UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2012

 

 

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-31470   33-0430755
(State of Incorporation)   (Commission File No.)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

700 Milam, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas

  77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 579-6000

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

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

Public Offering of Senior Notes

Underwriting Agreement

On October 23, 2012, Plains Exploration & Production Company (“ PXP ”) and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several underwriters, relating to the public offering of $3.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior notes, consisting of $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ 2020 Notes ”) and $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ 2023 Notes ” and, together with the 2020 Notes, the “ Notes ”). The offering was made pursuant to PXP’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-165263), which became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2010.

The Underwriting Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by PXP, and customary conditions to closing, indemnification obligations of PXP and the underwriters, including for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, other obligations of the parties and termination provisions. The foregoing description of the Underwriting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Underwriting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

Notes and Supplemental Indentures

On October 26, 2012, PXP completed the public offering of the Notes. PXP intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of approximately $2.95 billion, after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering expenses, to fund a portion of the consideration of PXP’s previously announced acquisition of oil and gas interests in the Gulf of Mexico from BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company (collectively, “ BP ”) and Shell Offshore Inc. Pending the use of proceeds for such purposes, PXP expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under PXP’s senior revolving credit facility (the “ Credit Facility ”).

The terms of the 2020 Notes and the 2023 Notes are governed by an Indenture dated as of March 13, 2007 (the “ Base Indenture ”), between PXP and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “ Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture ”) and the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “ Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, the “ Supplemental Indentures ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), respectively, by and among PXP, the guarantors listed therein and the Trustee. The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit PXP’s ability and the ability of PXP’s restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt; make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on PXP’s capital stock or purchase or redeem or retire capital stock; sell assets, including capital stock of PXP’s restricted subsidiaries; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; create liens that secure debt; enter into transactions with affiliates; and merge or consolidate with another company.

The Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, including the form of the 2020 Notes, and the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, including the form of the 2023 Notes, are filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, and incorporated by reference herein.

Relationships

The underwriters and certain of their affiliates have provided from time to time, and may provide in the future, investment and commercial banking and financial advisory services to PXP and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions.


Item 8.01 Other Events

On October 22, 2012, the lenders under the Credit Facility delivered to PXP a Consent of Majority Lenders (the “ Consent ”) evidencing their consent to the special redemption provisions contained in the Supplemental Indentures. The lenders also agreed that in determining PXP’s compliance with the debt to EBITDAX (as defined in the Credit Facility) maintenance covenant in the Credit Facility, pro forma adjustments may be made for the BP acquisition until March 15, 2013, or such earlier time as the BP purchase and sale agreement has been terminated, and, in each case, until the redemption price relating to the special redemption has become due and payable with respect to the Notes. Further, the Consent provides for no reduction in PXP’s current $2.3 billion borrowing base in connection with the offering of the Notes. The borrowing base is subject to the existing scheduled and interim redetermination provisions in the Credit Facility. The next scheduled redetermination is on or before May 1, 2013.

The foregoing description of the Consent does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Consent, which is filed as Exhibit 4.3 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated October 23, 2012, by and among PXP, the guarantors parties thereto and the underwriters parties thereto.
4.1    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 26, 2012, to the Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2007, among PXP, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (including form of the 2020 Notes).
4.2    Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 26, 2012, to the Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2007, among PXP, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (including form of the 2023 Notes).
4.3    Consent of Majority Lenders, dated as of October 22, 2012, by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders signatory thereto.
5.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
23.1    Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

      PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

Date: October 26, 2012

     

/s/ Nancy I. Williams

     

Nancy I. Williams

Vice President—Accounting, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

1.1    Underwriting Agreement, dated October 23, 2012, by and among PXP, the guarantors parties thereto and the underwriters parties thereto.
4.1    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 26, 2012, to the Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2007, among PXP, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (including form of the 2020 Notes).
4.2    Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 26, 2012, to the Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2007, among PXP, the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (including form of the 2023 Notes).
4.3    Consent of Majority Lenders, dated as of October 22, 2012, by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders signatory thereto.
5.1    Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.
23.1    Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5.1).

Exhibit 1.1

Execution Copy

$3,000,000,000

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

6.5% Senior Notes due 2020

6.875% Senior Notes due 2023

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

October 23, 2012

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

as Representative of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I hereto

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

as qualified independent underwriter

60 Wall Street

New York, New York 10005

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

Plains Exploration & Production Company, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), proposes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, to issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the “ Underwriters ”), for whom J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“ JPMorgan ”) is acting as the representative (the “ Representative ”), (i) $1,500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 6.5% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “ 2020 Notes ”) and (ii) $1,500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 6.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ 2023 Notes ” and collectively with the 2020 Notes, the “ Notes ”). The Company’s obligations under the Notes, including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes, will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Guarantees ”) by Arguello Inc., a Delaware corporation, Latigo Petroleum, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Plains Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Plains Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation, Pogo Partners, Inc., a Texas corporation, PXP Producing Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PXP Aircraft LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PXP Gulf Coast LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, PXP Louisiana L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, PXP Louisiana Operations LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and PXP Offshore LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “ Guarantors ”). The Notes and the Guarantees are hereinafter collectively called the “ Securities .” The Securities (i) will have terms and provisions which are summarized in the Prospectus Supplement (as


defined below) dated as of the date hereof and (ii) are to be issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of March 13, 2007 (the “ Base Indenture ”), by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented and amended by (a) the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture thereto to be dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “ Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture ”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (relating to the 2020 Notes), and (b) the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture thereto to be dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “ Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture ” and, collectively with the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, the “ Supplemental Indentures ”), by and among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee (relating to the 2023 Notes). The Base Indenture, as supplemented and amended by the Supplemental Indentures, is referred to herein as the “ Indenture .”

The Company and the Underwriters, in accordance with the requirements of Rule 5121(a) (“ Rule 5121(a) ”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”) and subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, also hereby confirm the engagement of the services of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (“ Deutsche Bank ”) as a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 5121(f)(12) of FINRA (“ Rule 5121(f)(12) ”) in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities. Deutsche Bank, in its capacity as qualified independent underwriter and not otherwise, is referred to herein as the “ QIU .”

On September 4, 2012, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company (the “ BP PSA ”) to acquire certain oil and natural gas interests in and near the Holstein, Diana-Hoover, Horn Mountain, Marlin Hub and Ram Powell Fields located in the Gulf of Mexico in exchange for approximately $5,550,000,000 in cash (the “ BP Acquisition ”). On September 7, 2012, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Shell Offshore Inc. (the “ Shell PSA ” and, together with the BP PSA, the “ Acquisition Agreements ”) to acquire certain oil and natural gas interests in the Holstein Field located in the Gulf of Mexico in exchange for approximately $560,000,000 in cash (the “ Shell Acquisition ” and, together with the BP Acquisition, the “ Acquisitions ”).

This agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Securities from the Company by the Underwriters.

1. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company and the Guarantors. The Company and each of the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represents, warrants and agrees that:

(a) The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) an “automatic shelf registration statement” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”)) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-165263) (the “ Initial Registration Statement ”), including a prospectus, relating to, among other securities, the Securities and the offering thereof from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 under the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act (the “ Rules and Regulations ”). The Initial Registration Statement became effective upon filing with the Commission under the Securities Act. The Company has furnished to the Underwriters, for use by the Underwriters and by dealers, copies of a preliminary prospectus supplement to the base prospectus included in

 

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the Initial Registration Statement relating to the Securities (together with such base prospectus, the “ Preliminary Prospectus ”). As provided in Section 5(a), a final prospectus supplement reflecting the terms of the offering of the Securities and the other matters set forth therein has been prepared and will be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Rules and Regulations. Such final prospectus supplement, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Rules and Regulations and furnished by the Company for use by the Underwriters and by dealers in connection with the offering of the Securities, is herein referred to as the “ Prospectus Supplement .” The Initial Registration Statement, as amended at the Effective Time, including the exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference therein, is herein called the “ Registration Statement .” The Prospectus Supplement, together with the base prospectus relating to all offerings of securities under the Registration Statement, is hereinafter called the “ Prospectus ,” in either case including the documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), that are incorporated by reference therein. As used herein, “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means the documents listed on Annex 1 hereto, including the final term sheet prepared pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) hereof and attached to this Agreement as Annex 2 (the “ Final Term Sheet ”), and each “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Rules and Regulations), if any, related to the offering of the Securities that is a “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations) (each such “road show” being referred to herein as a “ Road Show ”). As used herein, “ Pricing Disclosure Package ” means, collectively, the Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below) and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than a Road Show), if any, issued at or prior to the Applicable Time. As used herein, “ Effective Time ” means the time as of which the Initial Registration Statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto, if any, became effective, or the most recent deemed amendment was filed with the Commission, including any deemed amendment under Rule 430B under the Rules and Regulations. “ Effective Date ” means the date of the Effective Time. Any reference to any deemed amendment to the Registration Statement shall refer to and include any filing of an annual report of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date of the Initial Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement as well as the other documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Rules and Regulations. Reference made herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Rules and Regulations, as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, and any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the Securities (including any final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities) together with any document filed under the Exchange Act after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, and incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; and any reference to the “Prospectus as amended or supplemented” shall be deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the Securities

 

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(including any final prospectus supplement relating to the Securities) in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Rules and Regulations in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated by reference therein as of the date of such filing. The Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus.

(b) The Company has been since the time of filing of the Initial Registration Statement and continues to be a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations) eligible to use Form S-3 for the offering of the Securities, including not having been an “ineligible issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations) at any such time. No notice of objection of the Commission to the use of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Rules and Regulations has been received by the Company. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and, to the Company’s knowledge, no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or threatened by the Commission.

(c) Both before and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Acquisitions, neither the Company nor any Guarantor is or will be an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ Investment Company Act ”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(d) The Registration Statement conformed on the Effective Date and will conform on the Closing Date (as defined in Section 4), and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed after the date hereof will conform when filed, to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations. The Preliminary Prospectus conformed, and the Prospectus will conform, when filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Rules and Regulations and on the Closing Date, to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations. The documents incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus conformed, and any further documents so incorporated will conform, when filed with the Commission, to the requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

(e) The Registration Statement did not, as of the Effective Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 9(e).

 

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(f) The Prospectus will not, as of its date and on the Closing Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in Section 9(e).

