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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 11, 2012

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream Finance Corporation

(and each of the subsidiary guarantor co-registrants identified in the table below)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

Delaware

 

27-0855785

30-0748810

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

1614 15th Street

Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

(720) 457-6060

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Daniel C. Campbell

1614 15th Street

Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

(720) 457-6060

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

G. Michael O’Leary

Timothy C. Langenkamp

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 220-4200

 

 

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

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.     ¨

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.     ¨

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  Amount
to be
Registered(1)
 

Proposed

Maximum
Offering Price
per Unit(2)

 

Proposed

Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(2)

    Amount of
Registration Fee
 

Primary Offering(3)

                       

Common Units

                       

Debt Securities(1)

                       

Guarantees of Debt Securities(2)

                       

Total Primary

          $ 400,000,000 (3)(4)(5)    $ 45,840(6)   

Secondary Offering of Common Units

  725,120   $19.01(7)   $ 13,784,531.20      $ 1,580(8)   

Total (Primary and Secondary)

          $ 413,784,531.20      $ 47,420        

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Debt securities, if any, may be issued jointly by American Midstream Partners, LP and American Midstream Finance Corporation. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of those debt securities shall be in an amount that will result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000, less the dollar amount of any registered securities previously issued.
(2) One or more subsidiaries of American Midstream Partners, LP may guarantee the debt securities of American Midstream Partners and American Midstream Finance Corporation. No separate consideration will be received for any guarantee of debt securities. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, no separate filing fee is required.
(3) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o). In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all securities offered from time to time pursuant to the prospectus included as a part of this Registration Statement exceed $400,000,000. To the extent applicable, the aggregate amount of common units registered is further limited to that which is permissible under Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(4) There are being registered hereunder a presently indeterminate number of common units and an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities.
(5) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price for each class of securities to be registered is not specified pursuant to General Instruction, II.D. of Form S-3.
(6) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(o).
(7) The proposed maximum offering price per common unit will be determined from time to time in connection with, and at the time of, the sale by the holder of such securities.
(8) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee and is based on the average of the high and low prices of the common units on September 6, 2012, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange of $19.01.

CO-REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Co-Registrant as Specified in its Charter(1)

  

State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or

Organization

  

I.R.S. Employer Identification

Number

American Midstream, LLC

   Delaware    27-0855925

American Midstream Chatom, LLC

   Delaware    80-0828650

American Midstream Chatom Unit 1, LLC

   Delaware    45-5558282

American Midstream Chatom Unit 2, LLC

   Delaware    90-0862302

American Midstream Marketing, LLC

   Delaware    27-0856071

American Midstream (Burns Point), LLC

   Delaware    38-3858165

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

   Alabama    72-1347862

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

   Alabama    63-1010510

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

   Alabama    63-0272062

American Midstream (Bamagas Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware    76-0646547

American Midstream (Louisiana Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware    71-0890796

American Midstream (Midla), LLC

   Delaware    72-0460300

American Midstream (Mississippi), LLC

   Delaware    71-0890799

American Midstream (SIGCO Intrastate)

   Delaware    72-1533364

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

   Alabama    63-0935012

American Midstream Offshore (Seacrest), LP

   Texas    52-2384543

American Midstream Onshore Pipelines, LLC

   Delaware    76-0410558

Mid Louisiana Gas Transmission

   Delaware    84-1074614

 

(1) The address for each co-registrant is 1614 15th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202.

 

 

The registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement consists of two separate forms of prospectuses to be used—one in connection with the offering of:

 

   

common units of American Midstream Partners, LP and debt securities of American Midstream Partners, LP with American Midstream Finance Corporation as a possible co-issuer;

 

   

guarantees of debt securities issued by American Midstream Partners, LP;

and a second for a secondary offering of common units of American Midstream Partners, LP by a selling unitholder.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED September 11, 2012

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

$400,000,000

American Midstream Partners, LP

Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

Debt Securities

American Midstream Finance Corporation

Debt Securities

 

 

We may offer and sale, from time to time, in one or more series:

 

   

common units representing limited partner interests in American Midstream Partners, LP; and

 

   

debt securities, which may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities.

American Midstream Finance Corporation may act as co-issuer of the debt securities and other direct or indirect subsidiaries of American Midstream Partners, LP may guarantee the debt securities.

The securities we may offer:

 

   

will have a maximum aggregate offering price of $400,000,000;

 

   

will be offered at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more accompanying prospectus supplements; and

 

   

may be offered separately or together, or in separate series.

Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “AMID.” We will provide information in the prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any debt securities we may offer.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents in amounts, at prices and at terms to be determined by market conditions and other factors at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about those securities and the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may be used to offer and sell securities only if accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. You should also read the documents we refer to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 1.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2012


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     1   

About American Midstream Partners, LP

     1   

Risk Factors

     1   

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     1   

Use of Proceeds

     2   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     3   

Our Cash Distribution Policy

     3   

Description of the Common Units

     15   

Description of Debt Securities

     16   

Description of Guarantees of Debt Securities

     26   

The Partnership Agreement

     26   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     37   

Investment in the Partnership by Employee Benefit Plans

     51   

Plan of Distribution

     52   

Legal Matters

     53   

Experts

     54   

Where You Can Find More Information

     54   

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell, in one or more offerings, up to $400,000,000 in total aggregate offering price of securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of us and the securities offered under this prospectus.

Each time we sell securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement also may add to, update, or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

References in this prospectus to “American Midstream Partners,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “AMID” or like terms refer to American Midstream Partners, LP and its subsidiaries.

ABOUT AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

We are a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership that was formed by American Infrastructure MLP Fund, L.P. (“AIM”) in August 2009 to own, operate, develop and acquire a diversified portfolio of natural gas midstream energy assets. We are engaged in the business of gathering, treating, processing and transporting natural gas through our ownership and operation of gathering systems, processing facilities, interstate pipelines and intrastate pipelines. Our primary assets, which, as of December 31, 2012, are strategically located in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, provide critical infrastructure that links producers and suppliers of natural gas to diverse natural gas markets, including various interstate and intrastate pipelines, as well as utility, industrial and other commercial customers.

American Midstream Finance Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of our debt securities. Its activities will be limited to co-issuing our debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1614 15th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202, and our telephone number is (720) 457-6060. Our website is located at http://www.americanmindstream.com . We make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Limited partner interests are inherently different from capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business. You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference herein and therein in evaluating an investment in our securities. The described risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation. If any of the described risks actually were to occur, we may not be able to pay quarterly distributions to our unitholders or make principal or interest payments on any debt securities, the trading price of our common units or any debt securities could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment in our company. If applicable, we will include in any prospectus supplement a description of these significant factors that could make the offering described in this prospectus speculative or risky.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our reports, filings and other public announcements, including without limitation this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, may from time to time contain statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities

 

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Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “could,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast” and other similar words.

All statements that are not statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements reflect our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth under “Risk Factors” and described in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement as well as the following risks and uncertainties:

 

   

our ability to access the debt and equity markets, which will depend on general market conditions and the credit ratings for our debt obligations;

 

   

the amount of collateral required to be posted from time to time in our transactions;

 

   

our success in risk management activities, including the use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity and interest rate risks;

 

   

the level of creditworthiness of counterparties to transactions;

 

   

changes in laws and regulations, particularly with regard to taxes, safety and protection of the environment;

 

   

the timing and extent of changes in natural gas, natural gas liquids and other commodity prices, interest rates and demand for our services;

 

   

weather and other natural phenomena;

 

   

industry changes, including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition;

 

   

our ability to obtain necessary licenses, permits and other approvals;

 

   

the level and success of crude oil and natural gas drilling around our assets and our success in connecting natural gas supplies to our gathering and processing systems;

 

   

our ability to grow through acquisitions or internal growth projects and the successful integration and future performance of such assets; and

 

   

general economic, market and business conditions.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time they are made, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and, therefore, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will prove to be accurate. Some of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are more fully described in “Risk Factors” and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or advise of any change in any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we specify otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership purposes, which may include, among other things:

 

   

paying or refinancing all or a portion of our indebtedness outstanding at the time; and

 

   

funding working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions.

 

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The actual application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for us and our predecessors for each of the periods indicated. All dollar amounts are reported in thousands.

 

     Six
months
ended
June 30,

2012
     Year ended December 31,  
        2011     2010     2009     2008      2007  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

     3.5         —   (2)      —   (2)      —   (2)      1.5         —   (2) 

 

(1) For purposes of determining the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as net income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expenses and amortization of capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.
(2) Deficiencies for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2007 were $11.7 million, $8.6 million, $8.8 million and $9.0 million, respectively.

OUR CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY

Distributions of Available Cash

General

Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

Definition of Available Cash

Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:

 

   

less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner at the date of determination of available cash for that quarter to:

 

   

provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for our future capital expenditures, anticipated future credit needs and refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing related to FERC rate proceedings or rate proceedings under applicable law subsequent to that quarter);

 

   

comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or

 

   

provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters (provided that our general partner may not establish cash reserves for common and subordinated units unless it determines that the establishment of reserves will not prevent us from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages on such common units for the current quarter and the next four quarters);

 

   

plus, if our general partner so determines, all or any portion of the cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter.

The purpose and effect of the last bullet point above is to allow our general partner, if it so decides, to use cash from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter to pay distributions to unitholders. Under our partnership agreement, working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement, and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to

 

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partners, and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months with funds other than from additional working capital borrowings. The proceeds of working capital borrowings increase operating surplus and repayments of working capital borrowings are generally operating expenditures (as described below) and thus reduce operating surplus when repayments are made. However, if working capital borrowings, which increase operating surplus, are not repaid during the 12-month period following the borrowing, they will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowings are in fact repaid, they will not be treated as a further reduction in operating surplus because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.

Intent to Distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution

We intend to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our common units and subordinated units of $0.4125 per unit (our minimum quarterly distribution), or $1.65 on an annualized basis, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including reimbursements of expenses to our general partner. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.

Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus

General

All cash distributed to unitholders is characterized as either being paid from “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus.

Operating Surplus

We define operating surplus as:

 

   

$11.5 million (as described below); plus

 

   

all of our cash receipts since the closing of our initial public offering, excluding cash from interim capital transactions (as defined below); plus

 

   

working capital borrowings made after the end of a quarter but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for that quarter; plus

 

   

cash distributions paid on equity issued to finance all or a portion of the construction, acquisition, development or improvement of a capital improvement or replacement of a capital asset (such as equipment or facilities) in respect of the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding obligation to commence the construction, acquisition, development or improvement of a capital improvement or replacement of a capital asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date the capital improvement or capital asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; plus

 

   

cash distributions paid on equity issued to pay the construction-period interest on debt incurred, or to pay construction-period distributions on equity issued, to finance the capital improvements or capital assets referred to above; less

 

   

all of our operating expenditures (as defined below) since the closing of our initial public offering; less

 

   

the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less

 

   

all working capital borrowings not repaid within 12 months after having been incurred, or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings; less

 

   

any cash loss realized on disposition of an investment capital expenditure.

As described above, operating surplus does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders and is not limited to cash generated by operations. For example, it includes a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $11.5 million of cash we receive from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus.

 

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We define interim capital transactions as (i) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than working capital borrowings and items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) and sales of debt securities, (ii) sales of equity securities, (iii) sales or other dispositions of assets, other than sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal asset retirements or replacements, (iv) the termination of commodity hedge contracts or interest rate hedge contracts prior to the termination date specified therein (provided that cash receipts from any such termination will be included in operating surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of the contract), (v) capital contributions received and (vi) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.

We define operating expenditures as all of our cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of expenses of our general partner and its affiliates, interest payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate hedge contracts and commodity hedge contracts (provided that payments made in connection with the termination of any interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date will be included in operating expenditures in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract), estimated maintenance capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below), director and officer compensation, repayment of working capital borrowings and non-pro rata repurchases of our units; provided, however , that operating expenditures will not include:

 

   

repayments of working capital borrowings where such borrowings have previously been deemed to have been repaid (as described above);

 

   

payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than working capital borrowings;

 

   

expansion capital expenditures;

 

   

actual maintenance capital expenditures;

 

   

investment capital expenditures;

 

   

payment of transaction expenses (including, but not limited to, taxes) relating to interim capital transactions;

 

   

distributions to our partners;

 

   

non-pro rata purchases of any class of our units made with the proceeds of an interim capital transaction; or

 

   

any other payments made in connection with our initial public offering that are described in “Use of Proceeds.”

Capital Surplus

Capital surplus is defined in our partnership agreement as any distribution of available cash in excess of our cumulative operating surplus. Accordingly, except as described above, capital surplus would generally be generated by:

 

   

borrowings other than working capital borrowings;

 

   

sales of our equity and debt securities; and

 

   

sales or other dispositions of assets, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of ordinary course retirement or replacement of assets.

Characterization of Cash Distributions

Our partnership agreement requires that we treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since the closing of our initial public offering equals the operating surplus from the closing of our initial public offering through the end of the quarter immediately preceding that distribution. Our partnership agreement requires that we treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.

 

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Capital Expenditures

Maintenance capital expenditures are cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to, or the replacement of, our capital assets, for the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new, capital assets or for any integrity management program) made to maintain our long-term operating income or operating capacity. We expect that a primary component of maintenance capital expenditures will include expenditures for routine equipment and pipeline maintenance or replacement due to obsolescence. Maintenance capital expenditures will also include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including incremental distributions on incentive distribution rights) to finance all or any portion of the construction or development of a replacement asset that is paid in respect of the period that begins when we enter into a binding obligation to commence constructing or developing a replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that any such replacement asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of.

Because our maintenance capital expenditures can be irregular, the amount of our actual maintenance capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus and cash available for distribution to our unitholders if we subtracted actual maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus.

Our partnership agreement requires that an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance capital expenditures be subtracted from operating surplus each quarter as opposed to the actual amounts spent. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus for those periods will be determined by the board of directors of our general partner at least once a year, subject to approval by the Conflicts Committee. The estimate will be made annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our maintenance capital expenditures on a long-term basis. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate will be prospective only.

The use of estimated maintenance capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus will have the following effects:

it will reduce the risk that maintenance capital expenditures in any one quarter will be large enough to render operating surplus less than the minimum quarterly distribution to be paid on all the units for the quarter and subsequent quarters;

 

   

it will increase our ability to distribute as operating surplus cash we receive from non-operating sources;

 

   

it will be more difficult for us to raise our distribution above the minimum quarterly distribution and pay incentive distributions on the incentive distribution rights held by our general partner; and

 

   

it will reduce the likelihood that a large actual maintenance capital expenditure in a period will prevent our general partner’s affiliates from being able to convert some or all of their subordinated units into common units since the effect of an estimate is to spread the expected expense over several periods, thereby mitigating the effect of the actual payment of the expenditure on any single period.

Estimated maintenance capital expenditures reduce operating surplus, but expansion capital expenditures, investment capital expenditures and actual maintenance capital expenditures do not.

Expansion capital expenditures are cash expenditures incurred for acquisitions or capital improvements that we expect will increase our operating income or operating capacity over the long term. Expansion capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance the construction, acquisition or development of an improvement to our capital assets and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding obligation to commence construction, acquisition or development of the capital improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such capital improvement commences commercial service and the date that such capital improvement is abandoned or disposed of. Examples of expansion capital expenditures include the acquisition of equipment, or the construction, development or acquisition of additional pipeline or treating capacity or new compression capacity.

 

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Capital expenditures that are made in part for expansion capital purposes and in part for other purposes will be allocated between expansion capital expenditures and expenditures for other purposes by our general partner (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee).

Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures. Investment capital expenditures largely will consist of capital expenditures made for investment purposes. Examples of investment capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes or development of facilities that are in excess of the maintenance of our existing operating capacity or operating income, but that are not expected to expand, for more than the short term, our operating capacity or operating income.

Subordination Period

General

Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (which we define below), the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.4125 per common unit, which amount is defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. These units are deemed “subordinated” because for a period of time, referred to as the subordination period, the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distributions until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages from prior quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed on the common units.

Subordination Period

Except as described below, the subordination period began on the closing date of our initial public offering and will extend until the first business day of any quarter beginning after September 30, 2014, that each of the following tests are met:

 

   

distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common and subordinated units equaled or exceeded $1.65 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) and the corresponding distributions on our 2.0% general partner interest and were made, in each case for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;

 

   

the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded (i) the sum of $1.65 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common and subordinated units during those periods on a fully diluted basis and (ii) the corresponding distribution on our 2.0% general partner interest; and

 

   

there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

For purposes of determining whether sufficient adjusted operating surplus has been generated under the above conversion test, the Conflicts Committee may adjust operating surplus upwards or downwards if it determines in good faith that the amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures used in the determination of adjusted operating surplus was materially incorrect, based on the circumstances prevailing at the time of the original estimate, for any one or more of the preceding two four-quarter periods.

Early Termination of Subordination Period

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subordination period will automatically terminate on the first business day of any quarter beginning after September 30, 2012, that each of the following tests are met:

 

   

distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded $2.475 (150.0% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), and the corresponding distribution on our general partner’s 2.0% interest and the incentive distribution rights were made, in each case, for the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date;

 

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the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of (i) $2.475 per unit (150.0% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units during that period on a fully diluted basis and (ii) the distributions made on our 2.0% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights;

 

   

distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125, and we made the corresponding distribution on our 2.0% general partner interest, for each quarter during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date; and

 

   

there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distributions on the common units.

Expiration of the Subordination Period

When the subordination period ends, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will thereafter participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash. In addition, if the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause and no units held by our general partner and its affiliates are voted in favor of such removal:

 

   

the subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately and automatically convert into one common unit;

 

   

any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

   

our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.

Adjusted Operating Surplus

Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net drawdowns of reserves of cash established in prior periods. Adjusted operating surplus for a period consists of:

 

   

operating surplus generated with respect to that period (excluding any amounts attributable to the item described in the first bullet point under the caption “— Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus — Operating Surplus” above); less

 

   

any net increase in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; less

 

   

any net decrease in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus

 

   

any net decrease in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; plus

 

   

any net decrease made in subsequent periods to cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established with respect to that period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods; plus

 

   

any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus during the Subordination Period

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period;

 

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third , 98.0% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

   

thereafter , in the manner described in “— General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus after the Subordination Period

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

   

thereafter , in the manner described in “— General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights

Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner initially is entitled to 2.0% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest if we issue additional units. Our general partner’s 2.0% interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which it is entitled from such 2.0% interest, will be proportionately reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Our partnership agreement does not require that our general partner fund its capital contribution with cash. It may instead fund its capital contribution by the contribution to us of common units or other property.

Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13.0%, 23.0% and 48.0%) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement.

The following discussion assumes that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest, that there are no arrearages on common units and that our general partner continues to own the incentive distribution rights.

If for any quarter:

 

   

we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and

 

   

we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.47438 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”);

 

   

second , 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.51563 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”);

 

   

third , 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.61875 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and

 

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thereafter , 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner.

Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit Target Amount.” The percentage interests shown for our unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 2.0% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has contributed any additional capital necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest, our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that there are no arrearages on common units.

 

     Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit Target
Amount
     Marginal Percentage
Interest in Distributions
 
        Unitholders     General
Partner
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.41250         98.0     2.0

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.47438         98.0     2.0

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.47438       up to $      0.51563         85.0     15.0

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.51563       up to $      0.61875         75.0     25.0

Thereafter

         above $      0.61875         50.0     50.0

General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels

Our general partner, as the initial holder of our incentive distribution rights, has the right under our partnership agreement to elect to relinquish the right to receive incentive distribution payments based on the initial target distribution levels and to reset, at higher levels, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments to our general partner would be set. If our general partner transfers all or a portion of our incentive distribution rights in the future, then the holder or holders of a majority of our incentive distribution rights will be entitled to exercise this right. The following discussion assumes that our general partner holds all of the incentive distribution rights at the time that a reset election is made. Our general partner’s right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions payable to our general partner are based may be exercised, without approval of our unitholders or the Conflicts Committee, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and we have made cash distributions to the holders of the incentive distribution rights at the highest level of incentive distribution for each of the four consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding such time. If our general partner and its affiliates are not the holders of a majority of the incentive distribution rights at the time an election is made to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels, then the proposed reset will be subject to the prior written concurrence of the general partner that the conditions described above have been satisfied. The reset minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels will be higher than the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels prior to the reset such that our general partner will not receive any incentive distributions under the reset target distribution levels until cash distributions per unit following this event increase as described below. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would otherwise not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit, taking into account the existing levels of incentive distribution payments being made to our general partner.

In connection with the resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels and the corresponding relinquishment by our general partner of incentive distribution payments based on the target distributions prior to the reset, our general partner will be entitled to receive a number of newly issued common units and general partner units based on a predetermined formula described below that takes into account the “cash parity” value of the average cash distributions related to the incentive distribution rights received by our general partner for the two quarters immediately preceding the reset event as compared to the average cash distributions per common unit during that two-quarter period. Our general partner will be issued the number of general partner units necessary to maintain our general partner’s interest in us immediately prior to the reset election.

 

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The number of common units that our general partner would be entitled to receive from us in connection with a resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels then in effect would be equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions received by our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights during the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately prior to the date of such reset election by (y) the average of the amount of cash distributed per common unit during each of these two quarters.

Following a reset election, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (which amount we refer to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to be correspondingly higher such that we would distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus for each quarter thereafter as follows:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount equal to 115.0% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

   

second , 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 125.0% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter;

 

   

third , 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 150.0% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter; and

 

   

thereafter , 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner.

The following table illustrates the percentage allocation of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner at various cash distribution levels (i) pursuant to the cash distribution provisions of our partnership agreement currently in effect, as well as (ii) following a hypothetical reset of the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels based on the assumption that the average quarterly cash distribution amount per common unit during the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election was $0.65.

 

     Quarterly Distribution
per Unit Prior to Reset
     Marginal Percentage
Interest Distributions
    Quarterly
Distributions
per Unit
Following
Hypothetical
Reset
 
        Unitholders     2.0%
General
Partner
Interest
    Incentive
Distribution
Rights
   

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.41250         98.0     2.0     —        $ 0.6500   

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.47438         98.0     2.0     —          0.7475   

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.47438       up to $      0.51563         85.0     2.0     13.0     0.8125   

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.51563       up to $      0.61875         75.0     2.0     23.0     0.9750   

Thereafter

         above $      0.61875         50.0     2.0     48.0     0.9750   

The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and our general partner, including in respect of incentive distribution rights, based on an average of the amounts distributed each quarter for the two quarters immediately prior to the reset. The table assumes that immediately prior to the reset there would be 9,052,132 common units outstanding, our general partner has maintained its 2.0% general partner interest and the average distribution to each common unit would be $0.65 for the two quarters prior to the reset.

 

     Quarterly
Distribution per
Unit Prior to Reset
     Cash
Distributions
to Common
Unitholders
Prior to
Reset
     Cash Distribution to General Partner
Prior to Reset
     Total
Distributions
 
           2.0%
General
Partner
Interest
     Incentive
Distribution

Rights
     Total     

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.41250       $ 3,734,004       $ 76,204       $ —         $ 76,204       $ 3,810,209   

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.47438         560,101         11,431         —           11,431         571,531   

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.47438       up to $      0.51563         373,400         8,786         57,108         65,894         439,295   

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.51563       up to $      0.61875         933,501         24,893         286,274         311,167         1,244,668   

Thereafter

         above $      0.61875         282,879         11,315         271,564         282,879         565,758   
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 5,883,886       $ 132,629       $ 614,946       $ 747,575       $ 6,631,461   
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and our general partner, including in respect of incentive distribution rights, with respect to the quarter in which the reset occurs. The table reflects that, as a result of the reset, there would be 9,998,203 common units outstanding, our general partner’s 2.0% interest has been maintained, and the average distribution to each common unit would be $0.65. The number of common units to be issued to our general partner upon the reset was calculated by dividing (i) the average of the amounts received by our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights for the two quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above, or $614,946, by (ii) the average available cash distributed on each common unit for the two quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above, or $0.65.

 

                   Cash Distribution to General Partner After Reset  
     Quarterly
Distribution per
Unit Prior to Reset
     Cash
Distributions to
Common
Unitholders
Prior to Reset
     Common
Units
Issued in
Connection
With Reset
     2.0%
General
Partner
Interest
     Incentive
Distribution

Rights
     Total      Total
Distributions
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.6500       $ 5,883,886       $ 614,946       $ 132,629       $ —         $ 747,575       $ 6,631,461   

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.7475         —           —           —           —           —           —     

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.7475       up to $      0.8125         —           —           —           —           —           —     

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.8125       up to $      0.9750         —           —           —           —           —           —     
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Thereafter

         above $      0.9750       $ 5,883,886       $ 614,946       $ 132,629       $ —         $ —         $ 6,631,461   
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our general partner will be entitled to cause the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels to be reset on more than one occasion, provided that it may not make a reset election except at a time when it has received incentive distributions for the immediately preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters based on the highest level of incentive distributions that it is entitled to receive under our partnership agreement.

Distributions from Capital Surplus

How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made

We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit that was issued in our initial public, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price of our common units;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units; and

 

   

thereafter , as if they were from operating surplus.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus

Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from our initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the “unrecovered initial unit price.” Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for our general partner to receive incentive distributions and for the subordinated units to convert into common units. However, any distribution of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.

 

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Once we distribute capital surplus on a unit issued in our initial public offering in an amount equal to the initial unit price, we will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero. We will then make all future distributions from operating surplus, with 50.0% being paid to the unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner. The percentage interests shown for our general partner include its 2.0% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.

Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:

 

   

the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

   

the number of common units into which a subordinated unit is convertible;

 

   

target distribution levels;

 

   

the unrecovered initial unit price; and

 

   

the number of general partner units comprising the general partner interest.

For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level, and each subordinated unit would be convertible into two common units. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.

In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted by a governmental authority, so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, our partnership agreement specifies that the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels for each quarter may be reduced by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus our general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

General

If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.

The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to a preference over the holders of outstanding subordinated units upon our liquidation, to the extent required to permit common unitholders to receive their unrecovered initial unit price plus the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs plus any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the holders of common units to fully recover all of these amounts, even though there may be cash available for distribution to the holders of subordinated units. Any further net gain recognized upon liquidation will be allocated in a manner that takes into account the incentive distribution rights of our general partner.

Manner of Adjustments for Gain

The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in our partnership agreement. If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will allocate any gain to our partners in the following manner:

 

   

first , to our general partner and the holders of units who have negative balances in their capital accounts to the extent of and in proportion to those negative balances;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of: (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; and (3) any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

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third , 98.0% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital account for each subordinated unit is equal to the sum of: (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; and (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs;

 

   

fourth , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per unit over the minimum quarterly distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 98.0% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, for each quarter of our existence;

 

   

fifth , 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per unit over the first target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the first target distribution per unit that we distributed 85.0% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence;

 

   

sixth , 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per unit over the second target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the second target distribution per unit that we distributed 75.0% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence;

 

   

thereafter , 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner.

The percentages set forth above are based on the assumption that our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that clause (3) of the second bullet point above and all of the fourth bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

Manner of Adjustments for Losses

If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, after making allocations of loss to the general partner and the unitholders in a manner intended to offset in reverse order the allocations of gains that have previously been allocated, we will generally allocate any loss to our general partner and unitholders in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to the holders of subordinated units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the subordinated unitholders have been reduced to zero;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; and

 

   

thereafter , 100.0% to our general partner.

If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that all of the first bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

Adjustments to Capital Accounts

Our partnership agreement requires that we make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In this regard, our partnership agreement specifies that we allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and the general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain upon liquidation. In the event that we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts

 

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upon the issuance of additional units, our partnership agreement requires that we generally allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units or upon our liquidation in a manner which results, to the extent possible, in the partners’ capital account balances equaling the amount which they would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made. In contrast to the allocations of gain, and except as provided above, we generally will allocate any unrealized and unrecognized loss resulting from the adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units to the unitholders and our general partner based on their respective percentage ownership of us. In this manner, prior to the end of the subordination period, we generally will allocate any such loss equally with respect to our common and subordinated units. If we make negative adjustments to the capital accounts as a result of such loss, future positive adjustments resulting from the issuance of additional units will be allocated in a manner designed to reverse the prior negative adjustments, and special allocations will be made upon liquidation in a manner that results, to the extent possible, in our unitholders’ capital account balances equaling the amounts they would have been if no earlier adjustments for loss had been made.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS

The Units

The common units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of common units, along with the holders of subordinated units, are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and are entitled to exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “Our Cash Distribution Policy.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Duties

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will serve as the registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We will pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units except the following that must be paid by our unitholders:

 

   

surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, or to cover taxes and other governmental charges in connection therewith;

 

   

special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and

 

   

other similar fees or charges.

There will be no charge to our unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their respective stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.

Resignation or Removal

The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.

Transfer of Common Units

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:

 

   

automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our partnership agreement;

 

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represents and warrants that the transferee has the right, power, authority and capacity to enter into our partnership agreement; and

 

   

gives the consents, waivers and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements that we entered into in connection with our initial public offering.

Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing the transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.

Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the common unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

American Midstream Partners may issue debt securities in one or more series, as to any of which American Midstream Finance Corporation (“American Midstream Finance”) may be a co-issuer. American Midstream Finance was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 6, 2012, is wholly owned by American Midstream Partners, and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. As used in this description, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer to American Midstream Partners, LP, and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called “indentures.” The indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will be described in a prospectus supplement.

We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does not restate those agreements in their entirety. A form of senior indenture and a form of subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.

Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this prospectus.

General

The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our senior debt.

The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement 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, among others:

 

   

the title and type of the debt securities;

 

   

whether American Midstream Finance will be a co-issuer of the debt securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;

 

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the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;

 

   

any conversion or exchange features;

 

   

any optional redemption periods;

 

   

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt securities;

 

   

any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;

 

   

any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;

 

   

any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities.

Neither of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.

Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered or global form.

Subsidiary Guarantees

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our senior debt securities provides that those senior debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those senior debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries. The guarantee of senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such subsidiary or subsidiaries.

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our subordinated debt securities provides that those subordinated debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those subordinated debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, subordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries. The guarantee of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all of such subsidiary’s or subsidiaries’ existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement), including any guarantee of the senior debt securities, to the same extent and in the same manner as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement). See “— Subordination” below.

