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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2010

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation*

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Oklahoma   73-1395733

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

(405) 848-8000

 

Jennifer M. Grigsby

Senior Vice President, Treasurer and

Corporate Secretary

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

(405) 848-8000

(Address, including zip code,

and telephone number, including area code,

of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

(Name, address, including zip code,

and telephone number, including area code,

of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

Michael S. Telle

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

711 Louisiana Street, Suite 2300

Houston, Texas 77002-2770

(713) 221-1327

(713) 221-2113 (fax)

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.   ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.   x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.   ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   x

If this Form is a post–effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.   ¨


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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x

   Accelerated filer   ¨

Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

   Smaller reporting company   ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount to be registered/

proposed maximum
offering price per security/

proposed maximum offering price/

amount of registration fee(1)

Debt Securities

   

Guarantees of Debt Securities(2)

   
 
 
(1) This registration statement registers an unspecified amount of the identified securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
(2) Subsidiaries of Chesapeake Energy Corporation may fully and unconditionally guarantee on an unsecured basis the debt securities of Chesapeake Energy Corporation. In accordance with Rule 457(n), no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being registered.

 

 * Includes certain subsidiaries of Chesapeake Energy Corporation identified below.

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1524569

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1439175

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Operating, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1343196

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Diamond Y Enterprise, Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania   26-0004174

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Gene D. Yost & Son, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-5550602

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 


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Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1604860

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake AEZ Exploration, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   27-2151081

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-3774650

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake-Clements Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-8716794

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   71-0934234

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-2099392

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Plaza, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-2692888

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1549744

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 


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CHK Holdings, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   41-2050649

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Compass Manufacturing, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-1455378

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Gothic Production, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1539475

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Great Plains Oilfield Rental, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-5654318

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Hawg Hauling & Disposal, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   06-1706211

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Hodges Trucking Company, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1293811

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

MC Louisiana Minerals, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-3057487

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

MC Mineral Company, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   61-1448831

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 


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MidCon Compression, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-0299525

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Nomac Drilling, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-3069548

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Ventura Refining and Transmission, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-4181817

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1519126

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

Empress Louisiana Properties, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas   20-1993109

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Debt Securities

 

 

We may from time to time offer and sell debt securities of one or more series. We may offer and sell those securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

Each time securities are sold pursuant to the registration statement to which this prospectus relates, we will provide one or more supplements to this prospectus that will contain additional information about the specific offering and the terms of the securities being offered. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

Our executive offices are located at 6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, and our telephone number is (405) 848-8000.

 

 

NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is August 3, 2010


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PROSPECTUS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

ABOUT US

   1

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   2

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   3

USE OF PROCEEDS

   4

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

   4

DESCRIPTION OF CHESAPEAKE DEBT SECURITIES

   4

LEGAL MATTERS

   23

EXPERTS

   23

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information.

You should read carefully the entire prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to “Chesapeake,” “we,” or “our” are to Chesapeake Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, over time, offer and sell the debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities that we may offer. Each time we offer debt securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” below. You should rely only on the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer to sell in any jurisdiction in which the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in the prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any other document incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates of those documents.

ABOUT US

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company’s operations are focused on discovering and developing unconventional natural gas and oil fields onshore in the U.S. Chesapeake owns leading positions in the Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, Marcellus and Bossier natural gas shale plays and in the Eagle Ford Shale, Granite Wash and various other unconventional oil plays. The company has also vertically integrated its operations and owns substantial midstream, compression, drilling and oilfield service assets.

We are an Oklahoma corporation. Our principal offices are located at 6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, and our telephone number is 405-848-8000. Further information is available at www.chk.com . Information that you may find on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference “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 (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact and give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They include estimates of natural gas and oil reserves, expected natural gas and oil production and future expenses, assumptions regarding future natural gas and oil prices, planned capital expenditures, and anticipated asset acquisitions and sales, as well as statements concerning anticipated cash flow and liquidity, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. Disclosures concerning the fair values of derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date. These market prices are subject to significant volatility.

Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are described under “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and in the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and include, among others:

 

   

the volatility of natural gas and oil prices;

 

   

the limitations our level of indebtedness may have on our financial flexibility;

 

   

declines in the values of our natural gas and oil properties resulting in ceiling test write-downs;

 

   

the availability of capital on an economic basis, including planned asset monetization transactions, to fund reserve replacement costs;

 

   

our ability to replace reserves and sustain production;

 

   

uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of natural gas and oil reserves and projecting future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures;

 

   

potential differences in our interpretations of new reserve disclosure rules and future SEC guidance;

 

   

inability to generate profits or achieve targeted results in our development and exploratory drilling and well operations;

 

   

leasehold terms expiring before production can be established;

 

   

hedging activities resulting in lower prices realized on natural gas and oil sales and the need to secure hedging liabilities;

 

   

a reduced ability to borrow or raise additional capital as a result of lower natural gas and oil prices;

 

   

drilling and operating risks, including potential environmental liabilities;

 

   

changes in legislation and regulation adversely affecting our industry and our business;

 

   

general economic conditions negatively impacting us and our business counterparties;

 

   

transportation capacity constraints and interruptions that could adversely affect our cash flow;

 

   

losses possible from pending or future litigation; and

 

   

our ability to execute securities offerings, arrange joint ventures and effect other asset monetizations as planned.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update this information. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in this prospectus and our reports filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business. Please see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the following documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, as amended by the amendment thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on August 3, 2010;

 

   

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010; and

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2010, March 8, 2010, April 7, 2010, April 16, 2010, May 4, 2010, May 14, 2010, May 20, 2010, June 11, 2010, June 17, 2010 and June 23, 2010 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on Form 8-K).

We also incorporate by reference any future filings made by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such current report on Form 8-K that is not deemed filed under the Exchange Act) subsequent to the date of this filing and prior to the termination of all offerings of securities pursuant to this prospectus, to be a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such document.

The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information as well as the information included in this prospectus.

You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC public reference room located at:

100 F Street, N.E.

Room 1580

Washington, D.C. 20549

Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room and its copy charges. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov and through the New York Stock Exchange Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our shares of common stock are traded.

We will provide without charge to each person to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Requests for such copies should be directed to us at the following address and telephone number:

Jennifer M. Grigsby

Corporate Secretary

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

Telephone: (405) 848-8000

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will use the net proceeds from sales of debt securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the unaudited consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for Chesapeake on a historical basis:

 

    Three Months
Ended

March  31,
2010
  Year Ended December 31,
      2009(2)     2008   2007   2006   2005

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

  5.7x   (9.9 )x    1.6x   4.0x   7.0x   5.6x

 

(1) For purposes of determining the ratios of earnings (loss) to fixed charges, earnings (loss) are defined as net income (loss) before income taxes, cumulative effect of accounting changes, interest expense, pretax gain or loss on investment in equity investees in excess of distributed earnings, amortization of capitalized interest and loan cost amortization. Fixed charges consist of interest (whether expensed or capitalized and excluding the effect of unrealized gains or losses on interest rate derivatives), and loan cost amortization.
(2) The amount by which earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges was approximately $9.726 billion for the year ended December 31, 2009.

DESCRIPTION OF CHESAPEAKE DEBT SECURITIES

Chesapeake Energy Corporation will issue the Debt Securities under an indenture dated as of August 2, 2010, among the Company, as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors, as guarantors, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”). The terms of the Debt Securities will include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”).

The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the Debt Securities and the Indenture. These descriptions do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the Debt Securities and the Indenture. You may request copies of the Indenture at our address set forth under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Certain terms used in this description are defined under the subheading “—Certain Definitions.” In this description, the words “Company,” “our” and “we” refer only to Chesapeake Energy Corporation and not to any of its subsidiaries.

General

The Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder. Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture from time to time in separate series, each up to the aggregate amount authorized for such series. The Debt Securities will be general obligations of the Company and may be subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company. See “—Subordination of Debt Securities.”

A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture (or a resolution of our Board of Directors and accompanying officers’ certificate) relating to any series of Debt Securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the form and title of the Debt Securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the Debt Securities;

 

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the dates on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;

 

   

the rate at which the Debt Securities will bear interest and the interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;

 

   

any optional redemption provisions;

 

   

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate the Company to repurchase or otherwise redeem the Debt Securities;

 

   

whether the Debt Securities are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee of the Subsidiary Guarantors;

 

   

the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities may be convertible into or exchanged for Capital Stock or other securities of the Company or any other obligor or issuer;

 

   

the portion of the principal amount which will be payable if the maturity of the Debt Securities is accelerated;

 

   

the currency or currency unit in which the Debt Securities will be paid, if not U.S. dollars;

 

   

any right we may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on those deferred amounts will be payable as well;

 

   

any changes to or additional Events of Default or covenants;

 

   

the subordination, if any, of the Debt Securities and any changes to the subordination provisions of the Indenture; and

 

   

any other terms of the Debt Securities not prohibited by the Indenture.

Guarantees

If provided for with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the payment obligations of the Company under the Debt Securities will be jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Indenture provides that each Person that becomes a domestic Subsidiary after the Issue Date and that guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in excess of a De Minimis Guaranteed Amount will guarantee the payment of the Debt Securities within 180 days after the later of (i) the date it becomes a domestic Subsidiary and (ii) the date it guarantees such other Indebtedness, provided that no guarantee shall be required if the Subsidiary merges into the Company or merges into an existing Subsidiary Guarantor and the surviving entity remains a Subsidiary Guarantor.

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal, state or foreign law. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the respective net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

Subject to the next succeeding paragraph, no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person unless:

(1) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and any Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, and

(2) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

The preceding does not prohibit a merger between Subsidiary Guarantors or a merger between the Company and a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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In the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor, or a sale or other disposition of all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in any case whether by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, then such Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition by way of such a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or the Person acquiring the assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Guarantee of any Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of a Subsidiary Guarantee. Further, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and relieved from any obligations under its Guarantee of any Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of a Subsidiary Guarantee if it ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor other than a De Minimis Guaranteed Amount.

Certain Covenants

Limitation on Liens Securing Funded Debt . Unless otherwise provided for a series of Debt Securities, the Company, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities that is not designated as a series of Subordinated Debt Debt Securities (1) will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur or assume any Funded Debt secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the properties of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (2) will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur or assume any Funded Debt secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary or the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that owns, directly or indirectly through ownership in another Subsidiary, the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, unless (as to each of clauses (1) and (2)) the Debt Securities or the Guarantee (if any) of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary which is not subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the Debt Securities of any series) are equally and ratably secured for so long as such Funded Debt shall be so secured; provided, that if such Funded Debt is expressly subordinated to the Debt Securities of a series or a related Guarantee, if any, the Lien securing such Funded Debt will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing such Debt Securities or such Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, the Company or any Subsidiary may create, incur or assume Funded Debt secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions of such section, if the aggregate principal amount of such Funded Debt and all other Funded Debt of the Company and any Subsidiary theretofore created, incurred or assumed pursuant to the exception in this sentence and outstanding at such time does not exceed 15% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company (the “Secured Debt Basket”).

Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions . Unless otherwise provided for in respect of a series of Debt Securities, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with any Person (other than the Company or any other Subsidiary) unless:

(A) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Funded Debt secured by Liens in a principal amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness (treated as if such Attributable Indebtedness were Funded Debt) with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction in accordance with the covenant captioned “—Limitation on Liens Securing Funded Debt”; provided, however, that Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Sale/Leaseback Transaction entered into pursuant to this clause (A) shall not count against the amount of Funded Debt permitted under the Secured Debt Basket for any other purpose, including when determining the amount available thereunder for future Sale/Leaseback Transactions or any Funded Debt transactions; or

(B) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Company) and such proceeds are applied in accordance with the following two paragraphs:

The Company may apply Net Available Proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, within 365 days following the receipt of Net Available Proceeds from the Sale/Leaseback Transaction, to:

(1) the repayment of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under Credit Facilities or other Senior Indebtedness, including any mandatory redemption or repurchase or make-whole redemption of the Existing Notes or the Debt Securities;

 

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(2) make an Investment in assets used in the Oil and Gas Business; or

(3) develop by drilling the Company’s oil and gas reserves.

If, upon completion of the 365-day period, any portion of the Net Available Proceeds shall not have been applied by the Company as described in clauses (1), (2) or (3) in the immediately preceding paragraph and such remaining Net Available Proceeds, together with any remaining net cash proceeds from any prior Sale/Leaseback Transaction (such aggregate constituting “Excess Proceeds”), exceed $60 million, then the Company will be obligated to make an offer (the “Net Proceeds Offer”) to purchase the Debt Securities and any other Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such an offer to purchase is also required to be made concurrently with the Net Proceeds Offer having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Excess Proceeds (such purchase to be made on a pro rata basis if the amount available for such repurchase is less than the principal amount of the Debt Securities and other such Senior Indebtedness tendered in such Net Proceeds Offer) at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest theron to the date of repurchase. Upon the completion of the Net Proceeds Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.

Within 15 days after the Company becomes obligated to make a Net Proceeds Offer (a “Net Proceeds Offer Triggering Event”), the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to all Holders on the date of the Net Proceeds Offer Triggering Event a notice of the occurrence of such Net Proceeds Offer Triggering Event and of the Holders’ rights arising as a result thereof.

The Net Proceeds Offer will be deemed to have commenced upon mailing of the Offer Notice and will terminate 20 business days after its commencement, unless a longer offering period is required by law. Promptly after the termination of the offer, the Company will purchase and mail or deliver payment for all Debt Securities tendered in response to the offer.

On the payment date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, (a) accept for payment Debt Securities or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer, (b) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the payment in respect of all Debt Securities or portions thereof so tendered and (c) deliver to the Trustee the Debt Securities so accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the Debt Securities or portions thereof tendered to the Company. The depositary, the Company or the paying agent will promptly mail or deliver to each Holder of Debt Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price for such Debt Securities, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail or deliver to each Holder new Debt Securities equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Debt Securities surrendered, if any, provided that each such new Debt Securities will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.

The Company will comply with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the provisions of Regulation 14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act and any other federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations which may then be applicable to any Net Proceeds Offer.

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations . The Company will not consolidate or merge with or into any Person, or sell, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:

(1) the Person formed by or surviving such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is a corporation, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or Canada or any province thereof, and the Successor assumes by supplemental indenture in a form satisfactory to the Trustee all of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture; provided, that unless the Successor is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Debt Securities will be added to the Indenture by such supplemental indenture; and

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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SEC Reports . Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, shall deliver to the Trustee copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of any such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that any such annual reports, information, documents or other reports filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (or EDGAR) system shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such information, documents or reports are filed or furnished via EDGAR.

Certain Definitions

The following is a summary of certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for the full definition of all such terms and for the definitions of capitalized terms used in this prospectus and not defined below.

“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” or “ACNTA” means, without duplication, as of the date of determination, (a) the sum of

(1) discounted future net revenue from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by petroleum engineers (which may include the Company’s internal engineers) in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to any acquisition consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report and (B) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report which, in the case of sub-clauses (A) and (B), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such increases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report and (D) reductions in the estimated oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report which, in the case of sub-clauses (C) and (D) would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such decreases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D), such increases and decreases may be estimated by the Company’s engineers,

(2) the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements,

(3) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, and

(4) the greater of (A) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (B) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements,

 

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minus (b) the sum of

(1) minority interests,

(2) any gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries reflected as a long-term liability in the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements,

(3) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto,

(4) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in (a)(1) above (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto and

(5) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves subject to participation interests, overriding royalty interests or other interests of third parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties.

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method of accounting, ACNTA will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost method of accounting.

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

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, with respect to any particular lease under which any Person is at the time liable and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under the lease during the primary term thereof, without giving effect to any renewals at the option of the lessee, discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate of interest per annum implicit in the terms of the lease. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net amount of rent” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, such net amount of rent shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

“Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors or such other governing body.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, partnership or limited liability company interests or other equity securities (including, without limitation, beneficial interests in or other securities of a trust) and any and all warrants, options and rights with respect thereto (whether or not currently exercisable), including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such Person.

 

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“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Company’s existing credit facility) or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, extended, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether contemporaneously or otherwise) or refinanced (in each case with Credit Facilities), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.

“De Minimis Guaranteed Amount” means a principal amount of Indebtedness that does not exceed $25 million.

“Debt Securities” means the Company’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidence of indebtedness in one or more series.

“Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company with respect to any series of Debt Securities issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

“Designated Senior Indebtedness” means any series or issue of Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $100 million.

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

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC hereunder.

“Existing Notes” means the Company’s outstanding (a) 7.625% Senior Notes due 2013, (b) 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014, (c) 9.5% Senior Notes due 2015, (d) 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016, (e) 6.25% Euro-denominated Senior Notes due 2017, (f) 6.5% Senior Notes due 2017, (g) 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018, (h) 7.25% Senior Notes due 2018, (i) 6.875% Senior Notes due 2020, (j) 2.75% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2035, (k) 2.500% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2037 and (l) 2.25% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2038.

“Funded Debt” means, with regard to any Person, all Indebtedness incurred, created, assumed or guaranteed by such Person, which matures, or is renewable by such Person to a date, more than one year after the date as of which Funded Debt is being determined.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America from time to time.

“Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of the Debt Securities of any series and registered in the name of the Depositary for such Debt Securities or a nominee thereof.

“Guarantee” means, individually and collectively, the guarantees given by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the Indenture.

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Register.

“Indebtedness” means, without duplication, with respect to any Person,

 

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(a) all obligations of such Person, including those evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, for the repayment of money borrowed (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof);

(b) all liabilities of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (a) that such Person has guaranteed; and

(c) Indebtedness (as otherwise defined in this definition) of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, the amount of such obligations being deemed to be the lesser of

(1) the full amount of such obligations so secured and

(2) the fair market value of such asset, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a resolution of such Board.

Neither Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.

“Investment” of any Person means (i) all investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions, (ii) all guarantees of Indebtedness of any other Person by such Person, (iii) all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other securities of any other Person and (iv) all other items that would be classified as investments or advances on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Issue Date” means, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the date of original issuance of such series of Debt Securities.

“Lien” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, easement, restriction, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an encumbrance against real or personal property of such Person, or a security interest of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof or other similar agreement to sell, in each case securing obligations of such Person).

“Maturity” means, with respect to any series of Debt Securities, the date on which the principal of such series of Debt Securities or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided therein or by the Indenture, whether at the Maturity Date or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Maturity Date” means, with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the fixed date specified pursuant to the Indenture as to such series on which the principal of such Debt Securities becomes due and payable as provided therein or by the Indenture.

“Net Available Proceeds” means, with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction of any Person, cash proceeds received (including any cash proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, and excluding any other consideration until such time as such consideration is converted into cash) therefrom, in each case net of all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state or local taxes required to be accrued as a liability as a consequence of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, and in each case net of all Indebtedness which is secured by such assets, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such assets, or which must, by its terms or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and which is actually so repaid.

“Net Working Capital” means (i) all current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, minus (ii) all current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness.

 

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“Oil and Gas Business” means the business of the exploration for, and exploitation, development, production, processing, marketing, storage and transportation of, hydrocarbons, and other related energy and natural resource businesses (including oil and gas services businesses related to the foregoing).

“Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts” means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed to provide protection against price fluctuations of oil, gas or other commodities.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the Indenture.