(g) The documents incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus did not, and any further documents filed and incorporated by reference therein will not, when filed with the Commission, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(h) The Pricing Disclosure Package did not, as of the time when sales of the Securities were first made on the date of this Agreement (the “ Applicable Time ”), contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is specified in

Section 9(e).

(i) No Issuer Free Writing Prospectus included, and on the Closing Date no Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will include, any information that conflicts with the information in the Registration Statement or the Preliminary Prospectus and no Road Show, when considered together with the Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Term Sheet as of the Applicable Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(j) Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conformed or will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations on the date of first use, and the Company has complied with any requirements of Rule 433 under the Rules and Regulations with respect to each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. The Company has not made any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than the Final Term Sheet and any Road Show) without the prior written consent of the Representative. Any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus other than any Road Show, the use of which has been consented to by the Representative, is listed on Annex 1 hereto. The Company has retained in accordance with the Rules and Regulations all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that were not required to be filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations.

 

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(k) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing as a corporation or other business entity under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and is duly qualified to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation or other business entity in each jurisdiction in which its respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its respective businesses requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the general affairs, management, business, stockholders’ equity, financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (“ Material Adverse Effect ”), and has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is engaged. The Company does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the entities listed on Annex 3 hereto. None of the subsidiaries of the Company (other than those identified as such on Annex 3) is a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations).

(l) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. All of the issued shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and (except with respect to limited liability company interests, limited partnership interests and general partnership interests, to the extent provided by applicable law) non-assessable and, except as set forth on Annex 3, are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims (other than liens arising under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2010, among the Company, as borrower, each of the lenders that is a signatory thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (as amended, the “ Senior Credit Facility ”), and the senior revolving credit agreement, dated as of November 18, 2011, among Plains Offshore Operations Inc., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Barclays Bank PLC and Bank of Montreal, as co-documentation agents, Toronto Dominion (New York) LLC and Well Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agents, and the lenders party thereto (the “ POI Credit Agreement ”)); and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries was issued in violation of the preemptive rights or similar rights of any security holder of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, respectively.

(m) The Base Indenture has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, constitutes the valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Each of the Supplemental Indentures has been duly and validly authorized by the

 

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Company and the Guarantors, and upon its execution and delivery and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, will constitute the valid and binding agreement of the Company and the Guarantors, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except that the enforceability of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The Base Indenture is duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”). The Indenture conforms with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and conforms, or will conform, to the description thereof in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

(n) The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and when duly executed by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and, assuming due authentication of the Notes by the Trustee, upon delivery to the Underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will have been validly issued and delivered, free of any preemptive or similar rights to subscribe to or purchase the same arising by operation of law or under the charter or bylaws of the Company or otherwise, and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except that the enforceability of the Company’s obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Notes in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus.

(o) The Guarantees have been duly and validly authorized by the Guarantors and when each of the Supplemental Indentures is duly executed and delivered by the Guarantors and upon the due execution, authentication and delivery of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture and the delivery of the Notes to the Underwriters against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable against the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except that the enforceability of the Guarantors’ obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Each Guarantor has all requisite corporate, limited liability company or other power and authority to issue and deliver its respective Guarantee in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus.

 

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(p) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors.

(q) Each of the Acquisition Agreements has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by each other party thereto, is a valid and legally binding agreement of each of the parties thereto enforceable against each of such parties in accordance with its terms, except that the enforceability of obligations thereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(r) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Indenture by the Company and the Guarantors and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, thereby or by the Acquisition Agreements, including, without limitation, the issuance and delivery of the Securities, and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under “Use of proceeds” in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and the consummation of the Acquisitions, will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, (i) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, and, in each case, that is required to be filed by the Company with the Commission under Item 601 of Regulation S-K, (ii) the provisions of the charter or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) any law or statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets, except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (iii), for such breaches, violations or defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as would not materially adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Acquisition Agreements. The consummation of each of the Acquisitions will not result in, or be subject to, the right of any party to purchase or otherwise acquire any of the properties and assets being purchased and sold pursuant to the BP PSA or Shell PSA, whether pursuant to preferential purchase rights, rights of first refusal or any other legal right or entitlement under any contract, instrument, applicable law or other legal principle, and none of such properties and assets shall be subject to any such right that would be exercisable after the consummation of such Acquisition and prior to any subsequent sale or transfer of such properties or assets, except in the case of each of the foregoing for any such right that (a) shall have been duly waived or otherwise surrendered or relinquished upon or prior to consummation of such Acquisition, pursuant to a valid, legally binding and enforceable agreement or other legal instrument or (b) if exercised, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or as would not materially adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Acquisition Agreements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none of such properties and assets shall be subject to any rights of Plains

 

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Offshore Operations Inc., a Delaware corporation, to purchase or otherwise acquire such properties and assets, pursuant to any agreement or instrument, including without limitation, the Stockholders Agreement dated November 17, 2011 by and among Plains Offshore Operations Inc., PXP Resources LLC, the Company and each investor named on the signature pages thereof, as may be amended from time to time.

(s) No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any financial institution or any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Indenture, or either of the Acquisition Agreements by the Company or any Guarantor or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, the issuance and delivery of the Securities by the Company and the Guarantors and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described under “Use of proceeds” in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as have been obtained or may be required under the Exchange Act or under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and sale of the Securities by the Underwriters or as contemplated by the Acquisition Agreements.

(t) No person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Securities.

(u) The Company has not sold or issued any securities that would be integrated with the offering of the Securities contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.

(v) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and, otherwise than as set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus, there has not been any change in the capital stock or other equity interests or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except (i) pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants or pursuant to the issuance of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), under the Company’s stock incentive plans, (ii) for any borrowings or repayments under the Senior Credit Facility, and (iii) for any borrowings under the Company’s short-term credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (as amended, the “ Short-Term Credit Facility ”), in the ordinary course of business for working capital purposes, or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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(w) The consolidated financial statements (including the related notes and supporting schedules) of the Company filed as part of the Registration Statement or included or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby, at the dates and for the periods indicated, and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as otherwise stated therein and in the case of unaudited financial statements, subject to year-end audit adjustments. The statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the assets being acquired pursuant to the Acquisitions, and included or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as otherwise stated therein. The pro forma financial information (including the related notes and supporting schedules) of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis through the periods involved, except as otherwise stated therein and subject to year-end audit adjustments. In the Company’s opinion, the assumptions used in the preparation of such pro forma financial information are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to transactions referred to therein. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(x) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, the report of which is incorporated by reference into the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and which has delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(f)(i) hereof, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and was independent with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board during the periods covered by the financial statements on which it reported incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus. To the best knowledge of the Company, (i) Ernst & Young LLP, which has certified certain statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the BP Acquisition, the report of which is incorporated by reference into the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and which has delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(f)(ii) hereof, is an independent auditor as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and was independent with respect to BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the

 

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rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and was independent with respect to the Company as required by the rules and regulations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, in each case, during the periods covered by the financial statements on which it reported incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and (ii) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which has certified certain statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Shell Acquisition, the report of which is incorporated by reference into the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and which has delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(f) (iii) hereof, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and was independent with respect to Shell Exploration & Production Company and the Company as required by the Securities Act, the Rules and Regulations and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board during the periods covered by the financial statements on which it reported incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus.

(y) The Company and each subsidiary thereof have good and indefeasible title in fee simple to all real property and good title to all personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects except (i) royalties, overriding royalties and other burdens under oil and gas leases, (ii) easements, restrictions, rights-of-way and other matters that commonly affect property, (iii) liens securing taxes and other governmental charges, or claims of materialmen, mechanics and similar persons, not yet due and payable, (iv) liens and encumbrances under operating agreements, farm out agreements, unitization, pooling and commutation agreements, declarations and orders, and gas sales contracts, securing payment of amounts not yet due and payable and of a scope and nature customary in the oil and gas industry, (v) liens arising under the Senior Credit Facility and the POI Credit Agreement and (vi) liens, encumbrances and defects that do not in the aggregate materially affect the value of the real property or materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property by the Company. The working interests in oil, gas and mineral leases or mineral interests which constitute a portion of the real property held by the Company reflect in all material respects the right of the Company to explore or receive production from such real property, and the care taken by the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to acquiring or otherwise procuring such leases or mineral interests was generally consistent with standard industry practices for acquiring or procuring leases and interests therein to explore for hydrocarbons.

(z) The Company and each of the subsidiaries of the Company carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company believes is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.

(aa) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and each of the subsidiaries of the Company (i) own or possess adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights and licenses necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses and (ii) have no reason to believe that the conduct of their respective businesses conflicts or will conflict with, and have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others.

 

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(bb) Except as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined adversely, would have a Material Adverse Effect, or could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and to the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

(cc) No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any Guarantor on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers or suppliers of the Company on the other hand, that would be required to be described in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus which is not so described.

(dd) No labor disturbance by the employees of the Company or its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ee) (i) Each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)) for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)) would have any liability (each a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance in all material respects with its terms and the requirements of all applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including ERISA and the Code; (ii) with respect to each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (A) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur for which the Company and any member of its Controlled Group would have any liability, (B) no “accumulated funding deficiency” (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur, (C) the fair market value of the assets under each such Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan) and (D) neither the Company nor any member of its Controlled Group has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan”, within the meaning of Section 4001(c)(3) of ERISA); and (iii) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter to the effect that the form of such Plan satisfies the requirements under Section 401(a) of the Code, and neither the Company nor any member of its Controlled Group has any reason to believe that anything has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would adversely affect such qualification.

 

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(ff) The Company and each of its subsidiaries have filed all material federal, state and local income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof and have paid all material taxes due thereon, other than those being contested in good faith, those for which reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP or those currently payable without penalty or interest; and other than as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries which has had, nor does the Company have any knowledge of any tax deficiency which, if determined adversely, would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

(gg) Since the date as of which information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be disclosed or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not (i) incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations which were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business or (iii) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock.

(hh) The Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and (ii) maintains internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization and (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its charter or bylaws (or similar organizational documents), (ii) is in default, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject and that is required to be filed by the Company with the Commission under Item 601 of Regulation S-K or (iii) is in violation of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such defaults or violations that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(jj) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, has: (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated, or is in violation of, any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977; or (iv) made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

(kk) There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes-Oxley Act ”) and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith. The Company has completed its required assessment under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (collectively “ Section 404 ”) and included such assessment in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (the “ Form 10-K ”).

