance with all terms and conditions of such Permits and with all other material requirements of applicable Environmental Laws; (iii) have not received notice of any material violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law or Permit; and (iv) are not subject to any actual, pending or to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened Environmental Claim, that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.
(b)      Certain Liabilities . To the Borrower’s knowledge, none of the present or previously owned or operated Property of the Borrower or any Guarantor or of any of their current or former Subsidiaries, wherever located, (i) has been placed on or proposed to be placed on the National Priorities List, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Information System list, or their state or local analogs, or have been otherwise investigated, designated, listed, or identified as a potential site for removal, remediation, cleanup, closure, restoration, reclamation, or other response activity under any Environmental Laws; (ii) is subject to a Lien, arising under or in connection with any Environmental Laws, that attaches to any revenues or to any Property owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any of the Guarantors or Subsidiaries, wherever located, which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change; or (iii) has been the site of any Release of Hazardous Substances or Hazardous Wastes from present or past operations which has caused at the site or at any third‑party site any condition that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in the need for Response that would cause a Material Adverse Change.
(c)      Certain Actions . Without limiting the foregoing, (i) all necessary notices have been properly filed, and no further action is required under current Environmental Law as to each Response or other restoration or remedial project undertaken by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary on any of their presently or formerly owned, leased or operated Property and (ii) there are no facts, circumstances, conditions or occurrences with respect to any Property owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim under Environmental Laws that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
Section 4.16      Permits, Licenses, Etc . Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary possess all authorizations, Permits, licenses, patents, patent rights or licenses, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names rights and copyrights which are material to the conduct of their business. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary manages and operates its business in all material respects in accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements and good industry practices.
Section 4.17      Gas Contracts . No Loan Party and no Subsidiary is obligated in any material respect by virtue of any prepayment made under any contract containing a “take-or-pay” or “prepayment” provision or under any similar agreement to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from or allocated to any Loan Party’s Oil and Gas Properties at some future date without receiving full payment therefor at the time of delivery.
Section 4.18      Liens; Titles, Leases, Etc . None of the Property of any Loan Party or Subsidiary is subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens. On the date of this Agreement, all governmental actions and all other filings, recordings, registrations, third party consents and other actions which are necessary to create and, to the extent required pursuant to the Security Instruments, perfect the Liens provided for in the Security Instruments will have been made, obtained and taken in all relevant jurisdictions. Other than to the extent such could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, (i) all leases and agreements

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for the conduct of business of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect and there exists no default or event of default or circumstance which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would give rise to a default by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, or to the Borrower’s knowledge, by any of the other parties thereto, under any such leases or agreements. No Loan Party or Subsidiary is a party to any agreement or arrangement (other than this Agreement, the Security Instruments, and the Second Lien Note Documents), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, that either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to secure the Secured Obligations against their respective Properties.
Section 4.19      Solvency and Insurance . Before and after giving effect to the making of the initial Advances, each of Loan Party is Solvent. Furthermore, each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries carry insurance required under Section 5.02 of this Agreement.
Section 4.20      Hedging Agreements . Schedule 4.20 sets forth, as of the date hereof, a true and complete list of all Interest Hedge Agreements, Hydrocarbon Hedge Agreements, and Hedge Contracts of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied), and the counterparty to each such agreement.
Section 4.21      Material Agreements . Schedule 4.21 sets forth a complete and correct list of all material agreements, leases, indentures, purchase agreements, obligations in respect of letters of credit, guarantees, joint venture agreements, and other instruments in effect or to be in effect as of the date hereof (other than the Second Lien Note Documents and the agreements set forth in Schedule 4.20 ) providing for, evidencing, securing or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary and all obligations of the Loan Parties or any of the Subsidiaries to issuers of surety or appeal bonds issued for account of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, and such list correctly sets forth the names of the debtor or lessee and creditor or lessor with respect to the Indebtedness or lease obligations outstanding or to be outstanding and the Property subject to any Lien securing such Indebtedness or lease obligation. Also set forth on Schedule 4.21 hereto is a complete and correct list, as of the date of this Agreement, of all material agreements and other instruments of the Loan Parties and the Subsidiaries relating to the purchase, transportation by pipeline, gas processing, marketing, sale and supply of natural gas and other Hydrocarbons and which either (a) has a term longer than 6 months or (b) provides for liabilities of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000. To the extent requested, the Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a complete and correct copy of all such material credit agreements, indentures, purchase agreements, contracts, letters of credit, guarantees, joint venture agreements, or other instruments, including any modifications or supplements thereto, as in effect on the date hereof.
Section 4.22      Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc.
(a)      Neither any Letter of Credit nor any part of the proceeds of the Advances will violate the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, or any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto.
(b)      No Loan Party and no Subsidiary (i) is, or will become, a Person described or designated in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the Office of Foreign Assets Control or in Section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (ii) engages or will engage in any dealings or transactions, or is or will be otherwise associated, with any such Person. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance, in all material respects, with the Patriot Act.

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(c)      The Loan Parties and Subsidiaries are in compliance with any laws or regulations relating to money laundering or terrorist financing, including, without limitation, the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. sections 5301 et seq.; the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-56 (a/k/a the USA Patriot Act); Laundering of Monetary Instruments, 18 U.S.C. section 1956; Engaging in Monetary Transactions in Property Derived from Specified Unlawful Activity, 18 U.S.C. section 1957; the Financial Recordkeeping and Reporting of Currency and Foreign Transactions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 103; and any similar laws or regulations currently in force or hereafter enacted.
(d)      Neither any Letter of Credit nor any part of the proceeds of the Advances will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, assuming in all cases that such Act applies to the Borrower or one of the Subsidiaries or Guarantor.
Section 4.23      Identification Numbers . The federal taxpayer identification number and the organizational number with the Secretary of State of the state of its organization or formation are as set out on Schedule 4.23 .
Section 4.24      Oil and Gas Properties.
(a)      Each Loan Party has good and defensible title to all of its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Engineering Report (other than any thereof Disposed of in a Disposition permitted by this Agreement) free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. There are no “back-in” or “reversionary” interests held by third parties which could reduce the interests a Loan Party in the Oil and Gas Properties except as taken into account in such Engineering Report or set forth on Schedule 4.24 hereto. No operating or other agreement to which any Loan Party is a party or by which any Loan Party is bound affecting any part of the Collateral requires such Loan Party to bear any of the costs relating to the Collateral greater than the leasehold interest of such Loan Party in such portion of the Collateral, except in the event such Loan Party is obligated under an operating agreement to assume a portion of a defaulting party’s share of costs. Each Mortgage is and will remain a valid and enforceable lien on the Collateral subject only to the Permitted Liens. Each Loan Party will preserve its interest in and title to the Collateral subject to Permitted Liens, and will forever warrant and defend the same to the Collateral Agent and will forever warrant and defend the validity and priority of the lien granted under each Mortgage to which such Loan Party is a party against the claims of all persons and parties whomsoever.
(b)      Status of Leases, Term Mineral Interests and Contract s . All of the leases and term mineral interests in the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Engineering Report (other than any thereof Disposed of in a Disposition permitted by this Agreement) are valid, subsisting and in full force and effect, and no Loan Party has knowledge that a default exists under any of the terms or provisions, express or implied, of any of such leases or interests or under any agreement to which the same are subject that would materially and adversely affect the rights of the Loan Parties with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties to which such lease, interest, or agreement relates. All of the Contracts to which any Loan Party is a party that relate to the Oil and Gas Properties are in full force and effect and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of such Loan Party, except as would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the rights of the Loan Parties with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties to which such Contract relates. No Loan Party or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any other party to any such Contract (i) is in breach of or default, or with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would be in breach or

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default, with respect to any obligations thereunder, whether express or implied, or (ii) has given or threatened to give notice of any default under or inquiry into any possible default under, or action to alter, terminate, rescind or procure a judicial reformation of, any lease in the Oil and Gas Properties or any Contract, except as would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the rights of the Loan Parties with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties to which such Contract relates.
(c)      Production Burdens and Expenses and Revenues . Except for each Loan Party’s interests in certain Oil and Gas Properties, which such Loan Party represents do not constitute a material portion (with 2% or more being deemed material) of the value of the Collateral and all other Properties of such Loan Party securing the Secured Obligations, all of the proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from Realty Collateral are being properly and timely paid to such Loan Party by the purchasers or other remitters of production proceeds without suspense.
(d)      Pricing . The prices being received by each Loan Party for the production of Hydrocarbons do not violate any Contract or any law or regulation. Except as otherwise permitted herein, where applicable, all of the wells located on the Oil and Gas Properties and production of Hydrocarbons therefrom have been properly classified under appropriate governmental regulations.
(e)      Gas Regulatory Matters . All applicable Loan Parties have filed with the appropriate state and federal agencies all necessary rate and collection filings and all necessary applications for well determinations under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the “ FERC ”) thereunder, and each such application has been approved by or is pending before the appropriate state or federal agency.
(f)      Production Balances . Except as set forth below, no person is entitled to receive any portion of the interest of any Loan Party in any Hydrocarbons or to receive cash or other payments to “balance” any disproportionate allocation of Hydrocarbons under any operating agreement, gas balancing and storage agreement, gas processing or dehydration agreement, or other similar agreements. Each Loan Party believes that certain third parties may be entitled to receive “make-up” deliveries of Hydrocarbons or cash or other payments to “balance” a disproportionate allocation of Hydrocarbons produced from certain Oil and Gas Properties; provided, however, that each Loan Party represents and warrants that such deliveries or payments (i) occur in the ordinary course of business and (ii) are not material (with net aggregate liability of $1,000,000 or more being deemed material) in aggregate amount.
(g)      Drilling Obligations . Except as otherwise permitted hereunder, there are no obligations under any Oil and Gas Property or Contract which require the drilling of additional wells or operations to earn or to continue to hold any of the Oil and Gas Properties in force and effect, except those under customary continuous operations provisions that may be found in one or more of the oil and gas and/or oil, gas and mineral leases described on Exhibit A to each Mortgage.
(h)      Compliance with Laws . To the extent required hereunder, all wells on or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties have been drilled, completed and operated, and all production therefrom has been accounted for and paid to the Persons entitled thereto, in material compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and applicable rules and regulations of the federal, state and local regulatory authorities having jurisdiction thereof.

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(i)      Regulatory Filings . To the extent required hereunder, all material necessary regulatory filings have been properly made in connection with the drilling, completion and operation of the wells on or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties and all other operations related thereto.
(j)      Allowables . To the extent required hereunder, all production and sales of Hydrocarbons produced or sold from the Oil and Gas Properties have been made materially in accordance with any applicable allowables (plus permitted tolerances) imposed by any Governmental Authorities.
(k)      Refund Obligations . No Loan Party has collected any proceeds from the sale of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties which are subject to any material refund obligation.
ARTICLE V     
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Note or any amount under any Loan Document shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, each Loan Party agrees, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, to comply with the following covenants.
Section 5.01      Compliance with Laws, Etc . Each Loan Party shall comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all applicable Legal Requirements. Without limiting the generality and coverage of the foregoing, each Loan Party shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects, with all Environmental Laws and all laws, regulations, or directives with respect to equal employment opportunity and employee safety in all jurisdictions in which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary does business. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain and possess all authorizations, Permits, licenses, trademarks, trade names, rights and copyrights which are necessary to the conduct of its business and (b) obtain, as soon as practicable, all consents or approvals required from any states of the United States (or other Governmental Authorities) necessary to grant the Collateral Agent an Acceptable Security Interest in at least 85% by value (or if an Event of Default exists and is continuing, at least 100% by value) of the Proven Reserves attributable to the Loan Parties’ Oil and Gas Properties.
Section 5.02      Maintenance of Insurance.
(f)      Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, procure and maintain or shall cause to be procured and maintained continuously in effect policies of insurance in form and amounts and issued by companies, associations or organizations reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent covering against such casualties, risks, perils, liabilities and other hazards as are customarily covered against by companies engaged in the same or similar business operating in the same or similar locations.
(g)      All certified copies of policies or certificates thereof, and endorsements and renewals thereof shall be delivered to and retained by the Administrative Agent each time such a policy of insurance is made effective, renewed, amended, novated, or otherwise modified. All policies of insurance shall either have attached thereto a “lender’s loss payable endorsement” for the benefit of the Collateral Agent, as loss payee in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or shall name the Collateral Agent as an additional insured, as applicable. All policies or certificates of insurance shall set forth the coverage, the limits of liability, the name of the carrier, the policy number, and the period of coverage. In addition, all policies of insurance required under the terms hereof shall contain an endorsement or agreement by the insurer that any loss shall be payable in accordance with the terms of such policy notwithstanding any act of negligence of

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any Loan Party or Subsidiary or any party holding under any Loan Party or Subsidiary which might otherwise result in a forfeiture of the insurance and the further agreement of the insurer waiving all rights of setoff, counterclaim or deductions against the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries. All such policies shall contain a provision that notwithstanding any contrary agreements between the Loan Parties, the Subsidiaries, and the applicable insurance company, such policies will not be canceled, allowed to lapse without renewal, surrendered or amended (which provision shall include any reduction in the scope or limits of coverage) without at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Collateral Agent. In the event that, notwithstanding the “lender’s loss payable endorsement” requirement of this Section 5.02, the proceeds of any insurance policy described above are paid to any Loan Party or a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall deliver such proceeds to the Collateral Agent immediately upon receipt.
Section 5.03      Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc . Each Loan Party shall preserve and maintain, and, except as otherwise permitted herein, cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain, its corporate, partnership, or limited liability company existence, rights, franchises, and privileges, as applicable, in the jurisdiction of its organization and qualify and remain qualified, and cause each such Subsidiary to qualify and remain qualified, as a foreign corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, as applicable, in each jurisdiction in which qualification is necessary or desirable in view of its business and operations or the ownership of its Properties.
Section 5.04      Payment of Taxes, Etc . Each Loan Party shall pay and discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments, and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or Property of such Loan Party that are material in amount, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto and (b) all lawful claims that are material in amount which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon its Property; provided , however, that no Loan Party and no such Subsidiary shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge, levy, or claim which is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided.
Section 5.05      Visitation Rights . At any reasonable time and from time to time, upon reasonable notice, each Loan Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, permit (a) the Administrative Agent or any of its agents or representatives thereof, to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit and inspect at their reasonable discretion the Properties of, each Loan Party and any such Subsidiary, and (b) the Administrative Agent and any Lender or any of their respective agents or representatives thereof to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of each Loan Party and any such Subsidiary with any of their respective officers or directors.
Section 5.06      Reporting Requirements . The Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(g)      Annual Financials . As soon as available and in any event not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, commencing with fiscal year ending December 31, 2013, (i) a copy of the annual audit report for such year for the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, including therein the Borrower’s and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ balance sheets as of the end of such fiscal year and the Borrower’s and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ statements of income, cash flows, and retained earnings, in each case certified by an independent certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and including any management letters delivered by such accountants to the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with such audit, (ii) any management letters delivered by such accountants to the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) a Compliance Certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

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(h)      Quarterly Financials . As soon as available and in any event not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of each Loan Party and its consolidated Subsidiaries, (i) commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2013, the unaudited balance sheet and the statements of income, cash flows, and retained earnings of each such Person for the period commencing at the end of the previous year and ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all in reasonable detail and duly certified with respect to such consolidated statements (subject to year‑end audit adjustments) by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) a Compliance Certificate executed by the Responsible Officer of the Borrower;
(i)      Oil and Gas Reserve Reports .
(iii)      As soon as available but in any event on or before August 31, 2013 and August 31 st of each year thereafter, an Internal Engineering Report dated effective as of the immediately preceding June 30 th ;
(iv)      As soon as available but in any event on or before February 28, 2014 and February 28 th of each year an Independent Engineering Report dated effective as of the immediately preceding December 31 st ;
(v)      Such other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties included or to be included in the Borrowing Base;
(vi)      With the delivery of each Engineering Report, a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that, to the best of his knowledge and in all material respects: (A) the information contained in the Engineering Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (B) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Engineering Report which would require the Borrower or any Guarantor to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (C) none of its Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Required Lenders, (D) attached to the certificate is a list of its Oil and Gas Properties added to and deleted from the immediately prior Engineering Report and a list showing any change in working interest or net revenue interest in its Oil and Gas Properties occurring and the reason for such change, (E) attached to the certificate is a list of all Persons disbursing proceeds to the Borrower or to any Guarantor, as applicable, from its Oil and Gas Properties, and (F) except as set forth on a schedule attached to the certificate, all of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Engineering Report are pledged as Collateral for the Secured Obligations.
(j)      Production and Hedging Reports . As soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each quarter, commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2013, a report certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent prepared by the Borrower (i) covering each of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the Guarantors and detailing on a quarterly basis (A) the production, revenue, and price information and associated operating expenses for each such quarter, (B) any changes to any producing reservoir, production equipment, or producing well during each such quarter, which changes could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, and (C) any sales of the Borrower’s or any Guarantors’ Oil and Gas Properties during each such quarter, and (ii) setting forth a true and complete list of all Hedge Contracts of the Borrower and the Guarantors and detailing the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date

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and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied), and the counterparty to each such agreement; provided that, such required listing shall, in no event, be construed as permitting such credit supports which are not permitted under the terms of this Agreement;
(k)      Annual Budget . As soon as available and in any event on or before the earlier of (i) the fifth Business Day after such fiscal year’s budget is approved by the Borrower’s board of directors (or other applicable governing body) and (ii) February 15 th of each fiscal year, commencing with February 15, 2014, a copy of the Borrower’s consolidated annual budget for such fiscal year, including the Borrower’s consolidated cash flow budget and operating budget.
(l)      Defaults . As soon as possible and in any event within three Business Days after (i) the occurrence of any Default, (ii) the occurrence of any “default” or “event of default” under the Second Lien Note Agreement, or (iii) the occurrence of any default under any instrument or document evidencing Indebtedness of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, in each case known to any officer of each Loan Party or any of its subsidiaries which is continuing on the date of such statement, a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details of such Default or default, as applicable, and the actions which any Loan Party or any such Subsidiary has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(m)      Termination Events . As soon as possible and in any event (i) within 30 days after the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that any Termination Event described in clause (a) of the definition of Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, and (ii) within 10 days after any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates knows or has reason to know that any other Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower describing such Termination Event and the action, if any, which such Loan Party or such Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto;
(n)      Termination of Plans . Promptly and in any event within two Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group from the PBGC, copies of each notice received by the Borrower or any such member of the Controlled Group of the PBGC’s intention to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan;
(o)      Other ERISA Notices . Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor, a copy of each notice received by the Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group concerning the imposition of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA;
(p)      Environmental Notices . Promptly upon the receipt thereof by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, a copy of any form of request, notice, summons or citation received from the Environmental Protection Agency, or any other Governmental Authority, concerning (i) violations or alleged violations of Environmental Laws, which seeks to impose liability therefor and could cause a Material Adverse Change, (ii) any action or omission on the part of any Loan Party or Subsidiary or any of their former Subsidiaries in connection with Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Substances which could reasonably result in the imposition of liability therefor that could cause a Material Adverse Change, including without limitation any information request related to, or notice of, potential responsibility under CERCLA, or (iii)  the filing of a Lien upon, against or in connection with any Loan Party or Subsidiary or their former Subsidiaries, or any of their leased or owned Property, wherever located, under any Environmental Law;