“Permitted Liens” means

(1) With respect to a series of Debt Securities, Liens existing on the Issue Date of such series of Debt Securities;

(2) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities;

(3) Liens securing any renewal, extension, substitution, refinancing or replacement of secured Indebtedness; provided, that such Liens extend to or cover only the property or assets then securing the Indebtedness being refinanced and that the Indebtedness being refinanced was not incurred under the Credit Facilities;

(4) Liens on, or related to, properties to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of business of exploration, drilling, development or operation thereof;

(5) Liens upon (i) any property of or any interests in any Person existing at the time of acquisition of such property or interests by the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) any property of or interests in a Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or existing at the time of the sale or transfer of any such property of or interests in such Person to the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iii) any property of or interests in a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , that in each case such Lien has not been created in contemplation of such sale, merger, consolidation, transfer or acquisition, and provided further that in each such case no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property of the Company or any Subsidiary other than the property being acquired and improvements thereon;

(6) Liens on deposits to secure public or statutory obligations or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(7) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary on deposit with or in possession of such bank;

(8) purchase money security interests granted in connection with the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, provided , that (i) such Liens attach only to the property so acquired with the purchase money indebtedness secured thereby and (ii) such Liens secure only Indebtedness that is not in excess of 100% of the purchase price of such assets;

(9) Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases;

(10) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, and other similar agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

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(11) Liens securing obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts;

(12) Liens in favor of the United States, any state thereof, any foreign country or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens, including without limitation, Liens to secure Funded Debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and

(13) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, estate, association, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Principal Property” means any property interest in oil and gas reserves located in the United States owned by the Company or any Subsidiary and which is capable of producing crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances in paying quantities, the net book value of which property interest or interests exceeds two (2) percent of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, except any such property interest or interests that in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Without limitation, the term “Principal Property” shall not include:

(1) property or assets employed in gathering, treating, processing, refining, transportation, distribution or marketing,

(2) accounts receivable and other obligations of any obligor under a contract for the sale, exploration, production, drilling, development, processing or transportation of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all related rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character supporting or securing payment of such receivables or obligations, or

(3) the production or any proceeds from production of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances.

“Representative” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that, as of the applicable date of determination, (i) is a Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) directly owns or leases any Principal Property.

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Principal Property which was acquired or placed into service more than one year prior to such arrangement, whereby such property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person; provided, that the term “Sale/Leaseback Transaction” shall not include any such arrangement that does not provide for a lease by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with a period, including renewals, of more than three years. For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction primarily involving Dollar-Denominated Production Payments or Volumetric Production Payments shall not be deemed to be a Sale/Leaseback Transaction.

“Senior Indebtedness” means any Debt Securities (other than Subordinated Debt Securities) or other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred), unless such Indebtedness is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of any Series or the Guarantees, respectively.

 

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“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company. A “subsidiary” of any Person means

(1) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person,

(2) a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if such Person or its subsidiary is entitled to receive more than 50 percent of the assets of such partnership upon its dissolution, or

(3) any other Person (other than a corporation or partnership) in which such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the Board if Directors of such Person.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means (i) each of the Subsidiaries that executes the Indenture as a subsidiary guarantor until such time as such Subsidiary shall no longer be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture; and (ii) each other Subsidiary that becomes a guarantor of the Debt Securities of any series in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture until such time as such Subsidiary shall no longer be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture.

“U.S. Government Securities” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under clauses (1) or (2) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

“U.S. Legal Tender” means such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

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

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person.

Events of Default

The following will be Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of any series:

(1) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of principal of or any premium on the Debt Securities of such series when due and payable at Maturity;

(2) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of any installment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series when due and payable and continuance of such default for 30 days;

(3) default on any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor if either

(A) such default results in the acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness having a principal amount of $75.0 million or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness the maturity of which has been so accelerated, in the aggregate, or

(B) such default results from the failure to pay when due principal of any such Indebtedness, after giving effect to any applicable grace period (a “Payment Default”), having a principal amount of $75.0 million or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, in the aggregate;

 

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provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration is rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such default beyond any applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequent acceleration of the Debt Securities shall be rescinded, so long as any such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree or applicable provision of law;

(4) default in the performance, or breach of, any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the Indenture applicable to Debt Securities of such series and, in each such case, failure to remedy such default within a period of 60 days after written notice thereof from the Trustee or Holders of 25% of the principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that the Company will have 90 days following such written notice to remedy or receive a waiver for any failure to comply with its obligations under the Indenture so long as the Company is attempting to remedy any such failure as promptly as reasonably practicable;

(5) the failure of a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Debt Securities of such series to be in full force and effect, or the denial or disaffirmance by such entity thereof;

(6) certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company; or

(7) any other Event of Default provided with regard to Debt Securities of a particular series in the terms thereof.

The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to the Holders of Debt Securities of any series of any default (except in payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Security of such series) if the Trustee considers it in the interest of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series to do so.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of such series may declare the unpaid principal of (or, if any of the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), and any premium and accrued but unpaid interest on, all the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal (or other specified amount), and any premium and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of, and any premium and interest on, all the Debt Securities of such series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series with respect to which a declaration of acceleration has been made may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Debt Securities of such series and its consequences.

No Holder of the Debt Securities of a series may pursue any remedy under the Indenture unless:

(1) the Trustee shall have received written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series,

(2) the Trustee shall have received a request from Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series to pursue such remedy,

(3) the Trustee shall have been offered indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it,

(4) the Trustee shall have failed to act for a period of 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series;

 

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provided, however, such provision does not affect the right of a Holder of any Debt Securities to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment thereon.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain limitations specified in the Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right, duty or power hereunder unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense.

Modification and Waiver

Supplements and amendments to the Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series may be made by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplement, considered together as a single class; provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each Holder affected thereby,

(1) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Debt Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of any provision of the Indenture or the Debt Securities;

(2) reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, if any, on the Debt Securities of any series;

(3) reduce the principal amount of any Security or change the Maturity Date of the Debt Securities of any series;

(4) reduce the amount payable upon redemption of any Security;

(5) adversely affect the conversion rights of any Security that is convertible in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Security;

(6) waive any Event of Default in the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on the Debt Securities of any series;

(7) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in such Security;

(8) impair the right of Holders of Debt Securities of any series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on Debt Securities on the respective due dates therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment; or

(9) make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Debt Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture.

Supplements and amendments of the Indenture or the Debt Securities of any series may be made by the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of any Holders in certain limited circumstances, including

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; provided that such modification shall not adversely affect the Holders of any series in any material respect;

(2) to provide for the assumption of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture upon the merger, consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor;

(3) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture; provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall become effective only after there are no such Debt Securities of any series entitled to the benefit of such provision outstanding;

 

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(4) to establish the forms or terms of the Debt Securities of any series issued under the Indenture;

(5) to evidence the acceptance or appointment by a separate Trustee or successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities or otherwise;

(6) in the case of any Debt Securities that are designated as Subordinated Debt Securities, to make any change that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any Holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under the Indenture;

(7) to reflect the addition or release of any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Guarantee of the Debt Securities, in the manner provided in the Indenture, or to secure any of the Debt Securities or the Guarantees;

(8) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

(9) to provide for uncertificated Debt Securities in addition to certificated Debt Securities;

(10) to make provisions with respect to the conversion of Debt Securities of any series that are convertible in accordance with the terms of such Debt Securities; or

(11) to make any change that would provide any additional benefit to the Holders of such series or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of such series in any material respect.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of a series may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, or any premium or interest.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have its obligations discharged with respect to the Debt Securities of a series (“Legal Defeasance”). Such Legal Defeasance means that the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable series and any Guarantees thereof, except for

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Debt Securities of such series to receive payments solely from the trust fund described in the following paragraph in respect of the principal of, and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities when such payments are due,

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Debt Securities concerning the issuance of temporary Debt Securities, transfers and exchanges of the Debt Securities, replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, the maintenance of an office or agency where the Debt Securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange or presented for payment, and duties of paying agents and conversion agents,

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) the Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.

In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Company released with respect to certain covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” (“Covenant Defeasance”), and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment) described under “—Events of Default” will no longer constitute an Event of Default. If we exercise our Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all its obligations under the Indenture and its Guarantee.

 

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In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under the Indenture,

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, cash in U.S. Legal Tender, U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay

(A) the principal of, and any premium and interest on the outstanding Debt Securities of such series on each date on which such principal, and any premium and interest is due and payable or on any redemption date established pursuant to the Indenture and

(B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and of such Debt Securities.

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that

(A) the Company has received from or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or

(B) since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any other material agreement, other than the Indenture, or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, and if the Debt Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to the Indenture, is not prohibited by the Indenture;

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(7) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that the Company has complied with all conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance.

Subordination of Debt Securities

Debt Securities of a series may be subordinated to our Senior Indebtedness (the Debt Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Subordinated Debt Securities”). Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee thereof will be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Indenture and the prospectus supplement relating to such series, to the prior payment of all indebtedness of the Company and Subsidiary Guarantors that is designated as Senior Indebtedness with respect to the series.

 

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The Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company will receive payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities will receive any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities:

(1) upon any payment of distribution of our assets of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to its creditors;

(2) upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(3) in a bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property or a Subsidiary Guarantor or its property.

Until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, any distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities would otherwise be entitled will be made to the Holders of Senior Indebtedness, except that such Holders may receive securities representing Capital Stock of the Company and any Debt Securities of the company that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities.

If the Company does not pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period (including at Maturity), or any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms, the Company may not:

(1) make any payments of principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities;

(2) make any deposit for the purpose of defeasance of the Subordinated Debt Securities; or

(3) repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Subordinated Debt Securities, except that in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund, we may deliver Subordinated Debt Securities to the Trustee in satisfaction of our sinking fund obligation,

unless, in either case,

(1) the default has been cured or waived and the declaration of acceleration has been rescinded;

(2) the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; or

(3) the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving the payment from the Representatives of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company.

During the continuance of any default, other than a default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, that may cause the Maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness to be accelerated immediately without further notice, other than any notice required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Subordinated Debt Securities for a period called the “Payment Blockage Period.” A Payment Blockage Period will commence on the receipt by us and the Trustee of written notice of the default, called a “Blockage Notice,” from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period.

The Payment Blockage Period may be terminated before its expiration:

(1) by written notice from the Person or Persons who gave the Blockage Notice;

(2) by repayment in full in cash of the Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which the Blockage Notice was given; or

(3) if the default giving rise to the Payment Blockage Period is no longer continuing.

Unless the Holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such Holders shall have accelerated the Maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities after the expiration of the Payment Blockage Period.

 

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Generally, not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any period of 360 consecutive days irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period. The total number of days during which any one or more Payment Blockage Periods are in effect, however, may not exceed an aggregate of 179 days during any period of 360 consecutive days.

If a Subsidiary Guarantor does not pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor within any applicable grace period (including at Maturity), or any other default on Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor occurs and the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms, the Company may not make a guarantee payment on Subordinated Debt Securities

unless, in either case,

(1) the default has been cured or waived and the declaration of acceleration has been rescinded;

(2) the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; or

(3) the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee receive written notice approving the payment from the Representatives of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

During the continuance of any default, other than a default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, that may cause the Maturity of any Senior Indebtedness to be accelerated immediately without further notice, other than any notice required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Subsidiary Guarantor may not make a guarantee payment on Subordinated Debt Securities for the Payment Blockage Period, as described above.

After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of Holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness.

By reason of the subordination, in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are Holders of Senior Indebtedness, as well as certain of our general creditors, may recover more, ratably, than the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.

Satisfaction and Discharge

The Company may discharge all its obligations under the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series, other than its obligation to register the transfer of and exchange notes of that series, provided that it either:

(1) delivers all outstanding Debt Securities of that series to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all such Debt Securities not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Maturity within one year or are called for redemption within one year, and in the case of this bullet point the Company has deposited with the Trustee in trust an amount of cash sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness of such Debt Securities, including any premium and interest to the Maturity Date or applicable redemption date.

Governing Law

The Indenture provides that it and the Debt Securities and the Guarantees will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. will initially act as Trustee, paying agent and registrar for the Debt Securities. We may also maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, and the Trustee may own our Debt Securities. Its address is 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, Illinois 60602.

 

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The Trustee is permitted to become an owner or pledgee of the Debt Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. If, however, the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

In case an Event of Default shall occur (and be continuing), the Trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the Holders of the Debt Securities, unless such Holders have offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.

Book Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of Debt Securities, the Debt Securities of each series will be issued in the form of one or more global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in the global securities directly through the Depositary if they have an account with the Depositary or indirectly through organizations which have accounts with the Depositary.

The Depositary has advised the Company as follows: The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depositary was created to hold securities of institutions that have accounts with the Depositary (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The Depositary’s participants include securities brokers and dealers (which may include the underwriters), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the Depositary’s book-entry system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, whether directly or indirectly.

The Company expects that pursuant to procedures established by the Depositary, upon the issuance of the global securities, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registrations and transfer system, the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities represented by such global securities to the accounts of participants. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriter of the Debt Securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be limited to participants or Persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants’ interest) and such participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities other than participants). The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in the global securities.

So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the Holder of the global securities, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole legal owner and Holder of the Debt Securities for all purposes of the Debt Securities and the Indenture. Except as set forth below, you will not be entitled to have the Debt Securities represented by the global securities registered in your name, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered to be the owner or Holder of any Debt Securities under the global securities. The Company understands that under existing industry practice, in the event an owner of a beneficial interest in the global securities desires to take any action that the Depositary, as the Holder of the global securities, is entitled to take, the Depositary will authorize the participants to take such action, and that the participants will authorize beneficial owners owning through such participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

 

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The Company will make all payments on Debt Securities represented by the global securities registered in the name of and held by the Depositary or its nominee to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the owner and Holder of the global securities.

The Company expects that the Depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment in respect of the global securities, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the aggregate principal amount of the global securities as shown on the records of the Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interest in the global securities held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of such participants. The Company will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the global securities for any Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between the Depositary and its participants or the relationship between such participants and the owners of beneficial interests in the global securities owning through such participants.

Although the Depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global securities among participants of the Depositary, it is under no obligations to perform or continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither the Trustee nor the Company will have any responsibility for the performance by the Depositary or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of the debt securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplements, the validity of the issuance of the debt securities and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Houston, Texas. Legal counsel to any underwriters may pass upon legal matters for such underwriters.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and related financial statement schedule and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

Estimates of the natural gas and oil reserves of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and related future net cash flows and the present values thereof, included in Chesapeake’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, were based in part upon reserve reports prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.; Data & Consulting Services, Division of Schlumberger Technology Corporation; Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc. and Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent petroleum engineers. We have incorporated these estimates in reliance on the authority of each such firm as experts in such matters.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth all expenses payable by Chesapeake Energy Corporation (also referred to as the “Company” or “Chesapeake” in this Part II of the registration statement) in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities. All the amounts shown are estimates, except the registration fee.

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $             

Fees and expenses of accountants

                   † 

Fees and expenses of legal counsel

                   † 

Printing expenses

                   † 

Miscellaneous

                   † 

Total

   $              † 

 

* Under SEC Rule 456(b) and 457(r), the SEC registration fee will be paid at the time of any particular offering of securities under the registration statement, and is therefore not currently determinable.
Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that the Company anticipates it will incur in connection with the offering of debt securities under this registration statement. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the debt securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 1031 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, under which Chesapeake is incorporated, permits, and in some circumstances requires, Chesapeake to indemnify its directors and officers. Article VIII of the Certificate of Incorporation of Chesapeake and Article VI of the Bylaws of Chesapeake provide for indemnification of directors and officers under certain circumstances. As permitted by the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and Chesapeake’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, Chesapeake also maintains insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against liability arising out of their status as such. The foregoing indemnity provisions, together with director and officer insurance and Chesapeake’s indemnification obligations under individual indemnity agreements with its directors and officers, may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Chesapeake’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide for indemnification of each of Chesapeake’s officers and directors against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of Chesapeake, or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of Chesapeake, other than an action by or in the right of Chesapeake. To be entitled to such indemnification, the individual must have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Chesapeake, and with respect to any criminal action, the person seeking indemnification had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. Chesapeake’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide for indemnification of each of Chesapeake’s officers and directors against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of Chesapeake brought by reason of the person seeking indemnification being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of Chesapeake, or any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of Chesapeake. To be entitled to such indemnification, the individual must have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Chesapeake, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the individual shall have been

 

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adjudged to be liable to Chesapeake, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action was decided has determined that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court deems proper.

Chesapeake has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Under each indemnity agreement, Chesapeake will pay on behalf of the indemnitee, subject to certain exceptions, any amount which he is or becomes legally obligated to pay because of (a) any claim or claims from time to time threatened or made against him by any person because of any act or omission or neglect or breach of duty, including any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement, which he commits or suffers while acting in his capacity as a director and/or officer of Chesapeake or an affiliate or (b) being a party, or being threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of Chesapeake or an affiliate or is or was serving at the request of Chesapeake as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The payments which Chesapeake would be obligated to make under an indemnification agreement could include damages, charges, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs, cost of investigation and cost of defense of legal, equitable or criminal actions, claims or proceedings and appeals therefrom, and costs of attachment, supersedeas, bail, surety or other bonds.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement:

 

  1.1*      Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1*      Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2010, by and between Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
  4.2*      Form of Supplemental Indenture.
  4.3*      Form of Senior Note of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (included in the Form of Supplemental Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 hereto).
  5.1*      Opinion of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP regarding the validity of the securities being registered.
12.1      Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12 to Chesapeake’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010).
23.1*      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2*      Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.3*      Consent of Data & Consulting Services, Division of Schlumberger Technology Corporation
23.4*      Consent of Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc.
23.5*      Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.6*      Consent of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1*      Powers of Attorney (contained in signature pages).
25.1*      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of a prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however , that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

 

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) That portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on this 3rd day of August, 2010.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:   / S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        
  Aubrey K. McClendon
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ICHAEL A. J OHNSON        

Michael A. Johnson

  

Senior Vice President – Accounting, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    R ICHARD K. D AVIDSON        

Richard K. Davidson

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    V. B URNS H ARGIS        

V. Burns Hargis

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    F RANK K EATING        

Frank Keating

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    C HARLES T. M AXWELL        

Charles T. Maxwell

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

 

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/ S /    M ERRILL A. M ILLER , J R .        

Merrill A. Miller, Jr.

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    D ON L. N ICKLES        

Don L. Nickles

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    F REDERICK B. W HITTEMORE        

Frederick B. Whittemore

  

Director

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant below (each a “Corporation”) has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.

DIAMOND Y ENTERPRISE, INCORPORATED

GENE D. YOST & SON, INC.

 

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
  Marcus C. Rowland
  Executive Vice President – Finance
  and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director of each Corporation

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and Director of each Corporation

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant below (each a “LLC”) has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PLAZA, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

CHK HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

 

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
  Marcus C. Rowland
  Executive Vice President – Finance
  and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of each LLC and Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Richard K. Davidson

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

V. Burns Hargis

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

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Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

*

Frank Keating

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Charles T. Maxwell

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Merrill A. Miller, Jr.