(ll) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors-in-interest) at, upon or from any of the properties now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, and could not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have, and could not reasonably be expected to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, a Material Adverse Effect; and the terms “hazardous wastes,” “toxic wastes,” “hazardous substances” and “medical wastes” shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection.

 

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(mm) The statements set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Description of debt securities” and “Description of notes,” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Securities, and under the caption “United States federal income tax considerations,” insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws referred to therein, are accurate and complete in all material respects.

(nn) No “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations) of the Company is currently, or immediately after the consummation of the Acquisitions, will be, prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except (i) as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) with regard to transfers of property or assets by POI to the Company or its affiliates, without the consent of the holders of a majority of POI’s preferred stock not held by the Company or its affiliates.

(oo) The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of the Closing Date and completion of the distribution of the Securities, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than any Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Term Sheet, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Representative has consented in accordance with Section 1(j) or 5(a)(vii).

(pp) None of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities) will violate or result in violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act or any regulation promulgated thereunder. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries owns, and none of the proceeds from the sale of Securities contemplated hereby will be used directly or indirectly to purchase or carry, any “margin stock” as defined in Regulation U promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, except for shares of stock of the Company and shares of stock of McMoRan Exploration Company that do not and will not in the aggregate constitute more than 25% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries.

(qq) The Company and its subsidiaries have not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to, cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including Regulation M under the Exchange Act), or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(rr) The information supplied by the Company to its independent petroleum engineering consultants for purposes of preparing the reserve reports used to calculate estimates of reserves of the Company included in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus, including, without limitation, production, costs of operation and development, current prices for production, agreements relating to current and future operations and sales of production, was true and correct in all material respects on the date supplied and was prepared in accordance with customary industry practices.

 

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Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and Ryder Scott Company L.P., independent consulting petroleum engineers, each of which prepared estimates of the extent and value of certain proved oil and natural gas reserves, are independent with respect to the Company.

(ss) There are no contracts or other documents which are required by the Rules and Regulations to be described in the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations that have not been described in such Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

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

(uu) On and immediately after the Closing Date, the Company (after giving effect to the issuance of the Securities and the other transactions related thereto as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) will be Solvent. As used in this paragraph, the term “Solvent” means, with respect to a particular date, that on such date (i) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the assets of the Company is not less than the total amount required to pay the liabilities of the Company on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured; (ii) the Company is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business; (iii) assuming consummation of the issuance of the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (iv) the Company is not engaged in any business or transaction, and does not propose to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which the Company is engaged.

2. Purchase of the Securities by the Underwriters. The Company hereby agrees, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters contained herein and subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein, to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters and, upon the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Guarantors herein contained and subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of 98.5% of the principal amount of the 2020 Notes and of 98.5% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes, the principal amount of the 2020 Notes and the 2023 Notes set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any of the Notes to be delivered hereunder except upon payment for all of the Notes to be purchased as provided herein.

3. Offering of Securities by the Underwriters. Upon authorization by the Representative of the release of the Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions to be set forth in the Prospectus.

 

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4. Delivery of and Payment for the Securities. (a) Delivery to the Underwriters of and payment for the Securities shall be made at the offices of Andrews Kurth LLP, 600 Travis, Suite 4200, Houston, Texas at 9:00 a.m., Houston time, on the third full business day following the date of this Agreement or at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement between the Representative and the Company. This date and time are sometimes referred to as the “ Closing Date .” The Securities will be delivered to the Underwriters against payment of the purchase price therefor in immediately available funds. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter hereunder. The Notes will be evidenced by one or more global securities in definitive form (the “ Global Notes ”) and/or by additional definitive securities, and will be registered, in the case of the Global Notes, in the name of Cede & Co. as nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), and in the other cases, in such names and in such denominations as the Underwriters shall request prior to 8:30 a.m., Houston time, on the second business day preceding the Closing Date. The Notes to be delivered to the Underwriters shall be made available to the Underwriters in Houston for inspection and packaging not later than 11:00 a.m., Houston time, on the business day next preceding the Closing Date.

5. Additional Agreements of the Company, the Guarantors, the Underwriters and the QIU.

(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree with each of the Underwriters as follows:

(i) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representative and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Rules and Regulations not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus prior to the Closing Date except as provided herein; to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Representative with copies thereof; to prepare one or more final term sheets substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex 2 and agreed to by the Representative and file it with the Commission pursuant to, and within the time period prescribed by, Rule 433; to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities (or would be required but for Rule 172 under the Rules and Regulations); to advise the Representative, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding or examination for any such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act, of any notice

 

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from the Commission (pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Rules and Regulations) objecting to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or suspending any such qualification or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act, to use promptly all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

(ii) To pay the applicable Commission filing fees relating to the Securities within the time required by Rule 456(b)(1) under the Rules and Regulations without regard to the proviso therein;

(iii) To furnish promptly to the Representative and to counsel for the Underwriters a signed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith, except in each case to the extent available on the Commission’s EDGAR web site;

(iv) To deliver promptly to the Representative such number of the following documents as the Representative shall reasonably request: (A) conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission and each amendment thereto (in each case excluding exhibits other than this Agreement and the computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges); (B) each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented Prospectus; (C) each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus; and (D) any document incorporated by reference in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required (or would be required but for Rule 172 under the Rules and Regulations) at any time after the date hereof in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities or any other securities relating thereto and if at such time any events shall have occurred as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus was or is delivered (or would have been required to have been delivered but for Rule 172 under the Rules and Regulations), not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Representative and, upon its request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance;

 

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(v) To file promptly with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Company or the Representative, be required by the Securities Act or requested by the Commission;

(vi) Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any amendment to any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, to furnish a copy thereof to the Representative and counsel for the Underwriters and to obtain the consent of the Representative to the filing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld);

(vii) Not to make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Representative and to comply with any requirements of Rule 433 under the Rules and Regulations with respect to each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus pursuant to the Rules and Regulations;

(viii) To retain in accordance with the Rules and Regulations all Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not required to be filed pursuant to the Rules and Regulations; and if at any time after the date hereof, any events shall have occurred as a result of which any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Representative and, upon its request, to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter as many copies as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that will correct such conflict, statement or omission or effect such compliance;

(ix) As soon as practicable after the Effective Date and in any event not later than 16 months after the date hereof, to make generally available to the Company’s security holders and to the Representative an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations;

 

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(x) To cooperate with the Underwriters and with counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale by the Underwriters and by dealers under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters may designate and to file such consents to service of process or other documents necessary or appropriate in order to effect such qualification; provided, that in no event shall the Company or any of the Guarantors be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or to take any action which would subject it to service of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Securities, in any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;

(xi) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities to be sold hereunder substantially in accordance with the description set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of proceeds”;

(xii) Not to take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to, cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including Regulation M under the Exchange Act), or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities;

(xiii) To comply with all of the terms and conditions of all agreements set forth in the representation letters of the Company and the Guarantors to DTC relating to the approval of the Securities by DTC for “book entry” transfer;

(xiv) For a period of 45 days after the date of the Prospectus Supplement, not to offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any United States dollar-denominated debt securities issued or guaranteed by the Company and having a maturity of more than one year from the date of issue, or publicly disclose the intention to make any such offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior written consent of JPMorgan (for the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto acknowledge that participations in the Senior Credit Facility and similar facilities (including, without limitation, any facilities maintained by Plains Offshore Operations Inc.) are not “debt securities” covered by this subparagraph (xiv)); and

(xv) The Company and the Guarantors will do and perform all things required or necessary to be done and performed under this Agreement by them prior to the Closing Date, and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the Underwriters’ obligations hereunder to purchase the Securities.

(b) Each Underwriter severally agrees with the Company and each other Underwriter that such Underwriter has not made, and will not make, any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations) required to be filed with the Commission without the prior consent of the Company and the Representative (other than one or more term sheets relating to the Securities containing customary information and conveyed to purchasers of Securities).

 

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(c) The Company hereby confirms its engagement of Deutsche Bank as, and Deutsche Bank hereby confirms its agreement with the Company to render services as, a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 5121(f)(12) with respect to the offering and sale of the Securities.

(d) The QIU hereby represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company and the Underwriters that with respect to the offering and sale of the Securities as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus:

(i) The QIU constitutes a “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 5121(f)(12);

(ii) The QIU has participated in the preparation of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and has exercised the usual standards of “due diligence” in respect thereto;

(iii) The QIU does not have a conflict of interest (as defined in FINRA Rule 5121(f)(5)) and is not an affiliate of any member that has a conflict of interest;

(iv) The QIU does not beneficially own, as of the date of its participation in the public offering, more than 5% of the class of securities that would give rise to a conflict of interest, including any right to receive any such securities exercisable within 60 days;

(v) The QIU has undertaken the legal responsibilities and liabilities of an underwriter under the Securities Act, specifically including those inherent in Section 11 thereof;

(vi) The QIU has served as an underwriter in at least three public offerings of a similar size and type as the offering described herein during the three-year period immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement or, during the past three years, has acted as sole underwriter or book-running lead or co-manager of at least three public offerings of debt securities each with gross proceeds of not less than 25% of the anticipated gross proceeds of the offering described herein; and

(vii) None of the QIU’s associated persons in a supervisory capacity who are responsible for organizing, structuring or performing due diligence with respect to corporate public offerings of securities: (A) has been convicted within ten years prior to the filing of the Registration Statement of a violation of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal or state securities laws, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, in connection with a registered or unregistered offering of securities; (B) is subject to any order, judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction entered within ten years prior to the filing of the Registration Statement permanently enjoining or restraining such person from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in violation of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal or state securities laws, or any rules or regulations

 

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promulgated thereunder in connection with a registered or unregistered offering of securities; or (C) has been suspended or barred from association with any member by an order or decision of the Commission, any state, FINRA or any other self-regulatory organization within ten years prior to the filing of the Registration Statement for any conduct or practice in violation of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal or state securities laws, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or the anti-fraud rules of any self-regulatory organization in connection with a registered or unregistered offering of securities.