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(q)      Other Governmental Notices . Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, a copy of any notice, summons, citation, or proceeding seeking to modify in any material respect, revoke, or suspend any material contract, license, permit or agreement with any Governmental Authority;
(r)      Material Changes . Prompt written notice of any condition or event of which any Loan Party or Subsidiary has knowledge, which condition or event (i) has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or (ii) has resulted in a breach of or noncompliance with any material term, condition, or covenant of any material contract to which any Loan Party or Subsidiary is a party or by which they or their Properties are bound;
(s)      Disputes, Etc . Prompt written notice of (i) the commencement, or any threat of commencement to the knowledge of the Loan Party threatened, of any legal or arbitration proceedings or proceedings before any Governmental Authority, affecting any Loan Party or Subsidiary which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, or any material labor controversy of which any Loan Party or Subsidiary has knowledge resulting in or reasonably considered to be likely to result in a strike against any Loan Party or Subsidiary and (ii) any claim, judgment, Lien or other encumbrance (other than a Permitted Lien) affecting any Property of any Loan Party or Subsidiary if the value of the claim, judgment, Lien, or other encumbrance affecting such Property shall exceed $1,000,000;
(t)      Other Accounting Reports . Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report or letter submitted to any Loan Party or Subsidiary by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, and a copy of any response by any Loan Party or Subsidiary, or the board of directors (or other applicable governing body) of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, to such letter or report;
(u)      Notices Under Other Loan Agreements . Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement, report or notice furnished to any Person pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or other similar agreement (including the Second Lien Note Agreement), other than this Agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this Section 5.06;
(v)      USA Patriot Act . Promptly, following a request by any Lender, all documentation and other information that such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act;
(w)      Additional Notices . Promptly, but in no event later than the fifth Business Day after having knowledge of the occurrence of any of the following events or circumstances, a written statement with respect thereto, signed by a Responsible Officer of the relevant Loan Party or its general partner and setting forth the relevant event or circumstance and the steps being taken by the relevant Loan Party with respect to such event or circumstance:
(i)      any litigation or proceeding involving it as a defendant or in which any of its Property is subject to a claim and in which the amount involved is $1,000,000 or more and which is not covered by insurance or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought which injunctive or similar relief, if granted, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; and
(ii)      except as to the Borrower or the Parent, any change in its ownership; and

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(iii)      any change in its senior management.
(x)      SEC and Other Filings; Reports to Shareholders . Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Loan Party with the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by such Loan Party to its shareholders generally, as the case may be.
(y)      Other Information . Such other information respecting the business or Properties, or the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of any Loan Party or Subsidiary, as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
Section 5.07      Maintenance of Property . Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain their owned, leased or operated Property necessary to the conduct of its business in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted; and shall abstain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to abstain from, knowingly or willfully permitting the commission of waste or other injury, destruction, or loss of natural resources, or the occurrence of pollution, contamination, or any other condition in, on or about the owned, leased or operated Property involving the Environment that could reasonably be expected to result in Response activities and that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.
Section 5.08      Agreement to Pledge . Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, grant to the Collateral Agent an Acceptable Security Interest in (a)if no Borrowing Base Deficiency exists and no Default has occurred, (i) at least 85% (by value) of the Proven Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of any Loan Party or Subsidiary and (ii) any Property (other than Oil and Gas Properties) of any Loan Party or Subsidiary now owned or hereafter acquired promptly after receipt of a written request from either Agent, and (b) if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists or a Default has occurred, any Property of any Loan Party or Subsidiary now owned or hereafter acquired promptly after receipt of a written request from either Agent.
Section 5.09      Use of Proceeds . Each Loan Party shall use the proceeds of the Advances (a) to develop and acquire and for the exploration and production of Oil and Gas Properties, (b) for general corporate purposes, including closing costs and working capital needs, and (c) to payoff the balance owing pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement. The Borrower shall use the Letters of Credit for general corporate purposes.
Section 5.10      Title Evidence and Opinions . Each Loan Party shall from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, take such actions and execute and deliver such documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent shall require to ensure that the Administrative Agent shall, at all times, have received satisfactory title evidence, which title evidence shall be in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion and shall include information regarding the before payout and after payout ownership interests held by the Loan Parties, for all wells located on the Oil and Gas Properties, covering at least 85% of the present value of the Proven Reserves of the Loan Parties as determined by the Administrative Agent. Within 30 days after (a) a request by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to cure any title defects or exceptions which are not Permitted Liens raised by such information or (b) a notice by the Administrative Agent that any Loan Party has failed to comply with this Section 5.10(b), such Loan Party shall (i) cure such title defects or exceptions which are not Permitted Liens or substitute acceptable Oil and Gas Properties with no title defects or exceptions except for Permitted Liens covering Collateral of an equivalent value and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent satisfactory title evidence (including supplemental or new title opinions meeting the foregoing requirements) in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable business judgment as to the Borrower’s and the

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Guarantors’ ownership of such Oil and Gas Properties and the Collateral Agent’s Liens and security interests therein as are required to maintain compliance with this Section 5.10; provided, however, that, except as otherwise set forth in this Section 5.10, any failure of a Loan Party to comply with this Section 5.10 shall not be a Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Required Lenders shall have the right to exercise the following remedy in their sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise this remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to future exercise of the remedy by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders. To the extent that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders are not satisfied with title to any Oil and Gas Property after the 30-day period has elapsed, such unacceptable Oil and Gas Property shall not count towards the 85% title requirement, and the Administrative Agent may send a notice to the Borrower and the Lenders that the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount as determined by the Required Lenders to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with the requirement to provide acceptable title information on 85% of the present value of Oil and Gas Properties constituting Proven Reserves. This new Borrowing Base shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice. If the Borrowing Base is reduced pursuant to this Section 5.10 and such a reduction causes a Borrowing Base Deficiency, then (x) Borrower shall immediately prepay the Advances or make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account pursuant to Section 2.05(c)(iii), and (y) such failure of title giving rise to such Borrowing Base reduction shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder.
Section 5.11      Further Assurances; Cure of Title Defects . Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, cure promptly any defects in the creation and issuance of the Notes and the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments and this Agreement. Each Loan Party hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file any financing statements without the signature of the Borrower or such Guarantor, as applicable, to the extent permitted by applicable law in order to perfect or maintain the perfection of any security interest granted under any of the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party at its expense will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent upon request of either Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments to comply with or accomplish the covenants and agreements of the Borrower or any Guarantor, as the case may be, in the Security Instruments and this Agreement, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Secured Obligations, or to correct any omissions in the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the security obligations set out herein or in any of the Security Instruments, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to any of the Security Instruments, or to make any recordings, to file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith or to enable either Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies with respect to any Collateral.
Section 5.12      Leases; Development and Maintenance . Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (a) pay and discharge promptly, or cause to be paid and discharged promptly, all rentals, delay rentals, royalties, overriding royalties, payments out of production and other indebtedness or obligations accruing under, and perform or cause to be performed each and every act, matter or thing required by each and all of, the oil and gas leases and all other agreements and contracts constituting or affecting the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (except where the amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings), (b) do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired its rights thereunder and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder, and operate or cause to be operated such Properties as a prudent operator would in accordance with industry standard practices and in compliance with all applicable proration and conservation Legal Requirements and any other Legal Requirements of every Governmental Authority, whether state, federal, municipal or other jurisdiction, from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operations of oil and gas properties and the production and sale of oil, gas and other Hydrocarbons therefrom, and (c) maintain (or cause to be maintained) the Leases, wells, units and acreage to which the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pertain in a prudent manner consistent with industry standard practices.

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Section 5.13      Oil and Gas Properties - Insurance . To the extent that insurance is carried by a third-party operator on behalf of any Loan Party, upon request by Administrative Agent, such Loan Party shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain and provide the Administrative Agent with copies of certificates of insurance showing such Loan Party as a named insured. Each such Loan Party hereby assigns to Collateral Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the other Secured Parties any and all monies that may become payable under any such policies of insurance by reason of damage, loss or destruction of any of the Collateral.
Section 5.14      Deposit Accounts . Each Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, from and after the 20 th day following the Effective Date (or such later date as may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion from time to time) (a) maintain their primary operating accounts and other deposit accounts with Wells Fargo or with any other Person so long as such accounts with such other Persons are subject to Account Control Agreements and (b) deposit all proceeds attributable to Oil and Gas Properties that were given BB Value into such accounts with Wells Fargo or such accounts that are subject to Account Control Agreements; provided that, the requirements of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to deposit accounts that are designated solely as accounts for, and are used solely for, employee benefits, taxes, payroll funding or petty cash in an amount not to exceed $500,000, in the aggregate.
Section 5.15      Post-Closing Obligations .
(a)      Local Counsel Legal Opinions . As soon as available and, in any event, within 20 days following the Effective Date (or such later date as may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion from time to time), the Administrative Agent shall have received a legal opinion of Oklahoma local counsel, Pennsylvania local counsel, and West Virginia local counsel, in each case, acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, each in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
(b)      Mortgage Amendments . As soon as available and, in any event, within 20 days following the Effective Date (or such later date as may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion from time to time), the Administrative Agent shall have received amendments to existing Mortgages, and all attached exhibits and schedules, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents and duly executed by all parties thereto, to the extent necessary to allow the Administrative Agent’s Oklahoma local counsel, Pennsylvania local counsel, and West Virginia local counsel to deliver a legal opinion in accordance with clause (a) of this Section.
ARTICLE VI     
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Note or any amount under any Loan Document shall remain unpaid, any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, or any Lender shall have any Commitment, each Loan Party agrees, unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent in writing, to comply with the following covenants.
Section 6.01      Liens, Etc . No Loan Party shall create, assume, incur, or suffer to exist, nor permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, assume, incur, or suffer to exist, any Lien on or in respect of any of its Property whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign any right to receive income, except that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist:
(h)      Liens granted pursuant to the Security Instruments and securing the Secured Obligations;

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(i)      purchase money Liens or purchase money security interests upon or in any equipment acquired or held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business prior to or at the time of the Borrower or such Subsidiary’s acquisition of such equipment; provided that, the Indebtedness secured by such Liens (i) was incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of such equipment, and does not exceed the aggregate purchase price of such equipment, (ii) is secured only by such equipment and not by any other assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) is not increased in amount;
(j)      Liens for taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies not yet due or that (provided foreclosure, sale, or other similar proceedings shall not have been initiated) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and such reserve as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(k)      Liens in favor of vendors, carriers, warehousemen, repairmen, mechanics, workmen, materialmen, construction, or similar Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations that are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided such reserve as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(l)      royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, production payments, reversionary interests, calls on production, preferential purchase rights and other burdens on or deductions from the proceeds of production, that do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money and that are taken into account in computing the net revenue interests and working interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries warranted in the Security Instruments or in this Agreement;
(m)      Liens arising in the ordinary course of business out of pledges or deposits under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(n)      Liens arising under operating agreements, unitization and pooling agreements and orders, farmout agreements, gas balancing agreements, and other agreements, in each case that are customary in the oil, gas and mineral production business and that are entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business provided that (i) such Liens are taken into account in computing the net revenue interests and working interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries warranted in the Security Instruments or this Agreement, (ii) such Liens do not secure borrowed money, (iii) such Liens secure amounts that are not yet due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, if such reserve as may be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor and (iv) such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;
(o)      Liens securing the Second Lien Debt to the extent permitted under the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement; provided that both before and after giving effect to the incurrence of any such Lien, the Borrower is in compliance with Section 6.21; and
(p)      easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, and other similar encumbrances, and minor defects in the chain of title that are customarily accepted in the oil and gas financing industry, none of which interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially detract from the value or use of the Property to which they apply.
Section 6.02      Indebtednesss, Guaranties, and Other Obligations . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, assume, suffer to exist, or in any manner become or be liable in respect of, any Indebtedness except:

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(c)      (i) the Obligations, and (ii) the Banking Services Obligations;
(d)      Indebtedness secured by the Liens permitted under paragraph (b) of Section 6.01 and any renewal, refinancing or extension of such Indebtedness; provided that (i) no Lien existing at the time of such renewal, refinancing or extension shall be extended to cover any property not already subject to such Lien, (ii) the principal amount of any Indebtedness renewed, refinanced or extended shall not exceed the amount of such Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to such renewal, refinancing or extension; and (iii) in any event, the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness at any time shall not exceed $1,000,000;
(e)      Indebtedness consisting of sureties or bonds provided to any Governmental Authority or other Person and assuring payment of contingent liabilities of the Borrower in connection with the operation of the Oil and Gas Properties, including with respect to plugging, facility removal and abandonment of its Oil and Gas Properties;
(f)      Indebtedness of any Loan Party owing to any other Loan Party; provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion;
(g)      Indebtedness under the Second Lien Loan Documents, the principal amount of which Indebtedness does not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement;
(h)      Indebtedness under Hedge Agreements which are not prohibited by the terms of Section 6.14; provided (i) that such Indebtedness shall not be secured, other than such Indebtedness owing to Lender Swap Counterparties which are secured under the Loan Documents and (ii) such Indebtedness shall not obligate the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any margin call requirements including any requirement to post cash collateral, property collateral or a letter of credit; and
(i)      Other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate amount outstanding at any time not to exceed $1,000,000.
Section 6.03      Agreements Restricting Liens and Distributions . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than this Agreement, the Security Instruments, and the Second Lien Note Documents) which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Secured Obligations or restricts any Loan Party from paying dividends to any other Loan Party, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith; provided , that the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions imposed on the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries imposed by any contract, agreement or understanding related to the Liens permitted under clause (b) of Section 6.01 so long as such restriction only applies to the Property permitted under such clause to be encumbered by such Liens.
Section 6.04      Merger or Consolidation; Asset Sales . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(d)      merge or consolidate with or into any other Person; provided that (i) the Borrower may merge or may be consolidated into any Guarantor if the Borrower is the surviving entity, (ii) Parent may merge or may be consolidated into Borrower if the Borrower is the surviving entity, (iii) the Borrower may

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merge or be consolidated with any other Person with the consent of all the Lenders and (iv) any Guarantor may merge or may be consolidated into the Borrower or any other Guarantor; or
(e)      Dispose of any of its Property (including, without limitation, any working interest, overriding royalty interest, production payments, net profits interest, royalty interest, or mineral fee interest) or novate, assign, unwind, terminate, permit to expire, or otherwise amend any BB Hedges, other than:
(iv)      the sale of Hydrocarbons or liquidation of Liquid Investments in the ordinary course of business,
(v)      the Disposition of equipment that is (A) obsolete, worn out, depleted or uneconomic and disposed of in the ordinary course of business, (B) no longer necessary for the business of such Person or (C) contemporaneously replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use,
(vi)      the Disposition of Property between or among a Guarantor (other than the Parent) and the Borrower or between or among Guarantors (other than the Parent);
(vii)      the Disposition of Property which is not Oil and Gas Properties to which Proven Reserves are attributable and which is not Collateral or which is not otherwise required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to be Collateral;
(viii)      the Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties located in Leon County, Texas, or Robertson, County, Texas, and owned by any Loan Party on the date hereof;
(ix)      the Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties (other than those Oil and Gas Properties described in sub-clause (v) hereof) to which Proven Reserves are attributable and the occurrence of any Hedge Event so long as:
(A)     as to any such Disposition, (1) (x) 85% of the consideration received in respect thereof is comprised of cash or cash equivalents and any non-cash consideration received (to the extent constituting an Investment) is permitted under Section 6.06 and pledged as collateral to secure the Secured Obligations or (y) the consideration consists of similar Oil and Gas Properties; provided that in each instance, if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at such time, 100% of such consideration shall be cash, (2) the consideration received in respect of such Disposition is equal to or greater than the fair market value of such Oil and Gas Properties, interests therein or Subsidiary subject of such Disposition (as reasonably determined by the board of directors or the equivalent governing body of the Borrower and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying to that effect), and (3) if any such Disposition is of a Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties, such Disposition includes all the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary;
(B)     as to any such Disposition or Hedge Event which would have the effect of making the sum of (1) the BB Value of all Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties made since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination (including such Disposition) and (2) the BB Value of BB Hedges which have been novated, assigned, unwound, terminated, expired or amended since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination (including such Hedge Event) equal or exceed 10% of the Borrowing Base then in effect, the Borrowing Base is redetermined as provided in Section 2.02(c)(iii); and

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(C)     as to any such Disposition or Hedge Event which would have the effect of making the sum of (1) the BB Value of all Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties made since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination (including such Disposition) and (2) the BB Value of BB Hedges which have been novated, assigned, unwound, terminated, expired or amended since the date of the most recent scheduled Borrowing Base redetermination (including such Hedge Event) exceed 5% of the Borrowing Base then in effect, the Borrowing Base is automatically reduced as provided in Section 2.02(d).
Section 6.05      Restricted Payments . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Restricted Payments except that, if no Default has occurred both before and after giving effect to the making of such Restricted Payment,
(z)      so long as immediately prior to and after giving effect thereto, Availability equals at least five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base then in effect, Borrower may (i) make cash dividends due on the Borrower Series A Preferred Shares of no more than $12,100,000 in the aggregate in each calendar year or (ii) redeem Borrower Series A Preferred Shares with retained earnings of the Borrower or the proceeds of an Investment from the Parent into the Borrower (provided that, if such Investment constitutes Indebtedness, such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms acceptable to the Required Lenders) made with retained earnings of the Parent; provided that, no such redemption shall be permitted if before or after giving effect to such a redemption, the Leverage Ratio would be greater than 2.00 to 1.00;
(aa)      the Borrower may make Restricted Payments in the form of cash to the Parent in order for the Parent to pay its reasonable general and administrative expenses resulting from its operations as the parent of a consolidated group of companies so long as (i) the Gastar Merger has not been consummated, (ii) Borrower is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent, (iii) such Restricted Payments do not exceed the amount necessary for the payment by the Parent of such expenses, and (iv) such Restricted Payments are otherwise permitted under the Second Lien Note Agreement; and
(bb)      the Borrower may make Permitted Tax Distributions to the Parent; so long as (i) the Gastar Merger has not been consummated, (ii) Borrower is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent, and (iii) such Restricted Payments are otherwise permitted under the Second Lien Note Agreement.
Section 6.06      Investments . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist any Investments or purchase or commit to purchase any Equity Interests or other securities or evidences of indebtedness of or interests in any Person or any Oil and Gas Properties or activities related to Oil and Gas Properties, except:
(a)      Liquid Investments;
(b)      trade and customer accounts receivable which are for goods furnished or services rendered in the ordinary course of business and are payable in accordance with customary trade terms;
(c)      creation of any additional Subsidiaries in compliance with Section 6.15;
(d)      Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business; provided that, the aggregate amount of such investment shall not exceed $1,000,000 (other than by appreciation);

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(e)      Investments consisting of any deferred portion of the sales price received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any sale of assets permitted hereunder;
(f)      Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America; provided that if requested by the Administrative Agent, such assets are pledged as Collateral pursuant to Section 5.08;
(g)      Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.02(f);
(h)      Hedge Contracts to the extent permitted under Section 6.14; and
(i)      other Investments not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate.
Section 6.07      Affiliate Transactions . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including, but not limited to, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property, the making of any Investment, the giving of any guaranty, the assumption of any obligation or the rendering of any service) with any of their Affiliates (other than transactions among the Borrower and any Guarantor) unless such transaction or series of transactions is on terms no less favorable to the Borrower or the Guarantor, as applicable, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not such an Affiliate.
Section 6.08      Compliance with ERISA . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (a) engage in any transaction in connection with which the Borrower or any Controlled Group member could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (l) of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code; (b) terminate any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could result in any liability to the Borrower or any Controlled Group member to the PBGC; (c) fail to satisfy the minimum funding standards applicable to a Plan under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code; (d)  permit the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities (as “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA) under any Plan maintained by the Borrower or any Controlled Group member which is regulated under Title IV of ERISA to exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities; (e) assume an obligation to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan; (f) acquire an 80% or greater interest in any Person if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (1) any Multiemployer Plan, or (2) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, and in either case, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under such Plan exceeds the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities; (g) incur, or permit any Subsidiary to incur, a liability to or on account of a Plan under sections 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA; (h) assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any Subsidiary to assume an obligation to contribute to, any employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by such entities in their sole discretion without any material liability; (i) amend a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such that the Borrower or any Controlled Group member is required to provide security to such Plan under section 401(a)(29) of the Code; or (j) permit to exist any occurrence of any Reportable Event (as defined in Title IV of ERISA) with respect to a Plan, or