The obligations of our subsidiaries under any such guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

Covenants

Under the indentures, we:

 

   

will pay the principal of, and interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due;

 

   

will maintain a place of payment;

 

   

will deliver a certificate to the trustee each fiscal year reviewing our compliance with our obligations under the indentures;

 

   

will preserve our corporate existence; and

 

   

will segregate or deposit with any paying agent sufficient funds for the payment of any principal, interest or premium on or before the due date of such payment.

 

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Mergers and Sale of Assets

Each of the indentures will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on a consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:

 

   

either: (a) we are the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than us) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of our obligations under such indenture and the debt securities governed thereby pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, which may include a supplemental indenture;

 

   

we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and

 

   

we deliver an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and any supplemental indenture comply with such indenture and that all conditions precedent set forth in such indenture have been complied with.

Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be discharged from all obligations under such indenture.

As used in the indenture and in this description, the word “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Events of Default

Event of default ,” when used in the indentures with respect to debt securities of any series, will mean any of the following:

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;

(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;

(5) we, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commence a voluntary case, (ii) consent to the entry of any order for relief against us in an involuntary case, (iii) consent to the appointment of a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iv) make a general assignment for the benefit of our creditors;

 

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(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that (i) is for relief against us in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of us or for all or substantially all of our property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of us, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

(7) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or

(8) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.

Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it. If they provide this indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.

Amendments and Waivers

Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures, the debt securities issued thereunder or the subsidiary guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).

Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not, among other things:

(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, change the coin or currency in which any debt security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the applicable indenture;

(3) modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holder’s unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities or (ii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture;

(4) waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt securities;

 

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(5) release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as amended or supplemented); or

(6) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of the applicable indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt security affected thereby.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we, the guarantors and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued thereunder to:

(1) cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;

(2) evidence the succession of another Person to us and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants therein and, to the extent applicable, of the debt securities;

(3) provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

(4) cause any corporation to become a co-issuer of any series of debt securities, and/or add a guarantee and cause any Person to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt securities of any series;

(5) secure the debt securities of any series;

(6) add to the covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as we shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein, or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon us; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such an event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;

(7) make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;

(8) provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture;

(9) add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;

(10) add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

(11) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

(12) establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder, including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;

 

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(13) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of such indenture;

(14) conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering circular to the extent that such provision appears on its face to have been intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder; or

(15) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.

The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment with the consent of the holders under an indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Each indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:

(1) the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;

(2) our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and our and each guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.

In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions described in any prospectus supplement (such release and termination being referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and thereafter any failure to comply with such obligations or provisions will not constitute a default or event of default. In addition, in the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, any defeasible event of default will no longer constitute an event of default.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

(1) we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date of the debt securities, there has been a change in the

 

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applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities 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 time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities 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;

(4) no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(5) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which we are, or any guarantor is, a party or by which we are, or any guarantor is, bound;

(6) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture) to which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, a party or by which we are, or any of our subsidiaries is, bound;

(7) we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over our other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding our creditors or the creditors of others;

(8) we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph have been complied with; and

(9) we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (6) of this paragraph have been complied with.

Satisfaction and Discharge

Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities and certain rights of the trustee, as expressly provided for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities issued thereunder and the guarantees issued thereunder when:

(10) either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to us or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or 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 us, and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee funds, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with instructions from us irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(11) we have paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by us; and

(12) we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Partners, Members and Stockholders

No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, partner, member or stockholder of us or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any of our obligations or those of the guarantors under the debt securities, the

 

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indentures, the guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities, upon our issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Denominations

Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.

Paying Agent and Registrar

The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt securities, and we may act as paying agent or registrar.

Transfer and Exchange

A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and we may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption. In addition, we are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt securities to be redeemed.

Subordination

The payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities and any of our other payment obligations in respect of subordinated debt securities (including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior debt.

We also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from a trust described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance,” if

 

   

a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any designated senior debt (“payment default”) occurs that has not been cured or waived, or

 

   

any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated (“non-payment default”) and, solely with respect to this clause, the trustee for the subordinated debt securities receives a notice of the default (a “payment blockage notice”) from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt.

Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived, and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earliest of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived, the termination of the payment blockage period by written notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt, the payment in full of such designated senior debt or 179 days after the date on which the applicable payment blockage notice is received. No new payment blockage period may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No nonpayment default in respect of designated senior debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less than 90 consecutive days.

Upon any payment or distribution of our assets or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of us, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash

 

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equivalents, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by or on behalf of us on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, us on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of our assets or securities, to which the holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled, shall be made by us or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the holders or the trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.

As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of our liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of our creditors or a marshalling of our assets or liabilities, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.

Payment and Transfer

Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement.

Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

 

   

by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary;

 

   

by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or

 

   

by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the successor.

We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.

When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (“participants”). Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

 

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As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

 

   

will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their names;

 

   

will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying debt securities in definitive form; and

 

   

will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt securities.

Payments of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security.

We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.

If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any authorized denominations.

Governing Law

Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Information Concerning the Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will be the trustee under the indentures. A successor trustee may be appointed in accordance with the terms of the indentures.

The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.

A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90 days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES

Our subsidiaries may issue unconditional guarantees on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis with respect to senior debt securities that we offer in any prospectus supplement and may issue unconditional guarantees on an unsecured, subordinated basis with respect to subordinated debt securities that we offer in any prospectus supplement. The guarantee of senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such subsidiary or subsidiaries. The guarantee of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all such subsidiary’s or subsidiaries’ existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement), including any guarantee of senior debt securities, to the same extent and in the same manner as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement). Each guarantee will be issued under a supplement to an indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of guarantees will describe the terms of those guarantees, including the following:

 

   

the series of debt securities to which the guarantees apply;

 

   

whether the guarantees are secured or unsecured;

 

   

whether the guarantees are senior or subordinate to other guarantees or debt;

 

   

the terms under which the guarantees may be amended, modified, waived, released or otherwise terminated, if different from the provisions applicable to the guaranteed debt securities; and

 

   

any additional terms of the guarantees.

The obligations of our subsidiaries under any such guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of our partnership agreement upon request at no charge.

We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

   

with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy;”

 

   

with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of the Common Units — Transfer of Common Units;” and

 

   

with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Organization and Duration

We were organized in August 2009 and have a perpetual existence.

Purpose

Our purpose under our partnership agreement is limited to any business activities that are approved by our general partner and in any event that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided that our general partner may not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.

Although our general partner has the power to cause us, our operating company and its subsidiaries to engage in activities other than the business of gathering, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, our general partner has no current plans to do so and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. Our general partner is generally authorized to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.

 

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Cash Distributions

Our partnership agreement specifies the manner in which we will make cash distributions to holders of our common units and other partnership securities as well as to our general partner in respect of its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights. For a description of these cash distribution provisions, please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy.”

Capital Contributions

Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “— Limited Liability.”

For a discussion of our general partner’s right to contribute capital to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest if we issue additional units, please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.”

Voting Rights

The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for approval of the matters specified below. Matters that require the approval of a “unit majority” require:

 

   

during the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding those common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and a majority of the outstanding subordinated units, voting as separate classes; and

 

   

after the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units.

By virtue of the exclusion of those common units held by our general partner and its affiliates from the required vote, and by their ownership of all of the subordinated units, during the subordination period our general partner and its affiliates do not have the ability to ensure passage of, but do have the ability to ensure defeat of, any amendment that requires a unit majority.

In voting their common and subordinated units, our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or our limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us and our limited partners.

 

Issuance of additional units   No approval right.
Amendment of our partnership agreement   Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “— Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement.”
Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets   Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “— Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.”
Dissolution of our partnership   Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Continuation of our business upon dissolution   Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Withdrawal of our general partner   Under most circumstances, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to June 30, 2021 in a manner that would cause a dissolution of our partnership. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
Removal of our general partner   Not less than 66  2 / 3 % of the outstanding units, voting as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”

 

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Transfer of our general partner interest   Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its
general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders
to an affiliate or another person in connection with its merger,
consolidation or conversion with or into, or sale of all or
substantially all of its assets to, such person. The approval of a
majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common
units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required in
other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest
to a third party prior to June 30, 2020. Please read “— Transfer
of General Partner Interest.”
Transfer of incentive distribution rights   No approval right. Please read “— Transfer of Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner   No approval required at any time. Please read “— Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner.”

Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that it otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, its liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital it is obligated to contribute to us for its common units plus its share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right of, or exercise of the right by, the limited partners as a group:

 

   

to remove or replace our general partner;

 

   

to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement; or

 

   

to take other action under our partnership agreement;

constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that a limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for such a claim in Delaware case law.

Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of its assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except that such person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to it at the time it became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.

Our subsidiaries conduct business primarily in five states and we may have subsidiaries that conduct business in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as a member of our operating company may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which our operating company conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.

 

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Limitations on the liability of members or limited partners for the obligations of a limited liability company or limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our ownership interest in our operating company or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.

Issuance of Additional Securities

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of our limited partners.

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have rights to distributions or special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit our subsidiaries from issuing equity securities, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.

Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will be entitled, but not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s 2.0% interest in us will be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the percentage interest of the general partner and its affiliates, including such interest represented by common and subordinated units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights under our partnership agreement to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.

Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or our limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or our limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.

Prohibited Amendments

No amendment may be made that would:

 

   

enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or

 

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enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90.0% of the outstanding units, voting as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates). As of September 7, 2012, affiliates of our general partner own approximately 58.7% of the outstanding common and subordinated units.

No Unitholder Approval

Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner to reflect:

 

   

a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;

 

   

the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;

 

   

a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for us to qualify or to continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we, our operating company, nor its subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

   

a change in our fiscal year or taxable period and related changes;

 

   

an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents, or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;

 

   

any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;

 

   

an amendment effected, necessitated, or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;

 

   

any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;

 

   

mergers with, conveyances to or conversions into another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the merger, conveyance or conversion other than those it receives by way of the merger, conveyance or conversion; or

 

   

any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described above.

In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner if our general partner determines that those amendments:

 

   

do not adversely affect in any material respect the limited partners considered as a whole or any particular class of partnership interests as compared to other classes of partnership interests;

 

   

are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling, or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;

 

   

are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of units or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline, or requirement of any securities exchange on which the units are or will be listed for trading;

 

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are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or

 

   

are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.

Opinion of Counsel and Limited Partner Approval

Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments described above under “— No Unitholder Approval.” No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90.0% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.

In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets

A merger, consolidation or conversion of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or our limited partners.

In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation, other combination or sale of ownership interests of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to the partnership agreement (other than an amendment that the general partner could adopt without the consent of the limited partners), each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction and the partnership securities to be issued do not exceed 20.0% of our outstanding partnership securities immediately prior to the transaction.

If the conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed limited liability entity, if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters and the governing instruments of the new entity provide the limited partners and our general partner with the same rights and obligations as contained in our partnership agreement. Our unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a merger, consolidation or conversion, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other similar transaction or event.

Termination and Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until dissolved under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

 

   

the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following the approval and admission of a successor general partner;

 

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the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;

 

   

the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or

 

   

there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Upon a dissolution under the first clause above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement and appoint as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:

 

   

the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and

 

   

neither we nor any of our subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon our dissolution, unless we are continued as a limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as described in “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions — Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners. The liquidator may distribute our assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the partners.

Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner

Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to June 30, 2021 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after June 30, 2021, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to the limited partners if at least 50.0% of the outstanding common units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates, other than our general partner and its affiliates. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest and incentive distribution rights in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest” and “— Transfer of Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.”

Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period of time after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”

Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66  2 / 3 % of all outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, and a majority of the outstanding subordinated units, voting as a single class. The ownership of more than 33  2 / 3 % of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates gives them the ability to prevent our general partner’s removal. As of September 7, 2012, affiliates of our general partner own 58.7% of the outstanding common and subordinated units.

 

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Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:

 

   

the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;

 

   

any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

   

our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.

In the event of removal of our general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of our general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where our general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for their fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.

If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.

In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due to it, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.

Transfer of General Partner Interest

Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest to:

 

   

an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual); or

 

   

another entity as part of the merger, consolidation or conversion of our general partner with or into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to another entity.

 

   

our general partner may not transfer all or any of its general partner interest to another person prior to June 30, 2021 without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must, among other things, assume the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.

Our general partner and its affiliates may, at any time, transfer common units or subordinated units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval, except that they may not transfer subordinated units to us.

Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner

At any time, the owners of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their ownership interests in our general partner to an affiliate or a third party without the approval of our unitholders.

 

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Transfer of Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights

By transfer of subordinated units or incentive distribution rights in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of subordinated units or incentive distribution rights will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the subordinated units or incentive distribution rights transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:

 

   

represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement;

 

   

automatically becomes bound by the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement; and

 

   

gives the consents, waivers and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements we entered into in connection with our formation and the initial public.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of subordinated units or incentive distribution rights as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Subordinated units or incentive distribution rights are securities and any transfers are subject to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a limited partner for the transferred subordinated units or incentive distribution rights.

Until a subordinated unit or incentive distribution right has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit or right as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Change of Management Provisions

Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change our management. If any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, acquires beneficial ownership of 20.0% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units directly from our general partner or its affiliates or any transferee of that person or group that is approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.

Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:

 

   

the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;

 

   

any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

   

our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.

Limited Call Right

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80.0% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining limited partner interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10, but not more than 60, days notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:

 

   

the highest price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for any limited partner interests of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and

 

   

the average of the daily closing prices of the partnership securities of such class for the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.

 

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As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding limited partner interests, a holder of limited partner interests may have his limited partner interests purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units.”

Meetings; Voting

Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20.0% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited.

Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of unitholders will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20.0% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage. The units representing the general partner interest are units for distribution and allocation purposes, but do not entitle our general partner to any vote other than its rights as general partner under our partnership agreement, will not be entitled to vote on any action required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders and will not count toward or be considered outstanding when calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for similar purposes.

Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to its percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20.0% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and its nominee provides otherwise. Except as our partnership agreement otherwise provides, subordinated units will vote together with common units as a single class.

Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

Status as Limited Partner

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Except as described above under “— Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.

Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption

To avoid any adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations, or in order to reverse an adverse determination that has occurred regarding such maximum applicable rate, our partnership agreement provides our general partner the power to amend the agreement. If our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines that our not being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more of our limited partners, has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us, then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:

 

   

obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of our member (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and

 

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permit us to redeem the units held by any person whose tax status has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by our general partner to obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.

A non-taxpaying assignee will not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.

Non-Taxpaying Assignees; Redemption

In the event any rates that we charge our customers become regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to avoid any adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us, or in order to reverse an adverse determination that has occurred regarding such maximum rate, our partnership agreement provides our general partner the power to amend the agreement. If our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines that our not being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more of our limited partners, has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us, then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:

 

   

obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of our member (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and

 

   

permit us to redeem the units held by any person whose tax status has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by our general partner to obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.

Indemnification

Under our partnership agreement, we will indemnify the following persons, in most circumstances, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:

 

   

our general partner;

 

   

any departing general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was a member, manager, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of our partnership, our subsidiaries, our general partner, any departing general partner or any of their affiliates;

 

   

any person who is or was serving at the request of the general partner or any departing general partner as an officer, director, member, manager, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person; and

 

   

any person designated by our general partner.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.

Reimbursement of Expenses

Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. Our general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.

 

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Books and Reports

Our general partner is required to keep or cause to be kept appropriate books and records of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For fiscal and tax reporting purposes, we use the calendar year.

We will furnish or make available (by posting on our website or other reasonable means) to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, and our equity and cash flows. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.

As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each quarter except the last quarter of each fiscal year, our general partner will mail or make available to each record holder of a unit a report containing our unaudited financial statements and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining its federal and state tax liability and filing its federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.

Right to Inspect Our Books and Records

Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to its interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at its own expense, have furnished to him:

 

   

a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each record holder;

 

   

copies of our partnership agreement, the certificate of limited partnership of the partnership, related amendments, and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;

 

   

information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and

 

   

any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.

 

   

Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.

Registration Rights

Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units, or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates, other than individuals, or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years and for so long thereafter as is required for the holder to sell its partnership securities following any withdrawal or removal of American Midstream GP as our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

This section is a summary of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to American Midstream Partners, LP and our operating subsidiaries.

 

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The following discussion does not comment on all U.S. federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and has only limited application to corporations, estates, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, trusts, nonresident aliens, U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, tax-exempt institutions, non-U.S. persons (including, without limitation, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and non-U.S. persons eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with the United States), IRAs, real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities, U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding their units as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction, and persons deemed to sell their units under the constructive sale provisions of the Code. In addition, the discussion only comments to a limited extent on state, local, and non-U.S. tax consequences. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his own tax advisor in analyzing the state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units.

No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Andrews Kurth LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.

All statements as to matters of U.S. federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect thereto, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.

For the reasons described below, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (i) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales”); (ii) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (iii) whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Uniformity of Units”).

Partnership Status

A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest. Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, processing, storage and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 5% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.

 

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No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding, and the IRS has made no determination as to, our status or the status of our operating subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below that:

 

   

We are classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and

 

   

Each of our operating subsidiaries is disregarded as an entity separate from us for federal income tax purposes.

In rendering its opinion, Andrews Kurth LLP has relied on factual representations made by us or is treated as a partnership and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Andrews Kurth LLP has relied include:

 

   

Neither we nor our operating subsidiaries have elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation; and

 

   

For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of the type that Andrews Kurth LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We believe that these representations have been true in the past and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.

If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.

If we were taxed as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.

The discussion below is based on Andrews Kurth LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Limited Partner Status

Unitholders of American Midstream Partners, LP will be treated as partners of American Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of American Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.

A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales.”

Income, gain, deductions or losses would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to their tax consequences of holding common units in American Midstream Partners, LP.

The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in American Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.

 

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Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Flow-Through of Taxable Income

Subject to the discussion below under “— Entity-Level Collections,” we will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.

Treatment of Distributions

Distributions made by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Cash distributions made by us to a unitholder in an amount in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “— Disposition of Common Units.” Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at-risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “— Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”

A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, depletion recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (i) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (ii) the unitholder’s tax basis (generally zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.

Basis of Common Units

A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner to the extent of the general partner’s “net value” as defined in regulations under Section 752 of the Internal Revenue Code, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses

The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder, estate, trust, or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations) to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A common unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at-risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction to the extent that his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such common unitholder’s tax basis in his common units. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at-risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.

 

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In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at-risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.

In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder’s investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation.

A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.

Limitations on Interest Deductions

The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:

 

   

interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;

 

   

our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and

 

   

the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.

The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or (if applicable) qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated that the net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.

Entity-Level Collections

If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.

 

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Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction

In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to our general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss, that loss will be allocated first to our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to our general partner.

Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for (i) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time of an offering and (ii) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any property contributed to us by the general partner and its affiliates that exists at the time of such contribution, together referred to in this discussion as the “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder purchasing common units from us in an offering will be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of the offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, “reverse Section 704(c) Allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, will be made to the general partner and all of our unitholders immediately prior to such issuance or other transactions to account for the difference between the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of such issuance or future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.

An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:

 

   

his relative contributions to us;

 

   

the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;

 

   

the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and

 

   

the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.

Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “— Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.

Treatment of Short Sales

A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:

 

   

any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;

 

   

any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and

 

   

all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income.

 

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Because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on the issue relating to partnership interests, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Alternative Minimum Tax

Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. The current minimum tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.

Tax Rates

Under current law, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 35% and the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains (generally, capital gains on certain assets held for more than twelve months) of individuals is 15%. These rates are scheduled to sunset after December 31, 2012, and, thereafter, about new legislation, the U.S. federal income tax rates on both ordinary income and long-term capital gains will increase. Further, such rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.

A 3.8% Medicare tax on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts will apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income or (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income, or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.

Section 754 Election

We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS unless there is a constructive termination of the partnership. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Constructive Termination.” The election will generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, the inside basis in our assets with respect to a unitholder will be considered to have two components: (i) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (ii) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.

We have adopted the remedial allocation method as to all our properties. Where the remedial allocation method is adopted, the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property that is subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code and whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.”

We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or

 

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amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.” Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion as to whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable for property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code or if we use an aggregate approach as described above, as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the validity of these positions. Moreover, the IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.

A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally, a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.

The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.

Tax Treatment of Operations

Accounting Method and Taxable Year

We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”

 

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Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization

The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our unitholders holding interests in us prior to any such offering. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”

To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods, including bonus depreciation to the extent available, that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.

If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

The costs we incur in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.

Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties

The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

Disposition of Common Units

Recognition of Gain or Loss

Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.

Prior distributions from us that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.

Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held for more than twelve months will generally be taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income each year, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.

 

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The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.

Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:

 

   

a short sale;

 

   

an offsetting notional principal contract; or

 

   

a futures or forward contract;

in each case, with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.

Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.

Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees

In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.

Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue. The Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. Existing publicly traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders because the issue has not been finally resolved by the IRS or the courts. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable

 

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income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.

A unitholder who disposes of common units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for any quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to the month of sale but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.

Notification Requirements

A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the U.S. and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.

Constructive Termination

We will be considered to have terminated our tax partnership for federal income tax purposes if there are sales or exchanges which, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of measuring whether the 50% threshold is reached, multiple sales of the same interest are counted only once. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will result in us filing two tax returns (and unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1 if the relief discussed below is not available) for one fiscal year and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all common unitholders. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination. The IRS has announced a publicly traded partnership technical termination relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests publicly traded partnership technical termination relief and the IRS grants such relief, among other things, the partnership will only have to provide one Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the year notwithstanding two partnership tax years.

Uniformity of Units

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that

 

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these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. In either case, and as stated above under “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election,” Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to these methods. Moreover, the IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors

Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, non-U.S. corporations and other non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below to a limited extent, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to it.

Non-resident aliens and non-U.S. corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the U.S. because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, our quarterly distribution to non-U.S. unitholders will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each non-U.S. unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.

In addition, because a non-U.S. corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our earnings and profits, as adjusted for changes in the non-U.S. corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the U.S. and the country in which the non-U.S. corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.

A non-U.S. unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a common unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. unitholder. Under a ruling published by the IRS, interpreting the scope of “effectively connected income,” a non-U.S. unitholder would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. by virtue of the U.S. activities of the partnership, and part or all of that unitholder’s gain would be effectively connected with that unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a non-U.S. unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a common unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our common units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the common units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, we believe that more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, non-U.S. unitholdolders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.

Administrative Matters

Information Returns and Audit Procedures

We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various

 

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accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Andrews Kurth LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.

The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his return.

Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.

Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names American Midstream GP, LLC as our Tax Matters Partner.

The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.

A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.

Nominee Reporting

Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:

 

   

the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;

 

   

whether the beneficial owner is:

 

   

a person that is not a U.S. person;

 

   

a non-U.S. government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or

 

   

a tax-exempt entity;

 

   

the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and

 

   

specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from dispositions.

Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $100 per failure, up to a maximum of $1.5 million per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.

Accuracy-Related Penalties

An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.

 

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For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:

 

   

for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or

 

   

as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return.

If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us, or any of our investments, plans or arrangements.

A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Internal Revenue Code Section 482 is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Internal Revenue Code Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer’s gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation or certain other thresholds are met, the penalty imposed increases to 40%. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.

In addition, the 20% accuracy-related penalty also applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. To the extent that such transactions are not disclosed, the penalty imposed is increased to 40%. Additionally, there is no reasonable cause defense to the imposition of this penalty to such transactions.

Reportable Transactions.

If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or that it produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “— Information Returns and Audit Procedures.”

Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following additional consequences:

 

   

accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described above at “— Accuracy-Related Penalties”;

 

   

for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability; and

 

   

in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations.

We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”

Recent Legislative Developments

The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example,

 

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from time to time, members of the U.S. Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. Currently, one such legislative proposal would eliminate the qualifying income tax exception upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please read “— Partnership Status.” We are unable to predict whether any such changes will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us and may be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.

State, Local and Other Tax Considerations

In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property or in which you are a resident. We currently conduct business or own property in several states, most of which impose personal income taxes on individuals. Most of these states also impose an income or other entity-level tax on corporations and other entities. Moreover, we may also do business or own property in other states in the future that impose income or similar taxes on individuals, corporations and other entities. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. A unitholder may be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of these jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Entity-Level Collections.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, our general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.

It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent states and localities, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in us.

Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities

Because the terms and corresponding tax consequences of various debt issuances may differ significantly, descriptions of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of any such debt securities.

INVESTMENT IN THE PARTNERSHIP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. For these purposes, the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or IRAs established or maintained by an employer or employee organization. Among other things, the person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, often called a fiduciary, should consider:

 

   

whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA;

 

   

whether in making the investment, that plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(l)(C) of ERISA; and

 

   

whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return.

 

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A plan fiduciary should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the plan.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits employee benefit plans, and IRAs that are not considered part of an employee benefit plan, from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the plan.

In addition to considering whether the purchase of common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that the Partnership also would be a fiduciary of the plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Department of Labor regulations and Section 3(42) of ERISA provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under some circumstances. Under these rules, an entity’s assets would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:

 

   

the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly offered securities—i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, freely transferable and registered under some provisions of the federal securities laws;

 

   

the entity is an “operating company,”—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or

 

   

there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding some interests held by the Partnership, its affiliates, and some other persons, is held by employee benefit plans subject to Part 4 of Title I of ERISA, IRAs and other plans subject to Section 4975 of the Code and any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of such plan’s investment in such entity.

Our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in the first bullet above.

Plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of our common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby directly to purchasers, through agents, through underwriters or through dealers.

We, or agents designated by us, may directly solicit, from time to time, offers to purchase the securities. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We will name the agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities and describe any commissions payable by us to these agents in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, these agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. The agents may be entitled under agreements they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The agents may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

If we use any underwriters in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will enter into an underwriting agreement with those underwriters at the time of sale to them. We will set forth the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction in a prospectus supplement, which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered to the public. We may indemnify the underwriters under the underwriting agreement against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The underwriters may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Agents could makes sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the New York Stock Exchange, the existing trading market for our common units, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

To the extent that we make sales through one or more underwriters or agents in “at-the-market” offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a sales agency financing agreement or other “at-the-market” offering arrangement between us and the underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to any such agreement, we will issue and sell common units through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell common units on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The agreement will provide that any common units sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for such securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of common units. The terms of each such agreement will be set forth in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. In the event that any underwriter or agent acts as principal, or any broker-dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of common units. We will describe any such activities in the prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus relating to the transaction.

If we use a dealer in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell those securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. We may indemnify the dealers against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The dealers may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

We also may sell common units and debt securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may use electronic media, including the Internet, to sell offered securities directly.

Because the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) views our common units as interests in a direct participation program, any offering of common units under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be made in compliance with Rule 2310 of the FINRA Conduct Rules.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a particular plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

In connection with offerings of securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

In compliance with FINRA guidelines, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be passed upon for us by Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas. If certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to significant transactions with related parties as described in Note 17 to the financial statements, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The audited historical i) statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at November 1, 2011 and ii) statement of revenues in excess of expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 of the 50% undivided interest in the Burns Point Processing Plant, included in Exhibit 99.2 of the American Midstream Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated February 9, 2012 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.

The audited historical financial statements of Chatom Assets, included in Exhibit 99.2 of the American Midstream Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated September 11, 2012 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.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that registers the offer and sale of the securities covered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room 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 operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You also can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be “filed” with the SEC, will automatically update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the following documents that we have previously filed with the SEC:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35257) for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed on March 19, 2012;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-35257) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 filed on May 14, 2012 and for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 filed on August 14, 2012;

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35257) filed on December 6, 2011, as amended by the Form 8-K/A filed on February 10, 2012, April 16, 2012, May 29, 2012, June 1, 2012, June 7, 2012, as amended by the Form 8-K/A filed on June 11, 2012, July 2, 2012, July 9, 2012, as amended by the 8-K/A filed on September 11, 2012, and July 17, 2012; and

 

   

The description of our common units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-35257) filed on July 26, 2011.

All documents that we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of this prospectus and until our offerings hereunder are completed will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of the document. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit).

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, http://www.americanmindstream.com , our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our Internet website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by visiting our Internet website at http://www.americanmindstream.com , or by writing or calling us at the following address:

Investor Relations

American Midstream Partners, LP

1614 15th Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Telephone: (720) 457-6060

ir@americanmidstream.com

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

 

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED September 11, 2012

PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

725,120

Common Units Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

 

This prospectus relates to 725,120 common units representing limited partner interests in American Midstream Partners, LP that may be offered and sold by the selling unitholder named in this prospectus. The selling unitholder acquired the common units in connection with our initial public offering occurring in July 2011. We are not selling any common units under this prospectus and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common units by the selling unitholder. The common units to which this prospectus relates may be offered and sold from time to time directly from the selling unitholder or alternatively through underwriters or broker-dealers or agents. The selling unitholder may sell the common units in one or more transactions, at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. Because all of the common units being offered under this prospectus are being offered by the selling unitholder, we cannot currently determine the price or prices at which our common units may be sold under this prospectus.

Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “AMID.”

Each time the selling unitholder offers to sell securities under the prospectus, the selling unitholder will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may be used to offer and sell common units only if accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. You should also read the documents we refer to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 1.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2012


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     1   

About American Midstream Partners, LP

     1   

Risk Factors

     1   

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     1   

Use of Proceeds

     2   

Our Cash Distribution Policy

     3   

Description of the Common Units

     14   

The Partnership Agreement

     15   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

     27   

Investment in the Partnership by Employee Benefit Plans

     41   

Plan of Distribution

     42   

Selling Unitholder

     43   

Legal Matters

     43   

Experts

     44   

Where You Can Find More Information

     44   

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the selling unitholder named in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus may sell the common units described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of us and the common units the selling unitholder may offer under this prospectus.

Each time the selling unitholder sells common units under this prospectus, the selling unitholder will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement also may add to, update, or change information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read carefully this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

References in this prospectus to “American Midstream Partners,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “AMID” or like terms refer to American Midstream Partners, LP and its subsidiaries. References in this prospectus to the “selling unitholder” refer to the unitholder named in the table under “Selling Unitholder.”