(e) The Company and the Guarantors agree to cooperate with the Underwriters and the QIU to enable the Underwriters to comply with Rule 5121(a) and the QIU to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement.

(f) The QIU hereby consents to the references to it as set forth under the caption “Prospectus supplement summary” and “Underwriting; Conflicts of interest” in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and in any amendment or supplement thereto made in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof.

6. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company and the Guarantors agree to pay all costs, expenses, fees and taxes incident to and in connection with: (i) the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities and any stamp duties or other taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto; (iii) the distribution of the Registration Statement (including any exhibits thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein, all as provided in this Agreement; (iv) the issuance and delivery by the Company of the Securities; (v) the preparation, printing (including, without limitation, word processing and duplication costs) and delivery of this Agreement, the Indenture, and all other agreements, memoranda, correspondence and other documents printed and delivered in connection therewith (but not, however, legal fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters incurred in connection with any of the foregoing); (vi) the preparation of certificates for the Securities; (vii) if necessary, qualification of the Securities under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 5(a)(x) and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters); (viii) all fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of counsel) of the Company and the Guarantors in connection with approval of the Securities by DTC for “book-entry” transfer; (ix) all fees and expenses of the Company and the Guarantors incurred in connection with any roadshow; (x) all costs and expenses of Deutsche Bank, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel, incurred in its capacity as “qualified independent underwriter” within the meaning of Rule 5121(a) in connection with the offering of the Securities; (xi) all filing fees, costs and expenses related to the review by FINRA of the offering; and (xii) the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their other obligations under this Agreement; provided, that, except as provided in this Section 6, Section 9 and Section 12, the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses, including the costs and expenses of their counsel, any transfer taxes on the Securities that they may sell and the expenses of advertising any offering of the Securities made by the Underwriters.

 

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7. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The respective obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and on the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contained herein, to the performance by the Company and the Guarantors of their respective obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

(a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 5(a)(i); the Final Term Sheet shall have been prepared and timely filed pursuant to Section 5(a)(i); the Company shall have complied with all filing requirements applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus used or referred to after the date hereof; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding or examination for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; any request of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or otherwise shall have been complied with; and the Commission shall not have notified the Company of any objection under Rule 401(g)(2) under the Rules and Regulations to the use of the form of the Registration Statement.

(b) No Underwriter shall have discovered and disclosed to the Company on or prior to the Closing Date that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Pricing Disclosure Package, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of a fact which, in the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, is material or omits to state a fact which, in the opinion of such counsel, is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

(c) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization, form and validity of this Agreement, the Indenture, the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to Andrews Kurth LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company and the Guarantors shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(d) The Underwriters shall have received from Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Company, the opinion or opinions and negative assurance letter, each addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date, and each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative and their legal counsel, to the effect set forth in Annex 4 hereto.

 

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(e) The Underwriters shall have received from Andrews Kurth LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Pricing Disclosure Package and other related matters as the Underwriters may reasonably require, and the Company and the Guarantors shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

(f) (i) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accountant for the Company, a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof (A) confirming that it is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and is in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (B) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings. (ii) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accountant for BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company, a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof (A) confirming that it is an independent auditor with respect to BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and with respect to the Company under the rules and regulations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (B) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings. (iii) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accountant for Shell Exploration & Production Company, a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof (A) confirming that it is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Shell Exploration & Production Company and the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and is in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (B) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since

 

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the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Preliminary Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings.

(g) (i) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have received from Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers for the Company, a letter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters and their counsel, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof confirming that, with respect to the Company, they are independent petroleum engineers, and confirming such information related to the proved reserves of the Company (to the extent reviewed by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.) as counsel to the Underwriters shall reasonably request. (ii) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Underwriters shall have received from the Company a copy of an audit letter from Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers, prepared on behalf of the Company, with respect to the estimates prepared by BP Exploration & Production Inc. of the proved reserves of the BP Acquisition.

(h) (i) With respect to the letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP referred to in paragraph (f)(i) above and delivered to the Underwriters concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ PwC initial letter ”), the Underwriters shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter (the “ PwC bring-down letter ”) of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date (A) confirming that it is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and is in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (B) stating, as of the date of the PwC bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date of the PwC bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the PwC initial letter and (C) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the PwC initial letter. (ii) With respect to the letter of Ernst & Young LLP referred to in paragraph (f)(ii) above and delivered to the Underwriters concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ EY initial letter ”), the Underwriters shall have received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter (the “ EY bring-down letter ”) of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date (A) confirming that it is an independent auditor with respect to BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and with respect to the Company under the rules and regulations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and is in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (B) stating, as of the date of the EY bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than three

 

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days prior to the date of the EY bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the EY initial letter and (C) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the EY initial letter. (iii) With respect to the letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP referred to in paragraph (f)(iii) above and delivered to the Underwriters concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ PwC initial letter for the Shell Acquisition ”), the Underwriters shall have received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a letter (the “ PwC bring-down letter for the Shell Acquisition ”) of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date (A) confirming that it is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Shell Exploration & Production Company and the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and is in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (B) stating, as of the date of the PwC bring-down letter for the Shell Acquisition (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date of the PwC bring-down letter for the Shell Acquisition), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the PwC initial letter for the Shell Acquisition and (C) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the PwC initial letter for the Shell Acquisition.

(i) With respect to the letter of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. referred to in paragraph (g)(i) above and delivered to the Underwriters concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the “ NSAI initial letter ”), the Underwriters shall have received from Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. a letter (the “ NSAI bring-down letter ”) of such independent petroleum engineers, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date (i) confirming that, with respect to the Company, they are independent petroleum engineers, (ii) stating, as of the date of the NSAI bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which information related to proved reserves is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than three days prior to the date of the NSAI bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the proved reserves of the Company (to the extent reviewed by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.) and other matters covered by the NSAI initial letter and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the NSAI initial letter.

(j) The Company shall have furnished to the Underwriters a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of its Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer stating that:

(i) As of the Closing Date, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors in Section 1 are true and correct in all material respects, unless otherwise qualified by materiality, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct, and at or prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Guarantors have performed in all material respects all of their obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date, unless otherwise qualified by materiality, in which case the Company and the Guarantors have performed such obligations; and

 

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(ii) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued; no proceedings or examination for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act have been instituted or, to the knowledge of such officers, threatened; and the Commission has not notified the Company of any objection to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto.

(k) (i) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have sustained, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) since such date there shall not have been any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (except (A) pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants or pursuant to the issuance of Common Stock under the Company’s stock incentive plans and (B) for any borrowings or repayments under the Senior Credit Facility and the Short-Term Credit Facility) or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is, in the judgment of the Representative, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Securities being delivered on the Closing Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(l) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Company’s debt securities by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the Rules and Regulations and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company’s debt securities, other than a review for downgrade announced by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and a CreditWatch negative listing announced by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services.

(m) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Euronext or the NASDAQ Stock Market or in the over-the-counter market, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market, shall have been suspended or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction; (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or state authorities; (iii) there

 

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shall have occurred a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (iv) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States; or (v) there shall have occurred such a material adverse change in general economic, political or financial conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such) as to make it, in the judgment of the Representative, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities being delivered on the Closing Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(n) The Securities shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of Underwriters. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company that:

(a) In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each, a “ Relevant Member State ”), it has not made and will not make an offer of the Securities to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the Securities which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, or where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive and the 2010 PD Amending Directive to the extent implemented, except that it may make an offer of the Securities to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time: (i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive of the 2010 PD Amending Directive if the relevant provision has been implemented; (ii) to fewer than (A) 100 natural or legal persons per Relevant Member State (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive or the 2010 PD Amending Directive if the relevant provision has been implemented) or (B) if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150 natural or legal persons per Relevant Member State (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive or the 2010 PD Amending Directive if the relevant provision has been implemented), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant dealer or dealers nominated by the Company for any such offer; (iii) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive or Article 3(2) of the 2010 PD Amending Directive to the extent implemented.

For the purposes of this Section 8(a), the expression “ offer of the Securities to the public ,” in relation to the Securities in any Relevant Member State, means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and of the Securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to

 

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purchase or subscribe for the Securities, as the same may be varied in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State, the expression “ Prospectus Directive ” means Directive 2003/71/EC, and includes any relevant implementing measure in that Relevant Member State, and the expression “ 2010 PD Amending Directive ” means Directive 2010/73/EC.

(b) It will comply with applicable laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which it acquires, offers, sells or delivers Securities, or has in its possession or distributes any Free Writing Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus.

(c) It has only communicated or caused to be communicated, and will only communicate or cause to be communicated, an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “ FSMA ”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Securities in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company or the Guarantors.

(d) It has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Securities in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

9. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of the Securities), to which that Underwriter or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (A) the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (B) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, (C) any “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Rules and Regulations) in any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations) with respect to the use of which the Company has given its consent (“ Permitted Issuer Information ”) that is used or referred to by any Underwriter, (D) any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433 under the Rules and Regulations) not constituting an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (a “ Non-Prospectus Road Show ”) or (E) any Blue Sky application or other document prepared or executed by the Company (or based upon any written information furnished by the Company for use therein) specifically for the purpose of qualifying any or all of the Securities under the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction (any such application, document or information being hereinafter called a “ Blue Sky Application ”) or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the

 

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Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Non-Prospectus Road Show or any Blue Sky Application, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter and each such director, officer, employee or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided , however , that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any such amendment or supplement thereto or in any Permitted Issuer Information, any Non-Prospectus Road Show or any Blue Sky Application, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information consists solely of the information specified in Section 9(e). The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which the Company or the Guarantors may otherwise have to any Underwriter or to any director, officer, employee or controlling person of that Underwriter.