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any other event or condition, which presents a material (in the opinion of the Required Lenders) risk of such a termination by the PBGC of any Plan that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.
Section 6.09      Sale-and-Leaseback . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell or transfer to a Person any Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, if at the time or thereafter the Borrower or a Subsidiary shall lease as lessee such Property or any part thereof or other Property which the Borrower or a Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the Property sold or transferred.
Section 6.10      Change of Business; Accounting Change . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any material change in the character of its business as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company, nor will the Borrower or any Subsidiary operate any business in any jurisdiction other than the United States, including the Gulf of Mexico. The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make a change in the method of accounting employed in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.05 or change the fiscal year end of the Borrower unless required to conform to GAAP or approved in writing by the Administrative Agent.
Section 6.11      Organizational Documents, Name Change . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, supplement, modify or restate (a) their articles or certificate of incorporation or formation, limited partnership agreement, bylaws, limited liability company agreements, or other equivalent organizational documents or (b) any of the Second Lien Loan Documents, where such amendment, supplement, modification or restatement could have an adverse effect on the Lenders as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, or amend its name or change its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation without prior written notice to, and prior consent of, the Administrative Agent.
Section 6.12      Use of Proceeds; Letters of Credit . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, permit the proceeds of any Advance or Letters of Credit to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 5.09. Each Loan Party will not engage in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U). No Loan Party nor any Person acting on behalf of a Loan Party has taken or shall take, nor permit any of the Subsidiaries to take any action which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulation T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect, including without limitation, the use of the proceeds of any Advance or Letters of Credit to purchase or carry any margin stock in violation of Regulation T, U or X.
Section 6.13      Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary which would require any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to deliver their respective Hydrocarbons produced on a monthly basis from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor other than that which do not result in any Loan Party or any Subsidiary having net aggregate liability in excess of $1,000,000.
Section 6.14      Hedging Limitations . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to,

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(c)      purchase, assume, or hold a speculative position in any commodities market or futures market or enter into any Hedge Contract or similar hedge arrangement for speculative purposes, or
(d)      be party to or otherwise enter into any Hedge Contract which (i) is entered into for reasons other than as a part of its normal business operations as a risk management strategy and/or hedge against changes resulting from market conditions related to such Loan Party operations, (ii) covers notional volumes in excess of 100% of the anticipated production of gas volumes, covers notional volumes in excess of 100% of the anticipated production of natural gas liquids volumes or covers notional volumes in excess of 100% of the anticipated production of oil volumes, in each of the foregoing, during the period such hedge arrangement is in effect and attributable to PDP Reserves of the Borrower and the Guarantors, as reflected in (A) the most recently delivered Engineering Report under Section 2.02(b) or (B) a statement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, delivered by an Independent Engineer; provided, however, that the volume limitations shall not apply to put option contracts that are not related to corresponding calls, collars or swaps, or (iii) is longer than five years in duration from the date such Hedge Contract is entered into; or
(e)      be party to or otherwise enter into any Hedge Contract (i) which is secured other than Hedge Contracts with Lender Swap Counterparties which are secured by the Collateral pursuant to the Loan Documents or (ii) which obligates any Loan Party or Subsidiary to any margin call requirements including any requirement to post cash collateral, property collateral or a letter of credit.
Section 6.15      Additional Subsidiaries . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or acquire any additional Subsidiaries without (a) such new Subsidiary executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent, at either Agent’s request, a Guaranty, a Pledge Agreement, a Security Agreement and a Mortgage, and such other Security Instruments as either Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably request, and (b) the delivery by the Borrower of any certificates, opinions of counsel, title opinions or other documents as either Agent may reasonably request; provided that, in any event, no Subsidiary may be created or acquired if a Default has occurred before or after giving effect to such creation or acquisition of the new Subsidiary.
Section 6.16      Account Payables . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow any of its trade payables or other accounts payable to be outstanding for more than 90 days (except in cases where any such trade payable is being disputed in good faith and adequate reserves under GAAP have been established).
Section 6.17      Leverage Ratio . The Borrower shall not permit the Leverage Ratio to exceed, (a) for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2013, 4.50 to 1.00, (b) for the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2013, 4.25 to 1.00, and (c) for each fiscal quarter ending on or after December 31, 2013, 4.00 to 1.00.
Section 6.18      Interest Coverage Ratio . As of each fiscal quarter end beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2013, the Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (a) the consolidated EBITDAX of the Borrower calculated for the four fiscal quarters then ended, to (b) the consolidated Interest Expense of the Borrower for the four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 2.50 to 1.00.
Section 6.19      Current Ratio . As of each fiscal quarter end beginning with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2013, the Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (a) its and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ current assets to (b) its and its consolidated Subsidiaries’ current liabilities, to be less than 1.00 to 1.00. For purposes of this calculation, (x) non-cash derivative current assets arising from any Hedge Contract shall be excluded from “current assets,” and (y) current maturities in respect of the Obligations, both principal and interest,

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non-cash derivative current liabilities arising from any Hedge Contract, and current maturities of Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Second Lien Notes shall be excluded from “current liabilities.”
Section 6.20      Second Lien Debt . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any optional, mandatory or scheduled payments on account of principal (whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, set-off or otherwise), interest, premiums and fees in respect of the Indebtedness under the Second Lien Note Documents; provided that the Borrower may at any time pay scheduled interest under the Second Lien Note Documents and pay costs and expenses incurred under the Second Lien Note Documents.
Section 6.21      Additional Liens . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, grant a Lien on any Property to secure Indebtedness under the Second Lien Note Documents (except for such Liens granted on or before the Effective Date) without first (a) giving fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent thereof and (b) granting to the Administrative Agent to secure the Secured Obligations an Acceptable Security Interest in the same Property pursuant to Security Instruments in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. In connection therewith, each Loan Party shall, or shall cause its Subsidiaries to, execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.
Section 6.22      Oil and Gas Properties - Operations . Whether or not a Loan Party is the operator of the Oil and Gas Properties, no Loan Party shall (a) enter into any operating agreement, contract or agreement which materially adversely affects the Oil and Gas Properties which constitute Collateral or (b) abandon, forfeit, surrender, release, sell, assign, sublease, farmout or convey, nor otherwise Dispose any of the Collateral or any interest therein, except as permitted by this Agreement. Furthermore, whether or not a Loan Party is the operator of the Oil and Gas Properties, each Loan Party shall (at its sole cost and expense): (i) except to the extent Disposed of, or terminated, in accordance with this Agreement, do all things necessary and within the reasonable control of such Loan Party to keep, or cause to be kept, in full force and effect such Loan Party’s Oil and Gas Properties and its interests therein; (ii) subject to the terms hereof, cause the Oil and Gas Properties which constitute Collateral to be maintained, developed and protected against drainage and continuously operated for the production and marketing of Hydrocarbons in a good and workmanlike manner as a prudent operator would in accordance with generally accepted practices, applicable oil and gas leases and Contracts, and all applicable Federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations; (iii) subject to the terms hereof, promptly take all action necessary to enforce or secure the observance or performance of any term, covenant, agreement or condition to be observed or performed by third parties under any material Contract, or any part thereof, or to exercise any of its rights, remedies, powers and privileges under any material Contract, all in accordance with the respective terms thereof; and (iv) subject to the terms hereof, timely and adequately perform all covenants express or implied in any material Contract necessary to keep in full force and effect the Oil and Gas Properties which constitute Collateral and to maintain Loan Party’s interests therein.
Section 6.23      Equity Interests . No Loan Party shall, nor shall any Loan Party permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue any preferred Equity Interests (whether for value or otherwise).
ARTICLE VII     
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES
Section 7.01      Events of Default . The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under any Loan Document:

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(j)      Payment . The Borrower shall (i) fail to pay when due any principal or interest payable hereunder or under the Notes or (ii) fail to pay, within 3 Business Days of when due, any other amounts (including fees, reimbursements, and indemnifications) payable hereunder, under the Notes, or under any other Loan Document;
(k)      Representation and Warranties . Any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries (or any of their respective officers) in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) when made or deemed to be made;
(l)      Covenant Breaches . The Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall fail to (i) perform or observe any covenant contained in Section 5.03 (as to the preservation of existence), Section 5.06(f), Section 5.09, Section 5.10, Section 5.14, Section 5.15, or Article VI of this Agreement or (ii) fail to perform or observe any other term or covenant set forth in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document which is not covered by clause (i) above or any other provision of this Section 7.01 if such failure shall remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier to occur of a Loan Party becoming aware of the occurrence of such breach or failure and notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower of such breach or failure;
(m)      Cross‑Defaults . (i) The Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on its Indebtedness that is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000 individually or when aggregated with all such Indebtedness of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries so in default (but excluding Indebtedness under the Loan Documents) when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Indebtedness; (ii) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to Indebtedness (including, without limitation, any event of default or termination event under any Hedge Contract) that is outstanding in a principal amount (or termination payment amount or similar amount) of at least $1,000,000 individually or when aggregated with all such Indebtedness of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries so in default, and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Indebtedness; or (iii) any such Indebtedness in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000 individually or when aggregated with all such Indebtedness of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment), prior to the stated maturity thereof; provided that, for purposes of this subsection 7.01(d), the “principal amount” of the obligations in respect of any Hedge Contract at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that would be required to be paid if such Hedge Contract was terminated at such time;
(n)      Insolvency . The Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its Property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted

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against the Borrower, any such Subsidiary or any such Guarantor either such proceeding shall remain undismissed for a period of 60 days or any of the actions sought in such proceeding shall occur; or the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any Guarantor shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth above in this paragraph (e);
(o)      Judgments . Any judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $1,000,000 shall be rendered against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;
(p)      Termination Events . Any Termination Event with respect to a Plan shall have occurred, and, 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, (i) such Termination Event shall not have been corrected and (ii) such Termination Event would reasonably be expected to result in liability to any Loan Party in excess of $1,000,000.
(q)      Plan Withdrawals . The Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group as employer under a Multiemployer Plan shall have made a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan and the plan sponsor of such Multiemployer Plan shall have notified such withdrawing employer that such employer has incurred a withdrawal liability that would reasonably be expected to result in liability to any Loan Party in excess of $1,000,000.
(r)      Change in Control . A Change in Control shall have occurred;
(s)      Loan Documents . Any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on the Borrower or a Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any such Person shall so state in writing;
(t)      Security Instruments . (i) The Collateral Agent shall fail to have an Acceptable Security Interest in any portion of the Collateral in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time, or (ii) any Security Instrument shall at any time and for any reason cease to create the Lien on the Property purported to be subject to such agreement in accordance with the terms of such agreement, or cease to be in full force and effect, or shall be contested by the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries;
(u)      Potential Failure of Title . The title of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries to any of the Oil and Gas Properties subject to the Mortgages, or any material part thereof, shall become the subject matter of litigation before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change with respect to the Borrower’s, such Guarantor’s or such Subsidiary’s title to such Oil and Gas Properties;
(v)      Casualty . Loss, theft, substantial damage or destruction of a material portion of the Collateral the subject of any Security Instrument and not fully covered by insurance (except for deductibles and allowing for the depreciated value of such Collateral) shall have occurred;
(w)      Indenture Intercreditor Agreement . The Indenture Intercreditor Agreement shall cease to be effective (other than pursuant to the terms provided therein) or otherwise shall cease to be a legal, valid and binding agreement enforceable against the holders of any Indebtedness under the Second Lien Note Agreement in any material respect;

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(x)      Second Lien Debt . (i) Any Loan Party shall make any payment, whether in principal, interest, premiums or fees, in respect of any Second Lien Debt, or makes any other payment thereon, in any such case, that is not allowed under the terms of this Agreement or the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement; or (ii) any Loan Party amends, supplements or otherwise modifies the Second Lien Note Agreement or any other Second Lien Note Document that is not allowed under, or otherwise violates or breaches, the provisions of this Agreement or the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement; or
(y)      Parent . The Parent (i) shall directly own any Properties other than ownership of the Equity Interests of the Borrower and ownership of the bank accounts and other immaterial assets incidental to the ownership of the foregoing Equity Interests, (ii) shall have any operations other than tax, accounting and other general and administrative operations performed as the parent of a consolidated group of companies, or (ii) from and after December 31, 2013, fails to become a Guarantor unless the Gastar Merger has been effected.
Section 7.02      Optional Acceleration of Maturity . If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default pursuant to paragraph (e) of Section 7.01) shall have occurred and be continuing, then, and in any such event,
(m)      the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the obligation of each Lender and the Issuing Lender to make extensions of credit hereunder, including making Advances and issuing, increasing or extending Letters of Credit, to be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare all principal, interest, fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon all such amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable in full, without notice of intent to demand, demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, grace, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, and all other notices, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;
(n)      the Borrower shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent at the request or with the consent of the Required Lenders, deposit into the Cash Collateral Account an amount of cash equal to 104% of the Minimum Collateral Amount as security for the Secured Obligations; and
(o)      the Agents shall at the request of, or may with the consent of, the Required Lenders (but subject to the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement as to the Collateral Agent) proceed to enforce its rights and remedies under the Security Instruments, the Guaranties, and any other Loan Documents for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties by appropriate proceedings.
Section 7.03      Automatic Acceleration of Maturity . If any Event of Default pursuant to paragraph (e) of Section 7.01 shall occur,
(f)      (i) the obligation of each Lender and the Issuing Lender to make extensions of credit hereunder, including making Advances and issuing, increasing or extending Letters of Credit, shall terminate, and (ii) all principal, interest, fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents shall become and be forthwith due and payable in full, without notice of intent to demand, demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, grace, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, and all other notices, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

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(g)      the Borrower shall deposit into the Cash Collateral Account an amount of cash equal to 104% of the outstanding Minimum Collateral Amount as security for the Secured Obligations; and
(h)      the Agents shall at the request of, or may with the consent of, the Required Lenders (but subject to the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement as to the Collateral Agent) proceed to enforce its rights and remedies under the Security Instruments, the Guaranties, and any other Loan Document for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties by appropriate proceedings.
Section 7.04      Right of Set‑off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Lender, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirement, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Lender, such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of any Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and owing to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such Lender, such Issuing Lender or such Affiliate, irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of any Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such Lender, such Issuing Lender or such Affiliate different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such obligations; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. Each Lender Party agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.. The rights of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, each Lender, the Issuing Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section 7.04 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, such Lender, the Issuing Lender or their respective Affiliates may have.
Section 7.05      Non-exclusivity of Remedies . No right, power, or remedy conferred to any Lender Party in this Agreement or the Loan Documents, or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise shall be exclusive, and each such right, power, or remedy shall to the full extent permitted by law be cumulative and in addition to every other such right, power or remedy. No course of dealing and no delay in exercising any right, power, or remedy conferred to any Lender Party in this Agreement and the Loan Documents or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise shall operate as a waiver of or otherwise prejudice any such right, power, or remedy. Any Lender Party may cure any Event of Default without waiving the Event of Default. No notice to or demand upon the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall entitle the Borrower or any other Loan Party to similar notices or demands in the future.
Section 7.06      Application of Proceeds .
(d)      Subject to the terms of the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement, prior to an Event of Default, all payments made hereunder shall be applied by either Agent as directed by the Borrower, but subject to

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the terms of this Agreement, including the application of prepayments according to Section 2.05 and Section 2.10. Subject to the terms of the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement, from and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any monies or Property actually received by either Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as a result of the exercise of any rights or remedies under any Security Instrument or any other agreement with the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries which secures any of the Secured Obligations), shall be applied as determined by the Administrative Agent to the Secured Obligations in accordance with Section 2.10, or at the direction of the Required Lenders, applied in accordance with 2.10 but in the following order:
(iv)      First, to the payment of all amounts, including costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds and the payment of any part of the Secured Obligations, due to either Agent under any of the expense reimbursement or indemnity provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Security Instrument or other collateral documents, and any applicable law;
(v)      Second, to the payment of all accrued interest constituting part of the Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed ratably among the Secured Parties in accordance with the amounts of the Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution);
(vi)      Third, ratably, according to the then unpaid amounts thereof, without preference or priority of any kind among them, to the payment of all other Obligations then due and payable, including Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit;
(vii)      Fourth, ratably, according to the then unpaid amounts thereof, without preference or priority of any kind among them, to the payment of the Secured Obligations not covered above which are then due and payable, including any obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries owing to any Lender Swap Counterparty under any Hedge Contract and Banking Services Obligations; and
(viii)      Fifth, the remainder, if any, to the Second Lien Agent as required under the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement.
(e)      Subject to the terms of the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement, notwithstanding the foregoing, from and during the continuance of any Event of Default, any monies or Property actually received by either Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document as a result of the exercise of any rights or remedies under any Security Instrument or any other agreement with the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries which secures any of the Secured Obligations, shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.10 and otherwise in the following order:
(v)      First, to the payment of all amounts, including costs and expenses incurred in connection with the collection of such proceeds and the payment of any part of the Secured Obligations, due to either Agent under any of the expense reimbursement or indemnity provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Security Instrument or other collateral documents, and any applicable law;
(vi)      Second, to the payment of all accrued interest constituting part of the Secured Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed ratably among the Secured Parties in accordance with the amounts of the Secured Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution);
(vii)      Third, ratably, according to the then unpaid amounts thereof, without preference or priority of any kind among them, to the payment of the Secured Obligations then due and payable, including

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Secured Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit and any obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries owing to any Lender Swap Counterparty under any Hedge Contract and Banking Services Obligations; and
(viii)      Fourth, the remainder, if any, to the Second Lien Agent as required under the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement.
Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Loan Parties to preserve the allocation to Secured Obligations otherwise set forth above in this Section.
ARTICLE VIII     
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE ISSUING LENDER AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Section 8.01      Appointment and Authority . Each Lender, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably (a) appoints Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (b) authorizes the Agents to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Agents by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article VIII are solely for the benefit of the Lender Parties, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Document (or any other similar term) with reference to the either Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Legal Requirement. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.
Section 8.02      Rights as a Lender . The Person serving as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders. Wells Fargo (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent) and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders or the Issuing Lender.
Section 8.03      Exculpatory Provisions . Neither Agent (which term as used in this Section 8.03 shall include its Related Parties) shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither Agent:
(cc)      shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(dd)      shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that

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such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders or Secured Parties as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that neither Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Legal Requirement, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and
(ee)      shall, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, nor shall it be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
Neither Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders or Secured Parties as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.03 and 7.01) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. Both Agents shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to such Agent in writing by the Borrower, a Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Lender. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default, the Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 9.03) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall reasonably be directed by the Required Lenders, provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action) with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Lender Parties.
Neither Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any recital, statement, warranty or representation (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the value, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, enforceability, sufficiency or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the inspection of, or to inspect, the Property (including the books and records) of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, or (vii) any litigation or collection proceedings (or to initiate or conduct any such litigation or proceedings) under any Loan Document unless requested by the Required Lenders in writing and its receives indemnification satisfactory to it from the Lenders.
Section 8.04      Reliance by Agents, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender . The Agents shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document, writing or other communication (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Agents also may rely upon any statement made to such Agent orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Credit Extension or any Conversion or continuance of an Advance that by its terms must be fulfilled to the