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Don L. Nickles

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Frederick B. Whittemore

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of each LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

*By:   / S /    J ENNIFER M. G RIGSBY        
 

Jennifer M. Grigsby,

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant below (each a “CE LLC”) has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

CHESAPEAKE AEZ EXPLORATION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE-CLEMENTS ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

By:

 

 

Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C.,

its Sole Manager

By:

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation,

its Sole Manager

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of each CE LLC and Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Richard K. Davidson

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

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Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

*

V. Burns Hargis

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Frank Keating

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Charles T. Maxwell

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Merrill A. Miller, Jr.

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Don L. Nickles

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

*

Frederick B. Whittemore

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of each CE LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

*By:   / S /    J ENNIFER M. G RIGSBY        
 

Jennifer M. Grigsby,

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant below (each a “COI LLC”) has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

GREAT PLAINS OILFIELD RENTAL, L.L.C.

HODGES TRUCKING COMPANY, L.L.C.

NOMAC DRILLING, L.L.C.

By:   Chesapeake Operating, Inc.,
  its Sole Manager
By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of each COI LLC and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc., the Sole Manager of each COI LLC

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of each COI LLC and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc., the Sole Manager of each COI LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

CHESAPEAKE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.L.C.
By:   Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
  its Sole Manager
By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

/ S /    M ICHAEL A. J OHNSON        

Michael A. Johnson

  

Senior Vice President – Accounting, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

 

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Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

*

Richard K. Davidson

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

*

V. Burns Hargis

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

*

Frank Keating

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

*

Charles T. Maxwell

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

*

Merrill A. Miller, Jr.

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

*

Don L. Nickles

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

*

Frederick B. Whittemore

  

Director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation,
the Sole Manager of Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010
    

 

*By:   / S /    J ENNIFER M. G RIGSBY        
 

Jennifer M. Grigsby,

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

COMPASS MANUFACTURING, L.L.C.

By:

 

 

Midcon Compression, L.L.C.

its Sole Manager

By:

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc.,

its Sole Manager

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Compass Manufacturing, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., the Sole Manager of Midcon Compression, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of Compass Manufacturing, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Compass Manufacturing, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., the Sole Manager of Midcon Compression, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of Compass Manufacturing, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

HAWG HAULING & DISPOSAL, LLC

By:

 

 

Diamond Y Enterprise, Incorporated,

its Sole Member

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Hawg Hauling & Disposal, LLC and Director of Diamond Y Enterprise, Incorporated, the Sole Member of Hawg Hauling & Disposal, LLC

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Hawg Hauling & Disposal, LLC and Director of Diamond Y Enterprise, Incorporated, the Sole Member of Hawg Hauling & Disposal, LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

MC LOUISIANA MINERALS, L.L.C.
By:   Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation,
  its Sole Manager
By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of MC Louisiana Minerals, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, the Sole Manager of MC Louisiana Minerals, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of MC Louisiana Minerals, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, the Sole Manager of MC Louisiana Minerals, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.L.C.
By:   Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc.,
  its Sole Manager
By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Midcon Compression, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., the Sole Manager of Midcon Compression, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Midcon Compression, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., the Sole Manager of Midcon Compression, L.L.C.

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

VENTURA REFINING AND TRANSMISSION, LLC
By:   Chesapeake VRT, L.L.C.,
  its Sole Member
By:   Chesapeake Operating, Inc.,
  its Sole Manager
By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Ventura Refining and Transmission, LLC and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc., the Sole Manager of Chesapeake VRT, L.L.C., the Sole Member of Ventura Refining and Transmission, LLC

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of Midcon Compression, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc., the Sole Manager of Chesapeake VRT, L.L.C., the Sole Member of Ventura Refining and Transmission, LLC

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

By:   Chesapeake Operating, Inc.,
 

its General Partner

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc., the General Partner of Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc., the General Partner of Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

  August 3, 2010

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on August 3, 2010.

 

EMPRESS LOUISIANA PROPERTIES, L.P.

By:   EMLP, L.L.C,
 

its General Partner

By:   Empress, L.L.C.
 

its Sole Manager

By:   Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation
 

its Sole Manager

By:   / S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        
 

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President – Finance

and Chief Financial Officer

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon, Marcus C. Rowland and Jennifer M. Grigsby, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/ S /    A UBREY K. M C C LENDON        

Aubrey K. McClendon

  

Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of EMLP, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, the Sole Manager of Empress, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of EMLP, L.L.C., the General Partner of Empress Louisiana Properties, L.P.

  August 3, 2010

/ S /    M ARCUS C. R OWLAND        

Marcus C. Rowland

  

Executive Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) of EMLP, L.L.C. and Director of Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, the Sole Manager of Empress, L.L.C., the Sole Manager of EMLP, L.L.C., the General Partner of Empress Louisiana Properties, L.P.

  August 3, 2010

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

  1.1*      Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1*      Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2010, by and between Chesapeake Energy Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
  4.2*      Form of Supplemental Indenture.
  4.3*      Form of Senior Note of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (included in the Form of Supplemental Indenture filed as Exhibit 4.2 hereto).
  5.1*      Opinion of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP regarding the validity of the securities being registered.
12.1      Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12 to Chesapeake’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010).
23.1*      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2*      Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.3*      Consent of Data & Consulting Services, Division of Schlumberger Technology Corporation
23.4*      Consent of Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc.
23.5*      Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.6*      Consent of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1*      Powers of Attorney (contained in signature pages).
25.1*      Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee.

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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Exhibit 1.1

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

            , 20    

As Representative (the “ Representative ”) of the Several Underwriters,

Dear Sirs:

1. Introductory. Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “ Company” ), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (the “ Underwriters ”) $             in principal amount of its              (the “ Offered Securities ”). The Offered Securities will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) on a senior basis by each existing subsidiary of the Company, other than certain de minimis subsidiaries and certain midstream subsidiaries named in Schedule D hereto, and, subject to certain exceptions, by subsequently acquired domestic subsidiaries of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to below (collectively, the “ Subsidiary Guarantors ”). The Offered Securities are to be issued under an indenture dated as of August 2, 2010 among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by the supplemental indenture, dated as of                     , among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee (the “ Indenture ”). The Company hereby agrees with the Underwriters as follows:

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the several Underwriters that:

(a) A registration statement (No. 333-             ) including all materials incorporated by reference therein and a base prospectus, relating to the Offered Securities, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission” ) and has become effective. Such registration statement, including all materials incorporated by reference therein and any prospectus or prospectus supplement deemed or retroactively deemed to be part thereof that has not been superseded or modified, is hereinafter referred to as the “ Registration Statement” . “ Registration Statement ” without reference to a time means the Registration Statement as of the date and time of its filing and effectiveness which time shall be considered the “effective date” of the Registration Statement. For purposes of the previous sentence, information contained in a form of prospectus or prospectus supplement that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B (“ Rule 430B ”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Act ”) shall be considered to be included in the Registration Statement as of the time


specified in Rule 430B. “ Statutory Prospectus ” as of any time means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to that time, including any document incorporated by reference therein and any base prospectus or prospectus supplement deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. For purposes of the preceding sentence, information contained in a form of prospectus (including a prospectus supplement) that is deemed retroactively to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B shall be considered to be included in the Statutory Prospectus as of the actual time that form of prospectus (including a prospectus supplement) is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (“ Rule 424(b) ”) under the Act. “ Prospectus ” means the Statutory Prospectus that discloses the public offering price and other final terms of the Offered Securities and otherwise satisfies Section 10(a) of the Act. “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Offered Securities in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g). “ General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors, as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule B to this Agreement. “ Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not a General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. “ Applicable Time ” means (Eastern time) on the date of this Agreement. Any reference herein to the terms “ amend, ” “ amendment, ” or “ supplement ” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission (the “ Rules and Regulations ”) on or after the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, or the date of such Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, and deemed to be incorporated by reference therein.

(b) On its effective date, the Registration Statement conformed in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations and did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and on the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date (as defined herein), the Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform or will conform in all respects to the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations, and neither of such documents will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except that the foregoing does not apply to statements in or omissions from any of such documents based upon written information furnished to the Company by an Underwriter , if any, specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by an Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b) hereof. The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (the “ Company Filed Documents” ), when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conformed in all material respects with the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the Rules and Regulations and did not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading.

(c) The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act, that initially became effective within three years of the date of this Agreement, and as of the determination date applicable to the Registration Statement (and any amendment thereof) and the offering contemplated hereby, the Company is a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Act). If immediately prior to the third anniversary (the “Renewal Deadline” ) of the initial effective date of the Registration Statement, any of the Offered Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, if it has not already done so and is eligible to do so, file a new automatic shelf registration statement relating to the Offered Securities, in a form satisfactory to the Representative. If the Company is no longer eligible to file an automatic shelf registration statement, the Company will, prior to the Renewal Deadline, file, if it has not already done so, a new shelf registration statement relating to the Offered Securities, in a form satisfactory to the Representative, and will use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared

 

2


effective within 180 days after the Renewal Deadline. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Offered Securities to continue as contemplated in the expired registration statement relating to the Offered Securities. References herein to the Registration Statement shall include such new automatic shelf registration statement or such new shelf registration statement, as the case may be.

(d) The Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration statement form. If at any time when Offered Securities remain unsold by the Underwriters the Company receives from the Commission a notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) or otherwise ceases to be eligible to use the automatic shelf registration statement form, the Company will (i) promptly notify the Representative, (ii) promptly file a new registration statement or post-effective amendment on the proper form relating to the Offered Securities in a form satisfactory to the Representative, (iii) use its best efforts to cause such registration statement or post-effective amendment to be declared effective as soon as practicable, and (iv) promptly notify the Representative of such effectiveness. The Company will take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Offered Securities to continue as contemplated in the registration statement that was the subject of the Rule 401(g)(2) notice or for which the Company has otherwise become ineligible. References herein to the registration statement relating to the Offered Securities shall include such new registration statement or post-effective amendment, as the case may be.

(e) The Company has paid or shall pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Offered Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).

(f) (i) At the time of filing the Registration Statement and (ii) at the date of this Agreement, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, including (x) the Company or any other subsidiary in the preceding three years not having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or having been made the subject of a judicial or administrative decree or order as described in Rule 405 and (y) the Company in the preceding three years not having been the subject of a bankruptcy petition or insolvency or similar proceeding, not having had a registration statement be the subject of a proceeding under Section 8 of the Act and not being the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Act in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities, all as described in Rule 405.

(g) As of the Applicable Time and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Offered Securities, neither (i) the General Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus(es) issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Statutory Prospectus and the information set out in Schedule B hereto all considered together (collectively, the “ General Disclosure Package ”), nor (ii) any individual Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, nor (iii) any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Act) not constituting an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (a “ Non-Prospectus Road Show ”), when taken together with the General Disclosure Package, included any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The preceding sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an Underwriter specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by an Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b) hereof.

(h) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and Non-Prospectus Road Show, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offer and sale of the Offered Securities or until any earlier date that the Company notified or notifies the Representative as described in the next sentence, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information then contained in the Registration

 

3


Statement. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or a Non-Prospectus Road Show there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Non-Prospectus Road Show conflicted or would conflict with the information then contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, (i) the Company has promptly notified or will promptly notify the Representative and (ii) the Company has promptly amended or will promptly amend or supplement such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Non-Prospectus Road Show to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission. The foregoing two sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Non-Prospectus Road Show in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an Underwriter specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by an Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 8(b) hereof.

(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package; and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or other), business, prospects, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole (“ Material Adverse Effect ”).

(j) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly organized and is in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package; and each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification; except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or similar equity interests of each subsidiary of the Company has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable; and the capital stock or similar equity interests of each subsidiary owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects.

(k) The Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor; the Guarantees have been duly authorized by each Subsidiary Guarantor; the Offered Securities have been duly authorized; when the Offered Securities are delivered and paid for in accordance with this Agreement on the Closing Date, the Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered, such Offered Securities will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will conform to the description thereof contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Indenture and, in the case of the Company, such Offered Securities, and in the case of the Subsidiary Guarantors, such Guarantees, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

(l) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or an Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or other like payment in connection with this offering.

 

4


(m) No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities by the Company, except such as have been obtained and made under the Act and such as may be required under state securities laws in connection with the resale of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters.

(n) None of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture, the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities and compliance with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof, will result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties, or any agreement or instrument to which the Company or any such subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any such subsidiary is bound or to which any of the properties of the Company or any such subsidiary is subject, or the charter or by-laws (or similar organizational documents) of the Company or any such subsidiary, and the Company has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell the Offered Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

(o) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

(p) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, each of the Company and its subsidiaries has (i) good and defensible title to its oil and gas properties, (ii) good and marketable title to all other real property owned by it to the extent necessary to carry on its business, (iii) good and marketable title to all personal property owned by it, and (iv) good and defensible title to the easements, leases and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects that materially affect the value of the properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and do not interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such properties, by the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.

(q) The Company and its subsidiaries possess adequate certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate governmental agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them and have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

(r) No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any subsidiary exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(s) The Company and its subsidiaries own, possess or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate trademarks, trade names and other rights to inventions, know-how, patents, copyrights, confidential information and other intellectual property (collectively, “ intellectual property rights” ) necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, or presently employed by them, and have not received any notice of infringement of, or conflict with, asserted rights of others with respect to any intellectual property rights that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the

 

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environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, “ environmental laws ”), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any environmental laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any environmental laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any environmental laws which violation, contamination, liability or claim would reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which might lead to such a claim.

(u) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Indenture, or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the Offered Securities; and no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated.

(v) The financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the General Disclosure Package present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates shown and their results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

(w) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, since the date of the latest audited financial statements incorporated by reference in the General Disclosure Package, there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and, except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(x) The Company is not, and at no time during which a prospectus is required by the Act to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act or any similar rule) in connection with the sales will it be an open-end investment company, unit investment trust or face amount certificate company that is or is required to be registered under Section 8 of the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”); and the Company is not, and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

(y) The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and files reports with the Commission on the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) System.

(z) The statistical and market related data and forward looking statements included in the General Disclosure Package and any Limited Use Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects and represents its good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

(aa) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any liability for any prohibited transaction or accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code) or any complete or partial withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”), respectively), with respect to any pension, profit sharing or other plan which is

 

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subject to ERISA, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries makes or ever has made a contribution and in which any employee of the Company or any subsidiary is or has ever been a participant. With respect to such plans, the Company and each of its subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA.

(bb) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Company by others within the Company or any subsidiary, and such disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably effective to perform the functions for which they were established subject to the limitations of any such control system; the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company have been advised of: (A) any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data; and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal controls; any material weaknesses in internal controls have been identified for the Company’s auditors; and since the date of the most recent evaluation of such disclosure controls and procedures, there have been no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. The Company made available to the Underwriters or their counsel for review true and complete copies of all minutes or draft minutes of meetings, or resolutions adopted by written consent, of the board of directors of the Company and each subsidiary and each committee of each such board in the past three years, and all agendas for each such meeting for which minutes or draft minutes do not exist.

(cc) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package and the Registration Statement (i) all stock options granted under any stock option plan of the Company (the “Stock Plans”) have been granted in compliance with the terms of applicable law and the applicable Stock Plans and (ii) the Company has properly accounted for all stock options granted under the Stock Plans in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

(dd) All information on (or hyperlinked from) the Company’s website at www.chk.com either (i) qualifies for the exemption for regularly released factual business information or forward-looking information in Rule 168 of the Act or (ii) qualifies for the safe-harbor related to historical information in Rule 433(e)(2) under the Act, and the Company does not maintain or support any website other than www.chk.com.

(ee) The Company has not received any written comments from the Commission staff in connection with the Company’s reports under the Exchange Act that remain unresolved.

(ff) The Company has been informed of the existence of the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority stabilizing guidance contained in Section MAR 2, Ann 2G of the Handbook of rules and guidance issued by the Financial Services Authority; and none of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has taken any action or omitted to take any action (such as issuing any press release relating to any Notes without an appropriate legend) which may result in the loss by any of the Underwriters of the ability to rely on any stabilization safe harbor provided under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“ FSMA ”).

(gg) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiary Guarantors has distributed and, prior to the later to occur of (i) the Closing Date and (ii) the completion of the distribution of the Offered Securities, will not distribute any material in connection with the offering and sale of the Offered Securities other than the General Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or other materials, if any, permitted by the Securities Act and FSMA (or regulations promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act or FSMA) and approved by the parties to this Agreement.

 

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In addition, any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and delivered to the Underwriters or counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company, as to matters covered thereby, to each Underwriter.

3. Purchase, Sale and Delivery of Offered Securities. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell to the Underwriters, and the Underwriters agree, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of         % of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest from to the Closing Date, the respective principal amounts of Offered Securities set forth opposite the names of the Underwriters in Schedule A hereto.

The Company will deliver against payment of the purchase price the Offered Securities in the form of one or more permanent global securities in definitive form (the “ Global Securities ”) deposited with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. Interests in any permanent Global Securities will be held only in book-entry form through DTC, except in the limited circumstances described in the General Disclosure Package. Payment for the Offered Securities shall be made by the Underwriters in Federal (same day) funds by wire transfer to an account at a bank acceptable to the Representative drawn to the order of Chesapeake Energy Corporation at the office of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP at 10:00 A.M. (New York time), on or at such other time not later than seven full business days thereafter as the Representative and the Company determine, such time being herein referred to as the “ Closing Date ,” against delivery to the Trustee as custodian for DTC of the Global Securities representing all of the Offered Securities. The Global Securities will be made available for checking at the above office at least 24 hours prior to the Closing Date.

4. Offering by Underwriters . It is understood that the Underwriters propose to offer the Offered Securities for sale to the public as set forth in the Prospectus.

5. Certain Agreements of the Company. The Company agrees with the Underwriters that:

(a) The Company will file each Statutory Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 424(b)(2) (or, if applicable and if consented to by the Representative, subparagraph (5), such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) not later than the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement. The Company will also prepare a final term sheet, containing solely the terms of the Offered Securities, in the form set out in Schedule C, and file such term sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act within the time required by such Rule and file promptly all other material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act.

(b) The Company will advise the Underwriters promptly of any proposal to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or any Statutory Prospectus and will not undertake any such amendment or supplement if the Underwriters reasonably object in writing thereto; and the Company will also advise the Underwriters promptly of the filing of any such amendment or supplement and of the institution by the Commission of any stop order proceedings in respect of the Registration Statement or of any part thereof and will use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and to obtain as soon as possible its lifting, if issued.

(c) If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the Offered Securities is required to be delivered (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 172 under the Act) in connection with sales by the Underwriters or any dealer, any event occurs as a result of which the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Registration Statement or the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company promptly will notify the Underwriters of such event and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, at

 

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its own expense, an amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or an amendment which will effect such compliance. Neither the Underwriters’ consent to, nor the Underwriters’ delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the conditions set forth in Section 6 hereof.

(d) As soon as practicable, but not later than 16 months, after the date of this Agreement, the Company will make generally available to its security holders an earnings statement covering a period of at least 12 months beginning after the later of (i) the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Offered Securities, (ii) the effective date of the most recent post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to become effective prior to the date of this Agreement and (iii) the date of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission prior to the date of this Agreement, which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.