(b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company and the Guarantors, their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls the Company or the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which the Company or the Guarantors or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Rules and Regulations or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Non-Prospectus Road Show or Blue Sky Application, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Non-Prospectus Road Show or Blue Sky Application, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representative by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information is limited to the information set forth in Section 9(e), and shall reimburse the Company or the Guarantors and any such director, officer, employee or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or the Guarantors or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection

 

30


with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have to the Company or the Guarantors or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 9 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 9, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided , however , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under paragraph (a), (b) or (f) of this Section 9 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure; provided, further , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability or obligation to contribute which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under paragraph (a), (b) or (f) of this Section 9. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 9 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however , that an indemnified party shall have the right to employ counsel in any such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel for the indemnified party will be at the expense of the indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the indemnifying party shall have failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; (iii) the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them, and in any such event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the indemnifying party. Any such separate counsel for any Underwriter, its directors, officers, employees and any controlling persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by JPMorgan, and any such separate counsel for the Company, the Guarantors, their directors, officers, employees and any controlling persons of the Company and the Guarantors shall be designated in writing by the Company. No indemnifying party shall (i) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such

 

31


claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include any findings of fact or admissions of fault or culpability as to the indemnified party, or (ii) be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include any findings of fact or admissions of fault or culpability as to the indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 shall for any reason be unavailable to, or insufficient to hold harmless, an indemnified party under Section 9(a), 9(b) or 9(f) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand, and the Underwriters or the QIU, on the other, from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Underwriters or the QIU, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Underwriters or the QIU, on the other, with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total gross proceeds from the offering of the Securities purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Guarantors, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the Securities purchased under this Agreement, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the other hand. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors or the Underwriters or the QIU, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company, the Guarantors, the Underwriters and the QIU agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 9(d) were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 9(d) shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 9(d), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of

 

32


this Section 9(d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the gross proceeds from the sale of the Securities underwritten by it exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 9(d) are several in proportion to their respective underwriter obligations and not joint.

(e) The Underwriters severally confirm, and the Company and each Guarantor acknowledge and agree, that the statements regarding the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the second paragraph and the information relating to stabilization by the Underwriters in the tenth paragraph appearing under the caption “Underwriting; Conflicts of interest” in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any Non-Prospectus Road Show.

(f) Without limitation of and in addition to their obligations under the other paragraphs of this Section 9, the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless Deutsche Bank, as the QIU, its directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls the QIU within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Securities), to which the QIU or its director, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, the QIU’s acting as a “qualified independent underwriter” (within the meaning of Rule 5121(a)) in connection with the offering contemplated by this Agreement, and agree to reimburse the QIU and each such director, officer, employee and controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the QIU or such director, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however , that the Company and the Guarantors shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that it is determined in a final judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that such loss, claim, damage, liability or action resulted directly from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the QIU. The relative benefits received by the QIU with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement shall, for purposes of Section 9(d), be deemed to be equal to the compensation received by the QIU for acting in such capacity. In addition, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9(d), the QIU shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the compensation received by the QIU for acting in such capacity.

 

33


10. Defaulting Underwriters. If, on the Closing Date, any Underwriter defaults in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s) shall be obligated to purchase the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter(s) agreed but failed to purchase on the Closing Date in the respective proportions which the number of the Securities set forth opposite the name of each remaining non-defaulting Underwriter in Schedule I hereto bears to the total number of the Securities set forth opposite the names of all of the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s) in Schedule I hereto; provided, however , that the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s) shall not be obligated to purchase any of the Securities on the Closing Date if the total amount of Securities which the defaulting Underwriter(s) agreed but failed to purchase on such date exceeds 9.09% of the total amount of Securities to be purchased on the Closing Date, and no remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s) shall be obligated to purchase more than 110% of the amount of Securities which it agreed to purchase on the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of Section 2. If the foregoing maximums are exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s), or those other underwriters satisfactory to the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s), shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be agreed upon among them, all of the Securities to be purchased on the Closing Date. If the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s) or other underwriters satisfactory to the remaining non-defaulting Underwriter(s) do not elect to purchase the Securities which the defaulting Underwriter(s) agreed but failed to purchase on the Closing Date, the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement with respect to the purchase and sale of the Securities shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company or the Guarantors, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses to the extent set forth in Sections 6 and 12. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise, any party not listed in Schedule I hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Securities that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or the Guarantors for damages caused by its default. If other Underwriters are obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting or withdrawing Underwriter, the Company may postpone the Closing Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement.

11. Termination. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the Underwriters by notice given to and received by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Section 7(k), 7(l) or 7(m) shall have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Securities for any reason permitted under this Agreement.

12. Reimbursement of Underwriters’ Expenses. If the Company shall fail to tender the Securities for delivery to the Underwriters by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company or the Guarantors to perform any agreement on their part to be performed, or because any other condition of the obligations hereunder required to be fulfilled by the Company or the Guarantors is not fulfilled for any reason, the Company or the Guarantors will reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable

 

34


fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Securities, and upon demand the Company or the Guarantors shall pay the full amount thereof to the Underwriters. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 10 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the Company or the Guarantors shall not be obligated to reimburse any Underwriter on account of those expenses.

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

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

15. Notices, etc. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and:

 

35


(a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, Floor 27, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Geoff Benson (Fax: 212-270-5004);

(b) if to the QIU, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., 60 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005, Attention: Leveraged Debt Capital Markets, Second Floor (fax: (212) 797-4877), with a copy to the attention of the General Counsel, 36th Floor (fax: (212) 797-4561); and

(c) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: John Wombwell, Esq. (Fax: (713) 579-6231); with a copy to Michael Dillard, Esq., Latham & Watkins LLP, 811 Main Street, Suite 3700, Houston, Texas 77002 (Fax: (713) 546-5401).

The Company shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Underwriters by JPMorgan.

16. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the QIU, the Company, the Guarantors and their respective successors. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except that (A) the representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements of the Company and the Guarantors contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors, officers and employees of the Underwriters or the QIU, as applicable, and each person or persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and (B) the indemnity agreement of the Underwriters contained in Section 9(b) of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of the directors, officers and employees of the Company and the Guarantors and any person controlling the Company or any Guarantor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 16, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.

17. Survival. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company, the Guarantors, the Underwriters and the QIU contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them.

18. Definition of the Terms “Business Day” and “Subsidiary .” For purposes of this Agreement, (a) “ business day ” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading and (b) “ subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations.

 

36


19. Governing Law . This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute relating to or arising out of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

21. Heading s. The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

(SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS)

 

37


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement among the Company, the Guarantors, the Underwriters and the QIU, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.

 

Very truly yours,

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

By:

  /s/ Winston M. Talbert

Name:

  Winston M. Talbert

Title:

  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

ARGUELLO INC.

LATIGO PETROLEUM, INC.

PLAINS ACQUISITION CORPORATION

PLAINS RESOURCES INC.

POGO PARTNERS, INC.

By:

  /s/ Winston M. Talbert

Name:

  Winston M. Talbert

Title:

  Vice President & Treasurer

PXP PRODUCING COMPANY LLC

By: PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

            By: Plains Exploration & Production Company,

    its sole member

PXP AIRCRAFT LLC

By: PlainsExploration & Production Company,

 its sole member

PXP GULF COAST LLC

By: Plains Exploration & Production Company,

  its sole member

PXP OFFSHORE LLC

By: Plains Exploration & Production Company,

  its sole member

PXP LOUISIANA L.L.C.

By: PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member

            By: PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

By: Plains Exploration & Production Company,

  its sole member

PXP LOUISIANA OPERATIONS LLC

By: PXP Louisiana L.L.C., its sole member

            By: PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole  member
                    By: PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
                             By: Plains Exploration & Production
                                   Company, its sole member
By:   /s/ Winston M. Talbert

Name:

  Winston M. Talbert

Title:

  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement


Accepted:

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

for itself and on behalf of the several

Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto

 

By:   /s/ Geoffrey Benson
 

Authorized Representative

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.,

as qualified independent underwriter

By:

  /s/ David Andrews
 

 

 

Authorized Representative

By:

  /s/ Lance Loeffler
 

Authorized Representative

Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement


SCHEDULE I

PURCHASED AMOUNTS

 

     Principal Amount
of 2020 Notes
     Principal Amount
of 2023 Notes
 

Underwriter

     

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   $ 420,000,000       $ 420,000,000   

Barclays Capital Inc.

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

BMO Capital Markets Corp.

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

TD Securities (USA) LLC

     97,500,000         97,500,000   

Capital One Southcoast, Inc.

     37,500,000         37,500,000   

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     37,500,000         37,500,000   

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     37,500,000         37,500,000   

ING Financial Markets LLC

     37,500,000         37,500,000   

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

     37,500,000         37,500,000   

UBS Securities LLC

     37,500,000         37,500,000   

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

     15,000,000         15,000,000   

CIBC World Markets Corp.

     15,000,000         15,000,000   

Comerica Securities, Inc.

     15,000,000         15,000,000   

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

     15,000,000         15,000,000   

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

     15,000,000         15,000,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,500,000,000       $ 1,500,000,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

S-I-1


ANNEX 1

ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

Pricing Term Sheet dated October 23, 2012

 

A-1-1


ANNEX 2

FINAL TERM SHEET

[See attached]

 

A-2-1


ANNEX 3

SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER EQUITY INTERESTS

 

Subsidiary Guarantors

Arguello Inc.*

  PXP Producing Company LLC*

Latigo Petroleum, Inc.*

  PXP Aircraft LLC

Plains Acquisition Corporation

  PXP Gulf Coast LLC*

Plains Resources Inc.

  PXP Louisiana L.L.C.*

Pogo Partners, Inc.

  PXP Louisiana Operations LLC

PXP Offshore LLC**

 
Non-Guarantor Domestic Subsidiaries

Arroyo Grande Land Company LLC

  Montebello Land Company LLC

Cane River Development LLC

  Pogo New Zealand Holdings, LLC

Lompoc Land Company LLC

  PXP Resources LLC*

Plains Offshore Inc.

  Plains Offshore Operations Inc.* [80% owned]

PXP Oil & Gas Inc.

  South American E&P LLC
Non-Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture)

Gaviota Gas Plant Company [69.3% general partner interest]

 

Point Arguello Pipeline Company [69.3% general partner interest]

Nuevo Energy Company [wholly owned domestic subsidiary]

 

Sepulveda Oil and Gas Company [50% owned domestic subsidiary]

Point Arguello Natural Gas Line Company [69.3% general partner interest]

 
Non-Guarantor Foreign Subsidiaries

Plains Vietnam Ltd.