ABOUT AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

We are a growth-oriented Delaware limited partnership that was formed by American Infrastructure MLP Fund, L.P. (“AIM”) in August 2009 to own, operate, develop and acquire a diversified portfolio of natural gas midstream energy assets. We are engaged in the business of gathering, treating, processing and transporting natural gas through our ownership and operation of gathering systems, processing facilities, interstate pipelines and intrastate pipelines. Our primary assets, which, as of December 31, 2012, are strategically located in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, provide critical infrastructure that links producers and suppliers of natural gas to diverse natural gas markets, including various interstate and intrastate pipelines, as well as utility, industrial and other commercial customers.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1614 15th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202, and our telephone number is (720) 457-6060. Our website is located at http://www.americanmindstream.com . We make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

Limited partner interests are inherently different from capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business. You should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference herein and therein in evaluating an investment in our securities. The described risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation. If any of the described risks actually were to occur, we may not be able to pay quarterly distributions to our unitholders or make principal or interest payments on any debt securities, the trading price of our common units or any debt securities could decline and you could lose part or all of your investment in our company. If applicable, we will include in any prospectus supplement a description of these significant factors that could make the offering described in this prospectus speculative or risky.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our reports, filings and other public announcements, including without limitation this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, may from time to time contain statements that do not directly or exclusively relate to historical facts. Such statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can typically identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as “may,” “could,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “potential,” “plan,” “forecast” and other similar words.

 

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All statements that are not statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements reflect our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include known and unknown risks. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include, but are not limited to, the risks set forth under “Risk Factors” and described in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement as well as the following risks and uncertainties:

 

   

our ability to access the debt and equity markets, which will depend on general market conditions and the credit ratings for our debt obligations;

 

   

the amount of collateral required to be posted from time to time in our transactions;

 

   

our success in risk management activities, including the use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity and interest rate risks;

 

   

the level of creditworthiness of counterparties to transactions;

 

   

changes in laws and regulations, particularly with regard to taxes, safety and protection of the environment;

 

   

the timing and extent of changes in natural gas, natural gas liquids and other commodity prices, interest rates and demand for our services;

 

   

weather and other natural phenomena;

 

   

industry changes, including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition;

 

   

our ability to obtain necessary licenses, permits and other approvals;

 

   

the level and success of crude oil and natural gas drilling around our assets and our success in connecting natural gas supplies to our gathering and processing systems;

 

   

our ability to grow through acquisitions or internal growth projects and the successful integration and future performance of such assets; and

 

   

general economic, market and business conditions.

Although we believe that the assumptions underlying our forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the time they are made, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and, therefore, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement will prove to be accurate. Some of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements are more fully described in “Risk Factors” and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Except as may be required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or advise of any change in any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common units offered under this prospectus. Any proceeds from the sale of common units offered under this prospectus will be received by the selling unitholder.

 

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OUR CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY

Distributions of Available Cash

General

Our partnership agreement requires that, within 45 days after the end of each quarter, we distribute all of our available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

Definition of Available Cash

Available cash generally means, for any quarter, all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter:

 

   

less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner at the date of determination of available cash for that quarter to:

 

   

provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for our future capital expenditures, anticipated future credit needs and refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing related to FERC rate proceedings or rate proceedings under applicable law subsequent to that quarter);

 

   

comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or

 

   

provide funds for distributions to our unitholders and to our general partner for any one or more of the next four quarters (provided that our general partner may not establish cash reserves for common and subordinated units unless it determines that the establishment of reserves will not prevent us from distributing the minimum quarterly distribution on all common units and any cumulative arrearages on such common units for the current quarter and the next four quarters);

 

   

plus, if our general partner so determines, all or any portion of the cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter.

The purpose and effect of the last bullet point above is to allow our general partner, if it so decides, to use cash from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of available cash for that quarter to pay distributions to unitholders. Under our partnership agreement, working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under a credit facility, commercial paper facility or similar financing arrangement, and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners, and with the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months with funds other than from additional working capital borrowings. The proceeds of working capital borrowings increase operating surplus and repayments of working capital borrowings are generally operating expenditures (as described below) and thus reduce operating surplus when repayments are made. However, if working capital borrowings, which increase operating surplus, are not repaid during the 12-month period following the borrowing, they will be deemed repaid at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowings are in fact repaid, they will not be treated as a further reduction in operating surplus because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deemed repayment.

Intent to Distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution

We intend to make a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of our common units and subordinated units of $0.4125 per unit (our minimum quarterly distribution), or $1.65 on an annualized basis, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after the establishment of cash reserves and the payment of costs and expenses, including reimbursements of expenses to our general partner. However, there is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our units in any quarter. Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions paid under our policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our general partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.

Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus

General

All cash distributed to unitholders is characterized as either being paid from “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” We treat distributions of available cash from operating surplus differently than distributions of available cash from capital surplus.

 

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Operating Surplus

We define operating surplus as:

 

   

$11.5 million (as described below); plus

 

   

all of our cash receipts since the closing of our initial public offering, excluding cash from interim capital transactions (as defined below); plus

 

   

working capital borrowings made after the end of a quarter but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for that quarter; plus

 

   

cash distributions paid on equity issued to finance all or a portion of the construction, acquisition, development or improvement of a capital improvement or replacement of a capital asset (such as equipment or facilities) in respect of the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding obligation to commence the construction, acquisition, development or improvement of a capital improvement or replacement of a capital asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date the capital improvement or capital asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of; plus

 

   

cash distributions paid on equity issued to pay the construction-period interest on debt incurred, or to pay construction-period distributions on equity issued, to finance the capital improvements or capital assets referred to above; less

 

   

all of our operating expenditures (as defined below) since the closing of our initial public offering; less

 

   

the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less

 

   

all working capital borrowings not repaid within 12 months after having been incurred, or repaid within such 12-month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings; less

 

   

any cash loss realized on disposition of an investment capital expenditure.

As described above, operating surplus does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders and is not limited to cash generated by operations. For example, it includes a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to $11.5 million of cash we receive from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities and long-term borrowings that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus.

We define interim capital transactions as (i) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than working capital borrowings and items purchased on open account or for a deferred purchase price in the ordinary course of business) and sales of debt securities, (ii) sales of equity securities, (iii) sales or other dispositions of assets, other than sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business and sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal asset retirements or replacements, (iv) the termination of commodity hedge contracts or interest rate hedge contracts prior to the termination date specified therein (provided that cash receipts from any such termination will be included in operating surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of the contract), (v) capital contributions received and (vi) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.

We define operating expenditures as all of our cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of expenses of our general partner and its affiliates, interest payments, payments made in the ordinary course of business under interest rate hedge contracts and commodity hedge contracts (provided that payments made in connection with the termination of any interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date will be included in operating expenditures in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such interest rate hedge contract or commodity hedge contract), estimated maintenance capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below), director and officer compensation, repayment of working capital borrowings and non-pro rata repurchases of our units; provided, however , that operating expenditures will not include:

 

   

repayments of working capital borrowings where such borrowings have previously been deemed to have been repaid (as described above);

 

   

payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than working capital borrowings;

 

   

expansion capital expenditures;

 

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actual maintenance capital expenditures;

 

   

investment capital expenditures;

 

   

payment of transaction expenses (including, but not limited to, taxes) relating to interim capital transactions;

 

   

distributions to our partners;

 

   

non-pro rata purchases of any class of our units made with the proceeds of an interim capital transaction; or

 

   

any other payments made in connection with our initial public offering that are described in “Use of Proceeds.”

Capital Surplus

Capital surplus is defined in our partnership agreement as any distribution of available cash in excess of our cumulative operating surplus. Accordingly, except as described above, capital surplus would generally be generated by:

 

   

borrowings other than working capital borrowings;

 

   

sales of our equity and debt securities; and

 

   

sales or other dispositions of assets, other than inventory, accounts receivable and other assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of ordinary course retirement or replacement of assets.

Characterization of Cash Distributions

Our partnership agreement requires that we treat all available cash distributed as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all available cash distributed since the closing of our initial public offering equals the operating surplus from the closing of our initial public offering through the end of the quarter immediately preceding that distribution. Our partnership agreement requires that we treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.

Capital Expenditures

Maintenance capital expenditures are cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to, or the replacement of, our capital assets, for the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new, capital assets or for any integrity management program) made to maintain our long-term operating income or operating capacity. We expect that a primary component of maintenance capital expenditures will include expenditures for routine equipment and pipeline maintenance or replacement due to obsolescence. Maintenance capital expenditures will also include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued (including incremental distributions on incentive distribution rights) to finance all or any portion of the construction or development of a replacement asset that is paid in respect of the period that begins when we enter into a binding obligation to commence constructing or developing a replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that any such replacement asset commences commercial service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of.

Because our maintenance capital expenditures can be irregular, the amount of our actual maintenance capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus and cash available for distribution to our unitholders if we subtracted actual maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus.

Our partnership agreement requires that an estimate of the average quarterly maintenance capital expenditures be subtracted from operating surplus each quarter as opposed to the actual amounts spent. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus for those periods will be determined by the board of directors of our general partner at least once a year, subject to approval by the Conflicts Committee. The estimate will be made annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our maintenance capital expenditures on a long-term basis. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate will be prospective only.

 

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The use of estimated maintenance capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus will have the following effects:

it will reduce the risk that maintenance capital expenditures in any one quarter will be large enough to render operating surplus less than the minimum quarterly distribution to be paid on all the units for the quarter and subsequent quarters;

 

   

it will increase our ability to distribute as operating surplus cash we receive from non-operating sources;

 

   

it will be more difficult for us to raise our distribution above the minimum quarterly distribution and pay incentive distributions on the incentive distribution rights held by our general partner; and

 

   

it will reduce the likelihood that a large actual maintenance capital expenditure in a period will prevent our general partner’s affiliates from being able to convert some or all of their subordinated units into common units since the effect of an estimate is to spread the expected expense over several periods, thereby mitigating the effect of the actual payment of the expenditure on any single period.

Estimated maintenance capital expenditures reduce operating surplus, but expansion capital expenditures, investment capital expenditures and actual maintenance capital expenditures do not.

Expansion capital expenditures are cash expenditures incurred for acquisitions or capital improvements that we expect will increase our operating income or operating capacity over the long term. Expansion capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance the construction, acquisition or development of an improvement to our capital assets and paid in respect of the period beginning on the date that we enter into a binding obligation to commence construction, acquisition or development of the capital improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such capital improvement commences commercial service and the date that such capital improvement is abandoned or disposed of. Examples of expansion capital expenditures include the acquisition of equipment, or the construction, development or acquisition of additional pipeline or treating capacity or new compression capacity.

Capital expenditures that are made in part for expansion capital purposes and in part for other purposes will be allocated between expansion capital expenditures and expenditures for other purposes by our general partner (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee).

Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither maintenance capital expenditures nor expansion capital expenditures. Investment capital expenditures largely will consist of capital expenditures made for investment purposes. Examples of investment capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes or development of facilities that are in excess of the maintenance of our existing operating capacity or operating income, but that are not expected to expand, for more than the short term, our operating capacity or operating income.

Subordination Period

General

Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (which we define below), the common units will have the right to receive distributions of available cash from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to $0.4125 per common unit, which amount is defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions of available cash from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. These units are deemed “subordinated” because for a period of time, referred to as the subordination period, the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distributions until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages from prior quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be available cash to be distributed on the common units.

 

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Subordination Period

Except as described below, the subordination period began on the closing date of our initial public offering and will extend until the first business day of any quarter beginning after September 30, 2014, that each of the following tests are met:

 

   

distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common and subordinated units equaled or exceeded $1.65 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) and the corresponding distributions on our 2.0% general partner interest and were made, in each case for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date;

 

   

the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter periods immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded (i) the sum of $1.65 (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common and subordinated units during those periods on a fully diluted basis and (ii) the corresponding distribution on our 2.0% general partner interest; and

 

   

there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

For purposes of determining whether sufficient adjusted operating surplus has been generated under the above conversion test, the Conflicts Committee may adjust operating surplus upwards or downwards if it determines in good faith that the amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures used in the determination of adjusted operating surplus was materially incorrect, based on the circumstances prevailing at the time of the original estimate, for any one or more of the preceding two four-quarter periods.

Early Termination of Subordination Period

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subordination period will automatically terminate on the first business day of any quarter beginning after September 30, 2012, that each of the following tests are met:

 

   

distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded $2.475 (150.0% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution), and the corresponding distribution on our general partner’s 2.0% interest and the incentive distribution rights were made, in each case, for the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date;

 

   

the adjusted operating surplus (as defined below) generated during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date equaled or exceeded the sum of (i) $2.475 per unit (150.0% of the annualized minimum quarterly distribution) on all of the outstanding common units and subordinated units during that period on a fully diluted basis and (ii) the distributions made on our 2.0% general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights;

 

   

distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the outstanding common units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded the minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125, and we made the corresponding distribution on our 2.0% general partner interest, for each quarter during the four-quarter period immediately preceding that date; and

 

   

there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distributions on the common units.

Expiration of the Subordination Period

When the subordination period ends, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will thereafter participate pro rata with the other common units in distributions of available cash. In addition, if the unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause and no units held by our general partner and its affiliates are voted in favor of such removal:

 

   

the subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately and automatically convert into one common unit;

 

   

any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

   

our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests.

 

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Adjusted Operating Surplus

Adjusted operating surplus is intended to reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net drawdowns of reserves of cash established in prior periods. Adjusted operating surplus for a period consists of:

 

   

operating surplus generated with respect to that period (excluding any amounts attributable to the item described in the first bullet point under the caption “— Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus — Operating Surplus” above); less

 

   

any net increase in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; less

 

   

any net decrease in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period not relating to an operating expenditure made with respect to that period; plus

 

   

any net decrease in working capital borrowings with respect to that period; plus

 

   

any net decrease made in subsequent periods to cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established with respect to that period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods; plus

 

   

any net increase in cash reserves for operating expenditures with respect to that period required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus during the Subordination Period

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters during the subordination period;

 

   

third , 98.0% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

   

thereafter , in the manner described in “— General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus after the Subordination Period

We will make distributions of available cash from operating surplus for any quarter after the subordination period in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding unit an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter; and

 

   

thereafter , in the manner described in “— General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights” below.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

General Partner Interest and Incentive Distribution Rights

Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner initially is entitled to 2.0% of all distributions that we make prior to our liquidation. Our general partner has the right, but not the obligation, to contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest if we issue additional units. Our general partner’s 2.0% interest, and the percentage of our cash distributions to which it is entitled from such 2.0% interest, will be proportionately reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner

 

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does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us in order to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Our partnership agreement does not require that our general partner fund its capital contribution with cash. It may instead fund its capital contribution by the contribution to us of common units or other property.

Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage (13.0%, 23.0% and 48.0%) of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our general partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement.

The following discussion assumes that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest, that there are no arrearages on common units and that our general partner continues to own the incentive distribution rights.

If for any quarter:

 

   

we have distributed available cash from operating surplus to the common and subordinated unitholders in an amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution; and

 

   

we have distributed available cash from operating surplus on outstanding common units in an amount necessary to eliminate any cumulative arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

then, we will distribute any additional available cash from operating surplus for that quarter among the unitholders and our general partner in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.47438 per unit for that quarter (the “first target distribution”);

 

   

second , 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.51563 per unit for that quarter (the “second target distribution”);

 

   

third , 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives a total of $0.61875 per unit for that quarter (the “third target distribution”); and

 

   

thereafter , 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner.

Percentage Allocations of Available Cash from Operating Surplus

The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner based on the specified target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions” are the percentage interests of our general partner and the unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “Total Quarterly Distribution Per Unit Target Amount.” The percentage interests shown for our unitholders and our general partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests set forth below for our general partner include its 2.0% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has contributed any additional capital necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest, our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that there are no arrearages on common units.

 

     Total Quarterly Distribution per Unit Target
Amount
     Marginal Percentage
Interest in Distributions
 
        Unitholders     General
Partner
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.41250         98.0     2.0

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.47438         98.0     2.0

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.47438       up to $      0.51563         85.0     15.0

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.51563       up to $      0.61875         75.0     25.0

Thereafter

         above $      0.61875         50.0     50.0

 

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General Partner’s Right to Reset Incentive Distribution Levels

Our general partner, as the initial holder of our incentive distribution rights, has the right under our partnership agreement to elect to relinquish the right to receive incentive distribution payments based on the initial target distribution levels and to reset, at higher levels, the minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels upon which the incentive distribution payments to our general partner would be set. If our general partner transfers all or a portion of our incentive distribution rights in the future, then the holder or holders of a majority of our incentive distribution rights will be entitled to exercise this right. The following discussion assumes that our general partner holds all of the incentive distribution rights at the time that a reset election is made. Our general partner’s right to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels upon which the incentive distributions payable to our general partner are based may be exercised, without approval of our unitholders or the Conflicts Committee, at any time when there are no subordinated units outstanding and we have made cash distributions to the holders of the incentive distribution rights at the highest level of incentive distribution for each of the four consecutive fiscal quarters immediately preceding such time. If our general partner and its affiliates are not the holders of a majority of the incentive distribution rights at the time an election is made to reset the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels, then the proposed reset will be subject to the prior written concurrence of the general partner that the conditions described above have been satisfied. The reset minimum quarterly distribution amount and target distribution levels will be higher than the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels prior to the reset such that our general partner will not receive any incentive distributions under the reset target distribution levels until cash distributions per unit following this event increase as described below. We anticipate that our general partner would exercise this reset right in order to facilitate acquisitions or internal growth projects that would otherwise not be sufficiently accretive to cash distributions per common unit, taking into account the existing levels of incentive distribution payments being made to our general partner.

In connection with the resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels and the corresponding relinquishment by our general partner of incentive distribution payments based on the target distributions prior to the reset, our general partner will be entitled to receive a number of newly issued common units and general partner units based on a predetermined formula described below that takes into account the “cash parity” value of the average cash distributions related to the incentive distribution rights received by our general partner for the two quarters immediately preceding the reset event as compared to the average cash distributions per common unit during that two-quarter period. Our general partner will be issued the number of general partner units necessary to maintain our general partner’s interest in us immediately prior to the reset election.

The number of common units that our general partner would be entitled to receive from us in connection with a resetting of the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels then in effect would be equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the average aggregate amount of cash distributions received by our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights during the two consecutive fiscal quarters ended immediately prior to the date of such reset election by (y) the average of the amount of cash distributed per common unit during each of these two quarters.

Following a reset election, the minimum quarterly distribution amount will be reset to an amount equal to the average cash distribution amount per unit for the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election (which amount we refer to as the “reset minimum quarterly distribution”) and the target distribution levels will be reset to be correspondingly higher such that we would distribute all of our available cash from operating surplus for each quarter thereafter as follows:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount equal to 115.0% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter;

 

   

second , 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 125.0% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter;

 

   

third , 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner, until each unitholder receives an amount per unit equal to 150.0% of the reset minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter; and

 

   

thereafter , 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner.

The following table illustrates the percentage allocation of available cash from operating surplus between the unitholders and our general partner at various cash distribution levels (i) pursuant to the cash distribution provisions of our partnership agreement currently in effect, as well as (ii) following a hypothetical reset of the minimum

 

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quarterly distribution and target distribution levels based on the assumption that the average quarterly cash distribution amount per common unit during the two fiscal quarters immediately preceding the reset election was $0.65.

 

                               Marginal Percentage
Interest Distributions
    Quarterly
Distributions
per Unit
Following
Hypothetical
Reset
 
     Quarterly Distribution
per Unit Prior to Reset
     Unitholders     2.0%
General
Partner
Interest
    Incentive
Distribution
Rights
   

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.41250         98.0     2.0     —        $ 0.6500   

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.47438         98.0     2.0     —          0.7475   

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.47438       up to $      0.51563         85.0     2.0     13.0     0.8125   

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.51563       up to $      0.61875         75.0     2.0     23.0     0.9750   

Thereafter

         above $      0.61875         50.0     2.0     48.0     0.9750   

The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and our general partner, including in respect of incentive distribution rights, based on an average of the amounts distributed each quarter for the two quarters immediately prior to the reset. The table assumes that immediately prior to the reset there would be 9,052,132 common units outstanding, our general partner has maintained its 2.0% general partner interest and the average distribution to each common unit would be $0.65 for the two quarters prior to the reset.

 

                               Cash
Distributions
to Common
Unitholders
Prior to
Reset
     Cash Distribution to General Partner
Prior to Reset
     Total
Distributions
 
     Quarterly
Distribution per
Unit Prior to Reset
        2.0%
General
Partner
Interest
     Incentive
Distribution

Rights
     Total     

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.41250       $ 3,734,004       $ 76,204       $ —         $ 76,204       $ 3,810,209   

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.47438         560,101         11,431         —           11,431         571,531   

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.47438       up to $      0.51563         373,400         8,786         57,108         65,894         439,295   

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.51563       up to $      0.61875         933,501         24,893         286,274         311,167         1,244,668   

Thereafter

         above $      0.61875         282,879         11,315         271,564         282,879         565,758   
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 5,883,886       $ 132,629       $ 614,946       $ 747,575       $ 6,631,461   
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table illustrates the total amount of available cash from operating surplus that would be distributed to the unitholders and our general partner, including in respect of incentive distribution rights, with respect to the quarter in which the reset occurs. The table reflects that, as a result of the reset, there would be 9,998,203 common units outstanding, our general partner’s 2.0% interest has been maintained, and the average distribution to each common unit would be $0.65. The number of common units to be issued to our general partner upon the reset was calculated by dividing (i) the average of the amounts received by our general partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights for the two quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above, or $614,946, by (ii) the average available cash distributed on each common unit for the two quarters prior to the reset as shown in the table above, or $0.65.

 

                                      Cash Distribution to General Partner After Reset         
     Quarterly
Distribution per
Unit Prior to Reset
     Cash
Distributions
to Common
Unitholders
Prior to
Reset
     Common
Units
Issued in
Connection
With Reset
     2.0%
General
Partner
Interest
     Incentive
Distribution

Rights
     Total      Total
Distributions
 

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

         $      0.6500       $ 5,883,886       $ 614,946       $ 132,629       $ —         $ 747,575       $ 6,631,461   

First Target Distribution

         up to $      0.7475         —           —           —           —           —           —     

Second Target Distribution

   above $           0.7475       up to $      0.8125         —           —           —           —           —           —     

Third Target Distribution

   above $           0.8125       up to $      0.9750         —           —           —           —           —           —     
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Thereafter

         above $      0.9750       $ 5,883,886       $ 614,946       $ 132,629       $ —         $ —         $ 6,631,461   
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our general partner will be entitled to cause the minimum quarterly distribution amount and the target distribution levels to be reset on more than one occasion, provided that it may not make a reset election except at a time when it has received incentive distributions for the immediately preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters based on the highest level of incentive distributions that it is entitled to receive under our partnership agreement.

 

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Distributions from Capital Surplus

How Distributions from Capital Surplus Will Be Made

We will make distributions of available cash from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each common unit that was issued in our initial public, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to the initial public offering price of our common units;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we distribute for each outstanding common unit, an amount of available cash from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units; and

 

   

thereafter , as if they were from operating surplus.

The preceding discussion is based on the assumptions that our general partner maintains its 2.0% general partner interest and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus

Our partnership agreement treats a distribution of capital surplus as the repayment of the initial unit price from our initial public offering, which is a return of capital. The initial public offering price less any distributions of capital surplus per unit is referred to as the “unrecovered initial unit price.” Each time a distribution of capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the corresponding reduction in the unrecovered initial unit price. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for our general partner to receive incentive distributions and for the subordinated units to convert into common units. However, any distribution of capital surplus before the unrecovered initial unit price is reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution or any arrearages.

Once we distribute capital surplus on a unit issued in our initial public offering in an amount equal to the initial unit price, we will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels to zero. We will then make all future distributions from operating surplus, with 50.0% being paid to the unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner. The percentage interests shown for our general partner include its 2.0% general partner interest and assume that our general partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.

Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels

In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution and target distribution levels to reflect a distribution of capital surplus, if we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:

 

   

the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

   

the number of common units into which a subordinated unit is convertible;

 

   

target distribution levels;

 

   

the unrecovered initial unit price; and

 

   

the number of general partner units comprising the general partner interest.

For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its initial level, and each subordinated unit would be convertible into two common units. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.

In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted by a governmental authority, so that we become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, our partnership agreement specifies that the minimum quarterly distribution and the target

 

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distribution levels for each quarter may be reduced by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of available cash for that quarter plus our general partner’s estimate of our aggregate liability for the quarter for such income taxes payable by reason of such legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

General

If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.

The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of outstanding common units to a preference over the holders of outstanding subordinated units upon our liquidation, to the extent required to permit common unitholders to receive their unrecovered initial unit price plus the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs plus any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the holders of common units to fully recover all of these amounts, even though there may be cash available for distribution to the holders of subordinated units. Any further net gain recognized upon liquidation will be allocated in a manner that takes into account the incentive distribution rights of our general partner.

Manner of Adjustments for Gain

The manner of the adjustment for gain is set forth in our partnership agreement. If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, we will allocate any gain to our partners in the following manner:

 

   

first , to our general partner and the holders of units who have negative balances in their capital accounts to the extent of and in proportion to those negative balances;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital account for each common unit is equal to the sum of: (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs; and (3) any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution;

 

   

third , 98.0% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital account for each subordinated unit is equal to the sum of: (1) the unrecovered initial unit price; and (2) the amount of the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which our liquidation occurs;

 

   

fourth , 98.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the first target distribution per unit over the minimum quarterly distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution per unit that we distributed 98.0% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 2.0% to our general partner, for each quarter of our existence;

 

   

fifth , 85.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the second target distribution per unit over the first target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the first target distribution per unit that we distributed 85.0% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 15.0% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence;

 

   

sixth , 75.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner, until we allocate under this paragraph an amount per unit equal to: (1) the sum of the excess of the third target distribution per unit over the second target distribution per unit for each quarter of our existence; less (2) the cumulative amount per unit of any distributions of available cash from operating surplus in excess of the second target distribution per unit that we distributed 75.0% to the unitholders, pro rata, and 25.0% to our general partner for each quarter of our existence;

 

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thereafter , 50.0% to all unitholders, pro rata, and 50.0% to our general partner.

The percentages set forth above are based on the assumption that our general partner has not transferred its incentive distribution rights and that we do not issue additional classes of equity securities.

If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that clause (3) of the second bullet point above and all of the fourth bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

Manner of Adjustments for Losses

If our liquidation occurs before the end of the subordination period, after making allocations of loss to the general partner and the unitholders in a manner intended to offset in reverse order the allocations of gains that have previously been allocated, we will generally allocate any loss to our general partner and unitholders in the following manner:

 

   

first , 98.0% to the holders of subordinated units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the subordinated unitholders have been reduced to zero;

 

   

second , 98.0% to the holders of common units in proportion to the positive balances in their capital accounts and 2.0% to our general partner, until the capital accounts of the common unitholders have been reduced to zero; and

 

   

thereafter , 100.0% to our general partner.

If the liquidation occurs after the end of the subordination period, the distinction between common units and subordinated units will disappear, so that all of the first bullet point above will no longer be applicable.

Adjustments to Capital Accounts

Our partnership agreement requires that we make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In this regard, our partnership agreement specifies that we allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and the general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain upon liquidation. In the event that we make positive adjustments to the capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units, our partnership agreement requires that we generally allocate any later negative adjustments to the capital accounts resulting from the issuance of additional units or upon our liquidation in a manner which results, to the extent possible, in the partners’ capital account balances equaling the amount which they would have been if no earlier positive adjustments to the capital accounts had been made. In contrast to the allocations of gain, and except as provided above, we generally will allocate any unrealized and unrecognized loss resulting from the adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units to the unitholders and our general partner based on their respective percentage ownership of us. In this manner, prior to the end of the subordination period, we generally will allocate any such loss equally with respect to our common and subordinated units. If we make negative adjustments to the capital accounts as a result of such loss, future positive adjustments resulting from the issuance of additional units will be allocated in a manner designed to reverse the prior negative adjustments, and special allocations will be made upon liquidation in a manner that results, to the extent possible, in our unitholders’ capital account balances equaling the amounts they would have been if no earlier adjustments for loss had been made.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS

The Units

The common units represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of common units, along with the holders of subordinated units, are entitled to participate in partnership distributions and are entitled to exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and subordinated units in and to partnership distributions, please read this section and “Our Cash Distribution Policy.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement.”

 

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Transfer Agent and Registrar

Duties

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will serve as the registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We will pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units except the following that must be paid by our unitholders:

 

   

surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, or to cover taxes and other governmental charges in connection therewith;

 

   

special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and

 

   

other similar fees or charges.

There will be no charge to our unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their respective stockholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.

Resignation or Removal

The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.

Transfer of Common Units

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:

 

   

automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our partnership agreement;

 

   

represents and warrants that the transferee has the right, power, authority and capacity to enter into our partnership agreement; and

 

   

gives the consents, waivers and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements that we entered into in connection with our initial public offering.

Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing the transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.

Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the common unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our partnership agreement is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We will provide prospective investors with a copy of our partnership agreement upon request at no charge.

 

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We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

   

with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy;”

 

   

with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of the Common Units — Transfer of Common Units;” and

 

   

with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Organization and Duration

We were organized in August 2009 and have a perpetual existence.

Purpose

Our purpose under our partnership agreement is limited to any business activities that are approved by our general partner and in any event that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided that our general partner may not cause us to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that our general partner determines would cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.

Although our general partner has the power to cause us, our operating company and its subsidiaries to engage in activities other than the business of gathering, compressing, treating and transporting natural gas, our general partner has no current plans to do so and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. Our general partner is generally authorized to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.

Cash Distributions

Our partnership agreement specifies the manner in which we will make cash distributions to holders of our common units and other partnership securities as well as to our general partner in respect of its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights. For a description of these cash distribution provisions, please read “Our Cash Distribution Policy.”

Capital Contributions

Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “— Limited Liability.”

For a discussion of our general partner’s right to contribute capital to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest if we issue additional units, please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.”

Voting Rights

The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for approval of the matters specified below. Matters that require the approval of a “unit majority” require:

 

   

during the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding those common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and a majority of the outstanding subordinated units, voting as separate classes; and

 

   

after the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units.