(e) The Company will furnish to the Underwriters copies of the Registration Statement in the form it became effective (including all exhibits) and of all amendments thereto, any related preliminary prospectus, any related preliminary prospectus supplement, and, so long as a prospectus relating to the Offered Securities is (or but for the exemption in Rule 172 would be required to be) delivered under the Act in connection with sales by the Underwriters or any dealer, the Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents, in each case in such quantities as the Underwriters request. The Prospectus shall be so furnished on or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York time, on the business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement. All other documents shall be so furnished as soon as available. The Company will pay the expenses of printing and distributing to the Underwriters all such documents.

(f) The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Offered Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters designate and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution.

(g) The Company will pay all expenses incidental to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, for any filing fees and other expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with qualification of the Offered Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters designate and the printing of memoranda relating thereto, and for expenses incurred in distributing preliminary prospectuses, preliminary prospectus supplements and the Prospectus (including any amendments and supplements thereto) to the Underwriters and for expenses incurred for preparing, printing and distributing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses to investors or prospective investors; provided , however , that the Underwriters (acting collectively) will reimburse the Company for up to $                 of expenses incurred by the Company in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

(h) For a period of 60 days after the date of this Agreement, the Company will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any U.S. dollar-denominated debt securities registered under the Securities Act or eligible for trading pursuant to Rule 144A, issued or guaranteed by the Company or its subsidiaries and having a maturity of more than one year from the date of issue, without the prior written consent of the Representative; provided that the Company may offer and sell one or more series of senior notes, the proceeds of which are used to repurchase or redeem outstanding senior notes of the Company.

(i) Before using, authorizing, approving or referring to any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the Offered Securities (other than the General Disclosure Package), the Company will furnish to the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of such written communication for review and will not use, authorize, approve or refer to any such written communication to which the Representative reasonably objects.

 

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(j) The Company will apply the net proceeds of the offering and the sale of the Offered Securities in a manner consistent with the description contained in the General Disclosure Package under the caption “Use of Proceeds”.

6. Free Writing Prospectuses . The Company represents and agrees that (other than the final term sheet prepared and filed pursuant to Section 5(a) hereto), unless it obtains the prior consent of the Representative, and each Underwriter represents and agrees that (other than one or more term sheets relating to the Offered Securities containing customary information and conveyed to purchasers of Offered Securities), unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company and the Representative, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Offered Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Company and the Representative is hereinafter referred to as a “ Permitted Free Writing Prospectus .” The Company represents that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely Commission filing where required, legending and record keeping.

7. Conditions of the Obligations of the Underwriters. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Offered Securities will be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor herein, to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor made pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions precedent:

(a) The Underwriters shall have received a letter (the “ Initial Comfort Letter ”), dated on or prior to the date of this Agreement, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent public accountants for the Company, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which comfort letter shall address, without limitation, the various financial disclosures, if any, set forth in the Registration Statement and the General Disclosure Package.

(b) The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with the Act and Section 5(a) of this Agreement. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or, to the knowledge of the Company or either Underwriter, shall be contemplated by the Commission.

(c) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as one enterprise which, in the judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public offering or the sale of and payment for the Offered Securities; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (as defined for purposes of Rule 436(g) under the Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating) or any announcement that the Company has been placed on negative outlook; (iii) any change in U.S. or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls as would, in the judgment of the Representative, be likely to prejudice materially the success of the proposed issue, sale or distribution of the Offered Securities, whether in the primary market or in respect of dealings in the secondary market; (iv) any material suspension or material limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or any setting of minimum prices for trading on such exchange, or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in

 

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the over-the-counter market; (v) any banking moratorium declared by U.S. Federal or New York authorities; (vi) any major disruption of settlements of securities or clearance services in the United States; or (vii) any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of terrorism involving the United States, any declaration of war by Congress or any other national or international calamity or emergency if, in the judgment of the Representative, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or emergency makes it impractical or inadvisable to proceed with completion of the public offering or the sale of and payment for the Offered Securities.

(d) The Underwriters shall have received an opinion, dated such Closing Date, of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, counsel for the Company, that:

(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is an existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package.

(ii) Each subsidiary of the Company has been duly organized and is in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its property and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package; except where the failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the best of such counsel’s knowledge after reasonable investigation, the capital stock or similar equity interests of each subsidiary owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, is owned free from liens, encumbrances and defects.

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

(iv) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Offered Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the General Disclosure Package, will not be an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act.

(v) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing with, any governmental agency or body or any court is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the issuance or sale of the Offered Securities by the Company, except such as may be required under applicable securities laws in connection with the purchase and resale of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters.

(vi) None of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture, the issuance and sale of the Offered Securities and compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will result in a breach or violation of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a default under, (1) any statute, rule, regulation or order of any governmental agency or body or any court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties which is, in the experience of

 

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such counsel, customarily applicable to securities offerings or (2) any agreement or instrument filed or referenced as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,         , or to any report on Form 8-K or Form 10-Q filed since December 31,         , to which the Company or any such subsidiary is party or by which the Company or any such subsidiary is bound or to which any of the properties of the Company or any such subsidiary is subject, or (3) the charter or by-laws (or similar organizational documents) of the Company or any such subsidiary, and the Company has full power and authority to authorize, issue and sell the Offered Securities as contemplated by this Agreement except in the case of clause (2) for such breaches or violations that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(vii) The statements under the captions “Description of Notes” and “Certain Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus, insofar as such statements purport to describe or summarize the legal matters and documents therein, fairly present in all material respects such legal matters and documents.

(viii) Except as disclosed in the General Disclosure Package, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Indenture, or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the Offered Securities; and no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to such counsel’s knowledge, contemplated.

(ix) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

(x) The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act, the Prospectus was filed with the Commission pursuant to the subparagraph of Rule 424(b) specified in such opinion on the date specified therein in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424 and in compliance with Rule 430B, and, to the best of the knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated under the Act, and the Registration Statement, as of its effective date and as of the date of this Agreement, the Statutory Prospectus as of the Applicable Time, and the Prospectus, as of its date and the Closing, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of its date, complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Rules and Regulations; the descriptions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus of statutes, legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents are accurate and fairly present the information required to be shown; and such counsel do not know of any legal or governmental proceedings required to be described in the Prospectus which are not described as required or of any contracts or documents of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not described and filed as required.

It is understood and agreed that certain of the opinions set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii), (vi) (with respect to conflicts with charters, by-laws or similar organizational documents and with respect to certain of the documents filed as exhibits to the filings described in such paragraph) and (ix) (with respect to due authorization) may be given by the Commercial Law Group, P.C., and certain opinions in paragraphs (viii) and (ix) may be given by Henry Hood, Esq.

 

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In addition, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP shall state that they have participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants of the Company, general counsel of the Company, representatives of the Underwriters and counsel for the Underwriters, at which conferences the Registration Statement and the Prospectus were discussed. Such counsel shall further state that, although they have made certain additional inquiries and investigations in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, they have not verified, are not passing on and do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any documents incorporated by reference therein, based on the participation described above in the course of acting as counsel to the Company in this transaction, no information has come to their attention that has caused such counsel to believe that (i) any part of the Registration Statement, at the time such part became effective (other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and accounting data (including the notes thereto and auditor’s report thereon) and the oil and gas reserve data and related future net revenue data and exhibits, in each case contained or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need not express any comment or belief) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) the General Disclosure Package (other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and accounting data (including the notes thereto and auditor’s report thereon) and the oil and gas reserve data and related future net revenue data and exhibits, in each case contained or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need not express any comment or belief), as of the Applicable Time and as of the date of this Agreement, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (iii) the Prospectus (other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and accounting data (including the notes thereto and auditor’s report thereon) and the oil and gas reserve data and related future net revenue data and exhibits, in each case contained or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need not express any comment or belief), as of its date and as of the Closing Date, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or (iv) any of the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement (other than the financial statements and schedules and other financial and accounting data (including the notes thereto and auditor’s report thereon) and the oil and gas reserve data and related future net revenue data and exhibits, in each case contained or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need not express any comment or belief), at the time such Registration Statement became effective or was filed with the Commission (or the time of filing of an amendment, if so amended or deemed amended), as the case may be, did not comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act or Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the Rules and Regulations.

(e) The Underwriters shall have received from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Offered Securities delivered on the Closing Date, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as the Underwriters may require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. In rendering such opinion, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP may rely as to the incorporation of the Company and all other matters governed by Oklahoma law upon the opinion of Commercial Law Group, P.C. referred to above.

(f) The Underwriters shall have received a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of the President or any Vice President and a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company in which such officers, on behalf of the Company, shall state that the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, that the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or of any part thereof has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are contemplated by the Commission and that, subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements included or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the General Disclosure Package, there has been no material adverse change, nor any development or event involving a prospective material adverse change, in the condition (financial or other), business, properties or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole except as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and the General Disclosure Package or as described in such certificate.

 

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(g) The Underwriters shall have received a letter (the “ Bring-Down Comfort Letter ”), dated the Closing Date, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations thereunder, (ii) stating, as of the date of the Bring-Down Comfort Letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Registration Statement and the General Disclosure Package, as of a date not more than three business days prior to the date of the Bring-Down Comfort Letter), that the conclusions and findings of such accountants with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the Initial Comfort Letter are accurate, (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the Initial Comfort Letter and (iv) otherwise in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to the Representative and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

(h) The Underwriters shall have received (i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation, including all amendments thereto, of the Company, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the State of Oklahoma, (ii) a certificate of good standing for the Company, dated as of a recent date, from such Secretary of State and (iii) a certificate, dated as of a recent date, of the Secretary of State of each state in which the Company is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation under the laws of such state.

(i) The Underwriters shall have received (i) a copy of the certificate or articles of incorporation (or similar organizational document), including all amendments thereto, of each of the Company’s subsidiaries, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state in which such subsidiary is organized, (ii) a certificate of good standing for each of the Company’s subsidiaries, certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state in which such subsidiary is organized, and (iii) a certificate, dated as of a recent date, of the Secretary of State of each state in which each such subsidiary is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation (or similar entity) under the laws of each such state.

The Company will furnish the Underwriters with such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and documents as the Underwriters reasonably request. The Representative may in its sole discretion waive on behalf of the Underwriters compliance with any conditions to the obligations of the Underwriters hereunder.

8. Indemnification and Contribution . (a) Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its partners, members, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, each Statutory Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, any related preliminary prospectus or preliminary prospectus supplement, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act, or any Non-Prospectus Road Show, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an Underwriter specifically for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below.

 

14


(b) Each Underwriter will severally and not jointly indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under the Act or the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement, each Statutory Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Non-Prospectus Road Show or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any related preliminary prospectus or preliminary prospectus supplement, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter specifically for use therein, and will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Underwriters consists of the following information in the Prospectus: paragraphs          under the caption “Underwriting”. The Company and the Underwriters acknowledge that no information has been furnished to the Company by an Underwriter for use in any Non-Prospectus Road Show.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under subsection (a) or (b) above, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; provided that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided , however , if such indemnified party shall have been advised by counsel that there are one or more defenses available to it that are in conflict with those available to the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party), the reasonable fees and expenses of such indemnified party’s counsel shall be borne by the indemnifying party. In no event shall the indemnifying party be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for any indemnified party in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions arising in the same jurisdiction out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to

 

15


reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other from the offering of the Offered Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters from the Company under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Offered Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

(e) The obligations of the Company under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Act or the Exchange Act; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section shall be in addition to any liability which the Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each director of the Company, to each officer of the Company who has signed the Registration Statement and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act or the Exchange Act.

9. Default of Underwriters . If one or more Underwriters default in their obligations to purchase Offered Securities hereunder and the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities that such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total principal amount of Offered Securities, the Underwriters may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of such Offered Securities by other persons, including any of the Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by the Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Offered Securities that such defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase. If one or more Underwriters so default and the aggregate principal amount of Offered Securities with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of Offered Securities and arrangements satisfactory to the Underwriters and the Company for the purchase of such Offered Securities by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except as provided in Section 10. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section. Nothing herein will relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

10. Survival of Certain Representations and Obligations . The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company or its officers and of the several Underwriters set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation, or statement as to the results thereof, made by or on behalf of an Underwriter, the Company or any of their respective representatives, officers or directors or any controlling person, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Offered Securities. If this Agreement

 

16


is terminated pursuant to Section 9 or for any reason the purchase of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 8 shall remain in effect, and if any Offered Securities have been purchased hereunder the representations and warranties in Section 2 and all obligations under Section 5 shall also remain in effect. If the purchase of the Offered Securities by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9 or the occurrence of any event specified in clause (iii), (iv) (other than any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market), (v), (vi) or (vii) of Section 7(c), the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Offered Securities.

11. Research Independence. In addition, the Company acknowledges that the Underwriters’ research analysts and research departments are required to be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and that the Underwriters’ research analysts may hold and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company and/or the offering that differ from the views of their investment bankers. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any conflict of interest that may arise from the fact that the views expressed by the Underwriters’ independent research analysts and research departments may be different from or inconsistent with the views or advice communicated to the Company by the Underwriters’ investment banking divisions. The Company acknowledges that the Underwriters are full service securities firms and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for their own accounts or the accounts of their customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

12. No Fiduciary Duty . The Company acknowledges and agrees that in connection with this offering, the sale of the Offered Securities or any other services the Underwriters may be deemed to be providing hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by the Underwriters: (i) no fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company and any other person, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, exists; (ii) the Underwriters are not acting as advisors, experts or otherwise, to the Company, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of the public offering price of the Offered Securities, and such relationship between the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arm’s-length negotiations; (iii) any duties and obligations that the Underwriters may have to the Company shall be limited to those duties and obligations specifically stated herein; and (iv) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company hereby waives any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering.

13. Notices . All communications hereunder will be in writing and, if sent to the Underwriters, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to the Underwriters, at                 , with a copy to Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10019 (fax number: (212) 474-3700), Attention: Stephen Burns, or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to it at Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

14. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

17


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

16. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws. The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Each of the Underwriters and the Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) waives all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract, tort or otherwise) in any way arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

 

18


If the foregoing is in accordance with the Underwriters’ understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to us one of the counterparts hereof, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Underwriters in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


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

 

BY:  
  acting on behalf of itself and as the Representative of the several Underwriters,
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


SCHEDULE A

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount
of

Offered  Securities
   $  
   $  

Total

   $  
      


SCHEDULE B

The Pricing Term Sheet attached as Schedule C hereto.


SCHEDULE C

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433   

Registration No. 333-            

Pricing Term Sheet

            , 20    

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

The following information supplements the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, dated                 , filed pursuant to Rule 424, Registration Statement No. 333-                .

 

Title of securities:   
Aggregate principal amount offered:    principal amount
Principal amount per note:   
Price to public:    % of principal amount
Yield to maturity:    %
Underwriters’ discount:    %
Net proceeds to issuer exclusive of accrued interest, after underwriters’ discount, but before other offering expenses:    $
Estimated expenses of notes offering:    $
Use of proceeds:    The issuer intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to                 .
Interest payment dates:                     and                  of each year, commencing;
Record dates:                     and                 
Maturity:   
Make-whole redemption:    At any time prior to the maturity date at Treasury Rate plus basis points.
Ranking:   
[Certain pro forma debt information:]    [After giving effect to the offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom and after giving effect to the other transactions described under “Capitalization” in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement, the issuer would have had, on a pro forma basis as of                 , approximately $                  in principal amount of senior indebtedness outstanding, $                  of which would have been secured.]


Book-Running Manager:   
Trade date:   
Settlement date:   
CUSIP:   

The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, underwriters or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free .


SCHEDULE D

[To be provided]

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION,

as Issuer,

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO,

as Guarantors,

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

DATED AS OF AUGUST 2, 2010

 

 

DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA SECTION

   INDENTURE SECTION  
310   (a)(1)    7.10   
  (a)(2)    7.10   
  (a)(3)    N.A.   
  (a)(4)    N.A.   
  (a)(5)    7.08   
  (b)    7.08; 7.10   
  (c)    N.A.   
311   (a)    7.11   
  (b)    7.11   
  (c)    N.A.   
312   (a)    2.08   
  (b)    13.03   
  (c)    13.03   
313   (a)    7.06   
  (b)(1)    7.06   
  (b)(2)    7.06   
  (c)    7.06; 13.02   
  (d)    7.06   
314   (a)    4.02; 4.03; 13.02   
  (b)    N.A.   
  (c)(1)    13.04   
  (c)(2)    13.04   
  (c)(3)    N.A.   
  (d)    N.A.   
  (e)    13.05   
  (f)    N.A.   
315   (a)    7.01 (b) 
  (b)    7.05; 13.02   
  (c)    7.01 (a) 
  (d)    7.01 (c) 
  (e)    6.11   
316   (a)(last sentence)    2.11   
  (a)(1)(A)    6.05   
  (a)(1)(B)    6.02; 6.04; 9.02   
  (a)(2)    N.A.   
  (b)    6.07   
  (c)    N.A.   
317   (a)(1)    6.08   
  (a)(2)    6.09   
  (b)    2.07   
318   (a)    13.01   
318   (c)    13.01   

 

N.A. means Not Applicable

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE    1

SECTION 1.01

       DEFINITIONS    1

SECTION 1.02

       OTHER DEFINITIONS    11

SECTION 1.03

       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT    11

SECTION 1.04

       RULES OF CONSTRUCTION    11
ARTICLE TWO THE SECURITIES    12

SECTION 2.01

       FORM AND DATING    12

SECTION 2.02

       FORM OF TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION    13

SECTION 2.03

       AMOUNT UNLIMITED; ISSUABLE IN SERIES; DENOMINATIONS    13

SECTION 2.04

       EXECUTION OF SECURITIES    17

SECTION 2.05

       AUTHENTICATION AND DELIVERY OF SECURITIES    17

SECTION 2.06

       REGISTRAR, PAYING AGENT AND CONVERSION AGENT    18

SECTION 2.07

       PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST    19

SECTION 2.08

       HOLDER LISTS    19

SECTION 2.09

       TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE    19

SECTION 2.10

       REPLACEMENT SECURITIES    20

SECTION 2.11

       OUTSTANDING SECURITIES    20

SECTION 2.12

       TEMPORARY SECURITIES    21

SECTION 2.13

       SECURITIES ISSUABLE IN THE FORM OF A GLOBAL SECURITY    21

SECTION 2.14

       CANCELLATION    23

SECTION 2.15

       DEFAULTED INTEREST    23

SECTION 2.16

       CUSIP NUMBERS    23
ARTICLE THREE REDEMPTION    23

SECTION 3.01

       APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE    23

SECTION 3.02

       NOTICE TO TRUSTEE    24

SECTION 3.03

       SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED    24

SECTION 3.04

       NOTICE OF REDEMPTION    24

SECTION 3.05

       EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION    25

SECTION 3.06

       DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE    25

SECTION 3.07

       SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART    26

SECTION 3.08

       MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL SINKING FUNDS    26

SECTION 3.09

       REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES FOR SINKING FUND    26
ARTICLE FOUR COVENANTS    27

SECTION 4.01

       PAYMENT OF SECURITIES    27

SECTION 4.02

       SEC REPORTS    27

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page

SECTION 4.03

      COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES    28

SECTION 4.04

      MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY    28

SECTION 4.05

      CONTINUED EXISTENCE    28

SECTION 4.06

      WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS    29

SECTION 4.07

      PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS    29

SECTION 4.08

      MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES AND INSURANCE    29

SECTION 4.09

      LIMITATION ON LIENS SECURING FUNDED DEBT    30

SECTION 4.10

      LIMITATION ON SALE/LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS    30
ARTICLE FIVE SUCCESSORS    32

SECTION 5.01

      WHEN COMPANY MAY MERGE, ETC    32

SECTION 5.02

      SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED    33
ARTICLE SIX DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES    33