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satisfaction of a Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender, the Swing Line Lender or Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender, the Swing Line Lender or Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Credit Extension or Conversion or continuance of an Advance. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and neither Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Section 8.05      Delegation of Duties . Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub‑agents appointed by such Agent. Each Agent and any such sub‑agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article VIII shall apply to any such sub‑agent and to the Related Parties of an Agent and any such sub‑agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent. Neither Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that such Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.
Section 8.06      Resignation of Agent or Issuing Lender .
(e)      Each Agent and the Issuing Lender may at any time give notice of its resignation to the other Lender Parties and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, (i) the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the prior written consent of the Borrower (which consent is not required if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint, as applicable, a successor Agent or a successor Issuing Lender, which shall be a Lender. If no such successor Agent or Issuing Lender shall have been so appointed and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent or Issuing Lender gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the applicable Required Lenders) (the “ Resignation Effective Date ”), then the retiring Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, may on behalf of the Lenders and Issuing Lender, appoint a successor agent or issuing lender meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation by the Agent or the Issuing Lender shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.
(f)      If the Person serving as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirement, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by applicable Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the applicable Required Lenders) (the “ Removal Effective Date ”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.
(g)      With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, shall be discharged from its duties and obligations as the applicable Agent and Issuing Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that (v) in the case of any collateral security held by such Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Agent is appointed and (z) the retiring Issuing Lender shall

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remain the Issuing Lender with respect to any Letters of Credit outstanding on the effective date of its resignation and the provisions affecting the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit shall inure to the benefit of the retiring Issuing Lender until the termination of all such Letters of Credit) and (ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the retiring or removed Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, shall instead be made by or to each applicable class of Lenders, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent or Issuing Lender as provided for above in this paragraph. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, or Issuing Lender hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, and the retiring or removed Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Agent’s or Issuing Lender’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article VIII and Sections 9.02(a) and (b), Section 8.09 and Section 2.2(g) shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Agent and Issuing Lender, its sub‑agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, was acting as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or Issuing Lender.
(h)      The Swing Line Lender may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower. After the resignation of the Swing Line Lender hereunder, the retiring Swing Line Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to Swing Line Advances made by it prior to such resignation, but shall not be required to make any additional Swing Line Advances. Upon such notice of resignation, the Borrower shall have the right to designate any other Lender as the Swing Line Lender with the consent of such Lender so long as operational matters related to the funding of Advances have been adequately addressed to the reasonable satisfaction of such new Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent (if such new Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent are not the same Person).
Section 8.07      Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders . Each Lender Party acknowledges and agrees that it has, independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender Party or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender Party also acknowledges and agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender Party or any of their Related Parties, and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders or the Issuing Lender by the applicable Agent hereunder and for other information in the applicable Agent’s possession which has been requested by a Lender and for which such Lender pays such Agent’s expenses in connection therewith, the neither Agent shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender or any Issuing Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition, or business of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that may come into the possession of such Agent or any of its Affiliates.
Section 8.08      No Other Duties, etc . Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Bookrunner and Lead Arranger, as applicable, listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties

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or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Lender hereunder.
Section 8.09      Indemnification .
(c)      INDEMNITY OF AGENTS . THE REVOLVING LENDERS SEVERALLY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER), RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF THE REVOLVING ADVANCES THEN HELD BY EACH OF THEM (OR IF NO PRINCIPAL OF THE ADVANCES IS AT THE TIME OUTSTANDING, RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE COMMITMENTS HELD BY EACH OF THEM IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION, EXPIRATION OR FULL REDUCTION OF EACH SUCH COMMITMENT), FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY SUCH AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT ( IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH AGENT ), AND INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, PROVIDED THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE INDEMNIFIED AGENT’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, EACH LENDER AGREES TO REIMBURSE EACH AGENT PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND FOR ITS RATABLE SHARE (DETERMINED AS SET FORTH ABOVE IN THIS PARAGRAPH) OF ANY OUT‑OF‑POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES) INCURRED BY SUCH AGENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT, OR ENFORCEMENT (WHETHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR LEGAL ADVICE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH AGENT IS NOT REIMBURSED FOR SUCH BY THE BORROWER.
(d)      THE REVOLVING LENDERS SEVERALLY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY THE ISSUING LENDER AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER), RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF THE REVOLVING ADVANCES THEN HELD BY EACH OF THEM (OR IF NO PRINCIPAL OF THE REVOLVING ADVANCES IS AT THE TIME OUTSTANDING, RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS OF THE COMMITMENTS THEN HELD BY EACH OF THEM, OR, IF NO SUCH PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS ARE THEN OUTSTANDING AND NO COMMITMENTS ARE THEN EXISTING, RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE COMMITMENTS HELD BY EACH OF THEM IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION THEREOF), FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE ISSUING LENDER IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR

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ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY THE ISSUING LENDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT ( IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF THE ISSUING LENDER ), AND INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, PROVIDED THAT NO REVOLVING LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE ISSUING LENDER’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, EACH REVOLVING LENDER AGREES TO REIMBURSE THE ISSUING LENDER PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND FOR ITS RATABLE SHARE (DETERMINED AS SET FORTH ABOVE IN THIS PARAGRAPH) OF ANY OUT‑OF‑POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES) INCURRED BY THE ISSUING LENDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT, OR ENFORCEMENT (WHETHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR LEGAL ADVICE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ISSUING LENDER IS NOT REIMBURSED FOR SUCH BY THE BORROWER.
Section 8.10      Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim . In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Agents (irrespective of whether the principal of any Advance or Letter of Credit Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(f)      to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Advances, Letter of Credit Exposure and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Agents (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Agents and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Agents hereunder) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(g)      to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and Issuing Lender to make such payments to the Agents and, in the event that the Agents shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, to pay to the Agents any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Agents and their respective agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Agents under Section 2.08.
Section 8.11      Collateral and Guaranty Matters .
(d)      Each Agent is authorized on behalf of the Secured Parties, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from such Secured Parties, from time to time, to take any actions with respect to any Collateral or Security Instruments which may be necessary to perfect and maintain the Liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security Instruments. Each Agent is further authorized (but not obligated) on behalf of the Secured Parties, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from the Secured Parties, from time to time, to take any action in exigent circumstances as may be reasonably

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necessary to preserve any rights or privileges of the Secured Parties under the Loan Documents or applicable Legal Requirements. By accepting the benefit of the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Instruments, each Secured Party hereby agrees to the terms of this paragraph (a).
(e)      The Lenders hereby, and any other Secured Party by accepting the benefit of the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Instruments, irrevocably authorize each Agent to (i) release any Lien granted to or held by such Agent upon any Collateral (a) upon termination of this Agreement, termination of all Hedge Contracts with such Persons (other than Hedge Contracts as to which arrangements satisfactory to the applicable counterparty in its sole discretion have been made), termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which arrangements satisfactory to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion have been made), and the payment in full of all outstanding Advances, Letter of Credit Obligations and all other Secured Obligations payable under this Agreement and under any other Loan Document; (b) constituting property sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any Disposition permitted under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (c) constituting property in which no Loan Party owned an interest at the time the Lien was granted or at any time thereafter; or (d) constituting property leased to any Loan Party under a lease which has expired or has been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement or is about to expire and which has not been, and is not intended by such Loan Party to be, renewed or extended; and (ii) release a Guarantor from its obligations under a Guaranty and any other applicable Loan Document if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under this Agreement. Upon the request of either Agent at any time, the Secured Parties will confirm in writing such Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 8.11.
(f)      Notwithstanding anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary, the Loan Parties, the Agents, and each Secured Party hereby agree that no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder, under the Guaranty and under the Security Instruments may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents. By accepting the benefit of the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Instruments, each Secured Party not party hereto hereby agrees to the terms of this paragraph (c).
ARTICLE IX     
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01      Costs and Expenses . The Borrower agrees to pay on demand:
(i)      all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and of the Collateral Agent (but not of other Lenders) in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, and amendment of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents, including fees, charges and disbursements of outside counsels for such Agents (but not of other Lenders), with respect to advising such Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and
(j)      all out‑of‑pocket costs and expenses, if any, of each Agent and each Lender (including outside counsel fees, charges and disbursements of each Lender and each Agent) in connection with the enforcement of or protection of rights under (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents (including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of the Credit Extensions).

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Section 9.02      Indemnification; Waiver of Damages .
(ff)      INDEMNIFICATION . EACH LOAN PARTY HERETO AGREES TO, AND DOES HEREBY, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER AND EACH LENDER AND EACH OF THEIR AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, PARTNERS, REPRESENTATIVES, ADVISORS AND AGENTS AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE HEIRS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (EACH, AN “ INDEMNITEE ”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, SUITS, LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND EXPENSES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE (INCLUDING LEGAL EXPENSES), JOINT OR SEVERAL, TO WHICH SUCH INDEMNITEE MAY BECOME SUBJECT OR THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED OR AWARDED AGAINST SUCH INDEMNITEE, IN EACH CASE ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR BY REASON OF (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION, OR PROCEEDING OR PREPARATION OF A DEFENSE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH) THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THE USE OR CONTEMPLATED USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE ADVANCES , AND WILL REIMBURSE EACH INDEMNITEE FOR ALL OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES ON DEMAND AS THEY ARE INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE SOLE OR CONTRIBUTORY, ACTIVE OR POSSESSIVE, IMPUTED, JOINT OR TECHNICAL NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PARTY; PROVIDED THAT NO INDEMNITEE WILL HAVE ANY RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION FOR ANY OF THE FOREGOING TO THE EXTENT RESULTING FROM SUCH INDEMNITEE OWN GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, IN EACH CASE, AS DETERMINED BY A FINAL NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION. IN THE CASE OF AN INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING TO WHICH THE INDEMNITY IN THIS SECTION 9.2 APPLIES, SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE WHETHER OR NOT SUCH INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT BY ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF, ANY EQUITYHOLDER OR CREDITOR OF A LOAN PARTY OR AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY, WHETHER OR NOT AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY IS OTHERWISE A PARTY THERETO. EACH LOAN PARTY HERETO AGREES THAT NO AFFILIATE, EQUITYHOLDER OR CREDITOR OF SUCH LOAN PARTY IS INTENDED TO BE, AND NONE OF SUCH PERSONS OR ENTITIES SHALL BE, THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AND THEREFORE NO INDEMNIFIED PARTY WILL HAVE ANY LIABILITY (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, IN CONTRACT OR TORT, OR OTHERWISE) TO ANY LOAN PARTY’S RESPECTIVE AFFILIATE THAT IS NOT A PARTY HERETO OR TO ANY LOAN PARTY’S EQUITYHOLDERS OR CREDITORS ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ASPECT OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. No Loan Party shall, without the prior written consent of each Indemnitee affected thereby, settle any threatened or pending claim or action that would give rise to the right of any Indemnitee to claim indemnification hereunder unless such settlement (x) includes a full and unconditional release of all liabilities arising out of such claim or action against such Indemnitee and (y) does not include any statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnitee. This Section 9.02(a) shall not apply with respect to Taxes (other than with respect to Taxes attributable to a non-Tax claim), which shall be governed solely by Section 2.14.
(gg)      Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirement, no Loan Party shall assert, agrees not to assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other

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Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Advance or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (a) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(hh)      Survival . Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Loan Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Loan Parties contained in this Section 9.02 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the termination of all Commitments, and the payment in full of the Advances and all other amounts payable under this Agreement.
Section 9.03      Waivers and Amendments . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, the Notes, or any other Loan Document (other than the Fee Letter or any AutoBorrow Agreement), nor consent to any departure by the Borrower or any Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that:
(j)      no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders and the Borrower, do any of the following: (i) waive any of the conditions specified in Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, (ii) reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document (other than those specifically addressed above in this Section 9.03), (iii) increase the aggregate Commitments or increase the Borrowing Base, (iv) postpone or extend any date fixed for any payment of any fees or other amounts payable hereunder (other than those otherwise specifically addressed in this Section 9.03), including an extension of the Maturity Date or the Commitment Termination Date, (v) amend Section 2.13(e), Section 7.06, this Section 9.03 or any other provision in any Loan Document which expressly requires the consent of, or action or waiver by, all of the Lenders, (vi) release any Guarantor from its obligation under any Guaranty or, except as specifically provided in the Loan Documents and as a result of transactions permitted by the terms of this Agreement, release all or a material portion of the Collateral except as permitted under Section 8.11(b); (vii) amend the definitions of “Required Lenders” or “Revolving Credit Exposure”; (viii) change the percentage of Lenders which shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (ix) amend or otherwise modify the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement;
(k)      no Commitment of a Lender or any obligations of a Lender may be increased without such Lender’s written consent;
(l)      no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(m)      no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Issuing Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and
(n)      no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

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Section 9.04      Severability . In case one or more provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Legal Requirement, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 9.05      Survival of Representations and Obligations . All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or made in writing by or on behalf of the Loan Parties in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the making of the Advances or the issuance of any Letters of Credit and any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders, none of which investigations shall diminish any Lender’s right to rely on such representations and warranties. All obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party provided for in Sections 2.11, 2.12, 2.14(c), 9.01 and 9.02 and all of the obligations of the Lenders in Section 8.05 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and repayment in full of the Obligations.
Section 9.06      Binding Effect . This Agreement shall become effective as provided in Section 3.01(a), and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Agents, and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 9.07      Successors and Assigns .
(j)      Successors and Assigns Generally . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(k)      Assignment by Lenders . Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Advances at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i)      Minimum Amounts .
(A)      in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Advances at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B)      in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Advances outstanding thereunder) or, if the

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applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Advances of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “ Trade Date ” is specified in the Assignment and Acceptance, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii)      Proportionate Amounts . Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Advance or the Commitment assigned.
(iii)      Required Consents . No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
(A)      the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) a Default or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment, or (y) such assignment is to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 10 days after having received notice thereof;
(B)      the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments to a Person that is not a Lender; and
(C)      the consent of the Issuing Lender and Swing Line Lender shall be required for any assignment to a Person that is not a Lender.
(iv)      Assignment and Acceptance . The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v)      No Assignment to Certain Persons . No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B).
(vi)      No Assignment to Natural Persons . No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person.
(vii)      Certain Additional Payments . In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Advances previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting

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Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Advances and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Advances in accordance with its Pro Rata Share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Legal Requirement without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 9.01, 9.02 and 9.03 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided , that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.
(l)      Register . The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 9.09 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Advances owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “ Register ”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. The Borrower hereby agrees that the Administrative Agent acting as its agent solely for the purpose set forth above in this clause (c), shall not subject the Administrative Agent to any fiduciary or other implied duties, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
(m)      Participations . Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “ Participant ”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Advances owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 9.02(a) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).

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Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 9.07 (that adversely affects such Participant). The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.11, 2.12 and 2.14 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.14(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.14(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.15 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.12 or 2.14, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.15 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 7.04 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13(e) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Advances or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “ Participant Register ”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. The Borrower hereby agrees that each Lender acting as its agent solely for the purpose set forth above in this clause (d), shall not subject such Lender to any fiduciary or other implied duties, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
(n)      Certain Pledges . Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
Section 9.08      Confidentiality . Each Lender Party agree to keep confidential any information furnished or made available to it by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement and identified by such Loan Party as proprietary or confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lender Party from disclosing such information (a) to any other Lender Party or any Affiliate of any Lender Party, or any officer, director, employee, agent, or advisor of any Lender Party or Affiliate of any Lender Party the “ Representatives ”) for purposes of administering, negotiating, considering, processing, implementing, syndicating, assigning, or evaluating the credit facilities provided herein and the transactions contemplated hereby (it being understood that the Representative to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to any other Person if directly incidental to the administration of the credit facilities provided herein, (c) as required

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by any Legal Requirement (it being understood that the Person to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (d) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority, (f) that is or becomes available to the public or that is or becomes available to any Lender Party other than as a result of a disclosure by any other Lender Party prohibited by this Agreement, (g) in connection with any litigation relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which such Lender Party or any of its Affiliates may be a party, (h) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (i) to any actual or proposed participant or assignee, in each case, subject to provisions similar to those contained in this Section 9.08. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN, nothing in this Agreement shall (a) restrict any Lender Party from providing information to any bank or other regulatory or governmental authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board and its supervisory staff; (b) require or permit any Lender Party to disclose to any Loan Party that any information will be or was provided to the Federal Reserve Board or any of its supervisory staff; or (c) require or permit any Lender Party to inform any Loan Party of a current or upcoming Federal Reserve Board examination or any nonpublic Federal Reserve Board supervisory initiative or action . Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Section 9.09      Notices, Etc .
(h)      All notices and other communications (other than Notices of Borrowing and Notices of Conversion or Continuation, which are governed by Article II of this Agreement) shall be in writing and hand delivered with written receipt, telecopied, sent by facsimile (with a hard copy sent as otherwise permitted in this Section 9.09), sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested as follows: if to a Loan Party, as specified on Schedule II , if to the Swing Line Lender, the Agents or the Issuing Lender, at its credit contact specified under its name on Schedule II , and if to any Lender at is credit contact specified in its Administrative Questionnaire. Each party may change its notice address by written notification to the other parties. All such notices and communications shall be effective when delivered, except that notices and communications to any Agent, any Lender, the Swing Line Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to Article II shall not be effective until received and, in the case of facsimile, such receipt is confirmed by such Agent, the Swing Line Lender, such Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, verbally or in writing.
(i)      Platform .
(viii)      Each Loan Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Lender and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “ Platform ”).
(ix)      The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “ Agent Parties ”) have any liability to the Borrower or the other Loan Parties, any Lender

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or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. “ Communications ” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through the Platform.
Section 9.10      Usury Not Intended . It is the intent of each Loan Party and each Lender Party in the execution and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to contract in strict compliance with applicable usury laws, including conflicts of law concepts, governing the Advances of each Lender including such applicable Legal Requirements of the State of New York, if any, and the United States of America from time to time in effect, and any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement. In furtherance thereof, the Lender Parties and the Loan Parties stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions contained in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall ever be construed to create a contract to pay, as consideration for the use, forbearance or detention of money, interest at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate and that for purposes of this Agreement “interest” shall include the aggregate of all charges which constitute interest under such laws that are contracted for, charged or received under this Agreement; and in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, under any circumstances the aggregate amounts taken, reserved, charged, received or paid on the Advances, include amounts which by applicable Legal Requirement are deemed interest which would exceed the Maximum Rate, then such excess shall be deemed to be a mistake and each Lender receiving same shall credit the same on the principal of its Advances (or if such Advances shall have been paid in full, refund said excess to the Borrower). In the event that the maturity of the Advances are accelerated by reason of any election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest may never include more than the Maximum Rate, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited on the applicable Advances (or, if the applicable Advances shall have been paid in full, refunded to the Borrower of such interest). In determining whether or not the interest paid or payable under any specific contingencies exceeds the Maximum Rate, the Loan Parties and the Lenders shall to the maximum extent permitted under applicable Legal Requirement amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal parts during the period of the full stated term of the Obligations all amounts considered to be interest under applicable Legal Requirement at any time contracted for, charged, received or reserved in connection with the Obligations. The provisions of this Section shall control over all other provisions of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents which may be in apparent conflict herewith.
Section 9.11      Usury Recapture . In the event the rate of interest chargeable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document at any time is greater than the Maximum Rate, the unpaid principal amount of the Advances shall bear interest at the Maximum Rate until the total amount of interest paid or accrued on the Advances equals the amount of interest which would have been paid or accrued on the Advances if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement or applicable Loan Document had at all times been in effect. In the event, upon payment in full of the Advances, the total amount of interest paid or accrued under the terms of this Agreement and the Advances is less than the total amount of interest which would have been paid or accrued if the rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had, at all times, been in effect, then the Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirement, pay the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders an amount equal to the difference between (i) the lesser of (A) the amount of