By virtue of the exclusion of those common units held by our general partner and its affiliates from the required vote, and by their ownership of all of the subordinated units, during the subordination period our general partner and its affiliates do not have the ability to ensure passage of, but do have the ability to ensure defeat of, any amendment that requires a unit majority.

In voting their common and subordinated units, our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or our limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us and our limited partners.

 

Issuance of additional units

No approval right.

 

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Amendment of our partnership agreement    Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “— Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement.”
Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets    Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “— Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.”
Dissolution of our partnership    Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Continuation of our business upon dissolution    Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
Withdrawal of our general partner    Under most circumstances, the approval of a majority of the common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to June 30, 2021 in a manner that would cause a dissolution of our partnership. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
Removal of our general partner    Not less than 66  2 / 3 % of the outstanding units, voting as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner.”
Transfer of our general partner interest    Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or another person in connection with its merger, consolidation or conversion with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets to, such person. The approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to June 30, 2020. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest.”
Transfer of incentive distribution rights    No approval right. Please read “— Transfer of Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.”
Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner    No approval required at any time. Please read “— Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner.”

Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that it otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our partnership agreement, its liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital it is obligated to contribute to us for its common units plus its share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right of, or exercise of the right by, the limited partners as a group:

 

   

to remove or replace our general partner;

 

   

to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement; or

 

   

to take other action under our partnership agreement;

 

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constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that a limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for such a claim in Delaware case law.

Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of its assignor to make contributions to the partnership, except that such person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to it at the time it became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.

Our subsidiaries conduct business primarily in five states and we may have subsidiaries that conduct business in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as a member of our operating company may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which our operating company conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.

Limitations on the liability of members or limited partners for the obligations of a limited liability company or limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our ownership interest in our operating company or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.

Issuance of Additional Securities

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of our limited partners.

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have rights to distributions or special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit our subsidiaries from issuing equity securities, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.

Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will be entitled, but not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s 2.0% interest in us will be reduced if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its 2.0% general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units, subordinated units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same

 

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terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the percentage interest of the general partner and its affiliates, including such interest represented by common and subordinated units, that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of common units will not have preemptive rights under our partnership agreement to acquire additional common units or other partnership securities.

Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or our limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or our limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.

Prohibited Amendments

No amendment may be made that would:

 

   

enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or

 

   

enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90.0% of the outstanding units, voting as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates). As of September 7, 2012, affiliates of our general partner own approximately 58.7% of the outstanding common and subordinated units.

No Unitholder Approval

Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner to reflect:

 

   

a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;

 

   

the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;

 

   

a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for us to qualify or to continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we, our operating company, nor its subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

   

a change in our fiscal year or taxable period and related changes;

 

   

an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents, or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;

 

   

any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;

 

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an amendment effected, necessitated, or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;

 

   

any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;

 

   

mergers with, conveyances to or conversions into another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of the merger, conveyance or conversion other than those it receives by way of the merger, conveyance or conversion; or

 

   

any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described above.

In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner if our general partner determines that those amendments:

 

   

do not adversely affect in any material respect the limited partners considered as a whole or any particular class of partnership interests as compared to other classes of partnership interests;

 

   

are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling, or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;

 

   

are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of units or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline, or requirement of any securities exchange on which the units are or will be listed for trading;

 

   

are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or

 

   

are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.

Opinion of Counsel and Limited Partner Approval

Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments described above under “— No Unitholder Approval.” No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90.0% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.

In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets

A merger, consolidation or conversion of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation or conversion and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or our limited partners.

In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation, other combination or sale of ownership interests of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the

 

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surviving entity in the transaction, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to the partnership agreement (other than an amendment that the general partner could adopt without the consent of the limited partners), each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction and the partnership securities to be issued do not exceed 20.0% of our outstanding partnership securities immediately prior to the transaction.

If the conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed limited liability entity, if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters and the governing instruments of the new entity provide the limited partners and our general partner with the same rights and obligations as contained in our partnership agreement. Our unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a merger, consolidation or conversion, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other similar transaction or event.

Termination and Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until dissolved under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

 

   

the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following the approval and admission of a successor general partner;

 

   

the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;

 

   

the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or

 

   

there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Upon a dissolution under the first clause above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement and appoint as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:

 

   

the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and

 

   

neither we nor any of our subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon our dissolution, unless we are continued as a limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as described in “Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement Relating to Cash Distributions — Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners. The liquidator may distribute our assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the partners.

Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner

Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to June 30, 2021 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by the general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after June 30, 2021, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving at least 90 days’ advance notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our

 

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general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to the limited partners if at least 50.0% of the outstanding common units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates, other than our general partner and its affiliates. In addition, our partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest and incentive distribution rights in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest” and “— Transfer of Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.”

Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period of time after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”

Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66  2 / 3 % of all outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units, and a majority of the outstanding subordinated units, voting as a single class. The ownership of more than 33  2 / 3 % of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates gives them the ability to prevent our general partner’s removal. As of September 7, 2012, affiliates of our general partner own 58.7% of the outstanding common and subordinated units.

Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:

 

   

the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;

 

   

any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

   

our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.

In the event of removal of our general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of our general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where our general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner and its incentive distribution rights for their fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.

If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.

In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due to it, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.

 

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Transfer of General Partner Interest

Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest to:

 

   

an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual); or

 

   

another entity as part of the merger, consolidation or conversion of our general partner with or into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to another entity.

 

   

our general partner may not transfer all or any of its general partner interest to another person prior to June 30, 2021 without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must, among other things, assume the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.

Our general partner and its affiliates may, at any time, transfer common units or subordinated units to one or more persons, without unitholder approval, except that they may not transfer subordinated units to us.

Transfer of Ownership Interests in Our General Partner

At any time, the owners of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their ownership interests in our general partner to an affiliate or a third party without the approval of our unitholders.

Transfer of Subordinated Units and Incentive Distribution Rights

By transfer of subordinated units or incentive distribution rights in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of subordinated units or incentive distribution rights will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the subordinated units or incentive distribution rights transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:

 

   

represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement;

 

   

automatically becomes bound by the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement; and

 

   

gives the consents, waivers and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements we entered into in connection with our formation and the initial public.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of subordinated units or incentive distribution rights as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Subordinated units or incentive distribution rights are securities and any transfers are subject to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a limited partner for the transferred subordinated units or incentive distribution rights.

Until a subordinated unit or incentive distribution right has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit or right as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Change of Management Provisions

Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change our management. If any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, acquires beneficial ownership of 20.0% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units directly from our general partner or its affiliates or any transferee of that person or group that is approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.

 

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Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:

 

   

the subordination period will end and all outstanding subordinated units will immediately and automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis;

 

   

any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units will be extinguished; and

 

   

our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for those interests based on the fair market value of the interests at the time.

Limited Call Right

If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80.0% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining limited partner interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10, but not more than 60, days notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:

 

   

the highest price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for any limited partner interests of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and

 

   

the average of the daily closing prices of the partnership securities of such class for the 20 consecutive trading days preceding the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.

As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding limited partner interests, a holder of limited partner interests may have his limited partner interests purchased at an undesirable time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units.”

Meetings; Voting

Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20.0% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited.

Our general partner does not anticipate that any meeting of unitholders will be called in the foreseeable future. Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20.0% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called, represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage. The units representing the general partner interest are units for distribution and allocation purposes, but do not entitle our general partner to any vote other than its rights as general partner under our partnership agreement, will not be entitled to vote on any action required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders and will not count toward or be considered outstanding when calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for similar purposes.

Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to its percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20.0% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum, or for other similar purposes. Common units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and its nominee provides otherwise. Except as our partnership agreement otherwise provides, subordinated units will vote together with common units as a single class.

 

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Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of common units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

Status as Limited Partner

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Except as described above under “— Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.

Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption

To avoid any adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations, or in order to reverse an adverse determination that has occurred regarding such maximum applicable rate, our partnership agreement provides our general partner the power to amend the agreement. If our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines that our not being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more of our limited partners, has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us, then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:

 

   

obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of our member (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and

 

   

permit us to redeem the units held by any person whose tax status has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by our general partner to obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.

A non-taxpaying assignee will not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.

Non-Taxpaying Assignees; Redemption

In the event any rates that we charge our customers become regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, to avoid any adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us, or in order to reverse an adverse determination that has occurred regarding such maximum rate, our partnership agreement provides our general partner the power to amend the agreement. If our general partner, with the advice of counsel, determines that our not being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more of our limited partners, has, or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by us, then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to:

 

   

obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of our member (and their owners, to the extent relevant); and

 

   

permit us to redeem the units held by any person whose tax status has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates or who fails to comply with the procedures instituted by our general partner to obtain proof of the U.S. federal income tax status. The redemption price in the case of such a redemption will be the average of the daily closing prices per unit for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the date set for redemption.

Indemnification

Under our partnership agreement, we will indemnify the following persons, in most circumstances, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:

 

   

our general partner;

 

   

any departing general partner;

 

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any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner or any departing general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was a member, manager, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of our partnership, our subsidiaries, our general partner, any departing general partner or any of their affiliates;

 

   

any person who is or was serving at the request of the general partner or any departing general partner as an officer, director, member, manager, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person; and

 

   

any person designated by our general partner.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.

Reimbursement of Expenses

Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. Our general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.

Books and Reports

Our general partner is required to keep or cause to be kept appropriate books and records of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For fiscal and tax reporting purposes, we use the calendar year.

We will furnish or make available (by posting on our website or other reasonable means) to record holders of common units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, and our equity and cash flows. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.

As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each quarter except the last quarter of each fiscal year, our general partner will mail or make available to each record holder of a unit a report containing our unaudited financial statements and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining its federal and state tax liability and filing its federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.

Right to Inspect Our Books and Records

Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to its interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at its own expense, have furnished to him:

 

   

a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each record holder;

 

   

copies of our partnership agreement, the certificate of limited partnership of the partnership, related amendments, and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;

 

   

information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and

 

   

any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.

 

   

Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.

 

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Registration Rights

Under our partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units, or other partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates, other than individuals, or their assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These registration rights continue for two years and for so long thereafter as is required for the holder to sell its partnership securities following any withdrawal or removal of American Midstream GP as our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

This section is a summary of the material tax considerations that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP insofar as it relates to legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. This section is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Treasury Regulations”) and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to American Midstream Partners, LP and our operating subsidiaries.

The following discussion does not comment on all U.S. federal income tax matters affecting us or our unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the U.S. and has only limited application to corporations, estates, entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, trusts, nonresident aliens, U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions, tax-exempt institutions, non-U.S. persons (including, without limitation, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and non-U.S. persons eligible for the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty with the United States), IRAs, real estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities, U.S. persons whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar, persons holding their units as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction, and persons deemed to sell their units under the constructive sale provisions of the Code. In addition, the discussion only comments to a limited extent on state, local, and non-U.S. tax consequences. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his own tax advisor in analyzing the state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of common units.

No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions of Andrews Kurth LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common units and the prices at which common units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.

All statements as to matters of U.S. federal income tax law and legal conclusions with respect thereto, but not as to factual matters, contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us.

For the reasons described below, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues: (i) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales”); (ii) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (iii) whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Uniformity of Units”).

 

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Partnership Status

A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not taxable to the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of the partner’s adjusted basis in his partnership interest. Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation, processing, storage and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 5% of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.

No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding, and the IRS has made no determination as to, our status or the status of our operating subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below that:

 

   

We are classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes; and

 

   

Each of our operating subsidiaries is disregarded as an entity separate from us or is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

In rendering its opinion, Andrews Kurth LLP has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Andrews Kurth LLP has relied include:

 

   

Neither we nor our operating subsidiaries have elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation; and

 

   

For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of the type that Andrews Kurth LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.

We believe that these representations have been true in the past and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.

If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.

If we were taxed as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s

 

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tax basis in his common units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.

The discussion below is based on Andrews Kurth LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Limited Partner Status

Unitholders of American Midstream Partners, LP will be treated as partners of American Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners of American Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.

A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Short Sales.”

Income, gain, deductions or losses would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to their tax consequences of holding common units in American Midstream Partners, LP.

The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in American Midstream Partners, LP for federal income tax purposes.

Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Flow-Through of Taxable Income

Subject to the discussion below under “— Entity-Level Collections,” we will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.

Treatment of Distributions

Distributions made by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Cash distributions made by us to a unitholder in an amount in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “— Disposition of Common Units.” Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at-risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “— Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”

A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, depletion recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” each as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, the unitholder will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (i) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (ii) the unitholder’s tax basis (generally zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.

 

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Basis of Common Units

A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to our general partner to the extent of the general partner’s “net value” as defined in regulations under Section 752 of the Internal Revenue Code, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses

The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder, estate, trust, or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations) to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A common unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at-risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction to the extent that his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed such common unitholder’s tax basis in his common units. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at-risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.

In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (i) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (ii) any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at-risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.

In addition to the basis and at-risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder’s investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation.

A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.

Limitations on Interest Deductions

The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:

 

   

interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;

 

   

our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and

 

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the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.

The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or (if applicable) qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated that the net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.

Entity-Level Collections

If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.

Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction

In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to our general partner, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss, that loss will be allocated first to our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to our general partner.

Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for (i) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time of an offering and (ii) any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any property contributed to us by the general partner and its affiliates that exists at the time of such contribution, together referred to in this discussion as the “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder purchasing common units from us in an offering will be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of the offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, “reverse Section 704(c) Allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, will be made to the general partner and all of our unitholders immediately prior to such issuance or other transactions to account for the difference between the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of such issuance or future transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.

An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:

 

   

his relative contributions to us;

 

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the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;

 

   

the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and

 

   

the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.

Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “— Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.

Treatment of Short Sales

A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:

 

   

any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;

 

   

any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and

 

   

all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income.

Because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on the issue relating to partnership interests, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has previously announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Alternative Minimum Tax

Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. The current minimum tax rate for noncorporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.

Tax Rates

Under current law, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 35% and the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains (generally, capital gains on certain assets held for more than twelve months) of individuals is 15%. These rates are scheduled to sunset after December 31, 2012, and, thereafter, about new legislation, the U.S. federal income tax rates on both ordinary income and long-term capital gains will increase. Further, such rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.

A 3.8% Medicare tax on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates and trusts will apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income or (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income, or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.

 

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Section 754 Election

We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS unless there is a constructive termination of the partnership. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Constructive Termination.” The election will generally permit us to adjust a common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. This election does not apply with respect to a person who purchases common units directly from us. The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. For purposes of this discussion, the inside basis in our assets with respect to a unitholder will be considered to have two components: (i) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (ii) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.

We have adopted the remedial allocation method as to all our properties. Where the remedial allocation method is adopted, the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property that is subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code and whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.”

We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.” Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion as to whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable for property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code or if we use an aggregate approach as described above, as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the validity of these positions. Moreover, the IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.

A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation deductions and his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally, a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.

The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among

 

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our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.

Tax Treatment of Operations

Accounting Method and Taxable Year

We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”

Initial Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization

The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our unitholders holding interests in us prior to any such offering. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”

To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods, including bonus depreciation to the extent available, that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.

If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

The costs we incur in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.

Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties

The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

 

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Disposition of Common Units

Recognition of Gain or Loss

Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.

Prior distributions from us that in the aggregate were in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit and, therefore, decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.

Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held for more than twelve months will generally be taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income each year, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.

The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.

Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:

 

   

a short sale;

 

   

an offsetting notional principal contract; or

 

   

a futures or forward contract;

in each case, with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.

Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.

 

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Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees

In general, our taxable income and losses will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Allocation Date.” However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.

Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations as there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue. The Department of the Treasury and the IRS have issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. Existing publicly traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferor and transferee unitholders because the issue has not been finally resolved by the IRS or the courts. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferor and transferee unitholders, as well as unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.

A unitholder who disposes of common units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for any quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to the month of sale but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.

Notification Requirements

A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the U.S. and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.

Constructive Termination

We will be considered to have terminated our tax partnership for federal income tax purposes if there are sales or exchanges which, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of measuring whether the 50% threshold is reached, multiple sales of the same interest are counted only once. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will result in us filing two tax returns (and unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1 if the relief discussed below is not available) for one fiscal year and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all common unitholders. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination. The IRS has announced a publicly traded partnership technical termination relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests publicly traded partnership technical termination relief and the IRS grants such relief, among other things, the partnership will only have to provide one Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the year notwithstanding two partnership tax years.

 

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Uniformity of Units

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.” We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. In either case, and as stated above under “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election,” Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to these methods. Moreover, the IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “—Disposition of Common Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors

Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, non-U.S. corporations and other non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below to a limited extent, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units. Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to it.

Non-resident aliens and non-U.S. corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the U.S. because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, our quarterly distribution to non-U.S. unitholders will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each non-U.S. unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.

In addition, because a non-U.S. corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our earnings and profits, as adjusted for changes in the non-U.S. corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. That tax may be reduced

 

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or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the U.S. and the country in which the non-U.S. corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.

A non-U.S. unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a common unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. unitholder. Under a ruling published by the IRS, interpreting the scope of “effectively connected income,” a non-U.S. unitholder would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. by virtue of the U.S. activities of the partnership, and part or all of that unitholder’s gain would be effectively connected with that unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a non-U.S. unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a common unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our common units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the common units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, we believe that more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, non-U.S. unitholdolders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.

Administrative Matters

Information Returns and Audit Procedures

We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor Andrews Kurth LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.

The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his return.

Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.

Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement names American Midstream GP, LLC as our Tax Matters Partner.

The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.

A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.

 

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Nominee Reporting

Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:

 

   

the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;

 

   

whether the beneficial owner is:

 

   

a person that is not a U.S. person;

 

   

a non-U.S. government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or

 

   

a tax-exempt entity;

 

   

the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and

 

   

specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from dispositions.

Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $100 per failure, up to a maximum of $1.5 million per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.

Accuracy-Related Penalties

An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.

For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:

 

   

for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or

 

   

as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return.

If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us, or any of our investments, plans or arrangements.

A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Internal Revenue Code Section 482 is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Internal Revenue Code Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer’s gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation or certain other thresholds are met, the penalty imposed increases to 40%. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.

In addition, the 20% accuracy-related penalty also applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. To the extent that such transactions are not disclosed, the penalty imposed is increased to 40%. Additionally, there is no reasonable cause defense to the imposition of this penalty to such transactions.

 

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Reportable Transactions.

If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or that it produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “— Information Returns and Audit Procedures.”

Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following additional consequences:

 

   

accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described above at “— Accuracy-Related Penalties”;

 

   

for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability; and

 

   

in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations.

We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”

Recent Legislative Developments

The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time, members of the U.S. Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. Currently, one such legislative proposal would eliminate the qualifying income tax exception upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please read “— Partnership Status.” We are unable to predict whether any such changes will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us and may be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.

State, Local and Other Tax Considerations

In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property or in which you are a resident. We currently conduct business or own property in several states, most of which impose personal income taxes on individuals. Most of these states also impose an income or other entity-level tax on corporations and other entities. Moreover, we may also do business or own property in other states in the future that impose income or similar taxes on individuals, corporations and other entities. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. A unitholder may be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of these jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Entity-Level Collections.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, our general partner anticipates that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.

It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent states and localities, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in us.

 

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INVESTMENT IN THE PARTNERSHIP BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

An investment in us by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code. For these purposes, the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, Keogh plans, simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or IRAs established or maintained by an employer or employee organization. Among other things, the person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, often called a fiduciary, should consider:

 

   

whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA;

 

   

whether in making the investment, that plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(l)(C) of ERISA; and

 

   

whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return.

A plan fiduciary should determine whether an investment in us is authorized by the appropriate governing instrument and is a proper investment for the plan.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits employee benefit plans, and IRAs that are not considered part of an employee benefit plan, from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the plan.

In addition to considering whether the purchase of common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the plan will, by investing in us, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that the Partnership also would be a fiduciary of the plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Department of Labor regulations and Section 3(42) of ERISA provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under some circumstances. Under these rules, an entity’s assets would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:

 

   

the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly offered securities—i.e., the equity interests are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, freely transferable and registered under some provisions of the federal securities laws;

 

   

the entity is an “operating company,”—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or

 

   

there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that less than 25% of the value of each class of equity interest, disregarding some interests held by the Partnership, its affiliates, and some other persons, is held by employee benefit plans subject to Part 4 of Title I of ERISA, IRAs and other plans subject to Section 4975 of the Code and any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of such plan’s investment in such entity.

Our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in the first bullet above.

Plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of our common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code in light of the serious penalties imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering the common units on behalf of the selling unitholder. As used in this prospectus, “selling unitholder” includes donees and pledgees selling common units received from a named selling unitholder after the date of this prospectus.

Under this prospectus, the selling unitholder intends to offer our securities to the public:

 

   

through one or more broker-dealers;

 

   

through underwriters; and

 

   

directly to investors.

The selling unitholder may price the common units offered from time to time:

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement;

 

   

at prices related to market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

We will pay the costs and expenses of the registration and offering of the common units offered hereby. We will not pay any underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable to the selling unitholder’s sale of its securities, which will be paid by the selling unitholder. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may purchase securities as principal and thereafter resell the securities from time to time:

 

   

in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block transactions) or distributions;

 

   

on the New York Stock Exchange;

 

   

in the over-the-counter market; or

 

   

in private transactions.

Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may effect resales of the securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents.

To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that event, the discounts and commissions the selling unitholder will allow or pay to the underwriters, if any, and the discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents, if any, will be set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses.

In addition, the selling unitholder has advised us that it may sell the common units in compliance with Rule 144, if available, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

Because the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) views our common units as interests in a direct participation program, any offering of common units under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will be made in compliance with Rule 2310 of the FINRA Conduct Rules.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a particular plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

In connection with offerings of securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price

 

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of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

In compliance with FINRA guidelines, the maximum consideration or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

SELLING UNITHOLDER

This prospectus covers the offer and sale of up to 725,120 common units by the selling unitholder identified below. These common units represent securities received by the selling unitholder upon conversion of its limited partnership interests in us immediately prior to the closing of our initial public offering in July 2011. The total amount of common units that may be sold hereunder will not exceed the number of units offered hereby. Please read “Plan of Distribution.”

The following table sets forth information about the maximum number of common units that may be offered from time to time by the selling unitholder under this prospectus. The selling unitholder identified below may currently hold or acquire at any time common units in addition to those registered hereby. Accordingly, we cannot give an estimate as to the number of units that will be held by the selling unitholder upon termination of this offering.

Information concerning the selling unitholder may change from time to time and, if necessary, we will supplement this prospectus accordingly.

 

Selling Unitholder    Total
Number of
Common
Units
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage of
Units
Outstanding
Prior to
Offering(2)
    Number of
Units that
May Be
Sold
     Number of
Units
Beneficially
Owned
After
Offering(3)
     Percentage
of Units
Outstanding
After
Offering
 

AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC (1)

     725,120         8.0     725,120         —           0

 

(1) Information as of September 7, 2012. The address of AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC is 950 Tower Lane, Suite 800, Foster City, California 94404. Robert B. Hellman, Jr., Matthew P. Carbone and George E. McCown are the natural persons who share voting and dispositive power over the securities owned by AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC. Messrs. Hellman, Carbone and McCown disclaim beneficial ownership of such securities except to the extent of the pecuniary interest of each therein.
(2) Calculated based on 9,107,916 common units outstanding as of September 7, 2012.
(3) Assumes all units are sold.

Related Party Transactions

Following our initial public offering, AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC is the beneficial owner of 725,120 of our common units and all of our subordinated units, representing a combined 57.7% limited partner interest in us as of September 7, 2012. In addition, AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC owns and controls our general partner, which owns a 2.0% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be passed upon for us by Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas. If certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to significant transactions with related parties as described in Note 17 to the financial statements, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The audited historical i) statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at November 1, 2011 and ii) statement of revenues in excess of expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 of the 50% undivided interest in the Burns Point Processing Plant, included in Exhibit 99.2 of the American Midstream Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated February 9, 2012 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.

The audited historical financial statements of Chatom Assets, included in Exhibit 99.2 of the American Midstream Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated September 11, 2012 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.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, that registers the offer and sale of the securities covered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room 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 operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available on the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. You also can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be “filed” with the SEC, will automatically update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the following documents that we have previously filed with the SEC:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35257) for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed on March 19, 2012;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-35257) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 filed on May 14, 2012 and for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 filed on August 14, 2012;

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35257) filed on December 6, 2011, as amended by the Form 8-K/A filed on February 10, 2012, April 16, 2012, May 29, 2012, June 1, 2012, June 7, 2012, as amended by the Form 8-K/A filed on June 11, 2012, July 2, 2012, July 9, 2012, as amended by the 8-K/A filed on September 11, 2012, and July 17, 2012; and

 

   

The description of our common units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-35257) filed on July 26, 2011.

All documents that we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of this prospectus and until our offerings hereunder are completed will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of the document. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit).

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, http://www.americanmindstream.com , our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Information contained on our Internet website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (excluding any exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by visiting our Internet website at http://www.americanmindstream.com , or by writing or calling us at the following address:

Investor Relations

American Midstream Partners, LP

1614 15th Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Telephone: (720) 457-6060

ir@americanmidstream.com

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with any information. You should not assume that the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of each document.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

Set forth below are the expenses expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.

 

SEC registration fee

   $  47,420   

FINRA filing fee

     60,500   

Printing and engraving expenses

     *   

Accounting and consulting fees and expenses

     *   

Legal fees and expenses

     *   

Transfer agent and registrar fees

     *   

Miscellaneous

     *   

Total

   $ *   
  

 

 

 

 

* These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities to be offered, and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

American Midstream Partners, LP

Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The section of the prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement — Indemnification” discloses that we will generally indemnify officers, directors and affiliates of our general partner to the fullest extent permitted by the law against all losses, claims, damages or similar events and is incorporated herein by reference.

The underwriting agreement to be entered into in connection with the sale of the securities offered pursuant to this registration statement, the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to this registration statement, provides for indemnification of American Midstream Partners, LP and our general partner, their officers and directors, and any person who controls our general partner, including indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act.

American Midstream GP, LLC

Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the limited liability company agreement, Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act empowers a Delaware limited liability company to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

Under the limited liability agreement of our general partner, in most circumstances, our general partner will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative):

 

   

any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner (other than us and our subsidiaries);

 

   

any person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, employee, agent or trustee of our general partner or any affiliate of our general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was serving at the request of our general partner or any affiliate of our general partner as an officer, director, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another person; and

 

   

any person designated by our general partner.

 

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Our general partner will purchase insurance covering its officers and directors against liabilities asserted and expenses incurred in connection with their activities as officers and directors of our general partner or any of its direct or indirect subsidiaries.

American Midstream Finance Corporation

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Similar indemnity is authorized for such persons against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any such threatened, pending or completed action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and provided further (unless a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise provides) such person shall not have been adjudged liable to the corporation. Any such indemnification may that be made only as authorized in each specific case upon a determination by the stockholders or disinterested directors or by independent legal counsel in a written opinion that indemnification is proper because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct.

Section 145 further authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the corporation would otherwise have the power to indemnify him under Section 145. Also, the bylaws of American Midstream Finance Corporation provide for the indemnification of directors and officers of and such directors and officers who serve at the request of the company as directors, officers or employees of any other enterprise against certain liabilities under certain circumstances.

 

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1    Certificate of Limited Partnership of American Midstream Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1 filed March 31, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.2    Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of American Midstream Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form 8-K filed August 4, 2011 (File No 001-35257))
  4.3    Certificate of Formation of American Midstream GP, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1 filed March 31, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.4    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of American Midstream GP, LLC A Delaware Limited Liability Company Dated as of November 4, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1 filed March 31, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.5    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of American Midstream GP, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1/A filed July 1, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.6+    Certificate of Incorporation of American Midstream Finance Corporation.
  4.7+    Bylaws of American Midstream Finance Corporation.

 

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  4.8+    Form of Senior Debt Indenture.
  4.9+    Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture.
  4.10*    Form of Senior Debt Securities.
  4.11*    Form of Subordinated Debt Securities.
  5.1+    Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  8.1+    Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP relating to tax matters.
12.1+    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.4+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.5+    Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.6+    Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1).
24.1+    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages).
24.2+    Powers of Attorney.
25.1+    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification with respect to the Senior Debt Indenture.
25.2+    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification with respect to the Subordinated Debt Indenture.

 

+ Filed herewith.
* To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.

 

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 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.

(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) above 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 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.

 

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(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 the 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 that 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.

(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) The 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 section 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 Securities Act of 1933 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

 

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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 of the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance on Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on September 11, 2012.

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
By:    

A MERICAN M IDSTREAM GP, LLC

its general partner

  By:  

/s/           Brian F. Bierbach

    Name:       Brian F. Bierbach
    Title:       Chief Executive Officer and President

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Brian F. Bierbach and Daniel C. Campbell, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments thereto) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

Brian F. Bierbach

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

(principal executive officer)

   September 11, 2012

/s/ Daniel C. Campbell

Daniel C. Campbell

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)    September 11, 2012

/s/ Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   Director    September 11, 2012

/s/ Edward O. Diffendal

Edward O. Diffendal

   Director    September 11, 2012

/s/ L. Kent Moore

L. Kent Moore

   Director    September 11, 2012

/s/ David L. Page

David L. Page

   Director    September 11, 2012

 

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/s/ Gerald A. Tywoniuk

Gerald A. Tywoniuk

   Director    September 11, 2012

/s/ Eileen A. Aptman

Eileen A. Aptman

   Director    September 11, 2012

/s/ Donald H. Anderson

Donald H. Anderson

   Director    September 11, 2012

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on September 11, 2012.

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM FINANCE CORPORATION
        By:  

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

  Name:   Brian F. Bierbach
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Brian F. Bierbach and Daniel C. Campbell, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments thereto) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

Brian F. Bierbach

  

Chief Executive Officer and President

(principal executive officer)

   September 11, 2012

/s/ Daniel C. Campbell

Daniel C. Campbell

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)    September 11, 2012

/s/ Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   Sole Director    September 11, 2012

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on September 11, 2012.