SECTION 6.01

      EVENTS OF DEFAULT    33

SECTION 6.02

      ACCELERATION    35

SECTION 6.03

      OTHER REMEDIES    35

SECTION 6.04

      WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS    36

SECTION 6.05

      CONTROL BY MAJORITY    36

SECTION 6.06

      LIMITATION ON REMEDIES    36

SECTION 6.07

      RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT    36

SECTION 6.08

      COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE    36

SECTION 6.09

      TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM    37

SECTION 6.10

      PRIORITIES    37

SECTION 6.11

      UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS    37
ARTICLE SEVEN TRUSTEE    38

SECTION 7.01

      DUTIES OF TRUSTEE    38

SECTION 7.02

      RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE    39

SECTION 7.03

      INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE    40

SECTION 7.04

      TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER    40

SECTION 7.05

      NOTICE OF DEFAULTS    40

SECTION 7.06

      REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS    40

SECTION 7.07

      COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY    41

SECTION 7.08

      SEPARATE TRUSTEE; REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE    42

SECTION 7.09

      SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC    42

SECTION 7.10

      ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION    43

SECTION 7.11

      PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY    43
ARTICLE EIGHT DEFEASANCE    43

SECTION 8.01

      APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE    43

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

            

Page

SECTION 8.02

      OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE    43

SECTION 8.03

      LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE    43

SECTION 8.04

      COVENANT DEFEASANCE    44

SECTION 8.05

      CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE    44

SECTION 8.06

 

    DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST;

    OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

   45

SECTION 8.07

      REPAYMENT TO COMPANY    46

SECTION 8.08

      REINSTATEMENT    46

ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

   47

SECTION 9.01

      WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS    47

SECTION 9.02

      WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS    48

SECTION 9.03

      COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT    49

SECTION 9.04

      REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS    49

SECTION 9.05

      NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES    50

SECTION 9.06

      TRUSTEE PROTECTED    50

ARTICLE TEN GUARANTEES

   50

SECTION 10.01

      APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE    50

SECTION 10.02

      UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE    50

SECTION 10.03

      SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS    51

SECTION 10.04

      ADDITION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS    52

SECTION 10.05

      RELEASE OF A SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR    52

SECTION 10.06

      LIMITATION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR’S LIABILITY    53

SECTION 10.07

      CONTRIBUTION    53

SECTION 10.08

      SEVERABILITY    53

ARTICLE ELEVEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

   53

SECTION 11.01

      APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE; AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE    53

SECTION 11.02

      LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION, BANKRUPTCY    54

SECTION 11.03

      DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS    55

SECTION 11.04

      ACCELERATION OF PAYMENT OF DEBT SECURITIES    57

SECTION 11.05

      WHEN DISTRIBUTION MUST BE PAID OVER    57

SECTION 11.06

      SUBROGATION    57

SECTION 11.07

      RELATIVE RIGHTS    57

SECTION 11.08

      SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED BY COMPANY    57

SECTION 11.09

      RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT    57

 

-iv-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

            

Page

SECTION 11.10

      DISTRIBUTION OR NOTICE TO REPRESENTATIVE    58

SECTION 11.11

      ARTICLE ELEVEN NOT TO PREVENT DEFAULTS OR LIMIT RIGHT TO ACCELERATE    58

SECTION 11.12

      TRUST MONEYS NOT SUBORDINATED    58

SECTION 11.13

      TRUSTEE ENTITLED TO RELY    58

SECTION 11.14

      TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION    59

SECTION 11.15

      RELIANCE BY HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS ON SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS    59

ARTICLE TWELVE SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

   59

SECTION 12.01

      SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE    59

SECTION 12.02

      APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY    60

ARTICLE THIRTEEN MISCELLANEOUS

   60

SECTION 13.01

      TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS    60

SECTION 13.02

      NOTICES    61

SECTION 13.03

      COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS    62

SECTION 13.04

      CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT    62

SECTION 13.05

      STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION    62

SECTION 13.06

      RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS    63

SECTION 13.07

      LEGAL HOLIDAYS    63

SECTION 13.08

      GOVERNING LAW    63

SECTION 13.09

      NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS    63

SECTION 13.10

      NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS    63

SECTION 13.11

      SUCCESSORS    64

SECTION 13.12

      DUPLICATE ORIGINALS    64

SECTION 13.13

      SEVERABILITY    64

SECTION 13.14

      FORCE MAJEURE    64

SECTION 13.15

      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL    64

 

NOTE:    This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.

 

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INDENTURE, dated as of August 2, 2010, among CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION, an Oklahoma corporation (the “ Company ”), the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS party hereto and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

WHEREAS, the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness in one or more series (herein called the “ Securities ”), and the guarantee by Subsidiary Guarantors of each such series of such Securities the terms of which provide for such guarantee; and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors are members of the same consolidated group of companies, and the Subsidiary Guarantors will derive direct and indirect economic benefits from the issuance of the Securities; and

WHEREAS, accordingly, each Subsidiary Guarantor has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for its guarantee of each series of the Securities the terms of which provide for such guarantee, to the extent provided in or pursuant to this Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor, in accordance with its terms, have been done;

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities or any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01 Definitions .

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets ” or “ ACNTA ” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, (a) the sum of (i) discounted future net revenue from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by petroleum engineers (which may include the Company’s internal engineers) in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to any acquisition consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or


exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report, which, in the case of sub-clauses (A) and (B), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such increases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report and (D) reductions in the estimated oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Subsidiaries since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report which, in the case of sub-clauses (C) and (D), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such decreases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D), such increases and decreases may be estimated by the Company’s engineers, (ii) the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, (iii) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (iv) the greater of (I) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (II) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements, minus (b) the sum of (i) minority interests, (ii) any gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries reflected as a long-term liability in the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, (iii) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto, (iv) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in (a) (i) above (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto and (v) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves subject to participation interests, overriding royalty interests or other interests of third parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties. If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method of accounting, Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

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Adjusted Net Assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor ” at any date shall mean the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair value of the property of such Subsidiary Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date), but excluding liabilities under the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date and (ii) the amount by which the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor on its debts (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Guarantee), excluding debt in respect of the Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

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

Agent ” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.

Attributable Indebtedness ” means, with respect to any particular lease under which any Person is at the time liable and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under the lease during the primary term thereof, without giving effect to any renewals at the option of the lessee, discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate of interest per annum implicit in the terms of the lease. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net amount of rent” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, such net amount of rent shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

Board of Directors ” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board of Directors or such other governing body.

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

Business Day ” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, partnership or

 

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limited liability company interests or other equity securities (including, without limitation, beneficial interests in or other securities of a trust) and any and all warrants, options and rights with respect thereto (whether or not currently exercisable), including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such Person.

Company ” means the party named as such above, until a successor replaces such Person in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and thereafter means such successor.

Company Request ” or “ Company Order ” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company, or by one Officer of the Company and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Corporate Trust Office ” means, as to any series of Securities, the principal office of the Trustee with respect to such series at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 2 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60602, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders of Securities of such series and the Company).

Credit Facilities ” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Company’s existing credit facility) or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, extended, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether contemporaneously or otherwise) or refinanced (in each case with Credit Facilities), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.

Default ” means, with respect to a series of Securities, any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

De Minimis Guaranteed Amount ” means a principal amount of Indebtedness that does not exceed $25,000,000.

Depositary ” means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.13 , with respect to any series of Securities issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.

Designated Senior Indebtedness ” means any series or issue of Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $100 million.

 

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

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

“Existing Notes means the Company’s outstanding (a) 7.625% Senior Notes due 2013, (b) 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014, (c) 9.5% Senior Notes due 2015, (d) 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016, (e) 6.25% Euro-denominated Senior Notes due 2017, (f) 6.5% Senior Notes due 2017, (g) 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018, (h) 7.25% Senior Notes due 2018, (i) 6.875% Senior Notes due 2020, (j) 2.75% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2035, (k) 2.500% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2037 and (l) 2.25% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2038.

Funded Debt ” means, with regard to any Person, all Indebtedness incurred, created, assumed or guaranteed by such Person, which matures, or is renewable by such Person to a date, more than one year after the date as of which Funded Debt is being determined.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America from time to time.

Global Security ” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of the Securities of any series and registered in the name of the Depositary for such Securities or a nominee thereof.

Guarantee ” means, individually and collectively, the guarantees given by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article Ten hereof.

Holder ” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Register.

Indebtedness ” means, without duplication, with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person, including those evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, for the repayment of money borrowed (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); (b) all liabilities of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (a) that such Person has guaranteed; and (c) Indebtedness (as otherwise defined in this definition) of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, the amount of such obligations being deemed to be the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations so secured, and (2) the fair market value of such asset, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. For the avoidance of doubt, neither Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.

 

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Indenture ” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.

Investment ” of any Person means (i) all investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions, (ii) all guarantees of Indebtedness of any other Person by such Person, (iii) all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other securities of any other Person and (iv) all other items that would be classified as investments or advances on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Issue Date ” means, with respect to a series of Securities, the date of original issuance of such series of Securities.

Lien ” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, easement, restriction, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an encumbrance against real or personal property of such Person, or a security interest of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof or other similar agreement to sell, in each case securing obligations of such Person).

Maturity ” means, with respect to any Security, the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Maturity Date or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Maturity Date ” means, with respect to a series of Securities, the fixed date specified pursuant to Section 2.03(d) as to such series on which the principal of such Securities becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided.

Net Available Proceeds ” means, with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction of any Person, cash proceeds received (including any cash proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, and excluding any other consideration until such time as such consideration is converted into cash) therefrom, in each case net of all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state or local taxes required to be accrued as a liability as a consequence of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, and in each case net of all Indebtedness which is secured by such assets, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such assets, or which must, by its terms or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and which is actually so repaid.

Net Working Capital ” means (i) all current assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, minus (ii) all current liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness.

 

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

Officers’ Certificate ” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of such Person. One of the Officers signing an Officers’ Certificate given pursuant to Section 4.03(a)  shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Person delivering such certificate.

Oil and Gas Business ” means the business of the exploration for, and exploitation, development, production, processing, marketing, storage and transportation of, hydrocarbons, and other related energy and natural resource businesses (including oil and gas services businesses related to the foregoing).

Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts ” means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed to provide protection against price fluctuations of oil, gas or other commodities.

Opinion of Counsel ” means a written opinion from legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

Original Issue Discount Security ” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 .

Permitted Liens ” means (i) with respect to a series of Securities, Liens existing on the Issue Date of such series of Securities; (ii) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; (iii) Liens securing any renewal, extension, substitution, refinancing or replacement of secured Indebtedness; provided , that such Liens extend to or cover only the property or assets then securing the Indebtedness being refinanced and that the Indebtedness being refinanced was not incurred under the Credit Facilities; (iv) Liens on, or related to, properties to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of business of exploration, drilling, development or operation thereof; (v) Liens upon (a) any property of or any interests in any Person existing at the time of acquisition of such property or interests by the Company or a Subsidiary, (b) any property of or interests in a Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or existing at the time of the sale or transfer of any such property of or interests in such Person to the Company or any Subsidiary, or (c) any property of or interests in a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided , that in each case such Lien has not been created in contemplation of such sale, merger, consolidation, transfer or acquisition, and provided , further , that in each such case no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property of the Company or any Subsidiary other than the property being acquired and improvements thereon; (vi) Liens on deposits to secure public or statutory obligations or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds entered into in the ordinary course of business; (vii) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary on deposit with or in possession of such bank; (viii) purchase money security interests granted in connection with the

 

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acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, provided , that (a) such Liens attach only to the property so acquired with the purchase money indebtedness secured thereby and (b) such Liens secure only Indebtedness that is not in excess of 100% of the purchase price of such assets; (ix) Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (x) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, and other similar agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; (xi) Liens securing obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts; (xii) Liens in favor of the United States, any State thereof, any foreign country or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving the property subject to such Liens, including without limitation, Liens to secure Funded Debt of the pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and (xiii) Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, estate, association, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment ” means, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 2.03 , the office or agency of the Company in The City of New York and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.04 , the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 .

Predecessor Security ” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.10 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

Principal Property ” means any property interest in oil and gas reserves located in the United States owned by the Company or any Subsidiary and which is capable of producing crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances in paying quantities, the net book value of which property interest or interests exceeds two (2) percent of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, except any such property interest or interests that in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Without limitation, the term “Principal Property” shall not include (i) property or assets employed in gathering, treating, processing, refining, transportation, distribution or marketing, (ii) accounts receivable and other obligations of any obligor under a contract for the sale, exploration, production, drilling, development, processing or transportation of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances by the

 

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Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all related rights of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character supporting or securing payment of such receivables or obligations, or (iii) the production or any proceeds from production of crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas liquids or other similar hydrocarbon substances.

Representative ” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness.

Restricted Subsidiary ” means any Subsidiary that, as of the applicable date of determination, (i) is a Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) directly owns or leases any Principal Property.

Sale/Leaseback Transaction ” means with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any Principal Property which was acquired or placed into service more than one year prior to such arrangement, whereby such property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person; provided , that the term “Sale/Leaseback Transaction” shall not include any such arrangement that does not provide for a lease by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with a period, including renewals, of more than three years. For the avoidance of doubt, a transaction primarily involving Dollar-Denominated Production Payments or Volumetric Production Payments shall not be deemed to be a Sale/Leaseback Transaction.

SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture the SEC is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Senior Indebtedness ” means any Securities (other than Subordinated Debt Securities) or other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter incurred), unless such Indebtedness is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of any series or the Guarantees, respectively.

Subsidiary ” means any subsidiary of the Company. A “ subsidiary ” of any Person means (i) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, (ii) a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if such Person or its subsidiary is entitled to receive more than 50 percent of the assets of such partnership upon its dissolution, or (iii) any other Person (other than a corporation or partnership) in which such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor ” means (i) each of the Subsidiaries that executes this Indenture as a subsidiary guarantor until such time as such Subsidiary shall no longer be a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Securities of any series pursuant to Article Ten ; and (ii) each other Subsidiary that becomes a guarantor of the Securities of any series in compliance with the provisions of Article Ten of this Indenture until such time as such Subsidiary shall no longer be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Article Ten .

TIA ” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 9.03 .

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

Trustee ” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean each Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

U.S. Government Securities ” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

U.S. Legal Tender ” means such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

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

Voting Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

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SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions .

Other terms used in this Indenture are defined in the Section indicated below:

 

Term

   Defined in Section

“Agent Member”

   2.13

Bankruptcy Law

   6.01

Blockage Notice

   11.03

Company

   Preamble

Conversion Agent

   2.06

Covenant Defeasance

   8.04

Custodian

   6.01

Event of Default

   6.01

Funding Guarantor

   10.07

Guarantee

   10.02

Legal Defeasance

   8.03

Legal Holiday

   13.07

mandatory sinking fund payment

   3.08

optional sinking fund payment

   3.08

Paying Agent

   2.06

Payment Blockage Period

   11.03

Payment Default

   6.01

pay the Subordinated Debt Securities

   11.03

Register

   2.06

Registrar

   2.06

Securities

   Preamble

Subordinated Debt Securities

   11.01

Successor

   5.01

SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms, if used in this Indenture, have the following meanings:

Commission ” means the SEC.

indenture securities ” means the Securities and the Guarantees.

indenture security holder ” means a Holder.

indenture to be qualified ” means this Indenture.

indenture trustee ” or “ institutional trustee ” means the Trustee.

obligor ” on the indenture securities means the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and any other obligor on the Securities or the Guarantees.

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

SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction .

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

 

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(5) any gender used in this Indenture shall be deemed to include the neuter, masculine or feminine genders;

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(7) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision.

ARTICLE TWO

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01 Form and Dating. The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication . The Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

      

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

As Trustee

Date:                     

    

By:                                                      

             Authorized Signatory

SECTION 2.03 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series; Denominations . The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company (and, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or Company Order setting forth, or determining the manner of, such establishment) or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of a series any or all of the following:

(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Sections 2.09 , 2.10 , 2.12 , 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 2.05 , are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

(c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest;

(d) the date or dates on which the Securities of the series will be issued and on which the principal of, and any premium on, the Securities of the series are payable, or the method of determination thereof;

(e) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates; the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable, or the method by which any of such date or dates may be determined; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve thirty-day months;

 

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(f) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee where (1) the principal of, and any premium and interest on, Securities of the series shall be payable, (2) Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, (3) Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, (4) Securities of the series, if convertible, may be surrendered for conversion, and (5) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

(g) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may or shall be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(h) whether Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture, and any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Ten with respect to Securities of such series;

(i) the obligation, if any, and the option, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon a specified date or the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof or otherwise, and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall or may be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations or options, including any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Three with respect to Securities of such series;

(j) the terms, if any, upon which the Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for Capital Stock, other Securities, warrants for Capital Stock or Indebtedness or other securities of any kind of the Company or any other obligor or issuer and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may or shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;

(k) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(l) if the amount of principal of, or any premium or interest on, Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;

(m) if the principal amount payable on the Maturity Date of Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Maturity Date, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Maturity Date or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

 

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(n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Eight with respect to Securities of the series, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 8.04 ;

(o) if other than U.S. Legal Tender, the coin or currency, currencies, units of two or more currencies or other currency units in which payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in U.S. Legal Tender for any purpose, including determining the amount of such Securities as are “outstanding;”

(p) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.09 , or the method of determination thereof;

(q) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect with respect to Securities of such series;

(r) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Article Six with respect to the Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of such series to declare the principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Securities due and payable as set forth in Article Six ;

(s) if the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities in definitive registered form; if the Depositary for the Securities of the series is to be other than the Depositary set forth in Section 1.01 , the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities; and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.13 ;

(t) if other than the Trustee, the identity of any trustees, authenticating, paying, transfer or other agents or registrars with respect to the Securities of such series;

(u) the applicability of, and any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article Five , including conditioning any transaction permitted by Article Five upon the satisfaction of a debt coverage or other standard by the Company and any Successor;

(v) the subordination, if any, of the Securities of the series pursuant to Article Eleven and any deletions from, modifications of or additions to Article Eleven with respect to Securities of the series;

 

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(w) if the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amounts are to be determined);

(x) the right, if any, of the Company to defer payments of interest by extending the interest payment periods and specify the duration of such extension, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable and whether and under what circumstances additional interest on amounts deferred shall be payable;

(y) any restrictions or other provisions on the transfer or exchange of the Securities of such series;

(z) with regard to Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and

(aa) any other terms of the Securities of the series (which terms shall not be expressly prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate, Company Order or supplemental indenture referred to above.

If any of the terms of the Securities of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an Officer or other authorized Person of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the Securities of the series. Any such Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above with respect to Securities of any series filed with the Trustee on or before the initial issuance of the Securities of such series shall be incorporated herein by reference with respect to Securities of such series and shall thereafter be deemed to be a part of the Indenture for all purposes relating to Securities of such series as fully as if such Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or Company Order were set forth herein in full.

The Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by this Section 2.03 .

 

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SECTION 2.04 Execution of Securities . The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers thereof. Such signatures upon the Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such Officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. The seal of the Company, if any, is not required to appear on the Securities, but if it does so appear it may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, manually signed by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

In case any Officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Securities had not ceased to be such Officer of the Company; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper Officers of the Company, although at the date of such Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

SECTION 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Securities . At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities in accordance with such Company Order. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.01 and 2.03 , in authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be provided, in addition to the Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel required to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.04 , and, subject to Section 7.01 , shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

(a) that the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.01 , and that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) that the terms (or the manner of determining the terms) of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.03 , and that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, preference, reorganization, moratorium, rehabilitation, or similar laws and legal principles relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity.

 

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The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

If any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.14 , such Security shall for all purposes of this Indenture be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights under Section 7.03 to deal with the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

SECTION 2.06 Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities of a series may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “ Registrar ”), an office or agency where Securities of a series may be presented for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and for payment (the “ Paying Agent ”) and, with respect to any series of Securities that is convertible in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Securities, an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for conversion (the “ Conversion Agent ”). The Registrar shall keep a register of each series of Securities and of their transfer and exchange (the “ Register ”). The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents or conversion agents for any series of Securities. With respect to any series of Securities, the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, the term “Registrar” includes any additional co-registrar and the term “Conversion Agent” includes any additional conversion agent.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the applicable terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent and shall furnish the Trustee with an executed counterpart of any such agency agreement. With respect to any series of Securities, the Company at any time may replace any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent or change the location of any such office or agency without notice to any Holder. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such replacement or change in location. With respect to any series of Securities, if the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, if applicable, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07 . The Company or any Subsidiary incorporated or organized within the United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or Registrar.

 

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Unless otherwise provided for a series of securities, the Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and, if applicable, Conversion Agent in connection with the Securities.

SECTION 2.07 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) for any series of Securities to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of such series and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent for any series of Securities, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 2.08 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders of any series of Securities. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of the relevant series of Securities.

SECTION 2.09 Transfer and Exchange. The Securities of any series shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture and any reasonable regulations prescribed by the Company or the Registrar are met. When Securities (other than Global Securities) are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate at the Registrar’s request one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange not involving any transfer pursuant to Section 3.07 ).

The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Security of a series for a period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of redemption or of an offer to repurchase Securities of that series and ending at the close of business on the date of such mailing, or for a period beginning 15 Business Days before an

 

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interest payment date and ending on the close of business on such interest payment date, or of any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

Except as otherwise provided or contemplated by Section 2.03 with respect to a series of Securities, prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any Agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

SECTION 2.10 Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the Holder satisfies the reasonable requirements of the Company and the Trustee. If required by the Company or the Trustee, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond or other security sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any Conversion Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

SECTION 2.11 Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. Except to the extent provided in the last paragraph of this Section 2.11 , a Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.10 , it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

If the Paying Agent for a series of Securities holds on a redemption date or the Maturity Date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Securities of such series (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01 , it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

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Securities with respect to which the Company has effected legal defeasance or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Eight , cease to be outstanding except to the extent provided in Sections 8.03 and 8.04 .

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 6.02 , (B) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent of such currencies or currency units, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 2.03 on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent (as so determined) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in Clause (A) above) of such Security, and (C) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which a Trust Officer knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (C) above which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

SECTION 2.13 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security .

(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.05 , authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the outstanding Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect (or to such effect as may be required by the Depositary):

 

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

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

(b) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“ Agent Members ”), and any owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security, shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to or under such Global Security, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depositary or its nominee as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 2.03 , no Global Security may be transferred to, or registered or exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee thereof, and no such transfer may be registered, except as provided in this paragraph. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security, except as provided in this paragraph. If (1) (A) the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and (B) a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, (2) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of such series and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue certificated securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Securities of such series (in which case the Company shall deliver certificated securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company determines in its sole discretion that Securities of a series issued in global form shall no longer be represented by a Global Security, then such Global Security may be exchanged by such Depositary for certificated Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, registered in the names of, and the transfer of such Global Security or portion thereof may be registered to, such Persons as such Depositary shall direct.

 

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(d) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, or interest therein, Agent Member or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any Agent Member, with respect to any ownership interest in Global Securities or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities.

SECTION 2.14 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and dispose of (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation in its customary manner and upon written request shall deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the Company. Any Securities purchased by the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, be reissued or resold or may, at its option, be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, except as expressly permitted by the terms of the Securities of any series.

SECTION 2.15 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series as permitted by Section 2.03 , defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) at the rate borne by such Securities in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.16 CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided , however , that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

ARTICLE THREE

REDEMPTION

SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article. Unless otherwise provided for a series of Securities, the provisions of Sections 3.02 through 3.07 shall be applicable to Securities of any series which are redeemable in accordance with their terms before their Maturity Date.

 

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SECTION 3.02 Notice to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem all or any part of a series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of such Securities or a supplemental indenture relating to such Securities, it shall furnish to the Trustee and the Registrar, at least 45 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (unless the Trustee consents in writing to a shorter period), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities of each series to be redeemed and the redemption price for each series of Securities to be redeemed.

SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Securities of a series are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the particular Securities of such series to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or, if the Securities of such series are listed on any securities exchange, by any other method that complies with the requirements of such exchange; provided , however , that no Securities with a principal amount of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. Securities and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000, except that if all of the Securities of a series of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of such Securities held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of any series called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities of such series called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities selected for redemption.

SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption. (a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address. The notice shall state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

(3) the aggregate principal amount of Securities being redeemed;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent at the address specified in such notice to collect the redemption price, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price or any accrued interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive payment of the redemption price in respect of the Securities upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities;

 

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(7) if fewer than all of the outstanding Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities to be redeemed, and if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the Security or Securities being redeemed;

(8) the CUSIP number, if any, of the Securities to be redeemed; and

(9) any other information required by such Securities or a supplemental indenture relating to such Securities.

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption required in Section 3.04(a) in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least 15 days prior to the date on which the Company requests that the Trustee give such notice (unless the Trustee consents in writing to a shorter notice period), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.04(a) .

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.04 , Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date; provided , however , that installments of interest that are due and payable on or prior to the redemption date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, registered as such, at the close of business on the relevant record date for the payment of such installment of interest. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) funds available on the redemption date sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date on, the Securities to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money so deposited which is not required for that purpose upon the written request of the Company, except with respect to monies owed as obligations to the Trustee pursuant to Article Seven .

Unless the Company defaults in making such payment, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the applicable redemption date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest will continue to be payable on the unpaid principal and any premium including from the redemption date until such principal and any premium is paid, and, to the extent lawful, on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

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SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is to be redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of the Company, a new Security equal in aggregate amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

SECTION 3.08 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The provisions of Sections 3.08 and 3.09 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “ mandatory sinking fund payment ,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “ optional sinking fund payment .” Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company and (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities; provided , that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in the terms of such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 3.09 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund . Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency in which the Securities of such series are denominated and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.08 (which Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Failure of the Company to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Securities as provided in Section 3.08 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

 

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The Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 , and the Company shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.04 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.06 .

ARTICLE FOUR

COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities. The Company, for the benefit of each series of Securities, shall pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities of such series on the dates and in the manner provided in the terms of the Securities of such series and this Indenture. Principal or redemption price, and any premium and interest with respect to a series of Securities shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money deposited by the Company designated for and sufficient to pay such principal, redemption price, premium and interest as is then due with respect to such series of Securities.

The Company, for the benefit of each series of Securities, shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal, and any premium, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series (or at the rate prescribed therefor in the terms of the Securities of such series) to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

SECTION 4.02 SEC Reports. The Company, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, shall deliver to the Trustee copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of any such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that any such annual reports, information, documents or other reports filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (or “EDGAR”) system shall be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such information, documents or reports are filed or furnished via EDGAR. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC (to the extent such filings are accepted by the SEC) and provide the Trustee with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

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SECTION 4.03 Compliance Certificates .

(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and the Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of such Officers’ knowledge, each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officers may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) The Company will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default or default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company proposes to take with respect thereto.

SECTION 4.04 Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities, an office or agency where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 13.02 or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Subject to Section 2.03 , the Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 2.03 , the Company hereby initially designates as the Place of Payment for each series of Securities The City of New York, and initially appoints the Trustee as Paying Agent at its corporate trust office located at 101 Barclay Street, 8W, New York, New York 10286 as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose in such city.

SECTION 4.05 Continued Existence . Except as permitted by Article Five and Section 10.03 hereof, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve

 

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and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Restricted Subsidiary and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that the Company shall not be required to preserve the corporate , partnership or other existence of any Restricted Subsidiary, or any such right or franchise, if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor covenants (to the extent that each may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, or usury law or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 4.07 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment or charge whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

SECTION 4.08 Maintenance of Properties and Insurance.

(a) The Company shall cause all properties used or held for use in the conduct of its business or the business of any Restricted Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided , however , that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any such property, or disposing of it, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

(b) The Company shall provide or cause to be provided, for itself and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds that, in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company, are adequate and

 

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appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Company and such Restricted Subsidiaries in a prudent manner, with reputable insurers or with the government of the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and by such methods as shall be customary, in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company, for corporations similarly situated in the industry.

SECTION 4.09 Limitation on Liens Securing Funded Debt.

(a) Unless otherwise provided for in respect of a series of Securities, the Company covenants, for the benefit of each series of Securities that is not designated as a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, that (i) it will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur or assume any Funded Debt secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the properties of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) it will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur or assume any Funded Debt secured by any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary or the Capital Stock of any Subsidiary that owns, directly or indirectly through ownership in another Subsidiary, the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, unless (as to each of clauses (i) and (ii)) such Securities or the Guarantee (if any) of such Restricted Subsidiary (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary which is not subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the Securities of any series) are equally and ratably secured for so long as such Funded Debt shall be so secured; provided , that if such Funded Debt is expressly subordinated to the Securities of a series or any related Guarantee, the Lien securing such Funded Debt will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing such Securities or such Guarantee.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.09(a) , the Company or any Subsidiary may create, incur or assume Funded Debt secured by Liens which would otherwise be subject to the restrictions of such section, if the aggregate principal amount of such Funded Debt and all other Funded Debt of the Company and any Subsidiary theretofore created, incurred or assumed pursuant to the exception in this Section 4.09(b) and outstanding at such time does not exceed 15% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company.

SECTION 4.10 Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions .

(a) Unless otherwise provided for in respect of a series of Securities, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with any Person (other than the Company or any other Subsidiary) unless (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, would be entitled to incur Funded Debt secured by Liens in a principal amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness (treated as if such Attributable Indebtedness were Funded Debt) with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction in accordance with Section 4.09(b) or (ii) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Company) and such proceeds are applied in accordance with paragraphs (b) to (f) hereof; provided, however, that Attributable Indebtedness in respect of any Sale/Leaseback Transaction entered into pursuant to clause (i) shall not count against the amount of Funded Debt permitted under Section 4.09(b) for any other purpose, including when determining the amount available thereunder for future Sale/Leaseback Transactions or any Funded Debt transactions.

(b) The Company may apply Net Available Proceeds from such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, within 365 days after receipt of Net Available Proceeds from the

 

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Sale/Leaseback Transaction, to: (i) the repayment of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under Credit Facilities or other Senior Indebtedness, including any mandatory redemption or repurchase or make-whole redemption of the Existing Notes or the Securities; (ii) make an Investment in assets used in the Oil and Gas Business; or (iii) develop by drilling the Company’s oil and gas reserves.

(c) If, upon completion of the 365-day period referred to above, any portion of the Net Available Proceeds shall not have been applied by the Company as described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph and such remaining Net Available Proceeds, together with any remaining net cash proceeds from any prior Sale/Leaseback Transaction (such aggregate constituting “Excess Proceeds”), exceed $60,000,000, then the Company will be obligated to make an offer (the “Net Proceeds Offer”) to purchase the Securities and any other Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such an offer to purchase is required to be made concurrently with the Net Proceeds Offer having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Excess Proceeds (such purchase to be made on a pro rata basis if the amount available for such repurchase is less than the principal amount of the Securities and other Senior Indebtedness tendered in such Net Proceeds Offer) at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities and other Senior Indebtedness so repurchased to the date of repurchase. Upon the completion of the Net Proceeds Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.

(d) Within 15 days after the Company becomes obligated to make a Net Proceeds Offer (a “Net Proceeds Offer Triggering Event”), the Company (with notice to the Trustee and the Paying Agent), or the Trustee at the Company’s request and expense, will mail or cause to be mailed to all Holders on the date of the Net Proceeds Offer Triggering Event a notice prepared by the Company (the “Offer Notice”) of the occurrence of such Net Proceeds Offer Triggering Event and of the Holders’ rights arising as a result thereof. The Offer Notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable Holders to tender their Securities to the Company. The Offer Notice, which shall govern the terms of the Net Proceeds Offer, shall state: (1) that the Net Proceeds Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.10 ; (2) the purchase price and the Net Proceeds Payment Date; (3) that any Security not tendered will continue to accrue interest at the stated rate; (4) that any Security accepted for payment pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Net Proceeds Payment Date; (5) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, depositary or Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Net Proceeds Offer, or such longer period as may be required by law, a notice to such effect in the form specified in the Offer Notice; and (6) that Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part will be issued Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered. The Net Proceeds Offer shall be deemed to have commenced upon the mailing of the Offer Notice and shall terminate 20 Business Days after its commencement, unless a longer offering period is required by law.

(e) Promptly after the termination of the Net Proceeds Offer (the “Net Proceeds Payment Date”), the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) accept for payment Securities or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer Notice, (ii) if the Company appoints a depositary or Paying Agent, deposit with such depositary or Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or portions thereof so tendered and

 

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(iii) deliver to the Trustee Securities so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the Securities or portions thereof tendered to the Company. The depositary, the Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to the Holders of Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price (representing those funds received pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.10(c) ), and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail or deliver to each such Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered; provided that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. For purposes of this Section 4.10 , the Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent.

(f) The Company will comply with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the provisions of Regulation 14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act and any other federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations which may then be applicable to any Net Proceeds Offer.

ARTICLE FIVE

SUCCESSORS

SECTION 5.01 When Company May Merge, etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any Person or sell, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:

(1) the Company survives such merger or the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or that acquires by sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, or which leases, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company is a corporation, limited liability company, general partnership or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or Canada or any province thereof (a “ Successor ”), and expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, all the Securities and the performance of every other covenant and obligation of the Company under this Indenture; provided , that unless the Successor is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Securities shall be added hereto by the execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture by such co-issuer; and

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists.

In connection with any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition contemplated by this Section 5.01 , the Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 5.02 Successor Substituted. Upon any consolidation, merger, lease, conveyance or transfer in accordance with Section 5.01 , the Trustee shall be notified by the Company or the Successor, and the Successor formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such lease, conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company herein and thereafter (except in the case of a lease) the predecessor will be relieved of all further obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE SIX

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default. An “ Event of Default ” occurs in respect of Securities of any series upon:

(1) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of principal of, or any premium on, the Securities of such series when due and payable at Maturity;

(2) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of any installment of interest on the Securities of such series when due and payable and continuance of such default for 30 days;

(3) default on any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor if either (A) such default results in the acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness having a principal amount of $75,000,000 or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness the maturity of which has been so accelerated, in the aggregate, or (B) such default results from the failure to pay when due principal of any such Indebtedness, after giving effect to any applicable grace period (a “ Payment Default ”), having a principal amount of $75,000,000 or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, in the aggregate; provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration is rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such default beyond any applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequent acceleration of the Securities shall be rescinded, so long as any such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree or applicable provision of law;

(4) default in the performance, or breach of, any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture applicable to Securities of such series and, in each such case, failure to remedy such default within a period of 60 days after written notice thereof from the Trustee or Holders of 25% of the principal amount of the Securities of such series; provided , however , that the Company shall have 90 days after the receipt of such

 

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notice to remedy, or receive a waiver for, any failure to comply with its obligations under this Indenture so long as the Company is attempting to cure such failure as promptly as reasonably practicable;

(5) a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Securities of such series shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than a release of a Guarantee in accordance with Section 10.05 ) or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm its obligations with respect thereto;

(6) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding,

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E) admits in writing that it generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due;

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

(A) is for relief (with respect to the petition commencing such case) against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in an involuntary case or proceeding,

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor,

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with regard to Securities of a particular series in the terms thereof.

The term “ Bankruptcy Law ” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “ Custodian ” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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SECTION 6.02 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (6) or (7)) under Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a series, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series may declare the unpaid principal of (or, if any of the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof), and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities of such series then outstanding to be due and payable, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee, if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal (or other specified amount), and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (6) or (7) of Section 6.01 above occurs, all unpaid principal of, and any premium and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Securities then outstanding will become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

The Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series with respect to which a declaration of acceleration has been made, by written notice to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration and its consequences if (1) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or deposited with such Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue installments of interest on all the Securities of such series, (B) the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Securities of such series that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of such series, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on the defaulted interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of such series, and (D) all money paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, any Securities of such series that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture; and (3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. No such rescission will affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of Securities, the Trustee may, but is not obligated to, pursue, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal or interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture. If an Event of Default specified under clauses (6) or (7) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company at a time when the Company is the Paying Agent, the Trustee shall assume the duties of Paying Agent.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

 

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SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02 , the Holders of at least a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such series and its consequences, except an Event of Default under clauses (1) and (2) of Section 6.01 .

SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee with respect to Securities of such series, provided that (1) such direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by such Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.

SECTION 6.06 Limitation on Remedies. No Holder of any of the Securities of a series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, to appoint a receiver or trustee or to pursue any remedy under this Indenture, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series,

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series have made written request to such Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture,

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to such Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request,

(4) such Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any proceeding, and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to such Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over other Holders.

SECTION 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Holder of any Securities will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Securities on the Maturity therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right may not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default in payment of principal or any premium or interest specified in paragraphs (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 in respect of a series of Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own

 

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name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the whole amount of principal and any premium and interest then due and remaining unpaid with respect to the Securities of such series, and interest on overdue principal and any premium, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

(a) The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their creditors or their property and may collect and receive any money or securities or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.

(b) Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10 Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six with respect to Securities of any series, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07 ;

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of such series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such series for principal and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10 .

SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 , or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of such series such rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in such exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to any series of Securities:

(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth (or incorporated by reference) in this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and no others.

(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may, with respect to the Securities of such series, conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) This paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

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

(3) The Trustee shall not be liable to Holders of Securities of a series with respect to action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it from Holders of Securities of such series pursuant to Section 6.05 , and the Trustee shall be entitled from time to time to request such a direction.

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

 

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(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right, duty or power hereunder unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense. No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee. Subject to Section 7.01 :

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, to the extent reasonably required by such inquiry or investigation at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

(c) The Trustee may act through agents or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers under this Indenture.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and reliance thereon.

(f) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and each agent, custodian and other person employed by the Trustee to act hereunder.

(i) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

(j) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

SECTION 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11 .