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interest which would have been charged on its Advances if the Maximum Rate had, at all times, been in effect and (B) the amount of interest which would have accrued on its Advances if the rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect and (ii) the amount of interest actually paid under this Agreement on its Advances. In the event the Lenders ever receive, collect or apply as interest any sum in excess of the Maximum Rate, such excess amount shall, to the extent permitted by law, be applied to the reduction of the principal balance of the Advances, and if no such principal is then outstanding, such excess or part thereof remaining shall be paid to the Borrower.
Section 9.12      Payments Set Aside . To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to any Lender Party, or any Lender Party exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any Lender Party in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender Party severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment. The obligations of the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuing Lender under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
Section 9.13      Governing Law; Service of Process . This Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents (unless otherwise expressly provided therein) shall be deemed a contract under, and shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of laws principles (other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York). Each Letter of Credit shall be governed by either (i) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, or (ii) the International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590, in either case, including any subsequent revisions thereof approved by a Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce and adhered to by the Issuing Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees that service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to the Borrower at the address set forth for the Borrower in this Agreement. Nothing in this Section shall affect the rights of any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by the law or affect the right of any Lender to bring any action or proceeding against the Borrower or its Property in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
Section 9.14      Submission to Jurisdiction . The parties hereto hereby agree that any suit or proceeding arising in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the matters contemplated hereby or thereby will be tried exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in any state court located in the City and County of New York, and the parties hereto hereby agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of, and venue in, such court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Legal Requirement. The parties hereto hereby agree that service of any process, summons, notice or document by registered mail addressed to the applicable parties will be effective service of process against such party for any action or proceeding relating to any such dispute. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Legal

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Requirement, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in this Section 9.14. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York shall apply to this Agreement and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirement, the defense of any inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
Section 9.15      Electronic Execution of Assignments . Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Acceptance shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
Section 9.16      Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different 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.
Section 9.17      Waiver of Jury . THE BORROWER, THE LENDERS, THE ISSUING LENDER, AND THE AGENTS HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPRESENTED BY AND HAVE CONSULTED WITH COUNSEL OF THEIR CHOICE, AND HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY, AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
Section 9.18      Indenture Intercreditor Agreement . Each Agent is hereby authorized on behalf of the Lenders for the Lenders and its Affiliates that are Secured Parties to enter into the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement. A copy of the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit L. Each Lender and each other Secured Party (by receiving the benefits thereunder and of the Collateral) acknowledges and agrees to the terms of the Indenture Intercreditor Agreement and agrees that the terms thereof shall be binding on such Secured Party and its successors and assigns, as if it were a party thereto.
Section 9.19      Keepwell . Each Qualified ECP Guarantor hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this Agreement in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 9.19 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 9.19, or otherwise under this Agreement, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the termination of all Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender have been made). Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 9.19 constitute, and this Section 9.19 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

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Section 9.20      USA Patriot Act . Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.
Section 9.21      Flood Insurance Regulations . Wells Fargo has adopted internal policies and procedures that address requirements placed on federally regulated lenders under the Flood Insurance Regulations (defined below). If applicable, Wells Fargo, as administrative agent, will post on the applicable electronic platform (or otherwise distribute to each Lender) documents that it receives in connection with the Flood Insurance Regulations; however, Wells Fargo reminds each Lender and Participant that, pursuant to the Flood Insurance Regulations, each federally regulated lender (whether acting as a Lender or Participant) is responsible for assuring its own compliance with the Flood Insurance Regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event is any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) included in the definition of "Collateral" and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home is intended to be encumbered by any Mortgage. As used herein, " Flood Insurance Regulations " shall mean (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (amending 42 USC 4001, et seq.), as the same may be amended or recodified from time to time, and (d) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 9.22      Amendment and Restatement . The Borrower, the Lenders, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, the Collateral Agent, and the Administrative Agent have agreed that this Agreement is an amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety, and this Agreement is not a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement. All the rights, titles, liens, security interests, and assignments securing the Obligations (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall secure the Obligations, insofar and only insofar as the same cover the Collateral, and all liens, security interests, and assignments against the Collateral securing the Obligations (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) are hereby renewed, extended, and modified to secure the Obligations.
Section 9.23      Release of Parent from Guaranty and Release of Liens on Equity Interests issued by Borrower . Effective as of the date hereof: (a)(i) the obligations of Parent under any guaranty of any Secured Obligations are hereby released, terminated and no longer of any force and effect (except for those obligations that expressly survive the termination of the applicable agreement or guaranty) and (ii) all assets of Parent which constitute Collateral (including the Equity Interests of the Borrower as a subsidiary of the Parent) are hereby released from the Liens created under the Security Instruments.  It is understood and agreed that the releases provided in this Section 9.23 (i) shall not release any guarantor other than Parent as expressly provided above, and (ii) as to the Liens created under the Security Instruments, are partial releases only which are expressly limited to the assets described above in this Section 9.23 and shall not release any other assets of any other obligor or grantor from the Liens created under the Security Instruments, and (b) the Lenders hereby consent to the Collateral Agent’s release of its Lien on, and the assignment of production associated with, the Oil and Gas Properties located in Leon County, Texas, or Robertson, County, Texas, and owned by Gastar Exploration Texas, LP on the date hereof, which release is to be made on the date hereof.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, the releases provided in this Section 9.23 shall not affect, and shall not be a release of, (x) any obligations of the Parent or any Liens granted by

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the Parent which may arise after the date hereof should the Parent become a Guarantor or (y) any other Liens granted to the Collateral Agent by any Loan Party in effect on the date hereof or hereafter arising.
Section 9.24      Integration . THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, AS DEFINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS PROVIDED FOR HEREIN AND THEREIN. ADDITIONALLY, THIS AGREEMENT AND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.
IN EXECUTING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH LOAN PARTY HERETO HEREBY WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS IT IS NOT RELYING ON ANY STATEMENT OR REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE IN THIS AGREEMENT AND IS RELYING UPON ITS OWN JUDGMENT AND ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEYS.
[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]

-107-



EXECUTED as of the date first above written.
BORROWER :
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.,
a Delaware corporation


By: /s/ Michael A. Gerlich    
Michael A. Gerlich
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer


Signature page to
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
(Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)



ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT/COLLATERAL AGENT/ISSUING LENDER/SWING LINE LENDER/LENDER :

WELLS FARGO BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender, Swing Line Lender, Collateral Agent and Lender

By: /s/ Stephanie Harrell    
Stephanie Harrell
Assistant Vice President



Signature page to
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
(Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)



LENDER :

COMERICA BANK,
as a Lender

By: /s/ Brenton D. Bellamy    
Brenton D. Bellamy
Assistant Vice President


Signature page to
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
(Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)



LENDER :

IBERIABANK,
as a Lender

By: /s/ W. Bryan Chapman    
W. Bryan Chapman
Executive Vice President

    
    




Signature page to
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
(Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)



SCHEDULE I
PRICING GRID
Applicable Margins
 
Utilization Level*
Reference Rate Advances
Eurodollar Rate Advances
Commitment Fee Rate
Level I
Less than 25%
1.00%
2.00%
0.50%
Level II
Greater than or equal to 25% but less than 50%
1.25%
2.25%
0.50%
Level III
Greater than or equal to 50% but less than 75%.
1.50%
2.50%
0.50%
Level IV
Greater than or equal to 75% but less than 90%
1.75%
2.75%
0.50%
Level V
Greater than or equal to 90
2.00%
3.00%
0.50%



Schedule I



SCHEDULE II
NOTICE INFORMATION AND COMMITMENTS
Each of the commitments to lend set forth herein is governed by the terms of the Credit Agreement which provides for, among other things, borrowing base limitations which may restrict the Borrower’s ability to request (and the Lenders’ obligation to provide) Credit Extensions to a maximum amount which is less than the commitments set forth in this Schedule II .
Administrative Agent/Collateral Agent/Issuing Lender/Swing Line Lender:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
1525 West WT Harris Boulevard – 1B1
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
Attention: Agency Services Manager

Facsimile: (704) 715-0017
with a copy to:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
1000 Louisiana, 9th Floor
MAC T0002-090
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Charles Randall
Facsimile: (713) 319-1925
Borrower:
Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.
1331 Lamar Street, Suite 1080
Houston, Texas 77010
Attention: Michael Gerlich
Facsimile: (713) 739-0458

Lenders:
Commitments
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
$200,000,000
Comerica Bank
$150,000,000
IBERIABANK
$150,000,000
Total:
$500,000,000


Signature page to
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
(Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)


Exhibit 10.2

 


INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
dated as of
June 7, 2013
among
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC.,
as the Company
certain Subsidiaries of the Company party hereto
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as First Priority Agent
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Second Priority Agent
 

THIS IS THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT REFERRED TO IN (A) THE INDENTURE DATED AS OF MAY 15, 2013, AMONG GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC., CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE AND COLLATERAL AGENT, (B) THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 7, 2013, AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED, RESTATED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, AMONG GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC., THE LENDERS FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO AND WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AS COLLATERAL AGENT, AS SWING LINE LENDER, AND AS ISSUING LENDER, (C) THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN SUCH CREDIT AGREEMENT AND (D) THE OTHER COLLATERAL AGREEMENTS REFERRED TO IN SUCH INDENTURE.
 
#4295322.8





TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I.
Definitions
2

Section 1.1.
Certain Defined Terms
2

Section 1.2.
Other Defined Terms
2

Section 1.3.
Terms Generally
9

ARTICLE II.
Lien Priorities
9

Section 2.1.
Relative Priorities
9

Section 2.2.
Prohibition on Contesting Liens
10

Section 2.3.
No New Liens
10

Section 2.4.
Similar Collateral
10

ARTICLE III.
Enforcement of Rights; Matters Relating to Collateral
11

Section 3.1.
Exercise of Rights and Remedies; Option to Purchase
11

Section 3.2.
No Interference
13

Section 3.3.
Rights as Unsecured Creditors
15

Section 3.4.
Automatic Release of Second Priority Liens
15

Section 3.5.
Release of First Priority Liens
16

Section 3.6.
Insurance and Condemnation Awards
17

Section 3.7.
Notification of Release of Collateral
17

ARTICLE IV.
Payments
17

Section 4.1.
Application of Proceeds
17

Section 4.2.
Payment Over
18

Section 4.3.
Certain Agreements with Respect to Unenforceable Liens
18

ARTICLE V.
Bailment for Perfection of Certain Security Interests
19

ARTICLE VI.
Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings
20

Section 6.1.
Finance and Sale Matters
20

Section 6.2.
Relief from the Automatic Stay
22

Section 6.3.
Reorganization Securities
22

Section 6.4.
Post-Petition Interest
23

Section 6.5.
Certain Waivers by the Second Priority Secured Parties
23

Section 6.6.
Certain Voting Matters
23

ARTICLE VII.
Other Agreements
24

Section 7.1.
Matters Relating to Debt Documents
24

Section 7.2.
Effect of Refinancing of Indebtedness under First Priority Debt Documents
24

Section 7.3.
No Waiver by First Priority Secured Parties
25

Section 7.4.
Reinstatement
25

Section 7.5.
Authorization of Collateral Agents
25


i



Section 7.6.
Automatic Amendments to Second Priority Security Documents
25

Section 7.7.
Further Assurances
26

ARTICLE VIII.
Representations and Warranties
26

Section 8.1.
Representations and Warranties of Each Party
26

Section 8.2.
Representations and Warranties of Each Collateral Agent
26

ARTICLE IX.
No Reliance; No Liability; Obligations Absolute
27

Section 9.1.
No Reliance; Information
27

Section 9.2.
No Warranties or Liability
27

Section 9.3.
Obligations Absolute
28

ARTICLE X.
Miscellaneous
29

Section 10.1.
Notices
29

Section 10.2.
Conflicts
29

Section 10.3.
Effectiveness; Survival; Termination
29

Section 10.4.
Severability
30

Section 10.5.
Amendments; Waivers
30

Section 10.6.
Postponement of Subrogation
30

Section 10.7.
Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
31

Section 10.8.
Waiver of Jury Trial
31

Section 10.9.
Parties in Interest
32

Section 10.10.
Specific Performance
32

Section 10.11.
Headings
32

Section 10.12.
Counterparts
32

Section 10.13.
Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights
32




ii



INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of June 7, 2013 (this “ Agreement ”), among GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), the Subsidiaries of the Company party hereto, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as collateral agent for the First Priority Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with any successor or assigns, the “ First Priority Agent ”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as collateral agent for the Second Priority Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with any successor or assigns, the “ Second Priority Agent ”).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
Reference is made to (a) the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 7, 2013 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, the “ First Priority Debt Agreement ”), among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ First Priority Creditors ”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as issuing lender (together with its successors and assigns, the “ First Priority Issuing Lender ”), as swing line lender, and as administrative agent, and the First Priority Agent, (b) the Indenture dated as of May 15, 2013 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, the “ Second Priority Debt Agreement ” and, together with the First Priority Debt Agreement, the “ Debt Agreements ”) among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (in such capacity, the “ Second Priority Trustee ”) and the Second Priority Agent, (c) the First Lien Security Agreement dated as of June 7, 2013 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, the “ First Priority Security Agreement ”) among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and the First Priority Agent, (d) the Second Lien Security Agreement dated as of June 7, 2013 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, the “ Second Priority Security Agreement ”) among the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and the Second Priority Agent, (e) the other Loan Documents as defined, and referred to, in the First Priority Debt Agreement and (f) the other Collateral Agreements as defined, and referred to, in the Second Priority Debt Agreement.
RECITALS
A.    The First Priority Creditors have agreed to make loans and other extensions of credit to the Company pursuant to the First Priority Debt Agreement on the condition, among others, that the First Priority Claims (such term and each other capitalized term used but not defined in the preliminary statement or these recitals having the meaning given it in Article I) shall be secured by first priority Liens on, and security interests in, the Collateral and the Excluded Collateral.
B.    The Second Priority Creditors have agreed to purchase and/or hold the Notes issued by the Company from time to time pursuant to the Second Priority Debt Agreement on the condition, among others, that the Second Priority Claims shall be secured by second priority Liens on, and security interests in, the Collateral.

1



C.    The Debt Agreements require, among other things, that the parties thereto set forth in this Agreement, among other things, their respective rights, obligations and remedies with respect to the Collateral.
Accordingly, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1.      Certain Defined Terms . Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall, except to the extent the context otherwise requires, have the meanings set forth in the First Priority Debt Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof) or the First Priority Security Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof), as applicable.
Section 1.2.      Other Defined Terms . As used in the Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below:
Banking Services ” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Company or any other Grantor by any First Priority Creditor or any Affiliate of a First Priority Creditor: (a) commercial credit cards, (b) stored value cards and (c) any other Treasury Management Arrangement (including controlled disbursement, purchase card arrangements, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).
Banking Services Obligations ” means any and all obligations of the Company or any other Grantor, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.
Bankruptcy Code ” shall mean Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereinafter in effect, or any successor statute.
Bankruptcy Law ” shall mean the Bankruptcy Code and any other Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law.
Capital Stock ” shall mean:
(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 or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

2



(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a person or entity the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, another person or entity that has issued such interest or participation.
Collateral ” shall mean, collectively, all “Collateral”, as defined in each of the First Priority Debt Agreement or any other First Priority Debt Document and the Second Priority Debt Agreement or any other Second Priority Debt Document.
Collateral Agents ” shall mean the First Priority Agent and the Second Priority Agent.
Company ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement to this Agreement.
Debt Agreements ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.
Debt Documents ” shall mean the First Priority Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.
DIP Financing ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(a).
DIP Financing Liens ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(a).
Discharge of First Priority Claims ” shall mean, subject to Sections 7.2 and 7.4, the occurrence of all of the following:
(a)      termination or expiration of all commitments to extend credit that would constitute First Priority Claims;
(b)      payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest and premium (if any) on all First Priority Claims (other than any undrawn Letters of Credit but including interest accruing during the pendency of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding);
(c)      discharge or cash collateralization (at the lower of (i) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount and (ii) the percentage as may be agreed to by applicable issuer of such Letters of Credit) of all outstanding Letters of Credit constituting First Priority Claims on terms satisfactory to the applicable issuer of such Letters of Credit;
(d)      payment of Hedging Obligations constituting First Priority Claims (and, with respect to any particular Hedge Agreement, termination of such position and agreements evidencing such position and payment in full in cash of all obligations thereunder or such other arrangements as have been made by the counterparty thereto and communicated to the First Priority Agent); and
(e)      payment in full in cash of all other First Priority Claims (other than inchoate contingent indemnification or expense reimbursement obligations) that are outstanding and unpaid.

3



Discharge of Second Priority Claims ” shall mean, subject to Section 7.4(b), (a) payment in full in cash of the principal of and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) and premium, if any, on all Indebtedness outstanding under the Second Priority Debt Documents to the extent constituting Second Priority Claims and (b) payment in full of all First Priority Claims acquired by the Second Priority Agent and/or any of the Second Priority Secured Parties as contemplated by Section 10.6 hereof.
Disposition ” shall mean any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition. “ Dispose ” shall have a correlative meaning.
Excluded Collateral ” shall mean any Capital Stock of Subsidiaries, whether or not such Capital Stock is pledged to secure any First Priority Claims.
First Priority Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
First Priority Claims ” shall mean, at any time, (i) all Indebtedness under the First Priority Debt Agreement, which as to principal amount thereof, is permitted pursuant to clauses (1), (4) or (13) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.09(b) of the Second Priority Debt Agreement (as in effect on the Issuance Date), and all other Obligations (other than principal) related to such Indebtedness and owing under the documents relating to such Indebtedness (including all reimbursement obligations (if any) and interest thereon with respect to any Letter of Credit or similar instruments issued pursuant to the First Priority Debt Documents) (or as to which the First Priority Creditors obtained a representation and warranty from the Company, or a certificate of an officer of the Company, at the time of incurrence to the effect that such Indebtedness was permitted to be incurred and secured under the Second Priority Debt Agreement), (ii) all Hedging Obligations to the extent such obligations are permitted to be secured under the First Priority Debt Documents and (iii) the amount of all Banking Services Obligations to the extent such obligations are secured under the First Priority Debt Documents. For purposes of this definition of “First Priority Claims”, in determining whether Indebtedness under revolving credit facilities are permitted pursuant to clause (1), (4) or (13) of the definition of the term “Permitted Debt” of the Second Priority Debt Agreement (a) the full principal amount of Indebtedness available under such revolving credit facilities shall be deemed to be incurred on the first date such principal amount is available thereunder, whether or not all or any portion of such amount may be outstanding on such date or from time to time thereafter, and (b) all Indebtedness under such credit facilities shall deemed to be permitted under clauses clause (1), (4) or (13) of the definition of the term “Permitted Debt” of the Second Priority Debt Agreement, regardless of when the individual loans or Letters of Credit constituting such Indebtedness is extended or issued, so long as such Indebtedness would have been permitted when it was deemed to be incurred under the preceding clause (a).
First Priority Collateral ” shall mean all “Collateral”, as defined in the First Priority Debt Agreement or any other First Priority Debt Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any First Priority Claim.