 

Pogo Alberta, ULC

 

Pogo Finance, ULC

 

 

* “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations)
** Upon closing of the GOM Acquisition, the subsidiary will be a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Rules and Regulations). At such time, the Company will own 100% of PXP Offshore LLC.

Other Equity Interests

The Company owns 51,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “ MMR Common Stock ”), of McMoRan Exploration Co., a Delaware corporation (“ McMoRan ”). The Company has the right to designate two members of the McMoRan board for so long as the Company owns at least 10% of the outstanding shares of MMR Common Stock.

 

A-3-1


ANNEX 4

LEGAL OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL

1. The Company is a corporation under the DGCL with corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that the Company is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

2. Each of the Delaware Corporate Guarantors is a corporation under the DGCL with corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that each of the Delaware Corporate Guarantors is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

3. Each of the Delaware LLC Guarantors is a limited liability company under the DLLCA and has all requisite limited liability company power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that each of the Delaware LLC Guarantors is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

4. The Texas Corporate Guarantor is a corporation under the laws of the State of Texas with corporate power and authority to own its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that the Texas Corporate Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.

5. The execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as applicable, of each of the Company and the Guarantors. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Company and the Guarantors.

6. The execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement, the Notes, the Supplemental Indentures and the issuance and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees by the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, to you and the other Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and the performance of the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under each of such instruments, as of the date hereof, do not:

a. violate the Governing Documents;

b. result in the breach of or a default under any of the Specified Agreements or result in the creation of any security interest in, or lien upon, any of the property or assets of the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to any of the Specified Agreements;

 

A-4-1


c. violate any federal, New York or Texas statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or the Guarantors or the DGCL or the DLLCA; or

d. require any consents, approvals, or authorizations to be obtained by the Company or any Guarantor from, or any registrations, declarations or filings to be made by the Company or any Guarantor with, any governmental authority under any federal, New York or Texas statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any Guarantor, the DGCL or the DLLCA on or prior to the date hereof that have not been obtained or made.

7. The issue and sale of the Notes by the Company, and the application for the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in the Prospectus, do not violate Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

8. The Registration Statement has become effective under the Act. Based solely on a telephonic confirmation by the Staff of the Commission on October 26, 2012, we confirm that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor have been initiated by the Commission. The Preliminary Prospectus has been filed in accordance with Rule 424(b) under the Act, the Prospectus has been filed in accordance with Rules 424(b) and 430B under the Act, and the Specified IFWP has been filed in accordance with Rule 433(d) under the Act.

9. The Registration Statement at October 23, 2012, including the information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act, and the Prospectus, as of its date, each appeared on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the applicable form requirements for registration statements on Form S-3 under the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; it being understood, however, that we express no view with respect to Regulation S-T, the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee on Form T-1, or the financial statements, schedules, or other financial data or the oil and gas reserve and production information, included in, incorporated by reference in, or omitted from, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. For purposes of this paragraph, we have assumed that the statements made in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are correct and complete.

10. Each of the Incorporated Documents, as of its respective filing date, appeared on its face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the applicable form requirements for reports on Forms 10-K and 8-K, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; it being understood, however, that we express no view with respect to Regulation S-T or the financial statements, schedules, or other financial data or the oil and gas reserve and production information, included in, incorporated by reference in, or omitted from, such reports. For purposes of this paragraph, we have assumed that the statements made in the Incorporated Documents are correct and complete.

11. Each of the Acquisition Agreements has been duly authorized by all necessary corporation action of the Company, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company.

 

A-4-2


12. The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company, and is the legally valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

13. Each of the Supplemental Indentures has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action of each of the Guarantors, and has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Guarantors. The Indenture, including the Guarantees contained therein, is the legally valid and binding agreement of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms.

14. The Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and, when executed, issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms. A registered holder of the Notes is a beneficiary under the Indenture.

15. The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

16. The statements in the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities” in the Base Prospectus and under the caption “Description of notes” in the Preliminary Prospectus (as supplemented by the Specified IFWP) and in the Prospectus Supplement, insofar as they purport to describe or summarize certain provisions of the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture, are accurate summaries or descriptions in all material respects.

17. The Company is not, and no Guarantor is, and immediately after giving effect to the sale of the Notes in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement and the application of the proceeds as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of proceeds,” will not be required to be, registered as an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

18. The statements in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “United States federal income tax considerations,” insofar as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal income tax law and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the matters described therein in all material respects.

In addition, such counsel may state that the primary purpose of its professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters or financial or quantitative information, and that therefore, such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in, or incorporated by reference in, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Specified IFWP or the Prospectus (or the Incorporated Documents), except to the extent expressly set forth in the numbered paragraphs 16 and 18, and has not made an independent check or verification thereof (except as aforesaid). However, such counsel shall state that in the

 

A-4-3


course of acting as special counsel to the Company in connection with the preparation by the Company of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, each Specified IFWP and the Prospectus, it reviewed the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, each Specified IFWP, the Prospectus, and the Incorporated Documents, and participated in conferences and telephone conversations with officers and other representatives of the Company, the independent public accountants for the Company, the independent petroleum engineers for the Company, representatives of the Underwriters and counsel to the Underwriters, during which conferences and conversations the contents of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, each Specified IFWP, the Prospectus and the Incorporated Documents and related matters were discussed. Such counsel may state that it reviewed and relied upon certain corporate records and documents, letters from counsel and accountants, and oral and written statements of officers and other representatives of the Company and others as to the existence and consequence of certain factual and other matters.

Such counsel shall state that based on its participation, review and reliance as described above, no facts came to its attention that caused it to believe that:

 

   

the Registration Statement, at the time it became effective on October 23, 2012 (its most recent effective date), including the information deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B under the Act (together with the Incorporated Documents at that time), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

   

the Preliminary Prospectus, as of October 23, 2012 (together with the Incorporated Documents at that date and the Specified IFWP), contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or

 

   

the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the date hereof (together with the Incorporated Documents at those dates), contained or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

it being understood that such counsel expresses no belief with respect to the financial statements, schedules, oil and gas reserve reports or other financial or reserve engineer data included or incorporated by reference in, or omitted from, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Specified IFWP, the Prospectus, the Incorporated Documents or the Form T-1.

 

A-4-4

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

as the Company

THE GUARANTOR PARTIES NAMED HEREIN

as Guarantors

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

as Trustee

SIXTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of October 26, 2012

To

INDENTURE

Dated as of March 13, 2007

6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE 1 Relation to Indenture; Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.01. Relation to Indenture

     1   

SECTION 1.02. Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.03. General References

     1   

ARTICLE 2 The Series of Securities

     2   

SECTION 2.01. The Form and Title of the Securities

     2   

SECTION 2.02. Amount

     2   

SECTION 2.03. Stated Maturity

     2   

SECTION 2.04. Interest and Interest Rates

     2   

SECTION 2.05. Place of Payment

     2   

SECTION 2.06. Optional Redemption

     3   

SECTION 2.07. Special Redemption

     3   

SECTION 2.08. Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance

     3   

SECTION 2.09. Global Securities

     3   

SECTION 2.10. Subsidiary Guarantees

     3   

ARTICLE 3 Amendments to Original Indenture

     4   

SECTION 3.01. Defined Terms

     4   

SECTION 3.02. Defaults and Remedies

     31   

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Defaults

     34   

SECTION 3.04. Compensation and Reimbursement

     34   

SECTION 3.05. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Substantially All Assets

     34   

SECTION 3.06. Selection for and Notice of Redemption

     36   

SECTION 3.07. Additional Redemption Provisions

     38   

SECTION 3.08. Covenant Defeasance

     38   

SECTION 3.09. Subsidiary Guarantees

     38   

SECTION 3.10. Repurchase Offers

     40   

ARTICLE 4 Additional Covenants

     42   

SECTION 4.01. Reports

     42   

SECTION 4.02. Taxes

     43   

SECTION 4.03. Restricted Payments

     43   

SECTION 4.04. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     47   

SECTION 4.05. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

     49   

SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales

     52   

SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates

     54   

SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Liens

     56   

SECTION 4.09. Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control

     56   

SECTION 4.10. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     58   

SECTION 4.11. Future Guarantors

     59   

SECTION 4.12. Covenant Termination

     59   

ARTICLE 5 Miscellaneous

     59   

SECTION 5.01. Certain Trustee Matters

     59   

SECTION 5.02. Continued Effect

     60   

SECTION 5.03. Governing Law

     60   

SECTION 5.04. Counterparts

     60   

EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A: Form of Note

  

 

      Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


SIXTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE , dated as of October 26, 2012 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), by and among PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY , a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), each of the Guarantor parties named on the signature pages hereof (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. , a nationally chartered banking association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore entered into an Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2007 (the “Original Indenture”) (the Original Indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time, including without limitation pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, being referred to herein as the “Indenture”); and

WHEREAS, under the Original Indenture, a new series of Securities may at any time be established by the Board of Directors of the Company, in accordance with the provisions of the Original Indenture, and the terms of such series may be established by an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to create under the Indenture a new series of Securities; and

WHEREAS, the Company proposes that its obligations under such new series of Securities and under the Indenture to the extent applicable to such new series of Securities be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture (including without limitation Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture and the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes (as defined below), as follows:

ARTICLE 1

Relation to Indenture; Definitions

SECTION 1.01. Relation to Indenture.

With respect to the Notes, this Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

SECTION 1.02. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Original Indenture.

SECTION 1.03. General References.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references in this Supplemental Indenture to Articles and Sections refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) the terms “ herein ”, “ hereof ”, “ hereunder ” and any other word of similar import refers to this Supplemental Indenture.

 

      Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


ARTICLE 2

T HE S ERIES OF S ECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. The Form and Title of the Securities.

There is hereby established a new series of Securities to be issued under the Indenture and to be designated as the Company’s 6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Notes”). The Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any laws or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or traded, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently with the Indenture, be determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Notes shall be executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of, and shall in all respects be subject to, the terms, conditions and covenants of the Original Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture (including the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto (the terms of which are incorporated in and made a part of this Supplemental Indenture for all intents and purposes)).

SECTION 2.02. Amount.