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any prospectus, offering or solicitation documents, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of Securities of such series pursuant to Section 13.02 a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in any payment on any Security of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as its board of directors, executive committee or a trust committee of officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of such series.

SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each April 1, beginning with the April 1 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such April 1 that complies with TIA Section 313(a), but only if such report is required in any year under TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c). A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities are listed and with the Company. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities become listed on any national securities exchange or of any delisting thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. Each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, agrees to pay the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services as shall be agreed upon from time to time in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust). The Company agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it. Such expenses shall include when applicable the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to institute any suit, or take any remedial action under this Indenture, or to enter any appearance or in any way defend any suit in which it may be a defendant, or to take any steps in the execution of the trusts created hereby or thereby or in the enforcement of any rights and powers under this Indenture, until it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction against any and all expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provisions of this Indenture, including compensation for services, costs, expenses, outlays, counsel fees and other disbursements, and against all liability (including fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 7.08) determined not to have been caused by its own negligence or willful misconduct. The Company agrees to indemnify the Trustee against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance and administration of the trust and its duties hereunder as Trustee, Registrar and/or Paying Agent, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including with respect to this Section 7.07 ) and of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company of any claim of which a Trust Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity; however, the failure of the Trustee to promptly notify the Company shall not limit its right to indemnification. The Company shall defend each such claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may retain separate counsel and the Company shall reimburse the Trustee for the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability, claim or damage incurred by the Trustee determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct. To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to that of the Holders of the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on, or the redemption price of, particular Securities. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.07 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in clauses (6) or (7) of Section 6.01 , the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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The benefits of this section shall survive termination of this Indenture and resignation or removal of the Trustee.

SECTION 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Company may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Securities. The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 ;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting as Trustee hereunder.

If the Trustee for a series of Securities resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of such series of Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee for such series appointed by the Company.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Immediately after that and upon payment of its charges hereunder, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 , the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder of Securities of the applicable series.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of any applicable series of Securities may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for such series.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 , any Holder of Securities of the applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(a)(5).

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another corporation or national association, the successor corporation or national association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided that such corporation or national association shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article and shall notify the Company of its successor hereunder.

 

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SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee which satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall also comply with TIA Section 310(b).

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

ARTICLE EIGHT

DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01 Applicability of Article . The provisions of this Article Eight shall be applicable to each series of Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

SECTION 8.02 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance . The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, with respect to the Securities of a series, elect to exercise its rights pursuant to either Section 8.03 or 8.04 with respect to all outstanding Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight .

SECTION 8.03 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of such series on the date all conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Legal Defeasance ”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of the applicable series and any Guarantees thereof, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.06 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 8.03 , and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive such satisfaction and discharge until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.06 , and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, such Securities when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 2.06 , 2.09 , 2.10 , 2.12 and 4.04 , (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith (including, but not limited to, Section 7.07 ) and (d) this Article Eight . Subject to compliance

 

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with this Article Eight , the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.03 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.04 with respect to the Securities of a series.

SECTION 8.04 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.04 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.02 , 4.03 , 4.07 , 4.08 and 4.09 and Article Five with respect to the outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “ Covenant Defeasance ”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of the applicable series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 , but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.02 of the option applicable to this Section 8.04 , with respect to a series of Securities, clauses (3) through (8) of Section 6.01 shall not constitute Events of Default with regard to such Securities.

SECTION 8.05 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 8.03 or Section 8.04 to the outstanding Securities of a series:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or cause to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Eight applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, (a) cash in U.S. Legal Tender in an amount, or (b) U.S. Government Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, cash in U.S. Legal Tender in an amount, or (c) a combination thereof, in such amounts, as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay (i) the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the outstanding Securities of such series on each date on which such principal or any premium or interest is due and payable or on any redemption date established pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 8.06 , and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Securities to said payments with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

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(b) In the case of an election under Section 8.03 , the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (ii) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) In the case of an election under Section 8.04 , the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as clauses (6) or (7) of Section 6.01 is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

(e) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound, and if the Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to Article Eleven , is not prohibited by Article Eleven ;

(f) In the case of any election under Section 8.03 or 8.04 , the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit made by the Company pursuant to its election under Section 8.03 or 8.04 was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

(g) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the Legal Defeasance under Section 8.03 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 8.04 (as the case may be) have been complied with as contemplated by this Section 8.05 .

SECTION 8.06 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.07 , all money and U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.06 , the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.05 in respect of the outstanding Securities of a series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal and any premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.05 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request any money or U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.05 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.05(a) ), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Before or after the deposit pursuant to Section 8.05(b) , the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities of such series at a future date pursuant to Article Three .

SECTION 8.07 Repayment to Company. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, whether pursuant to this Article Eight or otherwise, in trust for the payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, or redemption price or mandatory sinking fund payment on, any Security which has remained unclaimed for two years after such principal and any premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request (unless an abandoned property law designates another Person) or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Securities shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided , however , that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 8.08 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.03 or 8.04 , as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining, or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of the applicable series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.03 or 8.04 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with this Article Eight ; provided , however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, or redemption price or mandatory sinking fund payment on, any Security of such

 

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series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. In the event the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of a series are revived and reinstated pursuant to this Section 8.08 , then the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee, if any, and this Indenture that were released pursuant to Section 10.05 as a result of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this Article Eight shall be revived and reinstated as though such release had not occurred.

ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders .

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to or consent of any Holder:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; provided that such modification shall not adversely affect the Holders of any series in any material respect;

(2) to comply with Sections 5.01 and 10.03 ;

(3) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such addition, change or elimination shall not be effective as to Securities of any series outstanding prior to the date of such amendment or supplement;

(4) to establish the forms or terms of the Securities of any series issued hereunder;

(5) to evidence the acceptance or appointment by a separate Trustee or successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Securities or otherwise;

(6) in the case of any Securities that are designated as Subordinated Debt Securities, to make any change in Article Eleven that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under Article Eleven ;

(7) to reflect the addition or release of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for by this Indenture, or to secure any of the Securities or the Guarantees;

(8) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(9) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to certificated Securities;

 

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(10) to make provisions with respect to the conversion of Securities of any series that are convertible in accordance with the terms of such Securities; or

(11) to make any change that would provide any additional benefit or rights to the Holders of such series or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of such series in any material respect.

Upon the request of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, accompanied by a Board Resolution of the Company and of each Subsidiary Guarantor authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 , the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02 , the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series with the consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplement, considered together as a single class.

For purposes of this Indenture, the consent of the Holder of a Global Security shall be deemed to include any consent delivered by any member of, or participant in, the Depositary or such other depositary institution hereinafter appointed by the Company by electronic means in accordance with the Automated Tender Offer Procedures system or other customary procedures of, and pursuant to authorization by, such entity.

Upon the request of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, accompanied by a Board Resolution of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate described in Section 9.06 , the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby, considered together as a single class, may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of any series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities). However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section may not:

(1) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of any provision of this Indenture or the Securities;

 

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(2) reduce the rate or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, if any, on the Securities of any series;

(3) reduce the principal amount of any Security or change the Maturity Date of the Securities of any series;

(4) reduce the amount payable upon the redemption of any Security;

(5) adversely affect the conversion rights of any Security that is convertible in accordance with the applicable provisions of such Security;

(6) waive any Event of Default under clauses (1) and (2) of Section 6.01 ;

(7) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in such Security;

(8) impair the right of Holders of Securities of any series to receive payment of the principal of and interest on Securities on the respective due dates therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment;

(9) make any change in Sections 6.04 or 6.07 or in this sentence of this Section 9.02 .

An amendment, supplement or waiver which changes, waives or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

SECTION 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents. A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of a Security. For such revocation to be effective, the Trustee must receive the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver. If the

 

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Company elects to fix a record date for such purpose, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.08 , or (ii) such other date as the Company shall designate. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consent from the Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment, supplement or waiver to be effective also shall have been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 . In that case the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security of any series, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.06 Trustee Protected. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights of the Trustee. If it does adversely affect the rights of the Trustee, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Article Seven ) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate of the Company stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by and complies with this Indenture.

ARTICLE TEN

GUARANTEES

SECTION 10.01 Applicability of Article . The provisions of this Article Ten shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03 , as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

SECTION 10.02 Unconditional Guarantee. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees, as principal obligor and not only as

 

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surety (such guarantee to be referred to herein as the “ Guarantee ”), to each Holder the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Securities by the Company whether at Maturity or otherwise, including, without limitation, interest on the overdue principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Securities, to the extent lawful, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; subject, however, to the limitations set forth in Section 10.06 and, in the case of the Guarantee of any Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article Eleven .

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Securities, this Indenture and in this Guarantee. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between each Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six , such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Subsidiary Guarantor for the purpose of this Guarantee.

SECTION 10.03 Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this Section 10.03 , no Subsidiary Guarantor (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor whose Guaranty is to be released in accordance with this Indenture) may consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person unless (i) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and (ii) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists. In connection with any consolidation or

 

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merger contemplated by this Section 10.03 , the Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture. This Section 10.03(a) is not applicable to a merger between Subsidiary Guarantors or a merger between the Company and a Subsidiary Guarantor.

(b) In the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in any case by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, then such Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or the Person acquiring the assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) will be automatically released and relieved of any obligations under its Guarantees.

SECTION 10.04 Addition of Subsidiary Guarantors.

(a) The Company shall cause each domestic Subsidiary that shall become a Subsidiary after the Issue Date of a series of Securities that are Guaranteed pursuant to this Article X and that guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in excess of a De Minimis Guaranteed Amount to execute and deliver a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall guarantee the payment of such Securities pursuant to the terms hereof within 180 days after the later of (i) the date that Subsidiary becomes a domestic Subsidiary and (ii) the date that Subsidiary guarantees such other Indebtedness; provided that no guarantee shall be required if the Subsidiary merges into the Company or merges into an existing Subsidiary Guarantor and the surviving entity remains a Subsidiary Guarantor.

(b) Any Person that was not a Subsidiary Guarantor on the date of this Indenture may become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Trustee (i) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, which subjects such Person to the provisions of this Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized and executed by such Person and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person (subject to such customary exceptions concerning creditors’ rights and equitable principles as may be acceptable to the Trustee in its discretion and provided that no opinion need be rendered concerning the enforceability of the Guarantee).

SECTION 10.05 Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Upon (i) the sale or disposition of a Subsidiary Guarantor (or all or substantially all of its assets) or (ii) the cessation by a Subsidiary Guarantor to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor other than a De Minimis Guaranteed Amount, in each case which is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, including but not limited to the provisions of Section 10.03 , such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from all of its Guarantee and related obligations in this Indenture without any further action by the Trustee, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor. Subject to Section 8.08 , upon the Company’s election, in compliance with the conditions set forth in Article Eight hereof, to exercise its rights pursuant to either Section 8.03 or 8.04 with respect to all outstanding

 

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Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be automatically released from all of its Guarantee and related obligations in this Indenture without any further action by the Trustee, the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any such release upon receipt of a request by the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released remains liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Securities as provided in this Article Ten .

SECTION 10.06 Limitation of Subsidiary Guarantor’s Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any federal, state or foreign law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to Section 10.07 , result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal, state or foreign law. This Section 10.06 is for the benefit of the creditors of each Subsidiary Guarantor, and, for purposes of applicable fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance law, any Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Credit Facilities shall be deemed to have been incurred prior to the incurrence by such Subsidiary Guarantor of its liability under the Guarantee.

SECTION 10.07 Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “ Funding Guarantor ”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by the Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.

SECTION 10.08 Severability. In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that portion of such provision that is not invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall remain in effect, and the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 11.01 Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate . The provisions of this Article Eleven shall be applicable only to the Securities, and any related Guarantee of such Securities, of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03 , as subordinated to Senior Indebtedness pursuant to this Article Eleven (the Securities of such series being referred to

 

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herein as the “ Subordinated Debt Securities ”). Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security agrees that the Indebtedness evidenced by such Subordinated Debt Security and the related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Security is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article Eleven , to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Senior Indebtedness. All provisions of this Article Eleven shall be subject to Section 11.12

SECTION 11.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy .

(a) Of the Company . Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

(i) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest (if any), accruing on or after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, whether or not allowed as a claim against the Company in such bankruptcy proceeding) before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities; and

(ii) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, any such distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities would be entitled but for this Article Eleven shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company as their interests may appear, except that such Holders may receive securities representing Capital Stock of the Company and any debt securities of the Company that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Company.

(b) Of a Subsidiary Guarantor . Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to such Subsidiary Guarantor or its property:

(i) holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest (if any), accruing on or after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, whether or not allowed as a claim against such Subsidiary Guarantor in such bankruptcy proceeding) before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities shall be entitled to receive, under such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Securities, any payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities; and

(ii) until the Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is paid in full, any such distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities would be entitled under such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee but for this Article Eleven shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor as their interests may appear, except that such Holders may receive securities representing Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor and any debt securities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor to at least the same extent as the guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 11.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness .

(a) As to the Company . The Company may not pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, Subordinated Debt Securities or make any deposit pursuant to Article Eight with respect to such Subordinated Debt Securities and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire (except, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund pursuant to Section 3.08 , by the delivery of Subordinated Debt Securities by the Company to the Trustee pursuant to Sections 3.08 and 3.09 ) any Subordinated Debt Securities (collectively, “ pay the Subordinated Debt Securities ”) if (i) any principal, premium or interest in respect of Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due, including any applicable grace period (including at Maturity) or (ii) any other default on Senior Indebtedness of the Company occurs and the Maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; provided , however , that the Company may pay the Subordinated Debt Securities without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to which the Maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Subordinated Debt Securities for a period (a “ Payment Blockage Period ”) commencing upon the receipt by the Company and the Trustee of written notice of such default from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “ Blockage Notice ”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, by repayment in full in cash of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section 11.03(a) ), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the Maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period; provided , however , that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this Section 11.03(a) , no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

 

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(b) As to a Subsidiary Guarantor . No Subsidiary Guarantor may make a payment or distribution in respect of its Guarantee of any Subordinated Debt Securities (“ make a guarantee payment on Subordinated Debt Securities ”) if (i) any principal, premium or interest in respect of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not paid when due, including any applicable grace period (including at Maturity) or (ii) any other default on Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor occurs and the Maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; provided , however , that such Subsidiary Guarantor may make a guarantee payment on the Subordinated Debt Securities without regard to the foregoing if such Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to which the Maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, such Subsidiary Guarantor may not make a guarantee payment on Subordinated Debt Securities for a period (a “ Payment Blockage Period ”) commencing upon the receipt by such Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee of written notice of such default from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “ Blockage Notice ”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated by written notice to the Trustee and such Subsidiary Guarantor from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, by repayment in full in cash of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this paragraph of this Section 11.03(b) ), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the Maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, such Subsidiary Guarantor may resume payments under its guarantee of any Subordinated Debt Securities after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period; provided , however , that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this Section 11.03(b) , no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

 

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SECTION 11.04 Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities . If payment of the Subordinated Debt Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of the acceleration.

SECTION 11.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over . If a distribution is made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities that because of this Article Eleven should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive such distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

SECTION 11.06 Subrogation . After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders thereof shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article Eleven to holders of Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities is not, as between the Company or the distributing Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, and such Holders, a payment by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, on Senior Indebtedness.

SECTION 11.07 Relative Rights . This Article Eleven defines the relative rights of Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and holders of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(a) impair, as between the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, and Holders of either Subordinated Debt Securities or Securities, the obligation of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Securities in accordance with their terms; or

(b) prevent the Trustee or any Holder of either Subordinated Debt Securities or Securities from exercising its respective available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.

SECTION 11.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company . No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by any Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

SECTION 11.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent . Notwithstanding Section 11.03 , the Trustee or any paying agent may continue to make payments on Subordinated Debt Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Trust Officer receives notice satisfactory to the Trustee that payments may not be made under this Article Eleven . The Company, the Registrar, any paying agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice; provided , however , that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice on behalf of the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness of that issue.

 

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The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and any paying agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Eleven with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article Seven shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article Eleven shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07 .

SECTION 11.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative . Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

SECTION 11.11 Article Eleven Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate . The failure to make a payment pursuant to any Subordinated Debt Securities, whether directly or pursuant to a Guarantee, by reason of any provision in this Article Eleven shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article Eleven shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the Maturity of either the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Securities, as the case may be.

SECTION 11.12 Trust Moneys Not Subordinated . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Eight by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article Eleven , and none of the Holders thereof shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

SECTION 11.13 Trustee Entitled to Rely . Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Eleven , the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 11.02 are pending, upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders or upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Eleven . In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Eleven , the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of

 

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such Person under this Article Eleven , and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Eleven .

SECTION 11.14 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . Each Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security, by its acceptance thereof, authorizes and directs the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article Eleven and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION 11.15 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions . Each Holder of a Subordinated Debt Security, by its acceptance thereof, acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Securities or conversion of such Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:

(a) either

(1) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.10 , and (ii) such Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been, as provided in Section 2.07 , deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 8.07 ) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(A) have become due and payable,

 

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(B) will become due and payable at their Maturity within one year, or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for this purpose an amount of money in the currency or currency units in which such Securities are payable sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, and any premium and interest thereon, to the Maturity Date or applicable redemption date, as the case may be in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Securities;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and

(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, (i) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 7.08 shall survive, (ii) the obligations of the Company in Sections 2.06 , 2.07 , 2.08 , 2.09 , 2.10 and 2.11 and in Article 8 and this Article 12 shall survive until such Securities have been repaid in full, and (iii) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (2) of subsection (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and/or the Trustee under Sections 2.08 , 4.04 , 7.01(f) , 8.07 and 12.02 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

SECTION 12.02 Application of Trust Money . Subject to the provisions of Section 8.07 , all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls. Whether prior to or following the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c) upon an indenture qualified under the TIA, the imposed duties shall control under this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 13.02 Notices. Any notice or communication to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee or any Agent shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), facsimile, telecopier or overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:

If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

Attention: Assistant Treasurer

Fax: (405) 849-6119

If to the Trustee or any Agent:

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

2 N. LaSalle Street

Suite 1020

Chicago, IL 60602

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

Fax: (312) 827-8542

The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee or any Agent by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, pdf, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Trustee shall have received an incumbency certificate listing persons designated to give such instructions or directions and containing specimen signatures of such designated persons, which such incumbency certificate shall be amended and replaced whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its reasonable discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reasonable reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of incidents of actual use by the Company of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception by third parties.

 

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All notices and communications described above shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if faxed or telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail to the address for such Holder appearing on the Register and shall be sufficiently given to such Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. If the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor mails notice or communications to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice also shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee), pursuant to the customary procedures of such Depositary, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice.

SECTION 13.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and any Agent shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

SECTION 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 ) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, the conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such conditions precedent have been complied with.

SECTION 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(1) a statement that each person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

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(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

SECTION 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for actions taken by, or meetings or consents of, Holders. The Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent may make reasonable rules for its functions.

SECTION 13.07 Legal Holidays. A “ Legal Holiday ” is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banks and trust companies in The City of New York are not required by law or executive order to be open. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at such place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, without additional interest.

SECTION 13.08 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES.