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM, LLC

By:

    A MERICAN M IDSTREAM P ARTNERS , LP, its sole member

By:

    A MERICAN M IDSTREAM GP, LLC, its general partner
  By:  

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

    Name:   Brian F. Bierbach
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

Brian F. Bierbach

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

(principal executive officer)

   September 11, 2012

/s/ Daniel C. Campbell

Daniel C. Campbell

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)    September 11, 2012

*

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Edward O. Diffendal

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

L. Kent Moore

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

David L. Page

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Gerald A. Tywoniuk

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Eileen A. Aptman

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Donald H. Anderson

   Director    September 11, 2012

 

*By:   /s/ Daniel C. Campbell
  Daniel C. Campbell
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-9


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on September 11, 2012.

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM CHATOM, LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM CHATOM UNIT 1, LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM CHATOM UNIT 2, LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM MARKETING, LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (ALABAMA GATHERING), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (ALABAMA INTRASTATE), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (ALATENN), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (BURNS POINT), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (BAMAGAS INTRASTATE), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (LOUISIANA INTRASTATE), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (MIDLA), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (MISSISSIPPI), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (SIGCO INTRASTATE), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM (TENNESSEE RIVER), LLC
AMERICAN MIDSTREAM ONSHORE PIPELINES, LLC
MID LOUISIANA GAS TRANSMISSION, LLC
By:   A MERICAN M IDSTREAM , LLC, its sole member
By:   A MERICAN M IDSTREAM P ARTNERS , LP, its sole member
By:   A MERICAN M IDSTREAM GP, LLC, its general partner
  By:  

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

    Name: Brian F. Bierbach
    Title: Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Signature

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

Brian F. Bierbach

  

Chief Executive Officer,

President and Director

(principal executive officer)

   September 11, 2012

 

II-10


Table of Contents

/s/ Daniel C. Campbell

Daniel C. Campbell

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)    September 11, 2012

*

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Edward O. Diffendal

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

L. Kent Moore

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

David L. Page

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Gerald A. Tywoniuk

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Eileen A. Aptman

   Director    September 11, 2012

*

Donald H. Anderson

   Director    September 11, 2012
*By:   /s/ Daniel C. Campbell
  Daniel C. Campbell
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

II-11


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Denver, State of Colorado, on September 11, 2012.

 

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM OFFSHORE (SEACREST), LP

 

By:

    A MERICAN M IDSTREAM , LLC, its general partner
 

By;

    A MERICAN M IDSTREAM P ARTNERS , LP, its sole member
 

By:

    A MERICAN M IDSTREAM GP, LLC, its general partner
    By:  

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

      Name:   Brian F. Bierbach
      Title:   Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Brian F. Bierbach

Brian F. Bierbach

  

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

(principal executive officer)

  September 11, 2012

/s/ Daniel C. Campbell

Daniel C. Campbell

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer (principal financial officer and principal

accounting officer)

  September 11, 2012

*

Robert B. Hellman, Jr.

   Director   September 11, 2012

*

Edward O. Diffendal

   Director   September 11, 2012

*

L. Kent Moore

   Director   September 11, 2012

*

David L. Page

   Director   September 11, 2012

*

Gerald A. Tywoniuk

   Director   September 11, 2012

*

Eileen A. Aptman

   Director   September 11, 2012

*

Donald H. Anderson

   Director   September 11, 2012

 

*By:   /s/ Daniel C. Campbell
 

Daniel C. Campbell

Attorney-in-fact

 

II-12


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4.1    Certificate of Limited Partnership of American Midstream Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1 filed March 31, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.2    Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of American Midstream Partners, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form 8-K filed August 4, 2011 (File No 001-35257))
  4.3    Certificate of Formation of American Midstream GP, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1 filed March 31, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.4    Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of American Midstream GP, LLC A Delaware Limited Liability Company Dated as of November 4, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1 filed March 31, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.5    First Amendment to Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of American Midstream GP, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.6 to American Midstream Partners, LP Form S-1/A filed July 1, 2011 (File No. 333-173191))
  4.6+    Certificate of Incorporation of American Midstream Finance Corporation.
  4.7+    Bylaws of American Midstream Finance Corporation.
  4.8+    Form of Senior Debt Indenture.
  4.9+    Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture.
  4.10*    Form of Senior Debt Securities.
  4.11*    Form of Subordinated Debt Securities.
  5.1+    Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  8.1+    Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP relating to tax matters.
12.1+    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.3+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.4+    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.5+    Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.6+    Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1).
24.1+    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages).
24.2+    Powers of Attorney.
25.1+    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification with respect to the Senior Debt Indenture.
25.2+    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification with respect to the Subordinated Debt Indenture.

 

+ Filed herewith.
* To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K or in a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.

 

II-13

Exhibit 4.6

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

of

A MERICAN M IDSTREAM F INANCE C ORPORATION

The undersigned person, acting as sole incorporator of the corporation pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby make this Certificate of Incorporation for such corporation, declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and that the facts herein stated are true:

FIRST: The name of the corporation is American Midstream Finance Corporation.

SECOND: The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, in the City of Dover, County of Kent 19904. The name of its registered agent at such address is National Registered Agents, Inc.

THIRD: The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH: The total number of shares of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is One Thousand (1,000) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

FIFTH: The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the corporation. Election of directors need not be by written ballot.

SIXTH: The name and mailing address of the incorporator are:

 

NAME   ADDRESS
William B. Mathews  

1614 15th Street, Suite 300

Denver, CO 80202

SEVENTH: The number of directors of the corporation shall be as provided in the bylaws of the corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time. The names and addresses of the persons who are to serve as the initial directors of the corporation until the first annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor is elected and qualified are:

 

1


NAME   ADDRESS
 

Brian F. Bierbach

 

1614 15th Street, Suite 300

Denver, CO 80202

Daniel C. Campbell

 

1614 15th Street, Suite 300

Denver, CO 80202

EIGHTH: A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. If the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this paragraph by the stockholders of the corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

NINTH: The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including, without limitation, Section 145 thereof), as amended from time to time, indemnify any officer or director whom it shall have power to indemnify from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other losses of any nature. The indemnification provided in this Article NINTH shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity, while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a officer or director and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

I, THE UNDERSIGNED, hereunto set my hand this 6th day of September, 2012.

 

/s/ William B. Mathews

William B. Mathews

 

2

Exhibit 4.7

B Y L A W S

OF

A MERICAN M IDSTREAM F INANCE C ORPORATION

Dated Effective as of: September 6, 2012

 

1


I N D E X

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I Offices

     1   

Section 1.1 Principal Office

     1   

Section 1.2 Registered Office

     1   

Section 1.3 Other Offices

     1   

ARTICLE II Stockholders’ Meetings

     1   

Section 2.1 Annual Meeting

     1   

Section 2.2 Special Meetings

     2   

Section 2.3 Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings

     2   

Section 2.4 Voting Lists

     3   

Section 2.5 Quorum

     3   

Section 2.6 Organization

     3   

Section 2.7 Voting

     4   

Section 2.8 Stockholders Entitled to Vote

     5   

Section 2.9 Order of Business

     5   

Section 2.10 Action by Written Consent

     5   

Section 2.11 Authorization of Proxies

     6   

ARTICLE III Directors

     7   

Section 3.1 Management

     7   

Section 3.2 Number and Term

     7   

Section 3.3 Quorum and Manner of Action

     7   

Section 3.4 Vacancies

     8   

Section 3.5 Resignations

     8   

Section 3.6 Removals

     8   

Section 3.7 Annual Meetings

     9   

Section 3.8 Regular Meetings

     9   

Section 3.9 Special Meetings

     9   

Section 3.10 Organization of Meetings

     9   

Section 3.11 Place of Meetings

     10   

Section 3.12 Compensation of Directors

     10   

Section 3.13 Action by Unanimous Written Consent

     10   

Section 3.14 Participation in Meetings by Telephone

     10   

ARTICLE IV Committees of the Board

     11   

Section 4.1 Membership and Authorities

     11   

Section 4.2 Minutes

     11   

Section 4.3 Vacancies

     11   

Section 4.4 Telephone Meetings

     12   

Section 4.5 Action Without Meeting

     12   

 

i


ARTICLE V Officers

     12   

Section 5.1 Number and Title

     12   

Section 5.2 Term of Office; Vacancies

     13   

Section 5.3 Removal of Elected Officers

     13   

Section 5.4 Resignations

     13   

Section 5.5 The Chairman of the Board

     13   

Section 5.6 Chief Executive Officer

     14   

Section 5.7 President

     14   

Section 5.8 Vice Presidents

     14   

Section 5.9 Secretary

     15   

Section 5.10 Assistant Secretaries

     15   

Section 5.11 Treasurer

     15   

Section 5.12 Assistant Treasurers

     16   

Section 5.13 Subordinate Officers

     16   

Section 5.14 Salaries and Compensation

     16   

ARTICLE VI Indemnification

     17   

Section 6.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     17   

ARTICLE VII Capital Stock

     18   

Section 7.1 Certificates of Stock

     18   

Section 7.2 Lost Certificates

     19   

Section 7.3 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record for Certain Purposes

     20   

Section 7.4 Dividends

     20   

Section 7.5 Registered Stockholders

     21   

Section 7.6 Transfer of Stock

     21   

ARTICLE VIII Miscellaneous Provisions

     21   

Section 8.1 Corporate Seal

     21   

Section 8.2 Fiscal Year

     21   

Section 8.3 Checks, Drafts, Notes

     22   

Section 8.4 Notice and Waiver of Notice

     22   

Section 8.5 Examination of Books and Records

     23   

Section 8.6 Voting Upon Shares Held by the Corporation

     23   

ARTICLE IX Amendments

     24   

Section 9.1 Amendment

     24   

 

ii


American Midstream Finance Corporation

B Y L A W S

ARTICLE I

Offices

Section 1.1 Principal Office. The principal office of the Corporation shall be in the City of Denver, Colorado.

Section 1.2 Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation required to be maintained in the State of Delaware by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, may be, but need not be, identical with the Corporation’s principal office, and the address of the registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Section 1.3 Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

Stockholders’ Meetings

Section 2.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the holders of shares of each class or series of stock as are entitled to notice thereof and to vote thereat pursuant to applicable law and the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation for the purpose of electing directors and transacting such other proper business as may come before it shall be held in each year, at such time, on such day and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

1


Section 2.2 Special Meetings. In addition to such special meetings as are provided by law or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the holders of any class or series or of all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock for any purpose or purposes, may be called at any time by the Board of Directors and may be held on such day, at such time and at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.3 Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, written notice of any meeting of Stockholders (i) shall be given either by personal delivery or by mail to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote thereat, (ii) shall be in such form as is approved by the Board of Directors, and (iii) shall state the date, place and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, such written notice shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. Except when a Stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, presence in person or by proxy of a Stockholder shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting. Further, a written waiver of any notice required by law or by these Bylaws, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Except as otherwise provided by law, the business that may be transacted at any such meeting shall be limited to and consist of the purpose or purposes stated in such notice. If a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided , however , that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each Stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

2


Section 2.4 Voting Lists. The officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the Corporation shall keep a complete list of Stockholders entitled to vote at meetings or any adjournments thereof, arranged in alphabetical order, in accordance with applicable law and shall make same available prior to and during each Stockholders’ meeting for inspection by the Corporation’s Stockholders as required by law. The Corporation’s original stock transfer books shall be prima facie evidence as to who are the Stockholders entitled to examine such list or transfer books or to vote at any meeting of Stockholders.

Section 2.5 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the Corporation’s stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at a meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, without regard to class or series, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Stockholders for the transaction of business. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the Stockholders, the holders of a majority of such shares of stock, present in person or represented by proxy, may adjourn any meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting, except as otherwise required by these Bylaws, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 2.6 Organization. Meetings of the Stockholders shall be presided over by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if one shall be elected, or in his absence, by the President or by any Vice President, or, in the absence of any of such officers, by a chairman to be chosen by a majority of the Stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy. The Secretary, or, in his absence, any Assistant Secretary or any person appointed by the individual presiding over the meeting, shall act as secretary at meetings of the Stockholders.

 

3


Section 2.7 Voting. Each Stockholder of record, as determined pursuant to Section 2.8, who is entitled to vote in accordance with the terms of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share of stock registered in his name on the books of the Corporation. Every Stockholder entitled to vote at any Stockholders’ meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy pursuant to Section 2.11, provided that no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only so long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A Stockholder’s attendance at any meeting shall not have the effect of revoking a previously granted proxy unless such Stockholder shall in writing so notify the Secretary of the meeting prior to the voting of the proxy. Unless otherwise provided by law, no vote on the election of directors or any question brought before the meeting need be by ballot unless the chairman of the meeting shall determine that it shall be by ballot or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to participate in such vote shall so demand. In a vote by ballot, each ballot shall state the number of shares voted and the name of the Stockholder or proxy voting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, all elections of directors and all other matters before the Stockholders shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election or on the question. In the election of directors, votes may not be cumulated.

 

4


Section 2.8 Stockholders Entitled to Vote . The Board of Directors may fix a date not more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days prior to the date of any meeting of Stockholders, or, in the case of corporate action by written consent in accordance with the terms of Section 2.10, not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action, as a record date for the determination of the Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to act by written consent, and in each case such Stockholders and only such Stockholders as shall be Stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to act by written consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation after such record date is fixed as aforesaid.

Section 2.9 Order of Business. The order of business at all meetings of Stockholders shall be as determined by the chairman of the meeting or as is otherwise determined by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote without regard to class or series at the meeting.

Section 2.10 Action by Written Consent. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Stockholders of the Corporation may be taken without prior notice and an actual meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Except as provided above, no action shall be taken by the Stockholders by written consent. Prompt notice of the taking of any corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those Stockholders who have not consented in writing.

 

5


Section 2.11 Authorization of Proxies. Without limiting the manner in which a Stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for him as proxy, the following are valid means of granting such authority. A Stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for him as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the Stockholder or his authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing his or her signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature. A Stockholder may also authorize another person or persons to act for him as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was authorized by the Stockholder. If it is determined that such telegrams, cablegrams or other electronic transmissions are valid, the inspectors or, if there are no inspectors, such other persons making that determination shall specify the information upon which they relied. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this section may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the writing or transmission could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

6


ARTICLE III

Directors

Section 3.1 Management. The property, affairs and business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, which may exercise all powers of the Corporation and do all lawful acts and things as are not by law, by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the Stockholders.

Section 3.2 Number and Term. The number of directors may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the entire Board of Directors, but shall consist of not less than one (1) member who shall be elected annually by the Stockholders except as provided in Section 3.4. Directors need not be Stockholders. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of office of any incumbent director.

Section 3.3 Quorum and Manner of Action. At all meetings of the Board of Directors a majority of the total number of directors holding office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by law, by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. When the Board of Directors consists of one director, the one director shall constitute a majority and a quorum. If at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained, and no further notice thereof need be given other than by announcement at such adjourned meeting. Attendance by a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

 

7


Section 3.4 Vacancies. Except as otherwise provided by law or the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, in the case of any increase in the authorized number of directors or of any vacancy in the Board of Directors, however created, the additional director or directors may be elected, or, as the case may be, the vacancy or vacancies may be filled, by majority vote of the directors remaining on the whole Board of Directors although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. In the event one or more directors shall resign, effective at a future date, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled by a majority of the directors who will remain on the whole Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director elected or chosen as provided herein shall serve until the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the directorship to which he is appointed and the election and qualification of his successor or (ii) his resignation or removal.

Section 3.5 Resignations. A director may resign at any time upon written notice of resignation to the Corporation. Any resignation shall be effective immediately unless a certain effective date is specified therein, in which event it will be effective upon such date, and acceptance of any resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 3.6 Removals. Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, and another person or persons may be elected to serve for the remainder of his or their term, by the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors. In case any vacancy so created shall not be filled by the Stockholders at the time of such removal, such vacancy may be filled by the directors as provided in Section 3.4.

 

8


Section 3.7 Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held, if a quorum be present, immediately following each annual meeting of the Stockholders at the place such meeting of Stockholders took place, for the purpose of organization and transaction of any other business that might be transacted at a regular meeting thereof, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary. If a quorum is not present, such annual meeting may be held at any other time or place that may be specified in a notice given in the manner provided in Section 3.9 for special meetings of the Board of Directors or in a waiver of notice thereof.

Section 3.8 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such places and times as shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, any business may be transacted at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.9 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President or by the Secretary on the written request of one-third (1/3) of the members of the whole Board of Directors stating the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Notices of special meetings, if mailed, shall be mailed to each director not later than two (2) days before the day the meeting is to be held or if otherwise given in the manner permitted by these Bylaws, not later than the day before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in any notice or written waiver of notice unless so required by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. Any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting, unless limited by law, by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws.

Section 3.10 Organization of Meetings. At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted in such order and manner as such Board of Directors may from time to time determine, and all matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum, except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws or required by law.

 

9


Section 3.11 Place of Meetings. The Board of Directors may hold their meetings and have one or more offices, and keep the books of the Corporation, outside the State of Delaware, at any office or offices of the Corporation, or at any other place as they may from time to time by resolution determine.

Section 3.12 Compensation of Directors . Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors, but by resolution of the Board of Directors a fixed honorarium or fees and expenses, if any, of attendance may be allowed for attendance at each meeting. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending such committee meetings.

Section 3.13 Action by Unanimous Written Consent. Unless otherwise restricted by law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or the committee.

Section 3.14 Participation in Meetings by Telephone. Unless otherwise restricted by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board of Directors or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a

 

10


meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

ARTICLE IV

Committees of the Board

Section 4.1 Membership and Authorities. The Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one (1) or more directors to constitute an Executive Committee and such other committees as the Board of Directors may determine, each of which committees to the extent provided in said resolution or resolutions or in these Bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except in those cases where the authority of the Board of Directors is specifically denied to the Executive Committee or such other committee or committees by law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it. The designation of an Executive Committee or other committee and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or any member thereof, of any responsibility imposed upon it or him by law.

Section 4.2 Minutes. Each committee designated by the Board of Directors shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.

Section 4.3 Vacancies . The Board of Directors may designate one (1) or more of its members as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent or

 

11


disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. If no alternate members have been appointed, the committee member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. The Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, and to dissolve, any committee.

Section 4.4 Telephone Meetings. Members of any committee designated by the Board of Directors may participate in or hold a meeting by use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall constitute presence in person at such meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

Section 4.5 Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of any committee designated by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all the members of the committee and filed with the minutes of the committee proceedings. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting.

ARTICLE V

Officers

Section 5.1 Number and Title. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and shall be a President and a Secretary. The Board of Directors may also choose a Chairman of the Board, who must be a member of the Board of

 

12


Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and one or more Assistant Secretaries and/or Assistant Treasurers. One person may hold any two or more of these offices and any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be designated as an Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President.

Section 5.2 Term of Office; Vacancies. So far as is practicable, all elected officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors in each year, and except as otherwise provided in this Article V, shall hold office until the next such meeting of the Board of Directors in the subsequent year and until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. All appointed officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If any vacancy shall occur in any office, the Board of Directors may elect or appoint a successor to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term.

Section 5.3 Removal of Elected Officers. Any elected officer may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for such purpose.

Section 5.4 Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice of resignation to the President, Secretary or Board of Directors of the Corporation. Any resignation shall be effective immediately unless a date certain is specified for it to take effect, in which event it shall be effective upon such date, and acceptance of any resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, irrespective of whether the resignation is tendered subject to such acceptance.

Section 5.5 The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if one shall be elected, shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders and Board of Directors. In addition, the Chairman of the Board shall perform whatever duties and shall exercise all powers that are given to him by the Board of Directors.

 

13


Section 5.6 Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer, if any, shall have, subject to the supervision, direction and control of the Board of Directors, the general powers and duties of supervision, direction and management of the affairs and business of the Corporation usually vested in the chief executive officer of a Corporation, including, without limitation, all powers necessary to direct and control the organizational and reporting relationships within the Corporation.

Section 5.7 President. The President (in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, if one be elected) shall have the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board. The President shall serve as chief operating officer and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be delegated to him from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board. He may sign, with any other proper officer, certificates for shares of the Corporation and any deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts and other documents which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except where required by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation. In the absence of the President, his duties shall be performed and his authority may be exercised by a Vice President of the Corporation as may have been designated by the President with the right reserved to the Board of Directors to designate or supersede any designation so made.

Section 5.8 Vice Presidents. The several Vice Presidents shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to them by these Bylaws and as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or President and may sign, with any other proper officer, certificates for shares of the Corporation.

 

14


Section 5.9 Secretary . The Secretary, if available, shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the Stockholders and record the proceedings of the meetings in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for any committee of the Board of Directors as the Board of Directors or such committee shall designate him to serve. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the Stockholders and meetings of the Board of Directors and committees thereof and shall perform such other duties incident to the office of secretary or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President, under whose supervision he shall be. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and he, or any Assistant Secretary, or any other person whom the Board of Directors may designate, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of any Assistant Secretary or by the signature of such other person so affixing such seal.

Section 5.10 Assistant Secretaries. Each Assistant Secretary shall have the usual powers and duties pertaining to his office, together with such other powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary or such other person as may be designated by the President shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that officer’s absence or inability to act.

Section 5.11 Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have the custody of and be responsible for the corporate funds and securities, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in the books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and the Board of Directors, at its regular

 

15


meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation and he shall perform all other duties incident to the position of Treasurer, or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the President. If required by the Board of Directors, he shall give the Corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the Corporation.

Section 5.12 Assistant Treasurers. Each Assistant Treasurer shall have the usual powers and duties pertaining to his office, together with such other powers and duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the President or the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer or such other person designated by the President shall exercise the power of the Treasurer during that officer’s absence or inability to act.

Section 5.13 Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may (a) appoint such other subordinate officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms, have such authority and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, or (b) delegate to any committee or officer the power to appoint any such subordinate officers or agents.

Section 5.14 Salaries and Compensation. The salary or other compensation of officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may delegate to any committee or officer the power to fix from time to time the salary or other compensation of subordinate officers and agents appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Article V.

 

16


ARTICLE VI

Indemnification

Section 6.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was, at any time prior to or during which this Article VI is in effect, a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was, at any time prior to or during which this Article VI is in effect, serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, penalties, amounts paid in settlement and other liabilities actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, upon a determination having been made as to such person’s good faith and conduct.

(b) Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a person who is or was a director or officer of the Corporation in appearing at, participating in or defending any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, shall be paid by the Corporation at reasonable intervals in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by this Article VI.

(c) It is the intention of the Corporation to indemnify the persons referred to in this Article VI to the fullest extent permitted by law and with respect to any action, suit or proceeding

 

17


arising from events which occur at any time prior to or during which this Article VI is in effect. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by this Article VI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be or become entitled under any law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement, the vote of Stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, or under any policy or policies of insurance purchased and maintained by the Corporation on behalf of any such person, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.

(d) The indemnification provided by this Article VI shall be subject to all valid and applicable laws, and, in the event this Article VI or any of the provisions hereof or the indemnification contemplated hereby are found to be inconsistent with or contrary to any such valid laws, the latter shall be deemed to control and this Article VI shall be regarded as modified accordingly, and, as so modified, to continue in full force and effect.

ARTICLE VII

Capital Stock

Section 7.1 Certificates of Stock. Certificates of stock shall be issued to each Stockholder certifying the number of shares owned by him in the Corporation and shall be in a form not inconsistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and as approved by the Board of Directors. The certificates shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and may be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof. Any or all

 

18


of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one (1) class of stock or more than one (1) series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided by statute, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each Stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

Section 7.2 Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner of such certificate, or his legal representative. When authorizing the issuance of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may in its discretion, as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner, or his legal representative, to give a bond in such form and substance with such surety as it may direct, to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made on

account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

 

19


Section 7.3 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record for Certain Purposes. (a) In order that the Corporation may determine the Stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of payment of such dividend or other distribution or allotment of such rights or the date when any such rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock may be exercised or the date of such other action. In such a case, only Stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to receive any such dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise such rights or for any other purpose, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.

(b) If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining Stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 7.4 Dividends . Subject to the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, if any, and except as otherwise provided by law, the directors may declare dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation as and when they deem it to be expedient. Such dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock. Before declaring any dividend there may be set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time in their discretion think proper for working capital or as a reserve fund to meet contingencies or for

equalizing dividends, or for such other purposes as the directors shall determine to be conducive to the interests of the Corporation and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

 

20


Section 7.5 Registered Stockholders. Except as expressly provided by law, by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat registered Stockholders as the only holders and owners in fact of the shares standing in their respective names, and the Corporation shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person, regardless of whether it shall have express or other notice thereof.

Section 7.6 Transfer of Stock. Transfers of shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be made only on the books of the Corporation by the registered owners thereof, or by their legal representatives or their duly authorized attorneys. Upon any such transfers the old certificates shall be surrendered to the Corporation by the delivery thereof to the person in charge of the stock transfer books and ledgers, by whom they shall be cancelled and new certificates shall thereupon be issued.

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 8.1 Corporate Seal. If one be adopted, the corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and shall be in such form as may be approved by the Board of Directors. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any manner reproduced.

Section 8.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

21


Section 8.3 Checks, Drafts, Notes. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution (whether general or special) of the Board of Directors or may be prescribed by any officer or officers, or any officer and agent jointly, thereunto duly authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 8.4 Notice and Waiver of Notice. Whenever notice is required to be given to any director or Stockholder under the provisions of applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, such notice shall be in writing and delivered either (i) personally, or (ii) by registered or certified mail, or (iii) by telegram, telecopy, or similar facsimile means (delivered during the recipient’s regular business hours). Such notice shall be sent to such director or Stockholder at the address or telecopy number as it appears on the records of the Corporation, unless prior to the sending of such notice he has designated, in a written request to the Secretary of the Corporation, another address or telecopy number to which notices are to be sent. Notices shall be deemed given when received, if sent by telegram, telex, telecopy or similar facsimile means (confirmation of such receipt by confirmed facsimile transmission being deemed receipt of communications sent by telex, telecopy or other facsimile means); and when delivered and receipted for (or upon the date of attempted delivery where delivery is refused), if hand-delivered, sent by express courier or delivery service, or sent by certified or registered mail. Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, by telegraph, cable or other form of recorded communication, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such

 

22


meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Stockholders, directors, or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any written waiver of notice unless so required by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

Section 8.5 Examination of Books and Records. The Board of Directors shall determine from time to time whether, and if allowed, when and under what conditions and regulations the accounts and books of the Corporation (except such as may by statute be specifically opened to inspection) or any of them shall be open to inspection by the Stockholders, and the Stockholders’ rights in this respect are and shall be restricted and limited accordingly.

Section 8.6 Voting Upon Shares Held by the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided by law or by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if one shall be elected, or the President, if a Chairman of the Board of Directors shall not be elected, acting on behalf of the Corporation, shall have full power and authority to attend and to act and to vote at any meeting of Stockholders of any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock and, at any such meeting, shall possess and may exercise any and all of the rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock that, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have possessed and exercised, if present. The Board of Directors by resolution from time to time may confer like powers upon any person or persons.

 

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ARTICLE IX

Amendments

Section 9.1 Amendment. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, the directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors and without the assent or vote of the Stockholders, may at any meeting make, repeal, alter, amend or rescind any of these Bylaws. The Stockholders shall not make, repeal, alter, amend or rescind any of the provisions of these Bylaws except by the holders of not less than a majority of the total voting power of all shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors, considered for purposes of this Article IX as one class.

 

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT 4.8

 

 

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

AND

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

DATED AS OF             , 20    

 

 

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED,

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF             , 20    

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION

   INDENTURE SECTION  

Section 310(a)(1)

     6.9   

(a)(2)

     6.9   

(a)(3)

     Not Applicable   

(a)(4)

     Not Applicable   

(a)(5)

     6.9   

(b)

     6.8   

Section 311

     6.13   

Section 312(a)

     7.1, 7.2(a)   

(b)

     7.2(b)   

(c)

     7.2(c)   

Section 313(a)

     7.3   

(b)

     *   

(c)

     *   

(d)

     7.3   

Section 314(a)

     7.4   

(a)(4)

     10.5   

(b)

     Not Applicable   

(c)(1)

     1.3   

(c)(2)

     1.3   

(c)(3)

     Not Applicable   

(d)

     Not Applicable   

(e)

     1.3   

Section 315(a)

     6.1(a)   

(b)

     6.2   

(c)

     6.1(b)   

(d)

     6.1(c)   

(d)(1)

     6.1(a)(1)   

(d)(2)

     6.1(c)(2)   

(d)(3)

     6.1(c)(3)   

(e)

     5.14   

Section 316(a)

     1.1, 1.2   

(a)(1)(A)

     5.2, 5.12   

(a)(1)(B)

     5.13   

(a)(2)

     Not Applicable   

(b)

     5.8   

(c)

     1.5(f)   


Table of Contents

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION

   INDENTURE SECTION  

Section 317(a)(1)

     5.3   

(a)(2)

     5.4   

(b)

     10.3   

Section 318(a)

     1.8   

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

* Deemed included pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1   

Section 1.1. Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     8   

Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     8   

Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     9   

Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates

     9   

Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors

     10   

Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver

     11   

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     11   

Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     11   

Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns

     12   

Section 1.11. Separability Clause

     12   

Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture

     12   

Section 1.13. Force Majeure

     12   

Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial

     12   

Section 1.15. Governing Law

     12   

Section 1.16. Legal Holidays

     12   

Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency

     13   

Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency

     13   

Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.