Subject to compliance with Section 10.11 of the Indenture, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and delivered pursuant hereto is unlimited. The Trustee shall initially authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $1,500,000,000, upon delivery to the Trustee of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be issued hereunder may be increased at any time hereafter and the series may be reopened for issuances of Additional Notes, upon Company Order without the consent of any Holder and without any further supplement or amendment to the Original Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes issued on the date hereof and any such Additional Notes that may be issued hereafter shall be part of the same series of Securities for all purposes under the Indenture.

SECTION 2.03. Stated Maturity.

The Notes may be issued on any Business Day on or after October 26, 2012, and the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall be November 15, 2020.

SECTION 2.04. Interest and Interest Rates.

The rate or rates at which the Notes shall bear interest, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, in each case, shall be as set forth in the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto.

SECTION 2.05. Place of Payment.

As long as any Notes are Outstanding, the Company shall maintain an office or agency in the United States where Notes may be presented for payment. Such office or agency shall initially be the office or agency of the Trustee in Dallas, Texas.

 

   2    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


SECTION 2.06. Optional Redemption.

At its option, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, in principal amounts of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, at any time or from time to time, at the applicable Redemption Prices determined as set forth in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A , in accordance with the terms set forth in the Notes and in accordance with Article Eleven of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, including without limitation Section 3.06. hereof).

SECTION 2.07. Special Redemption.

If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, then on the Special Redemption Date, the Company shall redeem all and not less than all of the Notes then outstanding, at a redemption price (the “Special Redemption Price”) equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Redemption Date (such redemption being referred to herein as a “Special Mandatory Redemption”). In addition, if at any time the Company determines that a Mandatory Redemption Event is reasonably likely to occur, then the Company may, at its option, redeem all and not less than all of the Notes then outstanding on the Special Redemption Date, at a redemption price equal to the Special Redemption Price (such redemption being referred to herein as a “Special Optional Redemption”). Upon a Special Redemption, the Company shall redeem all and not less than all of the Notes in accordance with the terms set forth in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A and in accordance with Article Eleven of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, including without limitation Section 3.06. hereof). If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, all Notes shall become due and payable on the Special Redemption Date, regardless of whether previously called for redemption. Upon the consummation of the BP GOM Asset Purchase, this Section 2.07. shall terminate and cease to apply.

SECTION 2.08. Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance.

Article Thirteen of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture) shall apply to the Notes. Furthermore, each of the following shall constitute Additional Defeasible Provisions (as such term is defined in the Original Indenture):

 

  (a) the covenants set forth in ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture; and

 

  (b) the limitation imposed by clause (iv) of Section 8.1(a) of the Indenture (as a result of this Supplemental Indenture).

SECTION 2.09. Global Securities.

The Notes shall initially be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities. Such Global Securities (i) shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which shall act as Depositary with respect to the Notes, (ii) shall bear the legends applicable to Global Securities set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.4 of the Original Indenture, (iii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive form upon the terms and subject to the conditions provided in Section 3.5 of the Original Indenture and in this Supplemental Indenture and (iv) shall otherwise be subject to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

SECTION 2.10. Subsidiary Guarantees.

Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, including without limitation Section 3.09. hereof) shall apply to the Notes. For the purposes of this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes (including without limitation the provisions of the Original Indenture to the extent applicable thereto), the term “Guarantor” shall mean each of the Guarantor parties named on the signature pages of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

   3    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


ARTICLE 3

A MENDMENTS TO O RIGINAL I NDENTURE

With respect to the Notes, the Original Indenture is hereby amended as set forth below in this ARTICLE 3; provided , however , that each such amendment shall apply only to the Notes and not to any other series of Securities issued under the Indenture.

SECTION 3.01. Defined Terms.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Section 1.1 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by inserting or restating, as the case may be, each of the following defined terms in its appropriate alphabetical position:

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, regardless of whether such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person merging with or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Acquired Subordinated Indebtedness” means Subordinated Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, that is Acquired Debt and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, another Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Additional Assets” means:

(1) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business;

(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(4) Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall entitle the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to not less than a pro rata portion of all dividends or other distributions made by such Subsidiary upon any of such Capital Stock;

provided further, however , that in the case of clauses (2), (3) and (4), such Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

“Additional Notes” means an unlimited maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes (other than the Notes issued on the date hereof) issued under the Indenture pursuant to Section 2.02. of the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture hereto dated as of October 26, 2012.

 

   4    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

(a) the sum of:

(i) discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, Federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by the Company in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available and giving effect to applicable Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

(A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and

(B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since such year end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines,

and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

(C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since such year end, and

(D) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such reserve report since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated substantially in accordance with SEC guidelines,

in each case as estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Company for that purpose;

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

(iii) the Net Working Capital (excluding, to the extent included in the determination of discounted future net revenues under clause (i)(A) above, any adjustments made pursuant to FAS 143) on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

(iv) the greater of:

(A) the net book value of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, and

 

   5    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(B) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements ( provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such appraisal solely for the purpose of determining this value); minus

(b) the sum of:

(i) the net book value of shares of stock of any class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that are not owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(ii) any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest audited financial statements;

(iii) to the extent included in (a)(i) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

(iv) the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost or a similar method to the successful efforts method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost or a similar method of accounting.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights (including by way of a Production Payment or a sale and leaseback transaction); provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Article Eight and/or Section 10.15 of this Indenture and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant set forth in Section 10.12 of this Indenture; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares and other than Capital Stock issued upon the exercise or conversion of other Capital Stock or debt securities issued in accordance with the terms of the Indenture) or the sale of Equity Interests held by the Company or its Subsidiaries in any of its Subsidiaries.

 

   6    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20.0 million;

(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, products, services, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business, and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets or assets that are no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 10.9 of this Indenture;

(7) the consummation of a Permitted Investment, including, without limitation, unwinding any Hedging Obligations;

(8) a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(9) the sale or transfer (regardless of whether in the ordinary course of business) of crude oil and natural gas properties or direct or indirect interests in real property; provided that at the time of such sale or transfer such properties do not have associated with them any proved reserves;

(10) the farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped crude oil or natural gas properties owned or held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for crude oil and natural gas properties owned or held by another Person;

(11) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries of oil and gas properties or other properties or assets for oil and gas properties or other properties or assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any net cash received must be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.12 of this Indenture;

(12) the creation or perfection of a Lien (but not, except to the extent contemplated in clause (13) below, the sale or other disposition of the properties or assets subject to such Lien);

(13) the creation or perfection of a Permitted Lien and the exercise by any Person in whose favor a Permitted Lien is granted of any of its rights in respect of that Permitted Lien;

(14) the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property, including, without limitation, licenses for seismic data, in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

   7    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(15) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind; and

(16) the disposition of oil and natural gas properties in connection with tax credit transactions complying with Section 29 of the Code or any successor or analogous provisions of the Code.

“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“BP GOM Asset Purchase” means the purchase of all or substantially all of the Properties (as defined in the BP Purchase Agreement) on substantially the terms described in the Company’s prospectus supplement, dated October 23, 2012, relating to the Notes, and filed with the SEC on October 24, 2012.

“BP Purchase Agreement” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and among BP Exploration & Production, Inc., BP America Production Company and the Company.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

(3) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

 

   8    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(4) certificates of deposit, demand deposit accounts and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

(7) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition; and

(8) deposits in any currency available for withdrawal on demand with any commercial bank that is organized under the laws of any country in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office or is engaged in the Related Business, provided that all such deposits are made in such accounts in the ordinary course of business.

“Change of Control” means:

(1) any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) (for the purposes of this clause, such person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of the Company held by an entity, if such person or group “beneficially owns” (as defined above), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such entity);

(2) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors;

(3) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act); or

(4) the adoption of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Notes.

 

   9    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale (together with any related provision for taxes and any related non-recurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity), to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3) the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4) exploration and abandonment expense (if applicable) to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5) depreciation, depletion, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment, other non-cash expenses and other non-cash items (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(6) any interest expense attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, to the extent that such interest expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(7) the accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations and future retirement benefits, to the extent such charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

(8) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business; and minus

(9) the sum of (a) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the depreciation, depletion and amortization and other non-cash charges and expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of

 

   10    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


such Person and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the referent Person by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders. Furthermore, solely for the purpose of calculating Consolidated Cash Flow, any expenses attributable to stock appreciation rights will not be deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income prior to payment of such expenses in cash.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided , however that the operation of this clause (2) shall be suspended with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that is acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (regardless of whether such acquisition is effected pursuant to a merger or otherwise) (such Restricted Subsidiary being referred to as a “Newly Acquired Restricted Subsidiary”), but such suspension shall cease immediately after the first six months following such acquisition; provided further , however that the Net Income for such period of any Newly Acquired Restricted Subsidiary that is acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period, shall be included;

(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

(4) any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of such Person or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale or leaseback transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person will be excluded;

(5) any asset impairment write-downs on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines will be excluded;

(6) any non-cash mark-to-market adjustments to assets or liabilities resulting in unrealized gains or losses in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of SFAS 133) shall be excluded;

(7) to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income, any non-cash or nonrecurring charges associated with any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness will be excluded; and

 

   11    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(8) any net losses or expenses associated with the Pre-Issue Date Hedge Buyouts and/or the Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts mentioned in the definition of “Pre-Issue Date Hedge Buyouts” will be excluded.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means, with respect to any specified Person as of any date, the sum of:

(1) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date; plus

(2) the respective amounts reported on such Person’s balance sheet as of such date with respect to any series of preferred stock (other than Disqualified Stock) that by its terms is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends may be declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such Person upon issuance of such preferred stock.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on March 13, 2007; or

(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or Debt Issuances providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to any lenders, other financiers or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell such receivables to) any lenders or other financiers against such receivables), letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, other borrowings or Debt Issuances, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, extended, refunded, replaced or refinanced (in each case, without limitation as to amount), in whole or in part, from time to time (including through one or more Debt Issuances) and any agreements and related documents governing Indebtedness or obligations incurred to refinance amounts then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding, whether provided under the original agreement, indenture or other documentation relating thereto.

“Currency Agreement” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

“Debt Issuances” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more issuances after March 13, 2007 of Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar securities or instruments.

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

 

   12    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 10.9 of this Indenture. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

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

“Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that Guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means (i) an offering for cash by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), or options, warrants or rights with respect to its Capital Stock or (ii) a contribution of cash to the Company in exchange for its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock).