4



First Priority Creditors ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.
First Priority Debt Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.
First Priority Debt Documents ” shall mean the “Loan Documents”, as defined in the First Priority Debt Agreement.
First Priority Liens ” shall mean all Liens on the First Priority Collateral to the extent such Liens secure the First Priority Claims, whether created under the First Priority Security Documents or acquired by possession, statute (including any judgment lien), operation of law, subrogation or otherwise.
First Priority Mortgages ” shall mean, collectively, each mortgage, deed of trust, leasehold mortgage, assignment of leases and rents, modifications and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien on real property is granted by any Grantor to secure any First Priority Claims or under which rights or remedies with respect to any such Lien are governed.
First Priority Secured Parties ” shall mean, at any time, (a) the First Priority Creditors, (b) the First Priority Agent, (c) each other Person to whom any of the First Priority Claims is owed (including any Affiliate of a First Priority Creditor to whom any First Priority Claims of the type described in clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the definition thereof is owed) and (d) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
First Priority Security Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.
First Priority Security Documents ” shall mean the First Priority Debt Agreement, the First Priority Mortgages, the First Priority Security Agreement and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted by any Grantor to secure any First Priority Claims or under which rights or remedies with respect to any such Lien are governed.
Grantors ” shall mean the Company and each Subsidiary that shall have created or purported to create any First Priority Lien or Second Priority Lien on all or any part of its assets to secure any First Priority Claims or any Second Priority Claims.
Guarantors ” shall mean, collectively, each Subsidiary that shall have guaranteed any First Priority Claims or any Second Priority Claims, whether by executing and delivering the applicable Debt Agreement, or a separate guaranty thereof, or a supplement thereto, or otherwise.
Hedging Obligations ” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred in the normal course of business and consistent with past practices and not for speculative purposes under:
(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

5



or any of its subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred and not for purposes of speculation;
(2)    foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in, or to manage exposure to, currency exchanges rates and not for purposes of speculation;
(3)    any commodity or basis swap, floor, collar or futures contract, commodity or basis option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in, or to manage exposure to, the prices of oil, natural gas or other commodities; and
(4)    other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person or any of its subsidiaries against fluctuations in, or to manage exposure to, interest rates, commodity prices or currency exchange rates.
Indebtedness ” shall mean and includes all obligations that constitute “Indebtedness”, as defined in the First Priority Debt Agreement or the Second Priority Debt Agreement, as applicable.
Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding ” shall mean (a) any voluntary or involuntary proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law with respect to any Grantor, (b) any voluntary or involuntary appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Grantor or for a substantial part of the property or assets of any Grantor, (c) any voluntary or involuntary winding-up or liquidation of any Grantor, or (d) a general assignment for the benefit of creditors by any Grantor.
Issuance Date ” shall mean the initial date on which the notes under the Second Priority Debt Documents are issued.
Letter of Credit ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the First Priority Debt Agreement.
Lien ” shall mean, 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 not intended as a security agreement.
Liquidation Sale ” shall mean a so-called bulk sale, liquidation sale or “going out of business sale” conducted either by any Secured Party or a Grantor in respect to all or a substantial portion of such Grantor’s Collateral following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under, and as defined in, either the First Priority Debt Documents or Second Priority Debt Documents.

6



New First Priority Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2.
New First Priority Claims ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2.
New First Priority Debt Documents ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2.
Obligations ” means any principal, premium, if any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, 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.
" Person " means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, unincorporated association, joint venture, or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof, or any trustee, receiver, custodian, or similar official.
Pledged or Controlled Collateral ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Article V.
Refinance ” shall mean, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, restructure (including by the amendment and restatement of any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness) or replace or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness, in whole or in part. “ Refinanced ” and “ Refinancing ” shall have correlative meanings.
Refinancing Notice ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.2.
Release ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.4.
Second Priority Agent ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
Second Priority Claims ” shall mean the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under or with respect to (i) the Second Priority Debt Agreement, (ii) the promissory notes from time to time issued under the Second Priority Debt Agreement, (iii) any guaranty by a Guarantor of the Second Priority Debt Agreement or such promissory notes, or (iv) any other Second Priority Debt Document.
Second Priority Collateral ” shall mean all “Collateral”, as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document, and any other assets of any Grantor now or at any time hereafter subject to Liens which secure, but only to the extent securing, any Second Priority Claims.
Second Priority Creditors ” shall mean the “Holders”, as defined in the Second Priority Debt Agreement.

7



Second Priority Debt Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.
Second Priority Debt Documents ” shall mean the “Indenture Documents”, as defined in the Second Priority Debt Agreement.
Second Priority Liens ” shall mean all Liens on the Second Priority Collateral securing the Second Priority Claims, whether created under the Second Priority Security Documents or acquired by possession, statute (including any judgment lien), operation of law, subrogation or otherwise.
Second Priority Mortgages ” shall mean, collectively, each mortgage, deed of trust, leasehold mortgage, assignment of leases and rents, modifications and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which any Lien on real property is granted by any Grantor to secure any Second Priority Claims or under which rights or remedies with respect to any such Lien are governed.
Second Priority Permitted Actions ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.1(a).
Second Priority Secured Parties ” shall mean, at any time, (a) the Second Priority Creditors, (b) the Second Priority Trustee, (c) the Second Priority Agent, (d) each other Person to whom any of the Second Priority Claims (including indemnification obligations) is owed and (e) the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.
Second Priority Security Agreement ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the preliminary statement of this Agreement.
Second Priority Security Documents ” shall mean the “Collateral Agreements”, as defined in the Second Priority Debt Agreement, including the Second Priority Mortgages and the Second Priority Security Agreement, and any other agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which a Lien is granted by any Grantor to secure any Second Priority Claims or under which rights or remedies with respect to any such Lien are governed.
Secured Parties ” shall mean, as the context may require, the First Priority Secured Parties and/or the Second Priority Secured Parties.
Security Documents ” shall mean the First Priority Security Documents and the Second Priority Security Documents.
Standstill Period ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.2(a).
Subsidiary ” means:
(1)    any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership) of which more than 50% of the total voting power (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) of Capital Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or through another

8



Subsidiary, by the parent or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of the parent (or a combination thereof); and
(2)    any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is the parent or a Subsidiary of the parent, (b) the only general partners of which are the parent or one or more Subsidiaries of the parent (or any combination thereof), or (c) as to which the parent and its Subsidiaries are entitled to receive more than 50% of the assets of such partnership upon its dissolution.
Treasury Management Arrangement ” means any agreement or other arrangement governing the provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overdraft, credit or debit card, funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services
Uniform Commercial Code ” or “ UCC ” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect from time to time in any applicable jurisdiction.
Section 1.3.      Terms Generally . The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, (b) any reference herein (i) to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns and (ii) to the Company or any other Grantor shall be construed to include the Company or such Grantor as debtor and debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for the Company or any other Grantor, as the case may be, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or Liquidation Sale, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles or Sections shall be construed to refer to Articles or Sections of this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
ARTICLE II.     

LIEN PRIORITIES
Section 2.1.      Relative Priorities . Notwithstanding the date, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Second Priority Lien or any First Priority Lien, and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC or any other applicable law or the provisions of any Security Document or any other Debt Document or any other circumstance whatsoever, each Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the Secured Parties on whose behalf it acts in such capacity therefor, hereby agrees

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that so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, (i) any First Priority Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any First Priority Secured Party shall be senior in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to any and all Second Priority Liens on any Collateral, and (ii) any Second Priority Lien on any Collateral now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of any Second Priority Secured Party shall be junior and subordinate in right, priority, operation, effect and all other respects to any and all First Priority Liens on any Collateral, in any case, whether or not any First Priority Lien is subordinated in any respect to any other Lien securing any other Obligation of the Company, any other Grantor or any other Person.
Section 2.2.      Prohibition on Contesting Liens . Each Collateral Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties on whose behalf it acts in such capacity therefor, agrees that it will not, and hereby waives any right to, contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the priority, validity or enforceability of any Second Priority Lien or any First Priority Lien, as the case may be; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party to enforce this Agreement to the extent provided hereby.
Section 2.3.      No New Liens . The parties hereto agree that, so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, none of the Grantors shall, nor shall any Grantor permit any of its subsidiaries to, (i) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of a Grantor to secure any Second Priority Claim unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset of such Grantor to secure the First Priority Claims or (ii) grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset of a Grantor (other than Excluded Collateral) to secure any First Priority Claims unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset of a Grantor to secure the Second Priority Claims, with each such Lien to be subject to the provisions of this Agreement. To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to the First Priority Agent or the other First Priority Secured Parties, the Second Priority Agent agrees, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, that any amounts received by or distributed to any Second Priority Secured Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.3 shall be subject to Section 4.2. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, cash and cash equivalents may be pledged to secure reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued under the First Priority Debt Documents (up to an aggregate amount of the lower of (a) 105% of the aggregate undrawn amount of such Letters of Credit and (b) the percentage as may be agreed to by applicable issuer of such Letters of Credit) without granting a Lien thereon to secure any Second Priority Claim.
Section 2.4.      Similar Collateral . The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that it is their intention that the First Priority Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral be identical, except that only the First Priority Collateral will include the Excluded Collateral. In furtherance of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree to cooperate in good faith in order to determine, upon any reasonable request by the First Priority Agent or the Second Priority Agent, the specific assets included in the First Priority Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral, the steps taken to perfect the First Priority Liens and the Second Priority Liens thereon and to perfect the First Priority Liens and the Second Priority Liens on any “Springing Lien Collateral” described in the Second Priority

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Debt Agreement, and the identity of the respective parties obligated under the First Priority Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents in respect of the First Priority Claims and the Second Priority Claims, respectively.
ARTICLE III.     

ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS; MATTERS RELATING TO COLLATERAL
Section 3.1.      Exercise of Rights and Remedies; Option to Purchase . 1.1.1. So long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or Liquidation Sale has been commenced, the First Priority Agent and the other First Priority Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to enforce rights and exercise remedies (including any right of setoff) with respect to the Collateral (including making determinations regarding the release, Disposition or restrictions with respect to the Collateral), or to commence or seek to commence any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any foreclosure action or proceeding or any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or Liquidation Sale), in each case, without any consultation with or the consent of the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, Second Priority Secured Party may file a proof of claim or statement of interest with respect to the Second Priority Claims; (ii) Second Priority Secured Party may take any action to preserve or protect the validity and enforceability of the Second Priority Liens, provided that no such action is (A) adverse to the First Priority Liens or the rights of the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party to exercise remedies in respect thereof or (B) otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the automatic release of Second Priority Liens provided in Section 3.4; (iii) the Second Priority Secured Parties may file any responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims of the Second Priority Secured Parties, including any claims secured by the Collateral or otherwise make any agreements or file any motions pertaining to the Second Priority Claims, in each case, to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement; (iv) the Second Priority Secured Parties may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors, as provided in Section 3.3; (v) subject to Section 6.6, the Second Priority Secured Parties may vote on any plan of reorganization or file any proof of claim in any insolvency or liquidation proceeding; and (vi) subject to Section 3.2, the Second Priority Agent and the other Second Priority Secured Parties may enforce any of their rights and exercise any of their remedies with respect to the Collateral after the termination of the Standstill Period (the actions described in this proviso being referred to herein as the “ Second Priority Permitted Actions ”). Except for the Second Priority Permitted Actions, unless and until the Discharge of First Priority Claims has occurred, the sole right of the Second Priority Agent and the other Second Priority Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral shall be to receive the proceeds of the Collateral, if any, remaining after the Discharge of First Priority Claims has occurred and in accordance with the Second Priority Debt Documents and applicable law.
(a)      In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, the First Priority Agent and the other First Priority Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the First Priority Debt Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner

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as they may determine in their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to Dispose of Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with any such Disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under applicable law.
(b)      The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Priority Security Document or any other Second Priority Debt Document (other than, in each case, this Agreement) shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the First Priority Agent or the other First Priority Secured Parties with respect to the Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the other First Priority Debt Documents.
(c)      Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, following the acceleration of the Indebtedness then outstanding under the First Priority Debt Agreement, the Second Priority Secured Parties may (but shall not be obligated to), at their sole expense and effort, upon notice to the Company and the First Priority Agent, require the First Priority Secured Parties to transfer and assign to the Second Priority Secured Parties, without warranty or representation or recourse, all (but not less than all) of the First Priority Claims; provided that (x) such assignment shall not conflict with any law, rule or regulation or order of any court or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction, and (y) the Second Priority Secured Parties shall have paid to the First Priority Agent, for the account of the First Priority Secured Parties, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to 100% of the principal of such Indebtedness plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon plus all accrued and unpaid fees plus all the other First Priority Claims then outstanding (which shall include, with respect to (i) the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit outstanding under the First Priority Debt Documents, posting cash collateral in an amount equal to 105% thereof on terms and documentation reasonably satisfactory to the applicable issuer of such Letter of Credit, and (ii) each hedging, cap, collar, swap or other similar agreement that has been terminated and which evidences any Hedging Obligations included in such First Priority Claims, 100% of the aggregate amount of such First Priority Claims, after giving effect to any netting arrangements, that the applicable Grantor is required to pay using the market quotation method) and (z) with respect to each hedging, cap, collar, swap or other similar agreements that have not been terminated, the Second Priority Secured Parties shall have caused such agreements to be assigned or novated on terms and subject to documentation satisfactory to the applicable First Priority Secured Party that is the counterparty thereto. In order to effectuate the foregoing, the First Priority Agent shall calculate, upon the written request of the Second Priority Agent from time to time, the amount in cash that would be necessary so to purchase the First Priority Claims. If the right set forth in this Section 3.1(d) is exercised, the parties shall endeavor to close promptly thereafter but in any event within ten Business Days of the request set forth in the first sentence of this Section 3.1(d) at which time the right to purchase will expire. If the Second Priority Secured Parties exercise the right set forth in this Section 3.1(d), it shall be exercised pursuant to documentation mutually acceptable to each of the First Priority Agent and the Second Priority Agent.
(d)      In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Collateral, the Second Priority Agent may enforce the provisions of the Second Priority Debt Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as it may determine in its sole discretion,

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in each case, to the extent that such enforcement or exercise is not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement. Such exercise and enforcement shall, in each case, to the extent that such enforcement or exercise is not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement, include (i) the rights of an agent appointed by it to Dispose of Collateral upon foreclosure, to incur expenses in connection with any such Disposition and (ii) the right to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code, the Bankruptcy Code or any other Bankruptcy Law. The Second Priority Agent agrees to provide at least ten Business Days’ prior written notice to the First Priority Agent of its intention to foreclose upon or Dispose of any Collateral; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not in any way limit its ability to foreclose upon or Dispose of any Collateral to the extent that such foreclosure is not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement.
Section 3.2.      No Interference . The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or Liquidation Sale has been commenced, the Second Priority Secured Parties:
(a)      except for Second Priority Permitted Actions, will not, so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, (A) enforce or exercise, or seek to enforce or exercise, any rights or remedies (including any right of setoff) with respect to any Collateral (including the enforcement of any right under any account control agreement, landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement to which the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party is a party) or (B) commence or join with any Person (other than the First Priority Agent) in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any foreclosure action); provided, however , that the Second Priority Agent may enforce or exercise any or all such rights and remedies, or commence, join with any Person in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding, after a period of 180 days has elapsed (which period shall be tolled during any period in which the First Priority Agent shall not be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral as a result of (x) any injunction issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or (y) the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) since the date on which the Second Priority Agent has delivered to the First Priority Agent written notice of the acceleration of the Indebtedness then outstanding under the Second Priority Debt Agreement (the “ Standstill Period ”); provided further, however , that (1) notwithstanding the expiration of the Standstill Period or anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party enforce or exercise any rights or remedies with respect to any Collateral, or commence, join with any Person at any time in commencing, or petition for or vote in favor of any resolution for, any such action or proceeding, if the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party shall have commenced, and shall be diligently pursuing (or shall have sought or requested relief from or modification of the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding to enable the commencement and pursuit thereof), the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to any material portion of the Collateral or any such action or proceeding (prompt written notice thereof to be given to the Second Priority Agent by the First Priority Agent) and (2) after the expiration of the Standstill Period, so long as neither the First Priority Agent nor the First Priority Secured Parties have commenced any action to enforce their Lien on any material portion of the Collateral, in the event that and for so long as the Second Priority Secured Parties

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(or the Second Priority Agent on their behalf) have commenced any actions to enforce their Liens with respect to any material portion of the Collateral to the extent permitted hereunder (prompt written notice thereof to be given to the First Priority Agent by the Second Priority Agent) and are diligently pursuing such actions, neither the First Priority Secured Parties nor the First Priority Agent shall take any action of a similar nature with respect to such Collateral; provided that all other provisions of this Agreement (including the turnover provisions of Article IV) are complied with;
(b)      will not contest, protest or object to any foreclosure action or proceeding brought by the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party, or any other enforcement or exercise by any First Priority Secured Party of any rights or remedies relating to the Collateral under the First Priority Debt Documents or an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or in connection with a Liquidation Sale or otherwise, so long as Second Priority Liens attach to the proceeds thereof subject to the relative priorities set forth in Section 2.1;
(c)      will not object to the forbearance by the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party from commencing or pursuing any foreclosure action or proceeding or any other enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral;
(d)      will not, so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred and except for Second Priority Permitted Actions, take or receive any Collateral, or any proceeds thereof or payment with respect thereto, in connection with the exercise of any right or enforcement of any remedy (including any right of setoff) with respect to any Collateral or in connection with any insurance policy award under a policy of insurance relating to any Collateral or any condemnation award (or deed in lieu of condemnation) relating to any Collateral;
(e)      will not, except for Second Priority Permitted Actions, take, or cause to be taken any action that would, or could reasonably be expected to, restrain, hinder, limit, delay or otherwise interfere with, in any manner and whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any exercise of remedies under the First Priority Debt Documents, including any Disposition of any Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise;
(f)      will not, except for Second Priority Permitted Actions, object to the manner in which the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party may seek to enforce or collect the First Priority Claims or the First Priority Liens, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party is, or could be, adverse to the interests of the Second Priority Secured Parties, and will not assert, and hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any right to demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or claim the benefit of any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or other similar right that may be available under applicable law with respect to the Collateral or any similar rights a junior secured creditor may have under applicable law;
(g)      will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceeding or otherwise, to challenge or question the validity or enforceability of any First Priority Claim or any First Priority Security Document, including this Agreement, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or obligations established by this Agreement;

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(h)      will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or effect of which is, or could be, to make any Lien securing the Second Priority Claims pari passu with, or to give such Second Priority Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, any First Priority Claim with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof;
(i)      will not challenge or question in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any First Priority Claim or First Priority Debt Document, or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any First Priority Lien, or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by the provisions of this Agreement;
(j)      will have no right to (A) direct the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral (except with respect to Collateral that is in the possession or under the control of the First Priority Agent or other First Priority Secured Party in connection with any permitted enforcement or exercise of rights or remedies by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party against the Collateral after the end of the Standstill Period) or (B) consent to the exercise by the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Collateral; and
(k)      will not institute any suit or assert in any suit or Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding any claim against the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to, and neither the First Priority Agent nor any other First Priority Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by the First Priority Agent or other First Priority Secured Party with respect to any Collateral in a manner consistent with this Agreement.
Section 3.3.      Rights as Unsecured Creditors . The Second Priority Agent and the other Second Priority Secured Parties may, in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents and applicable law, enforce rights and exercise remedies against any Grantor as unsecured creditors; provided that no such action is otherwise inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the Second Priority Secured Parties shall be entitled to prosecute litigation against any Grantor or any other Person liable in respect of the Second Priority Claims, notwithstanding whether any Standstill Period is then in effect, but shall be prohibited from taking any action to enforce any judgment until the lapse of any applicable Standstill Period. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party of the required payments of principal, premium, interest, fees and other amounts due under the Second Priority Debt Documents so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of the enforcement or exercise by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party of rights or remedies in contravention of this Agreement as a secured creditor (including any right of setoff) against Collateral or enforcement in contravention of this Agreement of any Second Priority Lien against Collateral (including any judgment lien resulting from the exercise of remedies available to an unsecured creditor).
Section 3.4.      Automatic Release of Second Priority Liens.