     14   

Section 1.20. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability

     14   

ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS

     14   

Section 2.1. Forms Generally

     14   

Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security

     14   

Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security

     17   

Section 2.4. Global Securities

     21   

Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     22   

ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES

     22   

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     22   

Section 3.2. Denominations

     25   

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     25   

Section 3.4. Temporary Securities

     27   

Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     27   

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     29   

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     30   

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners

     31   

Section 3.9. Cancellation

     31   

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest

     31   

Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers

     32   

ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     32   

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     32   

Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money

     33   

 

i


Table of Contents

ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES

     33   

Section 5.1. Events of Default

     33   

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     34   

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     35   

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     36   

Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities

     36   

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected

     37   

Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits

     37   

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

     37   

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     38   

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     38   

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     38   

Section 5.12. Control by Holders

     38   

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults

     39   

Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs

     39   

Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

     39   

ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE

     40   

Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     40   

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults

     41   

Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee

     41   

Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     42   

Section 6.5. May Hold Securities

     43   

Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust

     43   

Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement

     43   

Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     44   

Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     44   

Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     44   

Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     45   

Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     46   

Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

     47   

Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     47   

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     48   

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     48   

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     49   

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee

     50   

Section 7.4. Reports by Company

     50   

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE

     51   

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     51   

Section 8.2. Successor Substituted

     51   

ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     52   

Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders

     52   

Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders

     53   

Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures

     54   

Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures

     55   

Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     55   

Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures

     55   

Section 9.7. Effect of Consents

     55   

 

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ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS

     55   

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     55   

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     56   

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

     56   

Section 10.4. Existence

     57   

Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default

     57   

ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     58   

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article

     58   

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     58   

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

     58   

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption

     59   

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price

     59   

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     59   

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part

     60   

ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS

     60   

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article

     60   

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     60   

Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     60   

ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE

     61   

Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     61   

Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     61   

Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance

     62   

Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     62   

Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     63   

Section 13.6. Reinstatement

     64   

ARTICLE FOURTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

     64   

Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee

     64   

Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     65   

Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation

     66   

NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

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PARTIES

INDENTURE, dated as of             , 20    , among AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined hereinafter) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY:

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured senior debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1. Definitions .

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(d) the words “Article” and “Section” refer to an Article and Section, respectively, of this Indenture;

(e) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative definitions; and

(f) references to any officer of any partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers but is managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity that does have officers, shall be deemed to be references to the officers of such managing or controlling entity.


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Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.

“Additional Defeasible Provision” means a covenant or other provision that is (a) made part of this Indenture pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1, and (b) pursuant to the terms set forth in such supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, made subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen.

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

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.

“Banking Day” means, in respect of any city, any date on which commercial banks are open for business in that city.

“Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.

“Board of Directors” means:

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

(b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar management function; and

(d) with respect to any other Person, the individual or board or committee of such Person serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or a Guarantor, the principal financial officer of the Company or a Guarantor, any other authorized officer of the Company or a Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, in each case as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee, officer or employee of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, authorized to take such action by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

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“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

“CINS” means CUSIP International Numbering System.

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

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

“Company Request” or “Company Order” means, in the case of the Company, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the Company or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at the address specified in Section 3.5 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

“corporation,” when used in reference to the Trustee or any prospective Trustee, shall include any corporation, company, association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust or other entity, in each case, satisfying the requirements of Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.

“CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the repayment of money borrowed and any purchase money obligation created or assumed by such Person and any guarantee of the foregoing.

“Default” means, with respect to a series of Securities, any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Definitive Security” means a security other than a Global Security or a temporary Security.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.

 

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“Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America, which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

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

“Foreign Currency” means a currency used by the government of a country other than the United States of America.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (1) the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification and any related Accounting Standards Updates by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) such other statements by such other entity as are approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (3) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

“Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of a series of Securities and is authenticated and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Depositary for the Securities of such series or its nominee.

“Guaranteed Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.

“Guarantor” means each Person that becomes a guarantor of any Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

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

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be part of and govern this instrument and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” also shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.

“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.

 

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“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means 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 Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(c) or Section 5.1(d).

“Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of the Company, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.

“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided , however , that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) 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

 

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of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) 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 3.1 on the date of original issuance of such Security or by Section 1.17, if not otherwise so provided pursuant to Section 3.1, 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 (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, any Guarantor 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 Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence 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 to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof, the original issue date or dates thereof, the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, and any other terms specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.

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

“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the office or agency of the Company and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“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 3.6 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.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.

 

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“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.

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

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Securities Guarantee” means each guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions hereof.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, 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 the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5; provided , however , that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

“U.S. Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

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

 

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“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”

Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

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

“commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“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 Guarantor (if applicable) or any other obligor on the indenture securities.

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

Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions .

Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 10.5) shall include:

(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee .

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates .

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (either physically or by means of a facsimile or an electronic transmission, provided that such electronic transmission is transmitted through the facilities of a Depositary) by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company or the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

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(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding of same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors in reliance thereon, regardless of whether notation of such action is made upon such Security.

(e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to give or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of such principal amount.

(f) The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, regardless of whether such Holders remain Holders after such record date.

Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors .

(a) Any notice, request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other communication by the Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

American Midstream GP, LLC

1615 14th Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Telephone: (720) 457-6060

Facsimile: (720) 457-6040

Attention: Daniel C. Campbell

with a copy to:

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 220-4200

Facsimile: (713) 220-4285

Attention: Timothy C. Langenkamp

 

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If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate, Municipal & Escrow Services

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, Texas 75201

Telephone: (214) 756-7430

Facsimile: (214) 756-7401

Attention: Patrick Giordano

(b) The Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver .

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, regardless of whether such Holder actually receives such notice.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

In case it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act .

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents .

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns .

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each of the Company and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 1.11. Separability Clause .

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee 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 1.12. Benefits of Indenture .

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13. Force Majeure .

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial .

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.

Section 1.15. Governing Law .

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 1.16. Legal Holidays .

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee (other than a provision of the Securities of any series or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.16)) payment of interest or principal and any premium need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and if payment is so made, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

 

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Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency .

Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any affected series which are denominated in a coin, currency or currencies other than Dollars (including, but not limited to, any composite currency, currency units or Foreign Currency), then the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 1.17, the term “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not so available for any reason with respect to such currency, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations or rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of Euros shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or rates of exchange as appropriate shall be used. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

In no event will the Trustee have any duty or liability regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph.

Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency .

Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the Banking Day next preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (regardless of whether entered in accordance with subclause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.

 

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Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc .

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.20. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability .

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in this Indenture or of or contained in any Security or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager, employee, partner or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITY FORMS

Section 2.1. Forms Generally .

The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Securities Guarantee, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution 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 may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, any notation of the Securities Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The forms of Global Securities of any series shall have such provisions and legends as are customary for Securities of such series in global form, including without limitation any legend required by the Depositary for the Securities of such series.

Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security .

[ If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security and is not “publicly offered” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-1(h), insert —FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY WAS

 

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ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS [    % OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT] [$             PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT], THE ISSUE DATE IS             , 20         AND, THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS             , COMPOUNDED [SEMIANNUALLY OR OTHER PROPER PERIOD].

[ In the alternative instead of providing such legend, insert the following legend —FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, AND             [THE NAME OR TITLE AND ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY] WILL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, THE YIELD TO MATURITY AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.]

[Insert any other legend required by the Code or the regulations thereunder.]

[ If a Global Security,—insert legend required by Section 2.4 of the Indentur e] [ If applicable, insert — UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

[TITLE OF SECURITY]

 

No                 

U.S. $            

[CUSIP No. ]

American Midstream Partners, LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to             , or registered assigns, the principal sum of             United States Dollars on              [ If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert— , and to pay interest thereon from             or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on              and              in each year, commencing             , at the rate of      % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [ if applicable, insert— , and at the rate of     % per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any installment of interest (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the              or              (regardless of whether a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will

 

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forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].

[ If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert— The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of     % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of      % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]

[ If a Global Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [ if applicable, insert— any such] interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in             designated by the Holder in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [state other currency].]

[ If a Definitive Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [ if applicable, insert— any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in             , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts] [state other currency] [or subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such Paying Agent, at the [main] offices of             in             , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check drawn on, or transfer to a [United States Dollar] account maintained by the payee with, a bank in The City of New York (so long as the applicable Paying Agency has received proper transfer instructions in writing at least             days prior to the payment date)] [ if applicable, insert— ; provided , however , that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check mailed to the addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the Security Register] [or by transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York [state other Place of Payment] (so long as the applicable Paying Agent has received proper transfer instructions in writing by the record date prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date)].]

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

By:   American Midstream GP, LLC, its general partner

By:

 

     

Name:

 

Title:

 

Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security .

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of senior securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of             , 20            (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $              ].

This security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Company [ if applicable, insert— and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Securities Guarantee”) by [ insert name of each Guarantor ] (the “Guarantors”). The Securities Guarantee is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of each Guarantor.]

[ If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than        days’ notice by mail, [ if applicable, insert— (1) on             in any year commencing with the year          and ending with the year          through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] at any time [on or after             , 20         ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before                     ,      %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning              of the years indicated,

 

Year

  Redemption Price   Year    Redemption Price

 

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and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to     % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [ if applicable, insert— (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[ If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than        nor more than        days’ notice by mail, (1) on                     in any year commencing with the year         and ending with the year         through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after                     ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning                     of the years indicated,

 

Year   

Redemption Price For

Redemption Through

Operation of the Sinking Fund

  

Redemption Price for

Redemption Otherwise Than

Through Operation of the

Sinking Fund

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to     % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[ If applicable, insert— Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to                     , redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than     % per annum.]

[ If applicable, insert— The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on                     in each year beginning with the year         and ending with the year         of [not less than] $         [ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $         ] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [ If applicable, insert— in the inverse order in which they become due].]

 

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[ If the Securities are subject to redemption in part of any kind, insert— In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]

[ If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to Stated Maturity.]

[ If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security , If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]

[ If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security , If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to —insert formula for determining the amount . Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, regardless of whether notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place(s) and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

[ If a Global Security, insert— This Global Security or portion hereof may not be exchanged for Definitive Securities of this series except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture. The holders of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities except as described in the Indenture and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.]

[ If a Definitive Security, insert— As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in [ if applicable, insert— any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable] [ if applicable, insert— The City of New York [, or, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (limited as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such transfer agent, at the [main] offices of                     in                     or at such other offices or agencies as the

 

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Company may designate]], duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.]

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S. $         and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, [ If applicable, insert— any Guarantor,] the Trustee and any agent of the Company [ If applicable, insert— , a Guarantor] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, regardless of whether this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, [ If applicable, insert— the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [ If applicable, insert— , or the Securities Guarantee endorsed thereon,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.

The Indenture provides that the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if the Company [ If applicable, insert— or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

[ If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

  

(Please Print or Type Name and Address of Assignee)

 

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the within instrument of [                    ] and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                     Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:

 

 

 

   

 

  Dated:                                                                                                    (Signature)                                                                                      

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.]

[ If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Securities Guarantee

Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, 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 Securities of this series and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities of this series by the Company.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities of this series and to the Trustee pursuant to the Securities Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Securities Guarantee.

 

Guarantors:  
[NAME OF EACH GUARANTOR]  
By:      
      ]

Section 2.4. Global Securities .

Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

 

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If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 3.2, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in a Company Order. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 and Section 3.5, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel).

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.3.

Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication .

The Trustee’s certificate(s) of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated [ insert title of applicable series ] referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Officer

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

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The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued);

(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 Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, 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 principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(f) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

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

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

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

(j) whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by Holders of the series;

(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;

 

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

(m) if and as applicable, that the Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;

(n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 or the covenants of the Company set forth in Article Ten with respect to the Securities of such series;

(o) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;

(p) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(q) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Company, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Company or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;

(r) if other than as provided in Section 13.2 and Section 13.3, the means of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as may be specified for the Securities of the series;

(s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial Security Registrar and any initial Paying Agent;

(t) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Securities Guarantee set forth in Article Fourteen, any modifications to the terms of Article Fourteen applicable to the Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and

(u) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with 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 referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

All 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.

 

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If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the series.

With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may provide general terms for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors or one or more agents thereof designated in an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with a Company Order.

Section 3.2. Denominations .

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any notation of Securities Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any notation of the Securities Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any notation of a Securities Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such 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 in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however , that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to a Company Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such Board Resolution and shall be entitled to receive such documents as it may reasonably request. The Trustee shall also be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.1 and complying with Section 1.3 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 1.3 stating:

 

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(a) if the form or forms of such Securities has been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that each such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) if the terms of such Securities have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject, in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; 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 and assumptions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the following limitations: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, or to general equity principles, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies being subject to the discretion of the court to which application therefor is made; and (iii) such other usual and customary matters as shall be specified in such Opinion of Counsel.

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 that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, on the form or forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security nor any related Securities Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

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Section 3.4. Temporary Securities .

Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series and tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange .

The Company shall cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment required by Section 10.2 a register (the register maintained in such office being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, and its Corporate Trust Office, which, at the date hereof, is located at 750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, is the initial office or agency where the Securities Register will be maintained. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

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Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to any particular series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security except as provided in the two paragraphs immediately following.

If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible to continue as Depositary under Section 3.1 or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.1 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities registered in the names of such Persons as the Depositary shall direct.

If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities in definitive registered form, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:

 

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(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above.

Every Person who takes or holds any beneficial interest in a Global Security agrees that:

(i) the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee may deal with the Depositary as sole owner of the Global Security and as the authorized representative of such Person;

(ii) such Person’s rights in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those rights established by law and agreement between such Person and the Depositary and/or direct and indirect participants of the Depositary;

(iii) the Depositary and its participants make book-entry transfers of beneficial ownership among, and receive and transmit distributions of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Global Securities to, such Persons in accordance with their own procedures; and

(iv) none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) or the Trustee to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, regardless of whether the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

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

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .

Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to 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.

Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest that shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

 

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(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners .

Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, regardless of whether such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor, if applicable, the Guarantors nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent of any thereof as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.

Section 3.9. Cancellation .

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices, and the Trustee shall thereafter deliver to the Company a certificate with respect to such disposition from time to time upon written request.

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest .

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

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Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers .

The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP or CINS numbers (if then generally in use, and in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or CINS 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 CUSIP or CINS 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 CUSIP or CINS numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP or CINS numbers.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture .

This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and will be discharged with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon Company Request and 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:

(i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) such Securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been 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 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

(A) have become due and payable; or

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated 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 (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with instructions from the Company irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

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(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 Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state 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 the Securities of any series, (x) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.2, Section 6.6, Section 10.2, the last paragraph of Section 10.3 and Section 13.6 shall survive.

Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money .

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 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 the payment of which such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

Section 5.1. Events of Default .

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

 

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(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in this Indenture (other than a covenant in Article Ten or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(e) the Company or any Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against the Company or any Guarantor in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company or any Guarantor or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Guarantor, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of the creditors of the Company or any Guarantor; or

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company or any Guarantor in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Guarantor or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Guarantor, or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Guarantor; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(g) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or

(h) the failure of any Securities Guarantee required with respect to Securities of that series to be in full force and effect, except as provided in this Indenture or the terms of such Securities; or

(i) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in accordance with Section 3.1.

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment .

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 5.1 occurs, the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

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(a) the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;

(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series that has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;

(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and

(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .

The Company covenants that if:

(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or

(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof;

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

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Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, their property or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.

No provision of this Indenture 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, compromise, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee 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; provided , however , that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities .

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

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Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected .

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits .

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture (including, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee), or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

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

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

(e) 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 aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of the same series of Security, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holder of the same series of Security or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the same series of Security (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not one or more of such Holders are affecting, disturbing or prejudicing the rights of any other Holder of the same series of Security, or obtaining or to seeking to obtain priority or preference over any other Holder of the same series of Security or enforcing any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the same series of Security).

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest .

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interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

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

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver .

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders .

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall 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 the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided , however , that:

(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the direction would expose the Trustee to personal liability.

 

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Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults .

By written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:

(a) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on any Security of such series; or

(b) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs .

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant, other than the Trustee, in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

Each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Company and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not 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.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities .

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

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and as are provided by the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 5.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

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(d) Regardless of whether therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided , however , that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and, provided , further , that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(d) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.

Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee .

Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company or a Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

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

(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

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(f) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness 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;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder and shall not be responsible for the supervision of officers and employees of such agents or attorneys;

(h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(i) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(j) the Trustee may request that the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

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

(l) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event that 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; and

(m) anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Company has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities .

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

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Section 6.5. May Hold Securities .

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Section 6.8, Section 6.9 and Section 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust .

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors.

Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement .

The Company agrees:

(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

(c) to indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold it and them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its or their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities.

Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.

 

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The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Legal Defeasance of the Securities.

Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests .

Reference is made to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. There shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture with respect to the Securities of more than one series.

Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility .

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus required by the Trust Indenture Act, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Trustee shall not be an obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate thereof. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, then it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.

Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(d) If at any time:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or

 

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(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a Custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series), and the Company and the successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor .

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, the successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor

 

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Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of the series to which the appointment of such successor relates and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business .

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Company and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In

 

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case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(a) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;

(b) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent .

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

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An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be qualified and eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that shall be acceptable to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

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

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

     

  As Authenticating Agent
By:  

     

  Authorized Officer

ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders .

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, not more than 5 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list for such series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and

 

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(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided , however , that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders .

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, with respect to each series of Securities, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a); or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

 

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(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) nor the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.2(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.2(b).

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee .

Any Trustee’s report required pursuant to Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be dated as of May 15, and shall be transmitted within 60 days after May 15 of each year (but in all events at intervals of not more than 12 months), commencing with the year 20    , by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and with the SEC. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.4. Reports by Company .

The Company shall:

(a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(c) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.

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 Officer’s Certificates).

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .

The Company shall not convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, convey, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to any other Person unless:

(a) either: (i) the Company is the surviving Person; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made assumes by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2. Successor Substituted .

Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors on a consolidated basis in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition 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 Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company and, if applicable, each of the Guarantors shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders .

The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities without the consent of any holder of a Security:

(a) to cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein; or

(b) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and, to the extent applicable, of the Securities; or

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in the manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; or

(d) to cause any corporation to become a co-issuer of any series of Securities, and/or to add a Securities Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities of any series; or

(e) to secure the Securities of any series; or

(f) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided , that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults), may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or

(g) to make any change to any provision of this Indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities; or

(h) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture; or

 

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(i) to add any additional Defaults or Events of Default in respect of all or any series of Securities; or

(j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; or

(k) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(l) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, including to reopen any series of any Securities as permitted under Section 3.1; or

(m) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or

(n) to conform the text of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued hereunder to any provision of a description of such text or Securities appearing in a prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or offering circular pursuant to which such Securities were offered to the extent that such provision was intended by the Company to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities or Securities Guarantee issued hereunder, with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or

(o) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders .

The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities) and, subject to Section 5.8 and Section 5.13 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities may be waived with respect to each series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities).

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date therefor); or

(b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or

(c) modify any of the provisions of Section 5.8 or Section 5.13; or

(d) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; provided, however , that any purchase or repurchase of Securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the Securities; or

(e) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (as amended or supplemented); or

(f) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.

An amendment or supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that 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 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures .

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

 

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Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 6.3 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amendment or supplemental Indenture.

Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures .

Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment or supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures .

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.7. Effect of Consents .

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security of a series is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security of such series and every subsequent Holder of a Security of such series or portion of a Security of such series that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security of such series, even if the notation of the consent is not made on any Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder of the Securities of such series.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest .

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

 

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Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency .

The Company will maintain in the United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Security Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Security Registrar) where Securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment and surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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. 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 3.1, the Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose for each series of Securities. The Trustee shall initially serve as Paying Agent. In the event the Company makes any payment in any currency in which the Trustee is unable to pay, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee to make such payment and the Trustee will have no obligations with respect to such payment and will incur no liability with respect to the failure by the Company or such other Paying Agent to make, or cause to be made, such payment.

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust .

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. For purposes of this Section 10.3, should a due date for principal of or any premium or interest on, or sinking fund payment with respect to, any series of Securities not be on a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day without any interest for the period from the due date until such Business Day.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

 

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(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(b) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal or any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(c) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Subject to any applicable escheat or abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security 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 10.4. Existence .

Subject to Article Eight, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company and, if applicable, each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default .

Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and, if applicable, such Guarantor, stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made, and as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s or

 

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such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article .

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee .

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 15 days prior to the last date for the giving of notice of such redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed .

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal is payable or different rates of interest, or different methods by which interest may be determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Company may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that the Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among the groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph from among the group of such Securities so specified.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption .

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP or CINS numbers) and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;

(c) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;

(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;

(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

(f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

(g) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or CINS number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price .

Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date .

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated in Section 3.1, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

 

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If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part .

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article .

The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 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.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. 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.

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities .

The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that 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, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; 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 such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 12.3. 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 Officer’s

 

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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 and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not been previously so credited, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

DEFEASANCE

Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution, and at any time, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof be applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.

Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.2, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.5 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, the Securities Guarantee 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 provisions, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 13.4 hereof;

(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 hereof;

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

(d) this Article Thirteen.

Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the same series of Securities.

 

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Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations with respect to the Securities of such series under the covenants contained in Section 7.4, Section 8.1 and Section 10.4 hereof as well as any Additional Defeasible Provisions (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series will 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 will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Securities Guarantee, the Company and the Guarantors may fail to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such failure to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Securities Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, any Event of Default that constitutes an Additional Defeasible Provision will no longer constitute an Event of Default.

Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any series of Securities under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

(b) in the case of an election under Section 13.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

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

(ii) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will state that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;

 

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(c) in the case of an election under Section 13.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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 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 Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(e) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;

(h) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with; and

(i) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with.

Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

Subject to the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series will 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 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, premium, if any, 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 will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 13.4(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 13.6. Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, 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 and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the Securities Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee .

(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article Fourteen, each of the Guarantors hereby fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(t) (the Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Guaranteed Securities”) (which Security has been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee), and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Guaranteed Securities, or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

(i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities, or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

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(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Guaranteed Securities or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Securities Guarantee are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed 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. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each 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 Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Guaranteed Securities and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, then this Securities Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Guaranteed Securities and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (regardless of whether due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Securities Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Securities Guarantee.

Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability .

Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Guaranteed Securities, each Holder thereof, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or State law to the extent applicable to any Securities Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Holders and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of

 

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such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Fourteen, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation .

To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.3 or established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1, will be endorsed by an officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Security a notation of such Securities Guarantee.

If an officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Securities Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Guaranteed Security on which a notation of Securities Guarantee is endorsed, the Securities Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Guaranteed Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee of such Guaranteed Security set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

* * *

 

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
By: American Midstream GP, LLC, its general partner
By:    
Name:    
Title:    
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

EXHIBIT 4.9

 

 

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

AND

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

DATED AS OF                     , 20            

 

 

SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

 


AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED,

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF                    , 20            

 

TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION

   INDENTURE SECTION  

Section 310(a)(1)

     6.9   

(a)(2)

     6.9   

(a)(3)

     Not Applicable   

(a)(4)

     Not Applicable   

(a)(5)

     6.9   

(b)

     6.8   

Section 311

     6.13   

Section 312(a)

     7.1, 7.2 (a) 

(b)

     7.2 (b) 

(c)

     7.2 (c) 

Section 313(a)

     7.3   

(b)

     *   

(c)

     *   

(d)

     7.3   

Section 314(a)

     7.4   

(a)(4)

     10.5   

(b)

     Not Applicable   

(c)(1)

     1.3   

(c)(2)

     1.3   

(c)(3)

     Not Applicable   

(d)

     Not Applicable   

(e)

     1.3   

Section 315(a)

     6.1 (a) 

(b)

     6.2   

(c)

     6.1 (b) 

(d)

     6.1 (c) 

(d)(1)

     6.1 (a)(1) 

(d)(2)

     6.1 (c)(2) 

(d)(3)

     6.1 (c)(3) 

(e)

     5.14   

Section 316(a)

     1.1, 1.2   

(a)(1)(A)

     5.2, 5.12   

(a)(1)(B)

     5.13   

(a)(2)

     Not Applicable   

(b)

     5.8   

(c)

     1.5 (f) 


TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION

   INDENTURE SECTION  

Section 317(a)(1)

     5.3   

(a)(2)

     5.4   

(b)

     10.3   

Section 318(a)

     1.8   

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

* Deemed included pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1   

Section 1.1. Definitions

     1   

Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     8   

Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     9   

Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     9   

Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates

     10   

Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors

     11   

Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver

     12   

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     12   

Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     12   

Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns

     12   

Section 1.11. Separability Clause

     13   

Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture

     13   

Section 1.13. Force Majeure

     13   

Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial

     13   

Section 1.15. Governing Law

     13   

Section 1.16. Legal Holidays

     13   

Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency

     14   

Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency

     14   

Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.

     15   

Section 1.20. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability

     15   

ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS

     15   

Section 2.1. Forms Generally

     15   

Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security

     15   

Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security

     18   

Section 2.4. Global Securities

     22   

Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     23   

ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES

     23   

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     23   

Section 3.2. Denominations

     26   

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     26   

Section 3.4. Temporary Securities

     28   

Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     28   

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     30   

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     31   

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners

     32   

Section 3.9. Cancellation

     32   

Section 3.10. Computation of Interest

     33   

Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers

     33   

ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     33   

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     33   

Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money

     34   

 

i


ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES

     34   

Section 5.1. Events of Default

     34   

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     35   

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     36   

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     37   

Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities

     38   

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected

     38   

Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits

     38   

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest

     39   

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     39   

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     39   

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     39   

Section 5.12. Control by Holders

     39   

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults

     40   

Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs

     40   

Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

     40   

ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE

     41   

Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities

     41   

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults

     42   

Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee

     42   

Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     44   

Section 6.5. May Hold Securities

     44   

Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust

     44   

Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement

     44   

Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests

     45   

Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     45   

Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     45   

Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     47   

Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     48   

Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

     48   

Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     48   

ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     50   

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     50   

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     50   

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee

     51   

Section 7.4. Reports by Company

     51   

ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE

     52   

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     52   

Section 8.2. Successor Substituted

     52   

ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     53   

Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders

     53   

Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders

     54   

Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures

     56   

Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures

     56   

Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     56   

Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures

     56   

Section 9.7. Effect of Consents

     56   

 

ii


ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS

     57   

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest

     57   

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     57   

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

     57   

Section 10.4. Existence

     58   

Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default

     59   

ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     59   

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article

     59   

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     59   

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

     59   

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption

     60   

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price

     60   

Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     61   

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part

     61   

ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS

     61   

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article

     61   

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     61   

Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     62   

ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE

     62   

Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     62   

Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     62   

Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance

     63   

Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     63   

Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     65   

Section 13.6. Reinstatement

     65   

ARTICLE FOURTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

     65   

Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee

     65   

Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     67   

Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation

     67   

ARTICLE FIFTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

     67   

Section 15.1. Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt

     67   

Section 15.2. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances

     68   

Section 15.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.

     69   

Section 15.4. Subrogation

     70   

Section 15.5. Obligations of Company Unconditional

     70   

Section 15.6. Notice to Trustee

     71   

Section 15.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent

     72   

Section 15.8. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt

     72   

Section 15.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt

     72   

Section 15.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities

     72   

Section 15.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default

     73   

Section 15.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced

     73   

Section 15.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions

     73   

Section 15.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution

     73   

Section 15.15. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated

     73   

 

iii


ARTICLE SIXTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES GUARANTEES

     74   

Section 16.1. Securities Guarantees Subordinated to Guarantor Senior Debt

     74   

Section 16.2. No Payment on Securities Guarantees in Certain Circumstances

     74   

Section 16.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.

     75   

Section 16.4. Subrogation

     76   

Section 16.5. Obligations of Guarantor Unconditional

     77   

Section 16.6. Notice to Trustee

     77   

Section 16.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent

     78   

Section 16.8. Trustee’s Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt

     78   

Section 16.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of a Guarantor or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt

     78   

Section 16.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities Guarantees

     79   

Section 16.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default

     79   

Section 16.12. Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced

     79   

Section 16.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions

     79   

Section 16.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution

     79   

NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

iv


PARTIES

INDENTURE, dated as of                      , 20            , among AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined hereinafter) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY:

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 1.1. Definitions .

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

(b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(d) the words “Article” and “Section” refer to an Article and Section, respectively, of this Indenture;

(e) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative definitions; and

(f) references to any officer of any partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers but is managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity that does have officers, shall be deemed to be references to the officers of such managing or controlling entity.


Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.

“Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.

“Additional Defeasible Provision” means a covenant or other provision that is (a) made part of this Indenture pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1, and (b) pursuant to the terms set forth in such supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, made subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen.

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

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.

“Banking Day” means, in respect of any city, any date on which commercial banks are open for business in that city.

“Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.

“Board of Directors” means:

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

(b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar management function; and

(d) with respect to any other Person, the individual or board or committee of such Person serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or a Guarantor, the principal financial officer of the Company or a Guarantor, any other authorized officer of the Company or a Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, in each case as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee, officer or employee of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, authorized to take such action by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

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“Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

“CINS” means CUSIP International Numbering System.

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

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

“Company Request” or “Company Order” means, in the case of the Company, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the Company or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at the address specified in Section 3.5 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

“corporation,” when used in reference to the Trustee or any prospective Trustee, shall include any corporation, company, association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust or other entity, in each case, satisfying the requirements of Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.

“CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures.

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

“Debt” means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the repayment of money borrowed and any purchase money obligation created or assumed by such Person and any guarantee of the foregoing.

“Default” means, with respect to a series of Securities, any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.

“Definitive Security” means a security other than a Global Security or a temporary Security.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.

 

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“Designated Guarantor Senior Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.

“Designated Senior Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.

“Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America, which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.

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

“Foreign Currency” means a currency used by the government of a country other than the United States of America.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (1) the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification and any related Accounting Standards Updates by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) such other statements by such other entity as are approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (3) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.

“Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of a series of Securities and is authenticated and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Depositary for the Securities of such series or its nominee.

“Guaranteed Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.

“Guarantor” means each Person that becomes a guarantor of any Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

“Guarantor Senior Debt” means, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, (a) all Debt of a Guarantor, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities Guarantee or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities Guarantee, and (b) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Guarantor Senior Debt” include (i) Debt of a Guarantor owed or owing to any Subsidiary of such Guarantor or any officer, director or employee of such Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Guarantor, (ii) Debt to trade creditors or (iii) any liability for taxes owed or owing by a Guarantor.

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

 

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“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be part of and govern this instrument and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” also shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.

“Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.

“mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

“Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.

“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means 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 Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(c) or Section 5.1(d).

“Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of the Company, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

“optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.

 

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“Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided , however , that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and

(c) Securities that have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

provided , however , that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) 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 5.2, (ii) 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 3.1 on the date of original issuance of such Security or by Section 1.17, if not otherwise so provided pursuant to Section 3.1, 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 (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company, any Guarantor 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 Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence 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 to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

“Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 15.2.

“Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof, the original issue date or dates thereof, the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, and any other terms specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.

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

 

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“Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the office or agency of the Company and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“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 3.6 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.

“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.

“Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.

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

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Securities Guarantee” means each guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions hereof.

“Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 16.2.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.

“Senior Debt” means, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, (a) all Debt of the Company, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities, and (b) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Senior Debt” include (i) Debt of the Company owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Company or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) Debt to trade creditors or (iii) any liability for taxes owned or owing by the Company.