SECTION 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

SECTION 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. Obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Securities hereunder are payable only out of the respective cash flow and assets of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Trustee, and each Holder of a Security by its acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have agreed in this Indenture that no director, officer, employee, or shareholder, as such, of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing entities shall have any personal liability in respect of the obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, the Guarantees or such Securities by reason of his, her or its status. The agreements set forth in this Section are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

 

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SECTION 13.11 Successors. All agreements of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

SECTION 13.12 Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same instrument.

SECTION 13.13 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 13.14 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 13.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby
Name:   Jennifer M. Grigsby
Title:  

Senior Vice President, Treasurer

and Corporate Secretary


      SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
 

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE AEZ EXPLORATION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE-CLEMENTS ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.

CHESAPEAKE PLAZA, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

CHK HOLDINGS, L.L.C.

COMPASS MANUFACTURING, L.L.C.

DIAMOND Y ENTERPRISE, INCORPORATED

GENE D. YOST & SON, INC.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

GREAT PLAINS OILFIELD RENTAL, L.L.C.

HAWG HAULING & DISPOSAL, LLC

HODGES TRUSCING COMPANY, L.L.C.

MC LOUISIANA MINERALS, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.L.C.

NOMAC DRILLING, L.L.C.

VENTURA REFINING AND TRANSMISSION. LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby

Name:   Jennifer M. Grigsby
Title:   Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Corporate Secretary


CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

 

By: Chesapeake Operating, Inc., as general partner
By:   /s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby

Name:

  Jennifer M. Grigsby

Title:

 

Senior Vice President, Treasurer

and Corporate Secretary

 

EMPRESS LOUISIANA PROPERTIES, L.P.

 

By:   EMLP, L.L.C., as general partner
By:   /s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby

Name:

  Jennifer M. Grigsby

Title:

 

Senior Vice President, Treasurer

and Corporate Secretary


TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST

COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE

By:   /s/ Linda Garcia
Name:     Linda Garcia
Title:     Authorized Signatory

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

as Issuer,

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

as Subsidiary Guarantors,

and

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

As Trustee

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated              ,         

To

Indenture dated as of August 2, 2010

 

 

$                                         

% Senior Notes due

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page

ARTICLE 1

  THE SECURITIES    1

Section 1.1

 

The Securities

   1

Section 1.2

 

Authentication

   2

Section 1.3

 

Registrar and Paying Agent

   2

Section 1.4

 

Transfer and Exchange

   2

Section 1.5

 

Guarantee of the Notes

   2

Section 1.6

 

Defeasance and Discharge

   2

Section 1.7

 

Redemption

   3

ARTICLE 2

  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS    4

Section 2.1

 

Counterpart Originals

   4

Section 2.2

 

Governing Law

   4

 

-i-


THIS              SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of              ,          (this “ Supplemental Indenture ”), is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “ Company ”), the Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”). Each capitalized term used but not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Base Indenture (as defined below).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee are parties to an Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2010 (the “ Base Indenture ” and as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance by the Company from time to time of its debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness, issued and to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (the “ Securities ”), and the guarantee by each Subsidiary Guarantor of the Securities (the “ Guarantee ”);

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized and desires to cause to be issued pursuant to the Indenture a new series of Securities designated the     % Senior Notes due (the “ Notes ”), all of such Notes to be guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors as provided in Article Ten of the Base Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to cause the issuance of the Notes pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 of the Base Indenture, which sections permit the execution of indentures supplemental thereto to establish the form and terms of Securities of any series;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have requested that the Trustee join in the execution of this Supplemental Indenture to establish the form and terms of the Notes;

WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done to make the Notes, when executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder and under the Base Indenture and duly issued by the Company, and the Guarantee of the Subsidiary Guarantors, when the Notes are duly issued by the Company, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, and to make this Supplemental Indenture a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors enforceable in accordance with its terms.

NOW THEREFORE, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee hereby agree that the following provisions shall supplement the Base Indenture:

ARTICLE 1

THE NOTES

Section 1.1 Form . The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this Supplemental Indenture (the “ Form of Note ”). The terms and provisions contained in the Form of Note shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Supplemental Indenture and to the extent applicable, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.


Section 1.2 Title, Issuance . The Notes shall be entitled the “    % Senior Notes due”. The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Securities in definitive, fully registered form and shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes with the Trustee, at its principal corporate trust office, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, which is hereby appointed Depositary for the Global Securities (the “ Depositary ”). The Notes shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee as hereinafter provided.

Except as provided in Section 2.13 of the Indenture, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Notes. The Notes shall be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with Section 2.13 of the Base Indenture and the rules and procedures of the Depositary therefor.

Section 1.3 Amount, Authentication .

The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) on the Issue Date, $         in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and (ii) from time to time after the Issue Date, additional Notes (“ Additional Notes ”) in such principal amounts as may be specified in a Company Order described in this Section 1.3 , in each case upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of the other provisions of Section 2.05 of the Base Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be outstanding at any time may not exceed $         plus such additional principal amounts as may be issued and authenticated pursuant to clause (ii) of this paragraph (except as provided in Section 2.10 of the Base Indenture).

Section 1.4 Registrar and Paying Agent . The Company confirms the appointment of the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent with respect to the Notes pursuant to Section 2.06 of the Base Indenture.

Section 1.5 Guarantee of the Notes .

In accordance with Article Ten of the Base Indenture, the Notes will be fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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Section 1.6 Defeasance and Discharge .

The Notes shall be subject to satisfaction and discharge and to both legal defeasance and covenant defeasance as contemplated by Articles Eight and Twelve of the Base Indenture.

Section 1.7 [ Redemption .

(a) The Company shall have no obligation to redeem, purchase or repay the Notes pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof.

(b) At any time prior to [the Maturity Date][                    ], the Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes at any time and from time to time in whole or in part for an amount equal to the Make-Whole Price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption in accordance with the Form of Note. [At any time on or after                      ], the Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes in whole or from time to time in part at the redemption prices set forth in the Form of Note plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption in accordance with the Form of Note.]] *

ARTICLE 2

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 2.1 Counterpart Originals .

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same instrument.

Section 2.2 Governing Law .

THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES.

 

 

* Insert if applicable to such series.

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

COMPANY

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 


TRUSTEE

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 


Exhibit A

FORM OF NOTE

[FACE OF NOTE]

[Insert any legend required by United States Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.]

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

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.] 1

 

 

1

To be included in a Global Security

 

A-1


Certificate No.   CUSIP NO.
$               ISIN NO.

            % Senior Notes due             ,

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation, promises to pay to                     , or registered assigns, the principal sum of          Dollars on                     .

 

Interest Payment Dates:    and    (commencing              2 )

Record Dates:

   and   

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

Dated:                     

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  
By  

 

Name:  
Title:  

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Securities of the Series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

As Trustee

Date:                        By:                                                                                      
  Authorized Signatory

 

 

2

Or such later date as is appropriate in the case of Additional Notes.

 

A-2


[REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]

            % Senior Note due             ,

 

1. Interest

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company will pay interest semiannually on             and             of each year, commencing             3 . Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from             4 . Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

2. Method of Payment

The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Notes at the close of business on the            or            next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided , however , that payments on a certificated Note will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3. Indenture

The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of August 2, 2010 among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, as supplemented by that Supplemental Indenture dated as of                      among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee (as so supplemented, the “Indenture”). The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

 

 

3

Or such other date as is appropriate in the case of Additional Notes.

4

Or such later date as is appropriate in the case of Additional Notes.

 

A-3


The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Notes issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

 

4. [Make-Whole Price Redemption

At any time prior to the [Maturity Date] [                    ], the Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, for an amount equal to the Make-Whole Price plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes so redeemed to the date of redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 4 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02 through 3.07 of the Indenture.

“Make-Whole Price” means the sum of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus the Make-Whole Amount of such Notes.

“Make-Whole Amount” with respect to a Note means an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the present value of the remaining principal, premium, if any, and interest payments due on such Note (excluding any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) as if such Note were redeemed on the Maturity Date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (ii) the outstanding principal amount of such Note.

“Treasury Rate” means the yield to maturity (calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis) at the time of the computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled by and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519), which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date of the redemption notice or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the then remaining maturity of the Notes assuming redemption of the Notes on the Maturity Date; provided , however , that if the Make-Whole Average Life of such Note is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the Make-Whole Average Life of such Notes is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

“Make-Whole Average Life” means the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) between the date of redemption and the Maturity Date.] 5

 

[4A. Optional Redemption

At any time on or after                     , the Company, at its option, may redeem the Notes at any time and from time to time, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed), plus accrued and unpaid

 

 

5

Insert if applicable to such series.

 

A-4


interest on the Notes so redeemed to the date of redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on                  of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption
price
 
           
           
           

                 and thereafter

           

Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 4A shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02 through 3.07 of the Indenture.] 6

 

5. [Notice of Redemption

Notice of redemption will be mailed to the Holder’s registered address at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed. If less than all Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select pro rata, by lot or, if the Notes are listed on any securities exchange, by any other method that complies with the requirements of such exchange, the Notes to be redeemed in multiples of $1,000; provided , however , that no Notes with a principal amount of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price or accrued interest).] 7

 

6. [Net Proceeds Offer

In the event of certain Sale/Leaseback Transactions, the Company may be required to make a Net Proceeds Offer to purchase all or any portion of each Holder’s Notes, at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Net Proceeds Payment Date.] 8

 

7. [Restrictive Covenants

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on, among other things, the ability of the Company to merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell and lease back certain of its properties or assets and the ability of the Company or the Subsidiaries to incur encumbrances against certain property, all subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture.] 9

 

8. Ranking and Guarantees

The Notes are general senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company’s obligation to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes is unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article Ten of the Indenture. Certain limitations to the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors are set forth in further detail in the Indenture.

 

 

6

Insert if applicable to such series.

7

Insert if applicable to such series.

8

Insert if applicable to such series.

9

Insert if applicable to such series.

 

A-5


9. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date.

 

10. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered Holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

11. Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.

 

12. Discharge and Defeasance

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Securities for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

13. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, and any past default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect.

 

14. Successor Obligor

When a successor obligor assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor obligor will be released from those obligations.

 

A-6


15. Defaults and Remedies

An Event of Default generally is: default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 30 days in payment of interest on the Notes; default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes; default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the deposit of any optional redemption or repurchase payment when due and payable; defaults resulting in acceleration prior to maturity of certain other Indebtedness or resulting from payment defaults under certain other Indebtedness; failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 60 days after notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture; a failure of any Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor to be in full force and effect or denial by any Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations with respect thereto; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, except that in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Notes. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

 

16. Trustee Dealings with Company and Subsidiary Guarantors

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

17. No Recourse Against Others

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Note.

 

18. Authentication

This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or an authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.

 

19. Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

A-7


20. CUSIP Numbers

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company will cause CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes as a convenience to Holders of the Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Notes and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

 

21. Governing Law

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE NOTES.

 

A-8


The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Attention: Assistant Treasurer

 

A-9


NOTATION OF GUARANTEE

The Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Persons under the Indenture), have fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Notes by the Company.

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to its Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Ten of the Base Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.

 

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

A-10


 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. No.)

and irrevocably appoint                     agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 

 

Dated:  

                      

   Your Signature:   

 

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Signature must be guaranteed

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

 

A-11


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  Amount of decrease in
Principal amount of
this Global Security
  Amount of increase in
Principal amount of
this Global Security
  Principal amount of
this Global Security
following such
decrease or increase
  Signature of
authorized officer of
Trustee

 

A-12


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Indenture, check the box:

¨

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount:

$         

 

Dated:  

                      

   Your Signature:   

 

        (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.)

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

(Signature must be guaranteed)

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

 

A-13

Exhibit 5.1

BRACEWELL & GIULIANI LLP

711 Louisiana Street, Suite 2300

Houston, Texas 77002

August 3, 2010

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offer and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act, of (i) an indeterminate principal amount of Debt Securities of the Company (“Debt Securities”), in one or more series, and (ii) the guarantees (the “Guarantees”) of the Company’s obligations under the Debt Securities by one or more subsidiaries of the Company identified in the Registration Statement (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Debt Securities and the Guarantees are referred to herein collectively as the “Securities”).

We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the form of indenture (the “Indenture”) filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and (iii) such other certificates, statutes and other instruments and documents as we considered appropriate for purposes of the opinion hereafter expressed. As to any facts material to the opinion contained herein, we have made no independent investigation of such facts and have relied, to the extent that we deem such reliance proper, upon certificates of public officials and officers or other representatives of the Company.

In connection with rendering the opinion set forth below, we have assumed that (i) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct; (ii) all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine; (iii) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of those documents; (iv) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective and comply with all applicable laws; (v) the Indenture will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (vi) the Indenture, and any supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of Debt Securities, will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto in substantially the form reviewed by us; and (vii) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Debt Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations, and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Company, and as applicable, any Subsidiary Guarantors, have taken all necessary action to establish the form and terms of such Securities and to authorize and approve the issuance of such Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (ii) the Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture upon payment of the consideration therefor as provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, such Securities will be legally issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to (a) bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and (b) the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) including, without limitation, (1) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (2) concepts of good faith, reasonableness, fair dealing and materiality.

We express no opinions concerning (a) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in the Indenture that purport to waive or not give effect to rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law; or (b) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws. The foregoing opinion is limited to the contract laws of the State of New York and the applicable federal laws of the United States of America and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign. The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof, and we undertake no, and hereby disclaim any, obligation to advise you of any change in any matter set forth herein.


We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

/s/ Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S–3 of our report dated March 1, 2010 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

August 3, 2010

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.

As independent oil and gas consultants, Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Chesapeake Energy Corporation to be filed on or about August 3, 2010, of all references to our firm and information from our reserves report dated February 19, 2010, entitled “Estimate of Reserves and Future Revenue to the Chesapeake Energy Corporation Interest in Certain Oil and Gas Properties located in the United States as of December 31, 2009”, included in or made a part of Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:  

/s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III

  C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dallas, Texas

August 3, 2010

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF DATA & CONSULTING SERVICES,

DIVISION OF SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

As independent oil and gas consultants, Data & Consulting Services, Division of Schlumberger Technology Corporation, hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Chesapeake Energy Corporation to be filed on or about August 3, 2010, of all references to our firm and information from our reserves report dated February 10, 2010, entitled “Reserve and Economic Evaluation of Proved Reserves of Certain Chesapeake Energy Corporation Eastern Division Oil and Gas Interests as of 31 December 2009”, included in or made a part of Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010, as amended by the amendment thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on August 3, 2010. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

DATA & CONSULTING SERVICES, DIVISION OF

SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

By:  

/s/ CHARLES M. BOYER II, P.G.

  Charles M. Boyer II, P.G.
  Advisor Unconventional Reservoirs

August 3, 2010

Exhibit 23.4

CONSENT OF LEE KEELING AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

As independent oil and gas consultants, Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc. hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Chesapeake Energy Corporation to be filed on or about August 3, 2010, of all references to our firm and information from our reserves report dated February 5, 2010, entitled “Estimated Reserves and Future Net Revenue Oil and Gas Properties Interests Owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation Selected Properties Constant Prices and Expenses”, included in or made a part of Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

By:  

/s/ LEE KEELING AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

  Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc.

Tulsa, Oklahoma

August 3, 2010

Exhibit 23.5

CONSENT OF RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

As independent oil and gas consultants, Ryder Scott Company, L.P. hereby consents to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 3, 2010, of all references to our firm and information from our reserves report dated February 24, 2010, entitled “Chesapeake Energy Corporation Estimated Future Reserves and Income Attributable to Certain Leasehold and Royalty Interests SEC Case of December 31, 2009”, included in or made a part of Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010, as amended by the amendment thereto on Form 10-K/A filed on August 3, 2010. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

 

By:  

/s/ RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P.

  Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

Houston, Texas

August 3, 2010

 

 

FORM T-1

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

  95-3571558
(State of incorporation
if not a U.S. national bank)
  (I.R.S. employer
identification no.)

700 South Flower Street Suite 500

Los Angeles, California

  90017
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1395733
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. employer
identification no.)


 

Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1524569
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1439175
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Operating, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1343196
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Diamond Y Enterprise, Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Pennsylvania   26-0004174
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Gene D. Yost & Son, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-5550602
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

-2-


 

Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1604860
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake AEZ Exploration, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   27-2151081
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-3774650
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake-Clements Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-8716794
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Exploration, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   71-0934234
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

-3-


Chesapeake Land Development Company, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-2099392
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Plaza, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-2692888

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1549744
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

CHK Holdings, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   41-2050649
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Compass Manufacturing, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-1455378
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

-4-


Gothic Production, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1539475
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Great Plains Oilfield Rental, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-5654318
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Hawg Hauling & Disposal, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   06-1706211
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Hodges Trucking Company, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1293811
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

MC Louisiana Minerals, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-3057487
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

-5-


MC Mineral Company, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   61-1448831
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

MidCon Compression, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-0299525
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Nomac Drilling, L.L.C.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   26-3069548
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Ventura Refining and Transmission, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   20-4181817
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1519126
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

-6-


Empress Louisiana Properties, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Texas   20-1993109
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  73118
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Debt Securities

and Guarantees of Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 

 

-7-


1. General information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Name

  

Address

Comptroller of the Currency

United States Department of the Treasury

   Washington, D.C. 20219
Federal Reserve Bank    San Francisco, California 94105
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation    Washington, D.C. 20429

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

 

  1. A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., formerly known as The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948 and Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

  2. A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

-8-


  4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-162713).

 

  6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-152875).

 

  7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

-9-


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 6th day of July, 2010.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
By:   /S/ BENITA A. VAUGHN
Name:   BENITA A. VAUGHN
Title:   VICE PRESIDENT

 

-10-


EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 700 South Flower Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90017

At the close of business March 31, 2010, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

       Dollar Amounts
in Thousands

ASSETS

  

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

  

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

     1,504

Interest-bearing balances

     288

Securities:

  

Held-to-maturity securities

     12

Available-for-sale securities

     581,259

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

  

Federal funds sold

     113,000

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     0

Loans and lease financing receivables:

  

Loans and leases held for sale

     0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     0

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     0

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

     0

Trading assets

     0

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

     10,486

Other real estate owned

     0

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

     2

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

     0

Intangible assets:

  

Goodwill

     856,313

Other intangible assets

     237,642

Other assets

     166,465
      

Total assets

   $ 1,966,971
      

 

1


LIABILITIES

  

Deposits:

  

In domestic offices

   533

Noninterest-bearing

   533

Interest-bearing

   0

Not applicable

  

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

  

Federal funds purchased

   0

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

   0

Trading liabilities

   0

Other borrowed money:

  

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

   268,691

Not applicable

  

Not applicable

  

Subordinated notes and debentures

   0

Other liabilities

   210,010

Total liabilities

   479,234

Not applicable

  

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

   0

Common stock

   1,000

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

   1,121,520

Not applicable

  

Retained earnings

   364,077

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   1,140

Other equity capital components

   0

Not available

  

Total bank equity capital

   1,487,737

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

   0

Total equity capital

   1,487,737
    

Total liabilities and equity capital

   1,966,971
    

I, Karen Bayz, Managing Director of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Karen Bayz         )        Managing Director

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

Troy Kilpatrick, President    )     
Frank P. Sulzberger, MD    )   Directors (Trustees)   
William D. Lindelof, MD    )     

 

2