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(a)      If, the First Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, (x) releases any of the First Priority Liens, or (y) releases any Guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee of the First Priority Claims (in each case, a “ Release ”), in connection with (i) any Disposition of any Collateral permitted under the terms of the First Priority Debt Documents or (ii) the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral, including any Disposition of Collateral, other than any such Release granted following the occurrence of the Discharge of First Priority Claims, then the Second Priority Liens on such Collateral, and the obligations of such Guarantor under its guarantee of the Second Priority Claims, shall be automatically, unconditionally and simultaneously released, and the Second Priority Agent shall, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, promptly execute and deliver to the First Priority Agent, the relevant Grantor such termination statements, releases and other documents as the First Priority Agent or the relevant Grantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such Release.
(b)      Until the Discharge of First Priority Claims occurs, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Party, hereby appoints the First Priority Agent, and any officer or agent of the First Priority Agent, with full power of substitution, as the attorney-in-fact of each Second Priority Secured Party for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Section 3.4 and taking any action and executing any instrument that the First Priority Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 3.4 (including any endorsements or other instruments of transfer or release), which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest but may only be exercised if the First Priority Agent requests that the Second Priority Agent (or applicable Second Priority Secured Party) execute such instrument and such request is declined.
Section 3.5.      Release of First Priority Liens . If, in connection with the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Collateral after the expiration of the Standstill Period that is permitted in accordance with clause (2) of the second proviso to Section 3.2(a), including any Disposition of Collateral, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, intends to (x) release any of the Second Priority Liens, or (y) release any Guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee of the Second Priority Claims (in each case, a “ Second Priority Release ”), then, upon written notice to the First Priority Agent from the Second Priority Agent (acting at the direction of the Second Priority Creditors) and subject to the provisos set forth below, the First Priority Agent shall, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, promptly release the First Priority Liens on such Collateral, and the obligations of such Guarantor under its guarantee of the First Priority Claims, and the First Priority Agent shall, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, promptly execute and deliver to the Second Priority Agent, the relevant Grantor or such Guarantor such termination statements, releases and other documents as the Second Priority Agent or the relevant Grantor or Guarantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such release; provided that (i) no First Priority Liens on such Collateral or the obligations of such Guarantor shall be released unless concurrently therewith, the applicable Second Priority Release is effectuated, and (ii) so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, the proceeds of, or payments with respect to, any Second Priority Release that are received by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party, shall be segregated and held in trust and forthwith transferred or paid over

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to the First Priority Agent for the benefit of the First Priority Secured Parties in accordance with Section 4.2; provided further , however, that the First Priority Agent shall not be obligated to release the First Priority Liens on any Collateral in connection with any sale or other Disposition of Collateral to a Second Priority Secured Party or an affiliate thereof or any other transaction other than a sale of such Collateral to a third Person with respect to which at least 75% of the consideration therefor consists of cash and cash equivalents.
Section 3.6.      Insurance and Condemnation Awards . So long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, the First Priority Agent and the other First Priority Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the First Priority Debt Documents, to settle and adjust claims in respect of Collateral under policies of insurance covering Collateral and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding, or any deed in lieu of condemnation, in respect of the Collateral. All proceeds of any such policy and any such award, or any payments with respect to a deed in lieu of condemnation, shall (a) first, prior to the Discharge of First Priority Claims and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the First Priority Debt Documents, be paid to the First Priority Agent for the benefit of First Priority Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of the First Priority Debt Documents, (b) second, after the Discharge of First Priority Claims and subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Second Priority Debt Documents, be paid to the Second Priority Agent for the benefit of the Second Priority Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents, and (c) third, be paid to the owner of the subject property or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. Until the Discharge of First Priority Claims has occurred, if the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party shall, at any time, receive any proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award or payment, it shall transfer and pay over such proceeds to the First Priority Agent in accordance with Section 4.2.
Section 3.7.      Notification of Release of Collateral . Each of the First Priority Agent and the Second Priority Agent shall give the other prompt written notice of the Disposition by it of, and Release by it of the Lien on, any Collateral. Such notice shall describe in reasonable detail the subject Collateral, the parties involved in such Disposition or Release, the place, time manner and method thereof, and the consideration, if any, received therefor; provided, however , that the failure to give any such notice shall not in and of itself in any way impair the effectiveness of any such Disposition or Release.
ARTICLE IV.     

PAYMENTS
Section 4.1.      Application of Proceeds . Any Collateral or proceeds thereof received by any Secured Party in connection with any Disposition of, or collection on, such Collateral upon the enforcement or exercise of any right or remedy (including any right of setoff or the release of liens in respect of any Disposition of Collateral) will be applied as follows:
first , to the payment of costs and expenses of the First Priority Agent, Second Priority Agent, and other Secured Parties in connection with such enforcement or exercise to the extent such enforcement or exercise is not prohibited under this Agreement,

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second , after all such costs and expenses have been paid in full in cash, to the payment of and other provision (including cash collateralization) for the First Priority Claims in accordance with the First Priority Debt Documents; and
third , after all such costs and expenses and First Priority Claims have been paid in full in cash and the Discharge of First Priority Claims has occurred, to the payment of the Second Priority Claims.
After all such costs and expenses and First Priority Claims and Second Priority Claims have been paid in full in cash, any surplus Collateral or proceeds then remaining will be returned to the Company, the applicable Guarantor or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
Section 4.2.      Payment Over . So long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, any Collateral or any proceeds thereof (and any assets or proceeds subject to Liens referred to in the penultimate sentence of Section 2.3) received by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party, including in connection with any Disposition of, or collection on, such Collateral upon the enforcement or the exercise of any right or remedy (including any right of setoff) with respect to the Collateral, or in connection with any insurance policy claim or any condemnation award (or deed in lieu of condemnation) with respect to the Collateral, shall be segregated and held in trust and forthwith transferred or paid over to the First Priority Agent for the benefit of the First Priority Secured Parties in the same form as received, together with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. Until the Discharge of First Priority Claims occurs, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Party, hereby appoints the First Priority Agent, and any officer or agent of the First Priority Agent, with full power of substitution, the attorney-in-fact of each Second Priority Secured Party for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Section 4.2 and taking any action and executing any instrument that the First Priority Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.2, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
Section 4.3.      Certain Agreements with Respect to Unenforceable Liens . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding a determination is made that any Lien encumbering any Collateral is not enforceable for any reason, then the Second Priority Agent and the Second Priority Secured Parties agree that, any distribution or recovery they may receive with respect to, or allocable to, the value of the assets constituting Collateral subject to an enforceable Lien in favor of the Second Priority Secured Parties or any proceeds thereof shall (for so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred) be segregated and held in trust and forthwith paid over to the First Priority Agent for the benefit of the First Priority Secured Parties in the same form as received without recourse, representation or warranty (other than a representation of the Second Priority Agent that it has not otherwise sold, assigned, transferred or pledged any right, title or interest in and to such distribution or recovery) but with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. Until the Discharge of First Priority Claims occurs, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Party, hereby appoints the First Priority Agent, and

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any officer or agent of the First Priority Agent, with full power of substitution, the attorney-in-fact of each Second Priority Secured Party for the limited purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Section 4.3 and taking any action and executing any instrument that the First Priority Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.3, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
ARTICLE V.     

BAILMENT FOR PERFECTION OF CERTAIN SECURITY INTERESTS
(a)      The parties agree that if the First Priority Agent shall at any time hold a First Priority Lien on any Collateral that can be perfected or the priority of which can be enhanced by the possession or control of such Collateral or of any account in which such Collateral is held, and if such Collateral or any such account is in fact in the possession or under the control of the First Priority Agent, or of agents or bailees of the First Priority Agent (such Collateral being referred to herein as the “ Pledged or Controlled Collateral ”), the First Priority Agent shall, solely for the purpose of perfecting the Second Priority Liens granted under the Second Priority Debt Documents and subject to the terms and conditions of this Article V, also (i) hold and/or maintain control of such Pledged or Controlled Collateral as gratuitous bailee for and representative (as defined in Section 1-201(35) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York) of, or as agent for, the Second Priority Agent, (ii) with respect to any securities accounts included in the Collateral, have “control” (within the meaning of Section 8-106(d)(3) of the UCC) of such securities accounts on behalf of the Second Priority Agent and (iii) with respect to any deposit accounts included in the Collateral, act as agent for the Second Priority Agent and any assignee.
(b)      So long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, the First Priority Agent shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged or Controlled Collateral in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other First Priority Debt Documents as if the Second Priority Liens did not exist. The obligations and responsibilities of the First Priority Agent to the Second Priority Agent and the other Second Priority Secured Parties under this Article V shall be limited solely to holding or controlling the Pledged or Controlled Collateral as gratuitous bailee and representative (as defined in Section 1-201(35) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York) in accordance with this Article V. Without limiting the foregoing, the First Priority Agent shall have no obligation or responsibility to ensure that any Pledged or Controlled Collateral is genuine or owned by any of the Grantors. The First Priority Agent acting pursuant to this Article V shall not, by reason of this Agreement, any other Security Document or any other document, have a fiduciary relationship in respect of any other First Priority Secured Party, the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party.
(c)      Upon the Discharge of First Priority Claims, the First Priority Agent shall transfer the possession and control of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements but without recourse or warranty, to the Second Priority Agent, and if no Second Priority Claims are outstanding at such time, to the applicable Grantor, in each case so as to allow such Person to obtain possession and control of such Pledged or Controlled Collateral. In connection with any transfer under the immediately preceding sentence, the First Priority Agent agrees, at the expense of the Grantors, to take all actions in its power as shall be reasonably requested

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by the Second Priority Agent to permit the Second Priority Agent to obtain, for the benefit of the Second Priority Secured Parties, a first priority security interest in the Pledged or Controlled Collateral.
(d)      After the Discharge of First Priority Claims and upon the Discharge of Second Priority Claims, the Second Priority Agent shall transfer the possession and control of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements but without recourse or warranty, to the applicable Grantor, in each case so as to allow such Person to obtain possession and control of such Pledged or Controlled Collateral.
ARTICLE VI.     

INSOLVENCY OR LIQUIDATION PROCEEDINGS
Section 6.1.      Finance and Sale Matters . 2.1.1. Until the Discharge of First Priority Claims has occurred, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, and subject to the provisions of Section 6.1(c), agrees that, in the event of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the Second Priority Secured Parties:
(i)      will not oppose or object to the use of any Collateral constituting cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any comparable provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, unless the First Priority Secured Parties, or a representative authorized by the First Priority Secured Parties, shall oppose or object to such use of cash collateral;
(ii)      will not oppose or object to any post-petition financing, whether provided by the First Priority Secured Parties or any other Person, under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any comparable provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (a “ DIP Financing ”), or the Liens securing any DIP Financing (“ DIP Financing Liens ”), unless the First Priority Secured Parties, or a representative authorized by the First Priority Secured Parties, shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens, and, to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to, or rank pari passu with, the First Priority Liens, the Second Priority Agent will, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, subordinate the Second Priority Liens to the First Priority Liens, if applicable, and the DIP Financing Liens on the terms of this Agreement; provided that, this clause (ii) will only be binding on the Second Priority Secured Parties with respect to any DIP Financing to the extent the principal amount of such DIP Financing, when taken together with the aggregate principal amount of the First Priority Claims (other than Hedging Obligations and Banking Services Obligations), does not exceed the sum of $10 million plus the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding pursuant to any or all of clause (1), (4) and (13) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” in Section 4.09(b) of the Second Priority Debt Agreement (as in effect on the Issuance Date);

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(iii)      except to the extent permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 6.1, in connection with the use of cash collateral as described in clause (i) above or a DIP Financing, will not request adequate protection with respect to any Collateral or any other relief in connection with such use of cash collateral, DIP Financing or DIP Financing Liens;
(iv)      will not oppose or object to any Disposition of any Collateral free and clear of the Second Priority Liens or other claims under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any comparable provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, if the First Priority Secured Parties, or a representative authorized by the First Priority Secured Parties, shall consent to such Disposition free and clear of First Priority Liens; and
(v)      without the express written consent of the First Priority Agent, no Second Priority Secured Party will (nor will any of Second Priority Secured Party join with or support any third party in opposing, objecting to or contesting, as the case may be), in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding involving the Company or any other Grantor, (i) oppose, object to or contest the determination of the extent of any Liens held by any First Priority Secured Party or the value of any claims of any such holder under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or (ii) oppose, object to or contest the payment to the First Priority Secured Party of interest, fees or expenses under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code.
(c)      The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that no Second Priority Secured Party shall contest, or support any other Person in contesting, (i) any request by the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party for adequate protection in respect of any First Priority Claims or (ii) any objection, based on a claim of a lack of adequate protection with respect of any First Priority Claims, by the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party to any motion, relief, action or proceeding. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, if, in connection with any DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, (A) any First Priority Secured Party seeks or requests adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional collateral, the Second Priority Agent may, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional collateral, which Lien will be subordinated to the First Priority Liens and DIP Financing Liens on the same basis as the other Second Priority Liens are subordinated to the First Priority Liens under this Agreement or (B) any Second Priority Secured Party is granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional collateral, the First Priority Agent shall, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, be granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional collateral that is senior to such Second Priority Lien as security for the First Priority Claims.
(d)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement but subject to clause (d) below, the holders of the Second Priority Debt Documents retain their rights under the Bankruptcy Code to make post-petition financing proposals, and such proposals shall not be deemed to be an objection to any other DIP Financing proposals, so long as (x) any court order approving such post-petition financing proposed by any such Second Priority Secured Party requires that the

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Discharge of First Priority Claims shall have occurred as a condition to such post-petition financing, and (y) the Discharge of First Priority Claims occurs on the date of such post-petition financing, which date shall be no later than 10 business days after the date on which such post-petition financing is approved by the court in which such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending.
(e)      Without the consent of the First Priority Agent, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees not to support or enter into any DIP Financing, if the effect of such DIP Financing would be that the Second Priority Claims would no longer be subordinated to the First Priority Claims in the manner set forth in this Agreement, or the Second Priority Secured Parties would recover any payments they are not otherwise entitled to under this Agreement, including by way of adequate protection.
(f)      Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, waives any claim that may be had against the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party arising out of any DIP Financing Liens (granted in a manner that is consistent with this Agreement) or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code.
(g)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding a determination is made that any Lien encumbering any Collateral is not enforceable for any reason, then the Second Priority Agent for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Party, agrees that, any distribution or recovery they may receive with respect to, or allocable to, the value of the assets constituting Collateral subject to an enforceable Lien in favor of the Second Priority Secured Parties or any proceeds thereof shall (for so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred) be segregated and held in trust and forthwith paid over to the First Priority Agent for the benefit of the First Priority Secured Parties in the same form as received but with any necessary endorsements or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. Until the Discharge of First Priority Claims occurs, the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Party, hereby appoints the First Priority Agent, and any officer or agent of the First Priority Agent, with full power of substitution, the attorney-in-fact of each Second Priority Secured Party for the limited purpose of carrying out the provisions of this clause (f) and taking any action and executing any instrument that the First Priority Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this clause (f), which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
Section 6.2.      Relief from the Automatic Stay . The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that, so long as the Discharge of First Priority Claims has not occurred, no Second Priority Secured Party shall, without the prior written consent of the First Priority Agent, seek or request relief from or modification of the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of any part of the Collateral, any proceeds thereof or any Second Priority Lien.
Section 6.3.      Reorganization Securities . If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed, pursuant to a plan of reorganization or similar dispositive restructuring plan, on account of the First Priority Claims and the Second Priority Claims, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the First Priority Claims and on account of the Second Priority

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Claims are secured by Liens on the same assets, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.
Section 6.4.      Post-Petition Interest . 3.1.1. The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that no Second Priority Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of First Priority Claims consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the First Priority Liens (it being understood and agreed that such value shall be determined without regard to the existence of the Second Priority Liens on the Collateral).
(a)      The First Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, agrees that the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party may make a claim for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Second Priority Claims consisting of post-petition interest, fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Second Priority Liens; provided , however , that if the First Priority Secured Parties shall have made any such claim, such claim (A) shall have also have been approved or (B) will be approved contemporaneous with the approval of any such claim by any Second Priority Secured Party.
Section 6.5.      Certain Waivers by the Second Priority Secured Parties . The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, waives any claim any Second Priority Secured Party may have against any First Priority Secured Party arising out of (a) the election by any First Priority Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code, or any comparable provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, or (b) any use of cash collateral or financing arrangement, or any grant of a security interest in the Collateral, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.
Section 6.6.      Certain Voting Matters . Each of the First Priority Agent, on behalf of the First Priority Secured Parties and the Second Priority Agent on behalf of the Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that, without the written consent of the other, it will not seek to vote with the other as a single class in connection with any plan of reorganization in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Party, agrees that neither the Second Priority Agent nor any Second Priority Secured Party shall support or vote for any plan of reorganization or disclosure statement of the Company or any of other Grantor unless (i) such plan is accepted by the class of First Priority Secured Parties in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise provides for the Discharge of First Priority Claims (including the payment of all post-petition interest, fees and expenses) on the effective date of such plan of reorganization, or (ii) such plan provides on account of the First Priority Secured Parties for the retention by the First Priority Agent, for the benefit of the First Priority Secured Parties, of the Liens on the Collateral securing the First Priority Claims, and on all proceeds thereof, and such plan also provides that any Liens retained by, or granted to, the Second Priority Agent are only on property securing the Second Priority Claims and shall have the same relative priority with respect to the Collateral or other property, respectively, as provided in this Agreement with respect to the Collateral, and to the extent such plan provides for deferred cash

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payments, or for the distribution of any other property of any kind or nature, on account of the First Priority Claims or the Second Priority Claims, such plan provides that any such deferred cash payments or other distributions in respect of the Second Priority Claims shall be delivered to the First Priority Agent and distributed in accordance with the priorities provided in this Agreement. Except as provided in this Agreement, the Second Priority Secured Parties shall remain entitled to vote their Second Priority Claims in any such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding.
ARTICLE VII.     