 

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“Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.

“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

“Subsidiary” means (a) a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries or (b) any partnership or other business organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which is so owned. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means capital stock or equity interests which ordinarily have voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, 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 the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5; provided , however , that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

“U.S. Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

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

“Vice President,” when used with respect to the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”

Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act .

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

 

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“commission” means the SEC.

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

“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 Guarantor (if applicable) or any other obligor on the indenture securities.

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

Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions .

Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 10.5) shall include:

(a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee .

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

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Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates .

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (either physically or by means of a facsimile or an electronic transmission, provided that such electronic transmission is transmitted through the facilities of a Depositary) by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company or the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding of same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors in reliance thereon, regardless of whether notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

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(e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to give or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of such principal amount.

(f) The Company may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, regardless of whether such Holders remain Holders after such record date.

Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Company and Guarantors .

(a) Any notice, request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other communication by the Company, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

American Midstream GP, LLC

1615 14th Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Telephone: (720) 457-6060

Facsimile: (720) 457-6040

Attention: Daniel C. Campbell

with a copy to:

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 220-4200

Facsimile: (713) 220-4285

Attention: Timothy C. Langenkamp

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate, Municipal & Escrow Services

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, Texas 75201

Telephone: (214) 756-7430

Facsimile: (214) 756-7401

Attention: Patrick Giordano

 

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(b) The Company, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver .

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, regardless of whether such Holder actually receives such notice.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

In case it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act .

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents .

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns .

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each of the Company and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

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Section 1.11. Separability Clause .

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee 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 1.12. Benefits of Indenture .

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 1.13. Force Majeure .

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial .

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.

Section 1.15. Governing Law .

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 1.16. Legal Holidays .

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee (other than a provision of the Securities of any series or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.16)) payment of interest or principal and any premium need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and if payment is so made, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

 

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Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency .

Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any affected series which are denominated in a coin, currency or currencies other than Dollars (including, but not limited to, any composite currency, currency units or Foreign Currency), then the principal amount of Securities of such series that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 1.17, the term “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not so available for any reason with respect to such currency, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations or rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of Euros shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or rates of exchange as appropriate shall be used. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

In no event will the Trustee have any duty or liability regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph.

Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency .

Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the Banking Day next preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (regardless of whether entered in accordance with subclause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.

 

14


Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc .

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Section 1.20. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability .

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in this Indenture or of or contained in any Security or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager, employee, partner or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, either directly or through the Company, any Guarantor or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITY FORMS

Section 2.1. Forms Generally .

The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Securities Guarantee, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution 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 may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, any notation of the Securities Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The forms of Global Securities of any series shall have such provisions and legends as are customary for Securities of such series in global form, including without limitation any legend required by the Depositary for the Securities of such series.

Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security .

[ If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security and is not “publicly offered” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-1(h), insert —FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY WAS

 

15


ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS [            % OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT] [$             PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT], THE ISSUE DATE IS             , 20     AND, THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS             , COMPOUNDED [SEMIANNUALLY OR OTHER PROPER PERIOD].

[ In the alternative instead of providing such legend, insert the following legend —FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, AND              [THE NAME OR TITLE AND ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY] WILL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, THE YIELD TO MATURITY AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.]

[Insert any other legend required by the Code or the regulations thereunder.]

[ If a Global Security,—insert legend required by Section 2.4 of the Indentur e] [ If applicable, insert — UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

[TITLE OF SECURITY]

 

No                 U.S. $            

[CUSIP No. ]

American Midstream Partners, LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                     , or registered assigns, the principal sum of              United States Dollars on                     [ If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert— , and to pay interest thereon from                      or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on              and              in each year, commencing             , at the rate of         % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [ if applicable, insert— , and at the rate of         % per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any installment of interest (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the          or              (regardless of whether a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will

 

16


forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].

[ If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert— The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of         % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of         % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]

[ If a Global Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [ if applicable, insert— any such] interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in                      designated by the Holder in such coin or currency of the [United States of America] as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [state other currency].]

[ If a Definitive Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [ if applicable, insert— any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in                     , in such coin or currency of the [United States of America] as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts] [state other currency] [or subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such Paying Agent, at the [main] offices of                      in                     , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check drawn on, or transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with, a bank in The City of New York (so long as the applicable Paying Agency has received proper transfer instructions in writing at least          days prior to the payment date)] [ if applicable, insert— ; provided , however , that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check mailed to the addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the Security Register] [or by transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York [state other Place of Payment] (so long as the applicable Paying Agent has received proper transfer instructions in writing by the record date prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date)].]

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP
By: American Midstream GP, LLC, its general partner
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security .

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of subordinated securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of             , 20         (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $                     ].

This security is the general, unsecured, subordinated obligation of the Company [ if applicable, insert— and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Securities Guarantee”) by [ insert name of each Guarantor ] (the “Guarantors”). The Securities Guarantee is the general, unsecured, subordinated obligation of each Guarantor.]

[ If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than . days’ notice by mail, [ if applicable, insert— (1) on                    in any year commencing with the year                    and ending with the year                    through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] at any time [on or after                     , 20             ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before                     ,             %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning                     of the years indicated,

 

Year

  Redemption Price   Year    Redemption Price

 

18


and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to                     % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [ if applicable, insert— (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[ If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than. nor more than          days’ notice by mail, (1) on                     in any year commencing with the year                     and ending with the year                     through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after                     ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning                     of the years indicated,

 

Year  

Redemption Price For

Redemption Through

Operation of the Sinking Fund

 

Redemption Price for

Redemption Otherwise Than

Through Operation of the

Sinking Fund

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to                     % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[ If applicable, insert— Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to                     , redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than                     % per annum.]

[ If applicable, insert— The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on                     in each year beginning with the year                     and ending with the year                     of [not less than] $                     [ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $                     ] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [ If applicable, insert— in the inverse order in which they become due].]

 

19


[ If the Securities are subject to redemption in part of any kind, insert— In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]

[ If applicable, insert— The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to Stated Maturity.]

[ If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security , If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]

[ If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security , If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to —insert formula for determining the amount . Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Company’s obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, regardless of whether notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place(s) and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

[ If a Global Security, insert— This Global Security or portion hereof may not be exchanged for Definitive Securities of this series except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture. The holders of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities except as described in the Indenture and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.]

[ If a Definitive Security, insert— As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in [ if applicable, insert— any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable] [ if applicable, insert— The City of New York [, or, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Company (limited as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such transfer agent, at the [main] offices of                     in                 or at such other offices or agencies as the

 

20


Company may designate]], duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.]

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S. $                 and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, [ If applicable, insert— any Guarantor,] the Trustee and any agent of the Company [ If applicable, insert— , a Guarantor] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, regardless of whether this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, [ If applicable, insert— the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Security is subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt [ If applicable, insert- and the Securities Guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Guarantor Senior Debt], to the extent and in the manner provided in the Indenture.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [ If applicable, insert— , or the Securities Guarantee endorsed thereon,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.

The Indenture provides that the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if the Company [ If applicable, insert— or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Security that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

21


[ If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

 

   

(Please Print or Type Name and Address of Assignee)

the within instrument of [            ] and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                 Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:

 

             

   

           
Dated:                                                                                                                
      (Signature)

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.]

[ If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Securities Guarantee

Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, 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 Securities of this series and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities of this series by the Company.

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities of this series and to the Trustee pursuant to the Securities Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Securities Guarantee.

 

Guarantors:
[NAME OF EACH GUARANTOR]
By:    
   ]

Section 2.4. Global Securities .

Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

 

22


EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.

If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 3.2, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in a Company Order. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 and Section 3.5, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. Any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel).

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with a Company Order (which need not comply with Section 1.3 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.3.

Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication»

The Trustee’s certificate(s) of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated [ insert title of applicable series ] referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Officer

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series .

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

23


The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued);

(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 Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, 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 principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(f) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;

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

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

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

(j) whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by Holders of the series;

 

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(k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;

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

(m) if and as applicable, that the Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;

(n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 or the covenants of the Company set forth in Article Ten with respect to the Securities of such series;

(o) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;

(p) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(q) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Company, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Company or its Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;

(r) if other than as provided in Section 13.2 and Section 13.3, the means of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as may be specified for the Securities of the series;

(s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial Security Registrar and any initial Paying Agent;

(t) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Securities Guarantee set forth in Article Fourteen, any modifications to the terms of Article Fourteen applicable to the Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and

(u) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with 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 referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

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All 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.

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the series.

With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may provide general terms for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in a Company Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors or one or more agents thereof designated in an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with a Company Order.

Section 3.2. Denominations .

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating .

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any notation of Securities Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any notation of the Securities Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.

Securities and any notation of a Securities Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such 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 in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided , however , that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to a Company Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in

 

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relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such Board Resolution and shall be entitled to receive such documents as it may reasonably request. The Trustee shall also be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.1 and complying with Section 1.3 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 1.3 stating:

(a) if the form or forms of such Securities has been established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that each such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) if the terms of such Securities have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject, in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; 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 and assumptions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the following limitations: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, or to general equity principles, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies being subject to the discretion of the court to which application therefor is made; and (iii) such other usual and customary matters as shall be specified in such Opinion of Counsel.

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 that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Company of any of such Securities, on the form or forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security nor any related Securities Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered

 

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hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 3.4. Temporary Securities .

Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities that are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series and tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.

Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange .

The Company shall cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment required by Section 10.2 a register (the register maintained in such office being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, and its Corporate Trust Office, which, at the date hereof, is located at 750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, is the initial office or agency where the Securities Register will be maintained. The Company may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

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All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.

The Company shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to any particular series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security except as provided in the two paragraphs immediately following.

If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible to continue as Depositary under Section 3.1 or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Company’s election pursuant to Section 3.1 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities registered in the names of such Persons as the Depositary shall direct.

 

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If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities in definitive registered form, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:

(a) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

(b) to such Depositary a new Global Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (a) above.

Every Person who takes or holds any beneficial interest in a Global Security agrees that:

(i) the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee may deal with the Depositary as sole owner of the Global Security and as the authorized representative of such Person;

(ii) such Person’s rights in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those rights established by law and agreement between such Person and the Depositary and/or direct and indirect participants of the Depositary;

(iii) the Depositary and its participants make book-entry transfers of beneficial ownership among, and receive and transmit distributions of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Global Securities to, such Persons in accordance with their own procedures; and

(iv) none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities .

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) or the Trustee to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

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If there shall be delivered to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors, regardless of whether the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

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

Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved .

Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to 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.

Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest that shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted

 

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Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).

(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners .

Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) any interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, regardless of whether such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee nor, if applicable, the Guarantors nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent of any thereof as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.

Section 3.9. Cancellation .

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder that the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder that the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices, and the Trustee shall thereafter deliver to the Company a certificate with respect to such disposition from time to time upon written request.

 

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Section 3.10. Computation of Interest .

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers .

The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP or CINS numbers (if then generally in use, and in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or CINS 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 CUSIP or CINS 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 CUSIP or CINS numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP or CINS numbers.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture .

This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and will be discharged with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon Company Request and 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:

(i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) such Securities for the payment of which money has theretofore been 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 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

(A) have become due and payable; or

(B) will become due and payable at their Stated 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 (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to

 

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pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with instructions from the Company irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(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 Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state 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 the Securities of any series, (x) the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Company and the Trustee under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.2, Section 6.6, Section 10.2, the last paragraph of Section 10.3 and Section 13.6 shall survive.

Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money .

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 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 the payment of which such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

Section 5.1. Events of Default .

“Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or

(b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or

 

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(c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in this Indenture (other than a covenant in Article Ten or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(e) the Company or any Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against the Company or any Guarantor in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of the Company or any Guarantor or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Guarantor, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of the creditors of the Company or any Guarantor; or

(f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company or any Guarantor in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Guarantor or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Guarantor, or (iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Guarantor; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or

(g) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or

(h) the failure of any Securities Guarantee required with respect to Securities of that series to be in full force and effect, except as provided in this Indenture or the terms of such Securities; or

(i) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in accordance with Section 3.1.

Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment .

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (e) or (f) of Section 5.1 occurs, the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.

 

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At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(a) the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;

(ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series that has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;

(iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and

(iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

(b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series that has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee .

The Company covenants that if:

(a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or

(b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof);

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

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If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim .

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, their property or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.

No provision of this Indenture 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, compromise, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee 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; provided , however , that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

 

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Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities .

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected .

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;

SECOND: Subject to Article Fifteen, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company.

Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits .

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture (including, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee), or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

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

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

(e) 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 aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of the same series of Security, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holder of the same series of Security or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the

 

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same series of Security (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not one or more of such Holders are affecting, disturbing or prejudicing the rights of any other Holder of the same series of Security, or obtaining or to seeking to obtain priority or preference over any other Holder of the same series of Security or enforcing any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of the same series of Security).

Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest .

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional (subject to Article Fifteen and Article Sixteen), to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies .

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

Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative .

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver .

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 5.12. Control by Holders .

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall 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 the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided , however , that:

 

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(a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

(b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the direction would expose the Trustee to personal liability.

Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults .

By written notice to the Company and the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:

(a) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or interest on any Security of such series; or

(b) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof that under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs .

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant, other than the Trustee, in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Company, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws .

Each of the Company and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Company and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not 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.

 

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ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities .

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

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and as are provided by the Trust Indenture Act with respect to the Securities of such series, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities of a particular series, the Trustee shall exercise with respect to the Securities of such series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 5.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

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(iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(d) Regardless of whether therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided , however , that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and, provided , further , that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(d) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.

Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee .

Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:

(a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(b) any request or direction of the Company or a Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

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

 

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(e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(f) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness 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;

(g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder and shall not be responsible for the supervision of officers and employees of such agents or attorneys;

(h) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(i) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(j) the Trustee may request that the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

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

(l) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event that 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; and

(m) anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Company has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities .

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

Section 6.5. May Hold Securities .

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Section 6.8, Section 6.9 and Section 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust .

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors.

Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement .

The Company agrees:

(a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

(c) to indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold it and them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its or their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities. Such obligations of the Company under this Section shall not be subordinated to the payment of Senior Debt pursuant to Article Fifteen.

 

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Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.

The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Legal Defeasance of the Securities.

Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests .

Reference is made to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. There shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture with respect to the Securities of more than one series.

Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility .

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus required by the Trust Indenture Act, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Trustee shall not be an obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate thereof. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, then it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.

Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Company. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

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(d) If at any time:

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder; or

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a Custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series), and the Company and the successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor .

(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, the successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of the series to which the appointment of such successor relates and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.

(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business .

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Company and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(a) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;

(b) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.

Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent .

The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities, which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

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Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be qualified and eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent that shall be acceptable to the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Company or, if applicable, the Guarantors for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

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

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:    
  As Authenticating Agent
 
By:  

 

  Authorized Officer

 

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ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 7.1. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders .

The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, not more than 5 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list for such series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided , however , that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.

Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders .

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, with respect to each series of Securities, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:

(i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a); or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication that is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a

 

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written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

(c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee that none of the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) nor the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.2(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.2(b).

Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee .

Any Trustee’s report required pursuant to Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be dated as of May 15, and shall be transmitted within 60 days after May 15 of each year (but in all events at intervals of not more than 12 months), commencing with the year 20         , by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and with the SEC. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.4. Reports by Company .

The Company shall:

(a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

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(c) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.

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 Officer’s Certificates).

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE

Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .

The Company shall not convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, convey, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis to any other Person unless:

(a) either: (i) the Company is the surviving Person; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;

(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made assumes by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(d) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 8.2. Successor Substituted .

Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person or any sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors on a consolidated basis in

 

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accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition 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 Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company and, if applicable, each of the Guarantors shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

ARTICLE NINE

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders .

The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities without the consent of any holder of a Security:

(a) to cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein; or

(b) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and, to the extent applicable, of the Securities; or

(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in the manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; or

(d) to cause any corporation to become a co-issuer of any series of Securities, and/or to add a Securities Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities of any series; or

(e) to secure the Securities of any series; or

(f) to add to the covenants of the Company such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Company shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided , that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after Default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other Defaults), may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or

 

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(g) to make any change to any provision of this Indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities; or

(h) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture; or

(i) to add any additional Defaults or Events of Default in respect of all or any series of Securities; or

(j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; or

(k) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(l) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, including to reopen any series of any Securities as permitted under Section 3.1; or

(m) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or

(n) to conform the text of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued hereunder to any provision of a description of such text or Securities appearing in a prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or offering circular pursuant to which such Securities were offered to the extent that such provision was intended by the Company to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities or Securities Guarantee issued hereunder, with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or

(o) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders .

The Company, the Guarantors (if any) and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities) and, subject to Section 5.8 and Section 5.13 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities may be waived with respect to each series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities).

 

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It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):

(a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date therefor); or

(b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or

(c) modify any of the provisions of Section 5.8 or Section 5.13; or

(d) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; provided, however , that any purchase or repurchase of Securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the Securities; or

(e) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (as amended or supplemented); or

(f) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.

An amendment or supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that 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.

 

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Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures .

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 6.3 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amendment or supplemental Indenture.

Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures .

Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment or supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act .

Every amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures .

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 9.7. Effect of Consents .

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security of a series is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Security of such series and every subsequent Holder of a Security of such series or portion of a Security of such series that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security of such series, even if the notation of the consent is not made on any Security. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder of the Securities of such series.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest .

The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Security Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Security Registrar) where Securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment and surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange 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 Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

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. 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 3.1, the Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Company’s office or agency for each such purpose for each series of Securities. The Trustee shall initially serve as Paying Agent. In the event the Company makes any payment in any currency in which the Trustee is unable to pay, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee to make such payment and the Trustee will have no obligations with respect to such payment and will incur no liability with respect to the failure by the Company or such other Paying Agent to make, or cause to be made, such payment.

Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. For purposes of this Section 10.3, should a due date for principal of or any premium or interest on, or sinking fund payment with respect to, any series of Securities not be on a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day without any interest for the period from the due date until such Business Day.

 

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The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(b) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal or any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(c) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Subject to any applicable escheat or abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security 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 10.4. Existence .

Subject to Article Eight, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided , however , that the Company and, if applicable, each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

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Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default.

Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and, if applicable, such Guarantor, stating that a review of the activities of the Company during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made, and as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.

Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 15 days prior to the last date for the giving of notice of such redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Company that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal is payable or different rates of interest, or different methods by which interest may

 

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be determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Company may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that the Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among the groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph from among the group of such Securities so specified.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP or CINS numbers) and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;

(c) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;

(d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;

(e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price;

(f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case; and

(g) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or CINS number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.

Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

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Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided , however , that unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated in Section 3.1, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.

Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE

SINKING FUNDS

Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 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.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. 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.

Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Company (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that 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, in each case in satisfaction of all

 

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or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; 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 such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 12.3. 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 Officer’s 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 and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not been previously so credited, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

DEFEASANCE

Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance .

The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution, and at any time, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof be applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.

Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.2, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.5 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, the Securities Guarantee 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 provisions, which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 13.4 hereof;

 

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(b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 hereof;

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

(d) this Article Thirteen.

Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the same series of Securities.

Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance .

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations with respect to the Securities of such series under the covenants contained in Section 7.4, Section 8.1 and Section 10.4 hereof as well as any Additional Defeasible Provisions (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series will 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 will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Securities Guarantee, the Company and the Guarantors may fail to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such failure to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Securities Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, any Event of Default that constitutes an Additional Defeasible Provision will no longer constitute an Event of Default.

Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance .

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any series of Securities under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof:

(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular Redemption Date;

 

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(b) in the case of an election under Section 13.2 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

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

(ii) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will state that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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;

(c) in the case of an election under Section 13.3 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such 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 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 Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Default or Event of Default with respect to such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(e) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(g) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of such Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others;

(h) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with; and

(i) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with.

 

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Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions .

Subject to the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series will 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 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, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 13.4(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 13.6. Reinstatement .

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, 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 and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the Securities Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however , that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee .

(a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article Fourteen, each of the Guarantors hereby fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(t) (the Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Guaranteed Securities”) (which Security has been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee), and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Guaranteed Securities, or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

 

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(i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities, or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Guaranteed Securities or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Securities Guarantee are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed 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. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each 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 Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Guaranteed Securities and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, then this Securities Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Guaranteed Securities and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (regardless of whether due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Securities Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Securities Guarantee.

 

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Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Guaranteed Securities, each Holder thereof, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or State law to the extent applicable to any Securities Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Holders and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Fourteen, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation .

To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.3 or established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1, will be endorsed by an officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Security a notation of such Securities Guarantee.

If an officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Securities Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Guaranteed Security on which a notation of Securities Guarantee is endorsed, the Securities Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Guaranteed Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee of such Guaranteed Security set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 15.1. Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt .

The Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Fifteen; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Fifteen, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future Senior Debt.

 

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Section 15.2. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances .

(a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Company of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities or upon acceleration or otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Designated Senior Debt and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior Debt.

(b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Debt (or the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such Designated Senior Debt then outstanding), no payment of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of the Company upon or in respect of the Securities for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Senior Debt or such event of default has been cured or waived). Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any period of 360 consecutive days. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect. No event of default that existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Debt initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period by the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Debt, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by clause (a) or (b) above, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Debt may have been issued, and any excess above such amounts due and owing on Senior Debt shall be paid to the Company.

 

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Section 15.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc .

(a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of the Company, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) the Company on account of the Securities, or any payment to acquire any of the Securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, the Company on any Security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Fifteen, shall be made by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it, to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Debt may have been issued, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

(b) To the extent any payment of Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of the Company, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other similar Person, the Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Senior Debt is declared to be fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Senior Debt for all purposes hereof as if such declaration or setting aside had not occurred.

(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provision in clause (a) above prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by clause (a) above and before all obligations in respect of Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for

 

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application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Debt may have been issued, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

(d) For purposes of this Section 15.3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause is not to cause the Securities to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar event described in this Section 15.3 as part of the same class of claims as the Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Senior Debt for any payment or distribution, securities of the Company or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Securities are subordinated, to the payment of all Senior Debt then outstanding; provided that (i) if a new Person results from such reorganization or readjustment, such Person assumes the Senior Debt and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company following the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 8.1 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, comply (to the extent required) with the conditions stated in Section 8.1 of this Indenture.

Section 15.4. Subrogation .

(a) Upon the payment in full of all Senior Debt in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of cash, property or securities of the Company made on such Senior Debt until the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Fifteen, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen to the holders of Senior Debt by the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the Senior Debt. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Fifteen are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand.

(b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Fifteen shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen, to the payment of all amounts payable under Senior Debt, then, and in such case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior Debt in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of such Senior Debt of such holders.

Section 15.5. Obligations of Company Unconditional .

(a) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company and the Holders, the obligation of

 

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the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Fifteen of the holders of the Senior Debt.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Fifteen will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Indenture or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however , that all Senior Debt then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from the Company with respect to any Security.

Section 15.6. Notice to Trustee .

(a) The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Company that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen. The Trustee shall not be charged with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any Senior Debt or of any other facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an officer of the Company, or by a holder of Senior Debt or trustee or agent thereof; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Six, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that, if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 15.6 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any monies from the Company and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such three Business Day period except for an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 15.6 shall limit the right of the holders of Senior Debt to recover payments as contemplated by this Article Fifteen. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying Agent is the Company. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Debt or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.

(b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Fifteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Fifteen and, if such evidence is not furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

 

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Section 15.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent .

Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article Fifteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other Debt of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Fifteen.

Section 15.8. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt .

(a) Each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Fifteen with respect to any Senior Debt that may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.

(b) With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Fifteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Fifteen or otherwise.

Section 15.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt .

No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as provided in this Article Fifteen will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Fifteen are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior Debt.

Section 15.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities .

Each Holder by such Holder’s acceptance of any Securities authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen, and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of the Company, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities in the form required in those proceedings.

 

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Section 15.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default .

The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities by reason of any provision of this Article Fifteen will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

Section 15.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced .

Nothing in this Article Fifteen will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture, including Section 6.7.

Section 15.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions .

Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 15.9, the holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

Section 15.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution .

Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (a) the Company, except under the conditions described in Section 15.2 or Section 15.3, from making payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of making such payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 15.2(b) of this Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application) or in Section 15.6 of this Indenture. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company.

Section 15.15. 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 Four by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Debt (provided that, at the time deposited, such deposit did not violate any then outstanding Senior Debt), and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to any holder of Senior Debt.

 

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ARTICLE SIXTEEN

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES GUARANTEES

Section 16.1. Securities Guarantees Subordinated to Guarantor Senior Debt .

Each Guarantor covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of a Securities Guarantee, likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities Guarantees shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Sixteen; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the payment of all obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantees shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Sixteen, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future Guarantor Senior Debt of such Guarantor.

Section 16.2. No Payment on Securities Guarantees in Certain Circumstances .

(a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of any Guarantor of any obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantees (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities Guarantees or upon acceleration or otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Designated Guarantor Senior Debt of such Guarantor and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.

(b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect to any Designated Guarantor Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt (or the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt then outstanding), no payment of any obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantees (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of any Guarantor upon or in respect of the Securities Guarantees for a period (a “Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt or such event of default has been cured or waived). Not more than one Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities Guarantees during any period of 360 consecutive days. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period is in effect. No event of default that existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Guarantor Senior Debt initiating such Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the commencement of a second Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period by the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

 

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(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by clause (a) or (b) above, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, and any excess above such amounts due and owing on Guarantor Senior Debt shall be paid to such Guarantor.

Section 16.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc .

(a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of a Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of such Guarantor, all amounts due or to become due upon all Guarantor Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) such Guarantor on account of the Securities Guarantees, or any payment to acquire any of the Securities Guarantees for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities Guarantees of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, any Guarantor on any Securities Guarantee (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of such Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, shall be made by such Guarantor or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it, to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Guarantor for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, to the extent necessary to pay all such Guarantor Senior Debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.

(b) To the extent any payment of Guarantor Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of any Guarantor, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other similar Person, the Guarantor Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Guarantor Senior Debt is declared to be fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Guarantor Senior Debt for all purposes hereof as if such declaration or setting aside had not occurred.

 

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(c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provision in clause (a) above prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of any Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by clause (a) above and before all obligations in respect of Guarantor Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Guarantor for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.

(d) For purposes of this Section 16.3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause is not to cause the Securities Guarantees to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar event described in this Section 16.3 as part of the same class of claims as the Guarantor Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Guarantor Senior Debt for any payment or distribution, securities of any Guarantor or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Securities Guarantees are subordinated, to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt then outstanding; provided that (i) if a new Person results from such reorganization or readjustment, such Person assumes the Guarantor Senior Debt and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of a Guarantor with, or the merger of a Guarantor with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of a Guarantor following the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person without violation of the terms and conditions provided in this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3.

Section 16.4. Subrogation .

(a) Upon the payment in full of all Guarantor Senior Debt in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Guarantors made on such Guarantor Senior Debt until all obligations arising under the Securities Guarantees shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt by the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between each Guarantor, its creditors other than holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by such Guarantor to or on account of the Guarantor Senior Debt. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt, on the other hand.

 

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(b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen, to the payment of all amounts payable under Guarantor Senior Debt, then, and in such case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Guarantor Senior Debt in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of such Guarantor Senior Debt of such holders.

Section 16.5. Obligations of Guarantor Unconditional .

(a) Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Guarantors and the Holders, the obligation of such Guarantors, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders all obligations arising under the Securities Guarantees as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Guarantors other than the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Sixteen will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Indenture or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however , that all Guarantor Senior Debt then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from any Guarantor with respect to its Securities Guarantee.

Section 16.6. Notice to Trustee .

(a) Each Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to such Guarantor that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities Guarantees pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen. The Trustee shall not be charged with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt of any Guarantor or of any other facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an Officer of such Guarantor, or by a holder of such Guarantor Senior Debt or trustee or agent thereof; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Six, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that, if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of all obligations arising under any Securities Guarantee), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any monies from such Guarantor and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such three Business Day period except for an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 16.6 shall limit the right of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt to recover payments as contemplated by this Article Sixteen. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying Agent is the Company. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Guarantor Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Guarantor Senior Debt or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.

 

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(b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Guarantor Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Guarantor Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen and, if such evidence is not furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

Section 16.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent .

Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt and other Debt of a 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 Sixteen.

Section 16.8. Trustee’s Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt .

(a) Each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt that may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Guarantor Senior Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.

(b) With respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Sixteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities Guarantees or to a Guarantor or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Sixteen or otherwise.

Section 16.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of a Guarantor or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt .

No right of any present or future holders of any Guarantor Senior Debt to enforce subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of a Guarantor or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by such Guarantor with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Sixteen are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.

 

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Section 16.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities Guarantees.

Each Holder by such Holder’s acceptance of any Securities Guarantees authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen, and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of a Guarantor (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of such Guarantor, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities Guarantees in the form required in those proceedings. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of indebtedness in the form required in such proceeding at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim or proof, each holder of Guarantor Senior Debt is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders.

Section 16.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default .

The failure to fulfill any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantees by reason of any provision of this Article Sixteen will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.

Section 16.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced .

Nothing in this Article Sixteen will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture, including Section 6.7.

Section 16.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions .

Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 16.9, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Guarantor Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Guarantor Senior Debt is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Guarantor Senior Debt; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person.

Section 16.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution .

Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (a) a Guarantor, except under the conditions described in Section 16.2 or Section 16.3, from fulfilling any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantees, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantees to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 16.2(b) of this Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Securities Guarantees prior to such application) or in Section 16.6 of this Indenture. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor.

* * *

 

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

AMERICAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, LP

By: American Midstream GP, LLC, its general partner

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:

   

Name:

   

Title:

   
LOGO       

Exhibit 5.1

 

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

713.220.4200 Phone

713.220.4285 Fax

andrewskurth.com

September 11, 2012

American Midstream Partners, LP

1615 14th Street, Suite 300

Denver Colorado, 80202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to American Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), American Midstream Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Finance Corp. ”), American Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Operating ”), American Midstream Chatom, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ AM Chatom ”), American Midstream Chatom Unit 1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Chatom Unit 1 ”), American Midstream Chatom Unit 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Chatom Unit 2 ”), American Midstream Marketing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Marketing ”), American Midstream (Burns Point), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ AM Burns ”), American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Alabama Gathering ”), American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Alabama Intrastate ”), American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ AlaTenn ”), American Midstream (Bamagas Intrastate), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Bamagas ”), American Midstream (Louisiana Intrastate), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Louisiana Intrastate ”), American Midstream (Midla), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Midla ”), American Midstream (Mississippi), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ AM Mississippi ”), American Midstream (SIGCO Intrastate), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ SIGCO ”), American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership, (“ Tennessee River ”) American Midstream Offshore (Seacrest), LP, a Texas limited partnership and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Seacrest ”) and American Midstream Onshore Pipelines, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership

Austin    Beijing    Dallas    Houston    London    New York    Research  Triangle Park    The Woodlands    Washington, DC


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 2

 

(“ Onshore ” and, together with Operating, AM Chatom, Chatom Unit 1, Chatom Unit 2, Marketing, AM Burns, Alabama Gathering, Alabama Intrastate, AlaTenn, Bamagas, Louisiana Intrastate, Midla, AM Mississippi, SIGCO, Tennessee River and Seacrest, the “ Guarantors ” and, collectively with the Partnership, Finance Corp., Operating, AM Chatom, Chatom Unit 1, Chatom Unit 2, Marketing, AM Burns, Alabama Gathering, Alabama Intrastate, AlaTenn, Bamagas, Louisiana Intrastate, Midla, AM Missisippi, SIGCO, Tennessee River and Seacrest, the “ Registrants ”), in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), on September 11, 2012. The Registration Statement relates to the offering from time to time, as set forth in the Registration Statement, the forms of prospectus contained therein (each, a “ Prospectus ”) and one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “ Prospectus Supplement ”), of (i) common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) by the Partnership and by AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC , (ii) debt securities, which may either be senior or subordinated in right of payment, and may be issued in one or more series (the “ Debt Securities ”), by the Partnership and, if applicable, Finance Corp. and (iii) guarantees with respect to the Debt Securities (the “ Guarantees ”) by some or all of the Guarantors. The Common Units, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees are referred to herein collectively as the “ Securities .” The Securities will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplements. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Registration Statement or in the Indentures (as defined below), as the case may be.

The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to either (i) an indenture governing senior debt securities, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement, among the Partnership and the trustee to be named therein and, if applicable, Finance Corp. (the “ Senior Indenture ”), or (ii) an indenture governing subordinated debt securities, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement, among the Partnership and the trustee to be named therein and, if applicable, Finance Corp. (the “ Subordinated Indenture ” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “ Indentures ”). The Guarantees, if any, with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued under either of the Indentures, will be issued under such indenture, as amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto, to which each guarantor providing a Guarantee of the Debt Securities of such series shall be party.

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have examined the following:

(i) the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “ Partnership Agreement ”) of the Partnership, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Partnership Documents ”);

(ii) the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of Finance Corp., in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Finance Corp. Documents ”);

(iii) the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of American Midstream GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ GP Documents ”);


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 3

 

(iv) the Certificate of Formation and the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Operating, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Operating Documents ”);

(v) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of AM Chatom, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ AM Chatom Documents ”);

(vi) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Chatom Unit 1, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Chatom Unit 1 Documents ”);

(vii) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Chatom Unit 2, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Chatom Unit 2 Documents ”);

(viii) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Marketing, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Marketing Documents ”);

(ix) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of AM Burns, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ AM Burns Documents ”);

(x) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Bamagas, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Bamagas Documents ”);

(xi) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Louisiana Intrastate, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Louisiana Intrastate Documents ”);

(xii) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Midla, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Midla Documents ”);

(xiii) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of AM Mississippi, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ AM Mississippi Documents ”);

(xiv) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of SIGCO, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ SIGCO Documents ”);

(xv) the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Limited Partnership Agreement of Seacrest, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Seacrest Documents ”);

(xvi) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Onshore, in each case as amended to date (collectively, the “ Onshore Documents ” and, together with the Partnership Documents, the Finance Corp. Documents, the GP Documents, the Operating Documents, the AM Chatom Documents, the Chatom Unit 1 Documents, the Chatom Unit 2 Documents, the Marketing Documents, the AM Burns Documents, the Bamagas Documents, the Louisiana Intrastate Documents, the Midla Documents, the AM Mississippi Documents, the SIGCO Documents, the Seacrest Documents and the Onshore Documents, the “ Constituent Documents ”);


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 4

 

(xvii) the opinion of the Law Office of John Foster Tyra, PC, attached hereto as Annex A ;

(xviii) a specimen of the certificate representing the Common Units;

(xix) the Registration Statement;

(xx) each Prospectus;

(xxi) the forms of the Indentures filed as Exhibits 4.8 and 4.9 to the Registration Statement; and

(xxii) the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such other instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Registrants and such other persons, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the genuineness of the signatures on all documents that we have examined, (ii) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (iii) the authenticity of all the documents supplied to us as originals, and (iv) the conformity to the authentic originals of all documents supplied to us as certified or photostatic or faxed copies. In conducting our examination of documents executed by parties other than the Registrants, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the due execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and that, to the extent such documents purport to constitute agreements, such documents constitute valid and binding obligations of such parties.

In rendering the opinions expressed below with respect to the Securities, we have assumed that:

(i) the Constituent Documents, each as amended to date, will not have been amended in any manner that would affect any legal conclusion set forth herein;

(ii) the consideration paid for any Common Units will comply with Article V of the Partnership Agreement;

(iii) the certificates for the Common Units conform to the specimens thereof examined by us and have been duly countersigned by a transfer agent and duly registered by a registrar of the Common Units;

(iv) any supplemental indenture to either of the Indentures and any resolution of the board of directors and/or any officer’s certificate executed and delivered pursuant to such Indenture, in any such case, pursuant to which any Debt Securities and Guarantees are issued, will comply with such Indenture as theretofore supplemented, and the form and terms of such Debt Securities and Guarantees will comply with such Indenture as then supplemented (including by any such supplemental indenture) and any such resolution of the board of directors and/or officer’s certificate; and


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 5

 

(v) the form and terms of such Securities, when established, the issuance, sale and delivery thereof by the applicable Registrant, and the incurrence and performance of the applicable Registrant’s obligations thereunder or in respect thereof (including, without limitation, its obligations under each of the Indentures with respect to Debt Securities and Guarantees issued thereunder) in accordance with the terms thereof, will comply with, and will not violate, the Constituent Documents, each as amended to date, or any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree, award, or agreement binding upon any of the Registrants, or to which the issuance, sale and delivery of such Securities, or the incurrence and performance of such obligations, may be subject, or violate any applicable public policy, or be subject to any defense in law or equity, and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) Section 5-501.6.b of the New York General Obligations Law will apply in the case of all such Debt Securities and Guarantees. In addition, except in the case of Guarantees, we have assumed the receipt by each person to whom or for whose benefit a Security is to be issued (collectively, the “ Beneficial Holders ”) of a certificate for such Security or the receipt by The Depository Trust Company, acting as agent, on behalf of all Beneficial Holders of the class or series of Securities of which such Security is one, of a global security then evidencing such Securities. In addition, we have assumed the issuance and sale of and payment for the Securities so acquired, in accordance with the applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the General Partner (on behalf of the Partnership), the Operating Company (on its own behalf or on behalf of any Guarantor) and Finance Corp., as applicable, and the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement).

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Common Units, when (a) the Partnership has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance of such Common Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (b) in the case of an offering of the Common Units by the Partnership, such Common Units have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the General Partner, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Common Units will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable , except as such non-assessability may be affected by (i) the matters described in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 under the caption “Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—Your liability may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.” and “—Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them.,” and (ii) Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

2. With respect to any series of Debt Securities to be issued under either of the Indentures, when (a) such Indenture, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership and Finance Corp. and by the trustee under such Indenture, (b) the applicable supplement, if any, to such Indenture, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the Guarantors, as applicable, and by the


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 6

 

trustee under such Indenture, or the applicable resolution of the board of directors has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., as applicable, or the applicable officer’s certificate has been validly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., as applicable, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such Indenture, (c) such Indenture, as then and theretofore supplemented, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”), (d) the Partnership and, if applicable, Finance Corp., has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of such series of Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (e) the Debt Securities of such series have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of such Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., as applicable, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Debt Securities of such series will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Partnership and, if applicable, Finance Corp.

3. With respect to the Guarantees of any series of Debt Securities to be issued by the Guarantors under either of the Indentures, when (a) the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the applicable Guarantors have taken all necessary partnership, limited liability company or corporate action, as applicable, to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of the Guarantees and the series of Debt Securities to which they pertain, the terms of the offering of such Debt Securities and such Guarantees and related matters, (b) a supplemental indenture to such Indenture, pursuant to which the applicable Guarantors agree to be bound by the guarantee provisions of such Indenture as applied to the Debt Securities of such series, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership, Finance Corp., if applicable, the applicable Guarantors and the trustee under such indenture, (c) such Indenture, as then and theretofore supplemented, pursuant to which the Guarantees will be issued, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and (d) the Debt Securities of such series have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of such Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of each of the General Partner, Operating (on behalf of the applicable Guarantors) and Finance Corp., as applicable, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration for such Debt Securities provided for therein, such Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the applicable Guarantors.

Our opinions in paragraphs 2 and 3 above are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance), reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, (a) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (b) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and we express no opinion herein with respect to provisions relating to severability or separability.


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 7

 

With respect to our opinions expressed above as they relate to Debt Securities and the Guarantees or other obligations of the Registrants, as applicable, denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, we note that (i) a New York statute provides that a judgment rendered by a court of the State of New York in respect of an obligation denominated in any such other currency would be rendered in such other currency and would be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of entry of the judgment, and (ii) a judgment rendered by a Federal court sitting in the State of New York in respect of an obligation denominated in any such other currency may be expressed in U.S. dollars, but we express no opinion as to the rate of exchange such Federal court would apply.

We express no opinion other than as to the federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of New York, the Texas Business Organization Code, Delaware General Corporation Law, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. With respect to Alabama Gathering, Alabama Intrastate, AlaTenn and Tennessee River, we have relied on the opinion of the Law Office of John Foster Tyra, PC attached hereto as Annex A , special Alabama counsel, as to the limited liability company power of such entities. The description of the opinion provided by the Law Office of John Foster Tyra is qualified in its entirety by reference to the specific opinion, which is attached hereto as Annex A . We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent we do not admit that we are “experts” under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations of the SEC issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this exhibit. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes of the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law, and we have assumed that at no future time would any such subsequent change of fact or law affect adversely our ability to render at such time an opinion (a) containing the same legal conclusions set forth herein and (b) subject only to such (or fewer) assumptions, limitations and qualifications as are contained herein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Andrews Kurth LLP


LAW OFFICE OF JOHN FOSTER TYRA, PC

1661 McFarland Boulevard North

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406

 

John Foster Tyra*

________________

 

Patrick W. Dean

 

*Also admitted in Mississippi

  

Telephone (205) 366-0166

Facsimile (205) 366-0168

September 10, 2012

American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

1614 15th Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company (“ Alabama Gathering ”) and wholly owned subsidiary of American Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Alabama Intrastate ”), American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ AlaTenn ”) and American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC, an Alabama limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Tennessee River ” and, together with Alabama Gathering, Alabama Intrastate, AlaTenn and Tennessee River, the “ Alabama Subsidiaries ”) in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”) on September 11, 2012. The Registration Statement relates to the offering from time to time, as set forth in the Registration Statement, the forms of prospectus therein (each, a Prospectus ”) and one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “ Prospectus Supplement ”), of (i) common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) by the Partnership and by AIM Midstream Holdings, LLC, debt securities, which may either be senior or subordinated in right of payment, and may be issued in one or more series (the “ Debt Securities ”), by the Partnership and, if applicable, American Midstream Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp. ”), and (iii) guarantees with respect to the Debt Securities (the “ Guarantees ”) by some or all of the Alabama subsidiaries along with various other affiliates or subsidiaries of the Partnership.


American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

September 10, 2012

Page 2 of 5

 

The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to either (i) an indenture governing senior debt securities, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement, among the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the trustee to be named therein (the “ Senior Indenture ”), or (ii) an indenture governing subordinated debt securities, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement, among the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the trustee to be named therein (the “ Subordinated Indenture ” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “ Indentures ”). The Guarantees, if any, with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued under either of the Indentures, will be issued under such indenture, as amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto, to which each guarantor providing a Guarantee of the Debt Securities of such series shall be party.

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have examined the following:

(i) the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alabama Gathering, in each case as amended to date (the “ Alabama Gathering Documents ”);

(ii) the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Alabama Intrastate, in each case as amended to date (the “ Alabama Intrastate Documents ”);

(iii) the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of AlaTenn, in each case as amended to date (the “ AlaTenn Documents ”)

(iv) the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Tennessee River, in each case as amended to date (the “ Tennessee River Documents ” and, together with the Alabama Gathering Documents, the Alabama Intrastate Documents and the AlaTenn Documents, the “ Alabama Documents ”);

(v) the Registration Statement;

(vi) each Prospectus;

(vii) the forms of the Indentures filed as Exhibits 4.8 and 4.9 to the Registration Statement; and

(viii) the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such other instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Registrants and such other persons, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.


American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

September 10, 2012

Page 3 of 5

 

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the genuineness of the signatures on all documents that we have examined, (ii) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (iii) the authenticity of all the documents supplied to us as originals, and (iv) the conformity to the authentic originals of all documents supplied to us as certified or photostatic or faxed copies. In conducting our examination of documents executed by parties other than the Registrants, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the due execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and that, to the extent such documents purport to constitute agreements, such documents constitute valid and binding obligations of such parties.

In rendering the opinions expressed below with respect to the Guarantees, we have assumed that:

(i) the Alabama Documents, each as amended to date, will not have been amended in any manner that would affect any legal conclusion set forth herein;

(ii) any supplemental indenture to either of the Indentures and any resolution of the board of directors and/or any officer’s certificate executed and delivered pursuant to such Indenture, in any such case, pursuant to which any Debt Securities and Guarantees are issued, will comply with such Indenture as theretofore supplemented, and the form and terms of such Debt Securities and Guarantees will comply with such Indenture as then supplemented (including by any such supplemental indenture) and any such resolution of the board of directors and/or officer’s certificate; and

(iii) the form and terms of such Guarantees, when established, the issuance. sale and delivery thereof by the applicable Registrant, and the incurrence and performance of the applicable Registrant’s obligations thereunder or in respect thereof (including, without limitation, its obligations under each of the Indentures with respect to Debt Securities and Guarantees issued thereunder) in accordance with the terms thereof, will comply with, and will not violate, the Alabama Documents, each as amended to date, or any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree, award, or agreement binding upon any of the Alabama Subsidiaries, or to which the issuance, sale and delivery of such Guarantees, or the incurrence and performance of such obligations, may be subject, or violate any applicable public policy, or be subject to any defense in law or equity.


American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

September 10, 2012

Page 4 of 5

 

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. With respect to the Guarantees of any series of Debt Securities to be issued by the Alabama Subsidiaries under either of the Indentures, when (a) the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the applicable Alabama Subsidiaries have taken all necessary partnership, limited liability company or corporate action, as applicable, to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of the Guarantees and the series of Debt Securities to which they pertain, the terms of the offering of such Debt Securities and such Guarantees and related matters, (b) a supplemental indenture to such Indenture, pursuant to which the applicable Alabama Subsidiaries agree to be bound by the guarantee provisions of such Indenture as applied to the Debt Securities of such series, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership, Finance Corp., if applicable, the applicable Alabama Subsidiaries and the trustee under such indenture, (c) such Indenture, as then and theretofore supplemented, pursuant to which the Guarantees will be issued, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and (d) the Debt Securities of such series have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of such Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of each of the General Partner, American Midstream, LLC (on behalf of the applicable Alabama Subsidiaries) and Finance Corp., as applicable, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration for such Debt Securities provided for therein, such Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the applicable Alabama Subsidiaries.

Our opinions in paragraphs 1 above is subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance), reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, (a) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (b) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and we express no opinion herein with respect to provisions relating to severability or separability.

We express no opinion other than as to the laws of the State of Alabama.

This opinion may be relied upon by Andrews Kurth LLP in connection with the opinion that firm is delivering as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby


American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

September 10, 2012

Page 5 of 5

 

consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and nothing herein shall be construed to cause us to be considered “experts” within the meaning of Section 11 of the Act. We also consent to your filing copies of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

This opinion has been prepared for your use in connection with the Registration Statement. This opinion may not be used or relied upon by you for any other purpose, nor may copies be delivered to any other person, without in each instance our prior written consent. This opinion letter is expressly limited to the matters set forth above, and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters. This opinion letter is provided as a legal opinion only and not as a guaranty or warranty of the matters discussed herein or as representations of fact.

Very truly yours,

/s/ John Foster Tyra

John Foster Tyra

JFT:jt

LOGO       

EXHIBIT 8.1

 

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

713.220.4200 Phone

713.220.4285 Fax

andrewskurth.com

September 11, 2012

American Midstream Partners, LP

1614 15 th Street, Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to American Midstream Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), with respect to the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “ Registration Statement ”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) on September 11, 2012 pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”). The Registration Statement relates to the offering from time to time, as set forth in the Registration Statement and the forms of prospectus contained therein (each, a “ Prospectus ”), of (i) common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Common Units ”) and debt securities of the Partnership and American Midstream Finance Corporation, to be issued and sold by the Partnership, and (ii) Common Units to be issued and sold by the selling unitholder named therein, from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act. In connection therewith, we have participated in the preparation of the discussion set forth under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” (the “ Discussion ”) in each Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

The Discussion, subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated in the Discussion and the limitations and qualifications set forth herein, constitutes our opinion as to the material United States federal income tax consequences for purchasers of the Common Units in an Offering pursuant to a Prospectus.

This opinion letter is limited to the matters set forth herein, and no opinions are intended to be implied or may be inferred beyond those expressly stated herein. Our opinion is rendered as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion or any matter related to this opinion to reflect any change of fact, circumstances, or law after the effective date of the Registration Statement. In addition, our opinion is based on the assumption that the matter will be properly presented to the applicable court.

Furthermore, our opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or a court. In addition, we must note that our opinion represents merely our best legal judgment on the matters presented and that others may disagree with our conclusion. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a contrary position or that a court would agree with our opinion if litigated.

Austin    Beijing    Dallas    Houston    London     New York    The Woodlands    Washington, DC


American Midstream Partners, LP

September 11, 2012

Page 2

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm and this opinion contained in the Discussion. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are “experts” under the Act or under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating thereto, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Andrews Kurth LLP

Exhibit 12.1

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table contains our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. You should read these ratios in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, incorporated by reference herein.

 

     Six
months
ended
June 30,

2012
     Year ended December 31,  
        2011     2010     2009     2008      2007  

Earnings:

              

Income (loss) before income taxes

     4,018         (11,698     (8,644     (8,833     2,728         (9,046

Add: Fixed charges

     1,582         4,508        5,406        4,183        5,747         8,527   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings

     5,600         (7,190     (3,238     (4,650     8,475         (519

Fixed charges:

              

Interest expense

     1,298         3,388        4,926        3,963        5,747         8,527   

Amortization of capitalized expenses related to indebtedness

     284         1,120        480        220        —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed charges

     1,582         4,508        5,406        4,183        5,747         8,527   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)(2)

     3.5         (1.6     (0.6     (1.1     1.5         (0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deficiency

     —           11,698        8,644        8,833        —           9,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) For purposes of determining the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as net income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expenses and amortization of capitalized expenses related to indebtedness.
(2) Deficiencies for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2007 were $11.7 million, $8.6 million, $8.8 million and $9.0 million, respectively.

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 19, 2012 relating to the financial statements of American Midstream Partners, LP, which appears in American Midstream Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Denver, Colorado

September 11, 2012

Exhibit 23.2

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 30, 2011 relating to the consolidated financial statements of American Midstream Partners, LP (Predecessor), which appears in American Midstream Partners, LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

September 11, 2012

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of American Midstream Partners, LP of our reports dated February 9, 2012 relating to i) the statement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at November 1, 2011 and ii) the statement of revenues in excess of expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 of the 50% undivided interest in the Burns Point Processing Plant acquired from Marathon Oil Company, which appears in Exhibit 99.2 of American Midstream Partners LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated February 9, 2012. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Denver, Colorado

September 11, 2012

Exhibit 23.4

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of American Midstream Partners, LP of our report dated September 11, 2012 relating to the financial statements of Chatom Processing and Fractionation Plant, which appears in Exhibit 99.2 of American Midstream Partners, LP’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated September 11, 2012. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Denver, Colorado

September 11, 2012

Exhibit 24.2

American Midstream GP, LLC

Written Consent of the Board of Directors

September 10, 2012

The undersigned, constituting all of the members of the Board of Directors of American Midstream GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in lieu of a special meeting of the Board of Directors, do hereby consent to, approve and adopt, by written consent, the resolutions attached hereto as Exhibit A and to the taking of the actions contemplated thereby.

This consent may be executed in multiple counterparts, which taken together, shall represent one and the same instrument and action of the Board of Directors. A copy of this consent, signed and delivered by telecopy, facsimile or electronic transmission, shall be considered an original, executed consent.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this consent this 10th day of September, 2012.

 

/s/ Robert B. Hellman, Jr.        /s/ Brian F. Bierbach
Robert B. Hellman, Jr.        Brian F. Bierbach
/s/ Eileen A. Aptman        /s/ Donald H. Anderson
Eileen A. Aptman        Donald H. Anderson
/s/ Edward O. Diffendal        /s/ David L. Page
Edward O. Diffendal        David L. Page
/s/ L. Kent Moore        /s/ Gerald A. Tywoniuk
L. Kent Moore        Gerald A. Tywoniuk


EXHIBIT A

RESOLVED , that a shelf Registration Statement on Form S 3 (together with any replacement shelf registration statement filed as provided in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the “Registration Statement”) and any amendments thereto (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments and any new registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Act) shall be signed, respectively, by the appropriate officers and directors of the American Midstream GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “ General Partner ”) in its individual capacity and in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, and in its capacity as the Sole Member of American Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in its individual capacity and in its capacity as the sole member of the entities (the “ Co-registrants ”) listed on Schedule I hereto and the Co-registrants or by either or both of Brian F. Bierbach and Daniel C. Campbell, acting as attorney in fact (the “ Attorneys in Fact ”) on behalf of such officers or directors, such officers and directors being hereby authorized and empowered to designate either or both of the Attorneys in Fact as their attorney in fact and to grant to each of them full power and authority to sign any amendments to the Registration Statement (including post effective amendments and any new registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Act) in their name and on their behalf as officers or directors of the General Partner and the Co-registrants, as appropriate; and further


Schedule I

 

Co-Registrant

   State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization

American Midstream, LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream Chatom, LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream Chatom Unit 1, LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream Chatom Unit 2, LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream Marketing, LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream (Burns Point), LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

   Alabama

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

   Alabama

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

   Alabama

American Midstream (Bamagas Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream (Louisiana Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream (Midla), LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream (Mississippi), LLC

   Delaware

American Midstream (SIGCO Intrastate)

   Delaware

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

   Alabama

American Midstream Offshore (Seacrest), LP

   Texas

American Midstream Onshore Pipelines, LLC

   Delaware

Mid Louisiana Gas Transmission

   Delaware

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

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)

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association   94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

101 North Phillips Avenue  
Sioux Falls, South Dakota   57104
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream Finance Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   27-0855785

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1614 15th Street

Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

(720) 457-6060

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Senior Notes

(Title of the indenture securities)

CO-REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Co-Registrant as Specified in its Charter(1)

  

State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or

Organization

  

I.R.S. Employer Identification

Number

American Midstream, LLC

   Delaware    27-0855925

American Midstream Chatom, LLC

   Delaware    80-0828650

American Midstream Chatom Unit 1, LLC

   Delaware    45-5558282

American Midstream Chatom Unit 2, LLC

   Delaware    90-0862302

American Midstream Marketing, LLC

   Delaware    27-0856071

American Midstream (Burns Point), LLC

   Delaware    38-3858165

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

   Alabama    72-1347862

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

   Alabama    63-1010510

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

   Alabama    63-0272062

American Midstream (Bamagas Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware    76-0646547

American Midstream (Louisiana Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware    71-0890796

American Midstream (Midla), LLC

   Delaware    72-0460300

American Midstream (Mississippi), LLC

   Delaware    71-0890799

American Midstream (SIGCO Intrastate)

   Delaware    72-1533364

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

   Alabama    63-0935012

American Midstream Offshore (Seacrest), LP

   Texas    52-2384543

American Midstream Onshore Pipelines, LLC

   Delaware    76-0410558

Mid Louisiana Gas Transmission

   Delaware    84-1074614

 

(1) The address for each co-registrant is 1614 15th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202.

 

 

 


Item 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.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor . If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15. Foreign Trustee . Not applicable.

Item 16. List of Exhibits . List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence and Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated February 4, 2004.**
Exhibit 3.    See Exhibit 2
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.***
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.


* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC file number 333-130784-06.
** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form T-3 dated March 3, 2004 of Trans-Lux Corporation file number 022-28721.
*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated May 26, 2005 of Penn National Gaming Inc. file number 333-125274.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national 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 Dallas and State of Texas on the 28th of August, 2012.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

LOGO

Patrick T. Giordano
Vice President


EXHIBIT 6

August 28, 2012

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

Very truly yours,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
LOGO
Patrick T. Giordano
Vice President


Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business June 30, 2012, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts  
            In Millions  

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

      $ 16,883   

Interest-bearing balances

        45,669   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        0   

Available-for-sale securities

        204,424   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        1,128   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        22,797   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        32,246   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     720,609      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     15,480      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        705,129   

Trading Assets

        42,549   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,760   

Other real estate owned

        4,168   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        563   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

        104   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        21,543   

Other intangible assets

        21,240   

Other assets

        53,987   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 1,180,190   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      $ 847,727   

Noninterest-bearing

     222,889      

Interest-bearing

     624,838      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        73,344   

Noninterest-bearing

     2,752      

Interest-bearing

     70,592      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        6,913   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        10,833   


     Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

Trading liabilities

     23,373   

Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     41,997   

Subordinated notes and debentures

     16,602   

Other liabilities

     32,647   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,053,436   

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0   

Common stock

     519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     99,502   

Retained earnings

     19,574   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     6,044   

Other equity capital components

     0   
  

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

     125,639   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     1,115   
  

 

 

 

Total equity capital

     126,754   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

   $ 1,180,190   
  

 

 

 

I, Timothy J. Sloan, EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Timothy J. Sloan
EVP & CFO

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition 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.

 

John Stumpf

   Directors   

David Hoyt

     

Michael Loughlin

     

Exhibit 25.2

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

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)

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association   94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

101 North Phillips Avenue

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

  57104
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17 th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

American Midstream Partners, LP

American Midstream Finance Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   27-0855785

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

1614 15th Street

Suite 300

Denver, Colorado 80202

(720) 457-6060

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Subordinated Notes

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


CO-REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Co-Registrant as Specified in its Charter (1)

   State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or
Organization
   I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number
 

American Midstream, LLC

   Delaware      27-0855925   

American Midstream Chatom, LLC

   Delaware      80-0828650   

American Midstream Chatom Unit 1, LLC

   Delaware      45-5558282   

American Midstream Chatom Unit 2, LLC

   Delaware      90-0862302   

American Midstream Marketing, LLC

   Delaware      27-0856071   

American Midstream (Burns Point), LLC

   Delaware      38-3858165   

American Midstream (Alabama Gathering), LLC

   Alabama      72-1347862   

American Midstream (Alabama Intrastate), LLC

   Alabama      63-1010510   

American Midstream (AlaTenn), LLC

   Alabama      63-0272062   

American Midstream (Bamagas Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware      76-0646547   

American Midstream (Louisiana Intrastate), LLC

   Delaware      71-0890796   

American Midstream (Midla), LLC

   Delaware      72-0460300   

American Midstream (Mississippi), LLC

   Delaware      71-0890799   

American Midstream (SIGCO Intrastate)

   Delaware      72-1533364   

American Midstream (Tennessee River), LLC

   Alabama      63-0935012   

American Midstream Offshore (Seacrest), LP

   Texas      52-2384543   

American Midstream Onshore Pipelines, LLC

   Delaware      76-0410558   

Mid Louisiana Gas Transmission

   Delaware      84-1074614   

 

(1) The address for each co-registrant is 1614 15th Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80202.


Item 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.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15. Foreign Trustee. Not applicable.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence and Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated February 4, 2004.**
Exhibit 3.    See Exhibit 2
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.***
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.


Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC file number 333-130784-06.

** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form T-3 dated March 3, 2004 of Trans-Lux Corporation file number 022-28721.

*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated May 26, 2005 of Penn National Gaming Inc. file number 333-125274.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national 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 Dallas and State of Texas on the 28th of August, 2012.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
LOGO    

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 


EXHIBIT 6

August 28, 2012

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

Very truly yours,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
LOGO    
Patrick T. Giordano  
Vice President  


Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business June 30, 2012, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

      $ 16,883   

Interest-bearing balances

        45,669   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        0   

Available-for-sale securities

        204,424   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        1,128   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        22,797   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        32,246   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     720,609      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     15,480      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        705,129   

Trading Assets

        42,549   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,760   

Other real estate owned

        4,168   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        563   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

        104   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        21,543   

Other intangible assets

        21,240   

Other assets

        53,987   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 1,180,190   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      $ 847,727   

Noninterest-bearing

     222,889      

Interest-bearing

     624,838      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        73,344   

Noninterest-bearing

     2,752      

Interest-bearing

     70,592      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        6,913   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        10,833   


          Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

Trading liabilities

        23,373   

Other borrowed money

     

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

        41,997   

Subordinated notes and debentures

        16,602   

Other liabilities

        32,647   
     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      $ 1,053,436   

EQUITY CAPITAL

     

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

        0   

Common stock

        519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

        99,502   

Retained earnings

        19,574   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

        6,044   

Other equity capital components

        0   
     

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

        125,639   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

        1,115   
     

 

 

 

Total equity capital

        126,754   
     

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

      $ 1,180,190   
     

 

 

 

I, Timothy J. Sloan, EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

  Timothy J. Sloan
     EVP & CFO

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition 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.

 

John Stumpf

   Directors

David Hoyt

  

Michael Loughlin