OTHER AGREEMENTS
Section 7.1.      Matters Relating to Debt Documents . 4.1.1. Each of the Company and the Second Priority Agent agrees that the Second Priority Debt Agreement and each Second Priority Security Document shall contain the applicable provisions set forth on Annex I hereto, or similar provisions approved by the First Priority Agent, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Each of the Company and the Second Priority Agent further agrees that each Second Priority Mortgage covering any Collateral shall contain such other language as the First Priority Agent may reasonably request to reflect the subordination of such Second Priority Mortgage to the First Priority Security Document covering such Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7.2.      Effect of Refinancing of Indebtedness under First Priority Debt Documents . If, substantially contemporaneously with the Discharge of First Priority Claims, the Grantors Refinance Indebtedness outstanding under the First Priority Debt Documents and provided that (a) such Refinancing is permitted hereby and (b) the Company gives to the Second Priority Agent written notice (the “ Refinancing Notice ”) electing the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 to such Refinancing Indebtedness, then (i) such Discharge of First Priority Claims shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement, (ii) such Refinancing Indebtedness and all other obligations under the documents evidencing such Indebtedness (the “ New First Priority Claims ”) shall automatically be treated as First Priority Claims for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Collateral set forth herein, (iii) the Debt Agreement and the other documents evidencing such Refinancing Indebtedness (the “ New First Priority Debt Documents ”) shall automatically be treated as the First Priority Debt Agreement and the First Priority Debt Documents and, in the case of New First Priority Debt Documents that are security documents pursuant to which any Grantor has granted a Lien to secure any New First Priority Claim, as the First Priority Security Documents for all purposes of this Agreement, (iv) the collateral agent under the New First Priority Debt Documents (the “ New First Priority Agent ”) shall be deemed to be the First Priority Agent for all purposes of this Agreement and (v) the lenders under the New First Priority Debt Documents shall be deemed to be the First Priority Creditors for all purposes of this Agreement. Upon receipt of a Refinancing Notice, which notice shall include the identity of the New First Priority Agent, the Second Priority Agent shall promptly enter into such documents and agreements (including amendments or supplements to this Agreement) as the Company or such New First Priority Agent may reasonably request in order to provide to the New First Priority Agent the rights and powers contemplated hereby, in each case consistent in all material respects with the terms of this Agreement. The Company shall cause the agreement, document or instrument pursuant to which the New First

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Priority Agent is appointed to provide that the New First Priority Agent agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. In furtherance of Section 2.3, if the New First Priority Claims are secured by assets of the Grantors (other than Excluded Collateral) that do not also secure the Second Priority Claims, the applicable Grantors shall promptly grant a Second Priority Lien on such assets to secure the Second Priority Claims.
Section 7.3.      No Waiver by First Priority Secured Parties . Other than with respect to the Second Priority Permitted Actions, nothing contained herein shall prohibit or in any way limit the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party from opposing, challenging or objecting to, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, any action taken, or any claim made, by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party, including any request by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party for adequate protection or any exercise by the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party of any of its rights and remedies under the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise.
Section 7.4.      Reinstatement . If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise, all or part of any payment with respect to the First Priority Claims previously made shall be rescinded or otherwise required to be paid over to the Company or any other Grantor for any reason whatsoever, then the First Priority Claims shall be reinstated to the extent of the amount so rescinded or paid and the Discharge of First Priority Claims is deemed not to have occurred for all purposes under this Agreement and, if theretofore terminated, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the Lien priorities and the relative rights and obligations of the First Priority Secured Parties and the Second Priority Secured Parties provided for herein. The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that if, at any time, it receives notice of any such rescission or payment, the Second Priority Agent or such other Second Priority Secured Party shall promptly pay over to the First Priority Agent any payment in respect of the Collateral or any Collateral received by it and then in its possession or under its control, and the provisions set forth in this Agreement shall be reinstated as if such payment had not been made, until the Discharge of First Priority Claims.
Section 7.5.      Authorization of Collateral Agents . By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other First Priority Security Documents, each First Priority Secured Party hereby authorizes the First Priority Agent to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith. By accepting the benefits of this Agreement and the other Second Priority Security Documents, each Second Priority Secured Party hereby authorizes the Second Priority Agent to enter into this Agreement and to act on its behalf as collateral agent hereunder and in connection herewith.
Section 7.6.      Automatic Amendments to Second Priority Security Documents . In the event the First Priority Agent or the other First Priority Secured Parties and the relevant Grantors enter into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the documents evidencing or giving rise to Liens securing the First Priority Claims for the purpose of adding to, or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provision thereof, such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically (to the extent permitted by law) to any comparable provision

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of the comparable Second Priority Security Documents evidencing or giving rise to Liens securing the Second Priority Claims without any action by or consent of the Second Priority Creditors, provided, that (other than with respect to amendments, modifications or waivers that secure additional extensions of credit and add additional secured creditors and do not violate the express provisions of the Second Priority Debt Agreement), (A) any such amendment, waiver or consent that effects the release of Liens on Collateral shall otherwise comply with this Agreement and the Second Priority Debt Agreement, (B) any such amendment, waiver or consent that materially and adversely affects the rights of the Second Priority Secured Parties and does not affect the First Priority Secured Parties in a like or similar manner shall not apply to the Second Priority Security Documents securing the Second Priority Claims without the consent of the Second Priority Agent (acting with the consent of the majority of the Second Priority Creditors in accordance with the Second Priority Debt Agreement) and (C) notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall be given by the Company to the Second Priority Agent no later than 30 days after its effectiveness, provided that to the extent permitted by law, the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness and validity thereof.
Section 7.7.      Further Assurances . Each of the First Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, and the Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, and each Grantor party hereto, for itself and on behalf of its subsidiaries, agrees that it will execute, or will cause to be executed, any and all further documents, agreements and instruments, and take all such further actions, as may be required under any applicable law, or which the First Priority Agent or the Second Priority Agent may reasonably request, to effectuate the terms of this Agreement, including the relative Lien priorities provided for herein.
ARTICLE VIII.     

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 8.1.      Representations and Warranties of Each Party . Each party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as follows:
(a)      Such party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.
(b)      This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(c)      The execution, delivery and performance by such party of this Agreement (i) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with or any other action by any governmental authority (except as contemplated hereby) and (ii) will not violate any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation or other constitutive documents or by-laws of such party or any order of any governmental authority or any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument applicable to or binding upon such party.

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Section 8.2.      Representations and Warranties of Each Collateral Agent . Each Collateral Agent represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it has been authorized by the Secured Parties under and as defined in the First Priority Debt Agreement or the Second Priority Security Agreement, as applicable, to enter into this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX.     

NO RELIANCE; NO LIABILITY; OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE
Section 9.1.      No Reliance; Information . The First Priority Secured Parties and the Second Priority Secured Parties shall have no duty to disclose to any Second Priority Secured Party or to any First Priority Secured Party, respectively, any information relating to the Company or any of the Grantors, or any other circumstance bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of any of the First Priority Claims or the Second Priority Claims, as the case may be, that is known or becomes known to any of them or any of their Affiliates. In the event any First Priority Secured Party or any Second Priority Secured Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to, respectively, any Second Priority Secured Party or any First Priority Secured Party, it shall be under no obligation (i) to make, and shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of the information so provided, (ii) to provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion or (iii) to undertake any investigation.
Section 9.2.      No Warranties or Liability . 5.1.1. The First Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other First Priority Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Article VIII, neither the Second Priority Agent nor any other Second Priority Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the Second Priority Debt Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Article VIII, neither the First Priority Agent nor any other First Priority Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the First Priority Debt Documents, the ownership of any Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon.
(a)      The Second Priority Agent and the other Second Priority Secured Parties shall have no express or implied duty to the First Priority Agent or any other First Priority Secured Party, and the First Priority Agent and the other First Priority Secured Parties shall have no express or implied duty to the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party, to act or refrain from acting in a manner which allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of a default or an event of default under any First Priority Debt Document and any Second Priority Debt Document (other than, in each case, this Agreement), regardless of any knowledge thereof which they may have or be charged with.

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(b)      The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees no First Priority Secured Party shall have any liability to the Second Priority Agent or any other Second Priority Secured Party, and hereby waives any claim against any First Priority Secured Party, arising out of any and all actions which the First Priority Agent or the other First Priority Secured Parties may take or permit or omit to take with respect to (i) the First Priority Debt Documents (other than this Agreement), (ii) the collection of the First Priority Claims or (iii) the maintenance of, the preservation of, the foreclosure upon or the Disposition of any Collateral.
(c)      Second Priority Agent shall not at any time be deemed or imputed to have any knowledge of or receipt of any notices, information, correspondence or materials in the possession of or given to the First Priority Agent, in its capacity as First Priority Agent or as a lender under the First Priority Debt Agreement. First Priority Agent shall not at any time be deemed or imputed to have any knowledge of or receipt of any notices, information, correspondence or materials in the possession of or given to the Second Priority Agent, in its capacity as Second Priority Agent or when acting in any other capacity under the Second Priority Debt Documents.
Section 9.3.      Obligations Absolute . The Lien priorities provided for herein and the respective rights, interests, agreements and obligations hereunder of the First Priority Agent and the other First Priority Secured Parties and the Second Priority Agent and the other Second Priority Secured Parties shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:
(a)      any lack of validity or enforceability of any Debt Document;
(b)      any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or in any other term of (including, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.1(a), the Refinancing of), all or any portion of the First Priority Claims, it being specifically acknowledged that a portion of the First Priority Claims consists or may consist of Indebtedness that is revolving in nature, and the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed;
(c)      any change in the time, place or manner of payment of, or, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.1(a), in any other term of, all or any portion of the First Priority Claims;
(d)      any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of any Debt Document;
(e)      the securing of any First Priority Claims or Second Priority Claims with any additional collateral or guarantees, or any exchange, release, voiding, avoidance or non perfection of any security interest in any Collateral or any other collateral or any release of any guarantee securing any First Priority Claims or Second Priority Claims;
(f)      the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or Liquidation Sale in respect of the Company or any other Grantor; or

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(g)      any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Company or any other Grantor in respect of the First Priority Claims or this Agreement, or any of the Second Priority Secured Parties in respect of this Agreement.
ARTICLE X.     

MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1.      Notices . Notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:
(d)      if to the Company or any other Grantor, to it, at Gastar Exploration USA, Inc., 1331 Lamar Street, Suite 1080, Houston, Texas 77010, Attention: Treasurer, (Fax No. (713) 739-0458);
(e)      if to the First Priority Agent, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as First Priority Agent, 1525 West WT Harris Boulevard – 1B1, Charlotte, North Carolina 282262, Attention: agency services manager (Fax No. (704) 715-0017), with copy to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Attention: 1000 Louisiana Street, 9 th Floor, MAC T0002-090, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Chuck Randall (Fax No. (713) 319-1925); and
(f)      if to the Second Priority Agent, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Second Priority Agent, 750 N. St. Paul, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Services (Fax No. (214) 756-7401).
All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by fax or on the date five Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 10.1 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 10.1. As agreed to between the Company and any Collateral Agent from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable Person provided from time to time by such Person.
The First Priority Agent and the Second Priority Agent agree to use diligent efforts to provide each other with copies of any notices of default or acceleration or similar notices which they give to the Borrower under the First Priority Debt Documents and Second Priority Debt Documents respectively; provided, however, that in the event that either of such parties fails to provide the other with such notice, such failure shall not affect their respective obligations hereunder or the effectiveness of any such notice.
Section 10.2.      Conflicts . IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT OR INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE

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OTHER DEBT DOCUMENTS, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.
Section 10.3.      Effectiveness; Survival; Termination . This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the parties hereto. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The terms of this Agreement shall survive, and shall continue in full force and effect, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Secured Parties, hereby waives any and all rights the Second Priority Secured Parties may now or hereafter have under applicable law to revoke this Agreement or any of the provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect, (i) subject to compliance with its obligations to take certain actions upon Discharge of the Second Priority Claims pursuant to Article V and Section 3.1(d), with respect to the Second Priority Agent, the Second Priority Secured Parties and the Second Priority Claims, upon the later of (1) the date upon which the obligations under the Second Priority Debt Agreement terminate if there are no other Second Priority Claims outstanding on such date and (2) if there are other Second Priority Claims outstanding on such date, the date upon which such Second Priority Claims terminate and (ii) subject to Section 7.2 and compliance with its obligations to take certain actions upon Discharge of the First Priority Claims pursuant to Article V, with respect to the First Priority Agent, the First Priority Secured Parties and the First Priority Claims, the date of Discharge of First Priority Claims, subject to the rights of the First Priority Secured Parties under Section 7.4.
Section 10.4.      Severability . In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 10.5.      Amendments; Waivers . 6.1.1. No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 10.5, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.
(a)      Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the First Priority Agent and the Second Priority Agent; provided that no such agreement shall amend, modify

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or otherwise affect the rights or obligations of any Grantor without such Person’s prior written consent.
Section 10.6.      Postponement of Subrogation . The Second Priority Agent, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Secured Parties, agrees that no payment or distribution to any First Priority Secured Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle any Second Priority Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the Discharge of First Priority Claims shall have occurred. Following the Discharge of First Priority Claims, each First Priority Secured Party agrees to execute such documents, agreements, and instruments as any Second Priority Secured Party may reasonably request to evidence the transfer by subrogation to any such Person of an interest in the First Priority Claims resulting from payments or distributions to such First Priority Secured Party by such Person, so long as all costs and expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in connection therewith by such First Priority Secured Party are paid by such Person upon request for payment thereof.
Section 10.7.      Applicable Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process . 7.1.1. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION
(a)      Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Supreme Court for New York County, New York or in The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined only in such New York court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each party hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.
(b)      Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any New York court or in any such Federal court. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(c)      Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 10.8.      Waiver of Jury Trial . EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY

31



ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.8.
Section 10.9.      Parties in Interest . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other First Priority Secured Parties and Second Priority Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Agreement. No other Person shall have or be entitled to assert rights or benefits hereunder.
Section 10.10.      Specific Performance . Each Collateral Agent may demand specific performance of this Agreement and, on behalf of itself and the respective other Secured Parties, hereby irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense that might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action which may be brought by the respective Secured Parties.
Section 10.11.      Headings . Article and Section headings used herein and the Table of Contents hereto are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 10.12.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 10.3. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 10.13.      Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights . The provisions of this Agreement are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the First Priority Secured Parties, on the one hand, and the Second Priority Secured Parties, on the other hand. None of the Company, any other Grantor, any Guarantor or any other creditor thereof shall have any rights or obligations, except as expressly provided in this Agreement hereunder and none of the Company, any other Grantor or any Guarantor may rely on the terms hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of the Company or any other Grantor or any Guarantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the First Priority Claims and the Second Priority Claims as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.
(Signatures appear on following pages)


32



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers or other representatives as of the day and year first above written.
 
COMPANY:
 
 
 
 
GASTAR EXPLORATION USA, INC., a Delaware corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GUARANTORS:
 
 
 
 
GASTAR EXPLORATION NEW SOUTH WALES, INC. a Michigan corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 

(Signatures continue on following pages)

(Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement – Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)




 
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS, INC., a Michigan corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS, LP,
 
 
 
 
By:
GASTAR EXPLORATION TEXAS LLC, its General Partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
 
Michael A. Gerlich
 
 
 
Vice President, Secretary and
Treasurer

(Signatures continue on following pages)

(Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement – Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)




 
FIRST PRIORITY AGENT:
 
 
 
 
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as First Priority Agent
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Stephanie Harrell
 
 
Stephanie Harrell
 
 
Assistant Vice President

(Signatures continue on following pages)

(Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement – Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)




 
SECOND PRIORITY AGENT
 
 
 
 
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Second Priority Agent
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Patrick Giordano
 
 
Patrick Giordano
 
 
Vice President


(Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement – Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)



Annex I


Provision for the Second Priority Debt Agreement
“THIS INDENTURE AND THE COLLATERAL AGREEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS, LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. THE TRUSTEE, THE COMPANY AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE, BY ITS ACCEPTANCES THEREOF, IS DEEMED TO HAVE AUTHORIZED AND INSTRUCTED THE COLLATERAL AGENT TO ENTER INTO THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ON ITS BEHALF.”
Provision for the Second Priority Security Documents
“REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 7, 2013 (AS AMENDED, SUPPLEMENTED, RESTATED OR OTHERWISE MODIFIED FROM TIME TO TIME, THE “ INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT ”), AMONG THE COMPANY, THE SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY THERETO, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS FIRST PRIORITY AGENT (AS DEFINED THEREIN), AND WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SECOND PRIORITY AGENT (AS DEFINED THEREIN). NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE LIEN AND SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED TO THE COLLATERAL AGENT, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECURED PARTIES, PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHT OR REMEDY BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT AND THE OTHER SECURED PARTIES HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT OR INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT AND THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER INDENTURE DOCUMENTS, THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.”


(Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement – Gastar Exploration USA, Inc.)


Exhibit 10.3

SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED GASTAR EXPLORATION, LTD. EMPLOYEE
CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

The GASTAR EXPLORATION, LTD. EMPLOYEE CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN (as previously amended and restated) (the “Plan”) is hereby amended effective as of June 7, 2013 pursuant to the authorization and direction of the Board of Directors of GASTAR EXPLORATION, LTD .
1. Appendix A of the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
APPENDIX A


Position of Covered Employee
Severance Period (in years)
Bonus Target
CEO
3.00
75%
CFO
2.50
60%
COO
2.50
60%
VP
2.00
50%
Director
1.50
25%
Manager
1.25
0%
Supervisor
1.00
0%
Staff
0.75
0%

2. Except as expressly modified by this Second Amendment, the terms of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby confirmed and ratified.



EXECUTED on June 7, 2013
    
GASTAR EXPLORATION, LTD.
By:     /s/ J. Russell Porter            
Name:     J. Russell Porter
Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 99.1


 
For Immediate Release
 
   NEWS RELEASE
 
Contacts:
Gastar Exploration Ltd.
J. Russell Porter, Chief Executive Officer
713-739-1800 / rporter@gastar.com
 
Investor Relations Counsel:
Lisa Elliott / Anne Pearson
Dennard▪Lascar Associates: 713-529-6600
lelliott@DennardLascar.com/apearson@DennardLascar.com



Gastar Exploration Announces Closing of Mid-Continent Acquisition and
Management Promotions

HOUSTON, June 7, 2013 - Gastar Exploration Ltd. (NYSE MKT: GST) ( Gastar ) announced today that it has closed its previously announced acquisition of proven reserves and undeveloped leasehold interests in Kingfisher and Canadian Counties, Oklahoma from Chesapeake Energy Corporation ( Chesapeake ), repurchase of 6,781,768 outstanding shares of the Company ' s common stock currently held by Chesapeake and settlement of all litigation. The purchase price of $84 million, effective October 1, 2012, is subject to adjustment for customary due diligence items.
The Mid-Continent acquisition, share repurchase and litigation settlement were funded with proceeds from the $200 million private placement of debt securities closed on May 15, 2013.
Effective today, Michael McCown will assume the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and will be responsible for operations in the Marcellus Shale and Hunton Limestone areas. In addition, Michael Gerlich will continue as Gastar's Chief Financial Officer and has been promoted to Senior Vice President.
J. Russell Porter, Gastar's President & Chief Executive Officer, commented on the announcements, “The acquisition of the additional interests in Oklahoma significantly enhances Gastar's position in the Hunton Limestone oil play and increases our potential resource exposure to over 100 million barrels equivalent. Gastar is now positioned in two plays, the Marcellus Shale and Hunton Limestone, that we believe provide the opportunity for drill repeatable wells that generate attractive returns. Gastar will open an office in Oklahoma City in July and plans to initiate operated Hunton activity during the third quarter.”
“After helping assemble our Marcellus technical team and overseeing the successful initial development of Gastar's Marcellus Shale assets, Mike McCown has agreed to take on an expanded corporate role as COO. Michael Gerlich's promotion is in recognition of his tenure and continued contributions to the company.”





About Gastar Exploration
Gastar Exploration Ltd. is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas, condensate and natural gas liquids in the United States. Gastar's principal business activities include the identification, acquisition, and subsequent exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties with an emphasis on unconventional reserves such as shale resource plays. Gastar is currently pursuing the development of liquids-rich natural gas in the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia and is also in the early stages of exploring and developing the Hunton Limestone horizontal oil play in Oklahoma. Gastar also holds producing natural gas acreage in the deep Bossier play in the Hilltop area of East Texas, but has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its East Texas assets. For more information, visit Gastar's website at www.gastar.com .

Safe Harbor Statement and Disclaimer
This news release includes forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward looking statements give our current expectations, opinion, belief or forecasts of future events and performance. A statement identified by the use of forward looking words including may, expects, projects, anticipates, plans, believes, estimate, will, should, and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed forward-looking statements. Although Gastar believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future activities and results to be materially different from those suggested or described in this news release. These include risks inherent in natural gas and oil drilling and production activities, including risks of fire, explosion, blowouts, pipe failure, casing collapse, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, environmental hazards, and other operating and production risks, which may temporarily or permanently reduce production or cause initial production or test results to not be indicative of future well performance or delay the timing of sales or completion of drilling operations; delays in receipt of drilling permits; risks with respect to natural gas and oil prices, a material decline in which could cause Gastar to delay or suspend planned drilling operations or reduce production levels; risks relating to the availability of capital to fund drilling operations that can be adversely affected by borrowing base redeterminations by our banks, adverse drilling results, production declines and declines in natural gas and oil prices; risks relating to unexpected adverse developments in the status of properties; risks relating to the absence or delay in receipt of government approvals or fourth party consents; and other risks described in Gastar's Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC, available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Our actual sales production rates can vary considerably from tested initial production rates depending upon completion and production techniques and our primary areas of operations are subject to natural steep decline rates. By issuing forward looking statements based on current expectations, opinions, views or beliefs, Gastar has no obligation and, except as required by law, is not undertaking any obligation, to update or revise these statements or provide any other information relating to such statements.

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