“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantees thereof) in existence on the Issue Date, in each case, until such amounts are repaid.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or management of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture), which determination will be conclusive for all purposes under this Indenture.

“Farm-In Agreement” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property.

“Farm-Out Agreement” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

   13    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used or useful in a Related Business), or by any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and the Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated giving pro forma effect to any expense and cost reductions that have occurred or, in the reasonable judgment of the chief accounting or chief financial officer of the Company, are reasonably expected to occur (regardless of whether those operating improvements or cost savings could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC related thereto);

(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

 

   14    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding (i) any interest attributable to Production Payments and Reserve Sales, (ii) write-off of deferred financing costs and (iii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, but including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, noncash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations other than that attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements; plus

(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3) any interest on Indebtedness of another Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person) that is guaranteed by the specified Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such specified Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, regardless of whether such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and regardless of whether in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise), or entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part).

“Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary that has become obligated under a Subsidiary Guarantee, in accordance with the terms of the guarantee provisions of this Indenture, but only for so long as such Subsidiary remains so obligated pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges and any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts.

“Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

   15    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, without duplication, any indebtedness of such Person, regardless of whether contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5) in respect of any Guarantee by such Person of production or payment with respect to a Production Payment (but not any other contractual obligation in respect of such Production Payment);

(6) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or a trade payable; or

(7) representing any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Interest Rate and Currency Hedges) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes (a) all indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (7), secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (regardless of whether such indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), provided that the amount of such indebtedness will be the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such indebtedness of such other Person, and (b) to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (7).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute “Indebtedness:”

(i) accrued expenses and trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business;

(ii) except as provided in clause (5) of the first paragraph of this definition, any obligation in respect of any Production Payment and Reserve Sales;

(iii) any obligation in respect of any Farm-In Agreement;

(iv) any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or United States government bonds (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness;

(v) oil or natural gas balancing liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

   16    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(vi) any obligation in respect of any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract;

(vii) any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of FAS 133);

(viii) any obligations in respect of (a) bid, performance, completion, surety, appeal and similar bonds, (b) obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (c) insurance obligations or bonds and other similar bonds and obligations and (d) any guaranties or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations; provided , however , that such bonds or obligations mentioned in subclause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this clause (viii), are incurred in the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not relate to obligations for borrowed money;

(ix) any obligations in respect of completion bonds, performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, bankers acceptances, letters of credit, insurance obligations or bonds and other similar bonds and obligations incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and any guaranties and obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations;

(x) any obligation arising from any agreement providing for indemnities, guarantees, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the acquired or disposed assets or similar obligations (other than guaranties of Indebtedness) incurred by any Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets; and

(xi) all contracts and other obligations, agreements instruments or arrangements described in clauses (21), (22), (23) and (24) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”

“Interest Rate Agreement” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

“Interest Rate and Currency Hedges” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than:

(1) Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s; or

(2) BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P,

or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

“Investment Grade Rating Event” means the first day on which the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from a Rating Agency and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture.

 

   17    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business, and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 10.9(d) of this Indenture. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in Section 10.9(d) of this Indenture. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

“Issue Date” means the first date on which Notes are issued under this Indenture.

“Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the total consolidated Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, which would be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to the amount of consolidated Indebtedness and Consolidated Cash Flow as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

“Mandatory Redemption Event” means the first occurrence of either (a) the termination of the BP Purchase Agreement prior to the consummation of the BP GOM Asset Purchase or (b) the failure to consummate the BP GOM Asset Purchase on or before March 15, 2013.

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

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

   18    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(2) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain or loss.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

(1) all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expense incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Sale;

(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale;

(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to holders of minority interests in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale; and

(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, or held in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price or for any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale.

“Net Working Capital” means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries except current assets from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness and any current liabilities from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to FAS 133).

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), in each case other than Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent securing otherwise Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture; and

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

   19    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Notes” means a series of Securities designated as the Company’s 6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020, issued pursuant to this Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture hereto dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(a)(iv) or Section 5.1(a)(v) of this Indenture.

“Officer” means, in the case of the Company, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and, in the case of any Guarantor, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of such Guarantor.

“Officers’ Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and, in the case of any Guarantor, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of such Guarantor.

“Oil and Gas Properties” means all Properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by such Person which contain “proved oil and gas reserves” as defined in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

“Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract” means any oil and natural gas hedging agreements and other agreements or arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business in the oil and gas industry for the purpose of protecting against fluctuations in oil or natural gas prices.

“Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of:

(1) a Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(2) a Person that was merged, consolidated or amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

provided that on the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged, consolidated and amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto,

(a) the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11 of this Indenture,

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company immediately prior to such transaction, or

(c) the Consolidated Net Worth of the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

 

   20    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments and expenditures made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, a Related Business as means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of a Related Business jointly with third parties, including without limitation, (i) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals properties or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems and (ii) any operating agreements, joint ventures, partnership agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbons, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, production sharing agreements or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests, or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto.

“Permitted Holders” means (i) James C. Flores and his spouse and lineal descendants, and their respective estates or legal representatives, (ii) trusts created for the benefit of such Persons and (iii) entities 80% or more of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by any of the preceding Persons.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 10.12 of this Indenture;

(5) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(6) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

   21    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(7) advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

(8) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(9) advances and prepayments for asset purchases in the ordinary course of business in a Related Business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(10) receivables owing to Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(11) surety and performance bonds and workers’ compensation, utility, lease, tax, performance and similar deposits and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business;

(12) Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.11 of this Indenture;

(13) guarantees by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(14) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after March 13, 2007 or of any entity merged into the Company or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Article Eight or Section 14.4 (as applicable) of this Indenture to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(15) Permitted Business Investments;

(16) Investments received as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(17) any Investment in any Person solely (except to the extent of cash payments in lieu of fractional shares) in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(18) Investments in any units of any oil and gas royalty trust;

(19) Investments existing on March 13, 2007, and any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investments existing on March 13, 2007, but only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases of such Investments (other than as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such Investments as in effect on March 13, 2007);

 

   22    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(20) repurchases of or other Investments in the Notes; and

(21) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (21) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) 1.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (b) $50.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to Section 10.11 of this Indenture;

(2) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of Section 10.11(b) of this Indenture covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(3) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(4) landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or similar Liens arising by contract or statute in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(5) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

(6) Liens in favor of the issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided , however , that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;

(7) encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(8) Liens securing Hedging Obligations, so long as the related Indebtedness, if any, is, and is permitted under this Indenture to be, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligation;

 

   23    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(9) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(10) any attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

(11) Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capitalized Lease Obligations with respect to, or the repair, improvement or construction cost of, assets or property acquired or repaired, improved or constructed in the ordinary course of business; provided that:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or repaired, improved or constructed plus fees and expenses in connection therewith; and

(b) such Liens are created within 180 days of repair, improvement or construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto (including improvements);

(12) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained or deposited with a depositary institution; provided that:

(a) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

(b) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

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

(14) Liens existing on March 13, 2007;

(15) Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than those of the Person merged or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(16) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

   24    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(17) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Guarantor;

(18) Liens securing the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and other obligations arising under this Indenture;

(19) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to refinance Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was previously so secured; provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property or assets that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

(20) Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(21) Liens on pipelines and pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

(22) Liens arising under joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases or subleases, assignments, purchase and sale agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchasing, processing, transportation or exchange of oil or natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, licenses, sublicenses, net profits interests, participation agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, carried working interest, and joint operating, unitization, royalty, sales and similar agreements relating to the exploration or development of, or production from, oil and gas properties entered into in the ordinary course of business in a Related Business;

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

(24) Liens on, or related to, properties or assets to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of a Related Business for exploration, drilling, development, production, processing, transportation, marketing, storage, abandonment or operation;

(25) Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness;

(26) Liens securing obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Hedging Obligations;

(27) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture; and

(28) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that, at any one time outstanding, do not exceed the greater of $20.0 million and 0.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

   25    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued (a) in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, or (b) constituting an amendment, modification or supplement to or a deferral or renewal of ((a) and (b) above, collectively, a “Refinancing”), any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness), any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary in a principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, liquidation preference, not to exceed (after deduction of reasonable and customary fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Refinancing) the lesser of:

(1) the principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, liquidation preference, of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock so Refinanced ( plus , in the case of Indebtedness, the amount of premium, if any paid in connection therewith); and

(2) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced was issued with any original issue discount, the accreted value of such Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time of such Refinancing.

Notwithstanding the preceding, no Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock will be deemed to be Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, unless:

(1) such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced;

(2) if the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to the Notes, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to, the Notes, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced at the time of the Refinancing; and

(3) such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is incurred or issued by the Company or such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is incurred or issued by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being Refinanced or the issuer of the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced; provided that a Restricted Subsidiary that is also a Guarantor may guarantee Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by the Company, whether or not such Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or guarantor of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

 

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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

“Point Arguello Partnerships” means the following partnerships of which Arguello Inc. is a managing general partner: (a) Gaviota Gas Plant Company, (b) Point Arguello Natural Gas Line Company, (c) Point Arguello Pipeline Company and (d) Point Arguello Terminal Company.

“Pre-Issue Date Hedge Buyouts” means the series of transactions consummated prior to March 13, 2007 to terminate or unwind, and the associated settlement and accounting of, Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts pertaining to (i) 2006 crude oil price swaps for 15,000 barrels of oil per day at an average price of $25.28 per barrel, (ii) 2006 crude oil price collars for 22,000 barrels per day with a floor price of $25.00 and an average ceiling price of $34.76, (iii) 2007 crude oil price collars for 22,000 barrels of oil per day with a floor price of $25.00 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $34.76 per barrel and (iv) 2008 crude oil price collars for 22,000 barrels of oil per day with a floor price of $25.00 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $34.76 per barrel.

“Principal Property” means any property owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, the gross book value of which exceeds one percent of Consolidated Net Worth of the Company.

“Production Payments” means Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments, collectively.

“Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, Production Payment, partnership or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the oil and gas business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

“Rating Agency” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.

“Rating Decline” means the occurrence of:

(1) a decrease of one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories) in the rating of the Notes by either Rating Agency; or

(2) a withdrawal of the rating of the Notes by either Rating Agency;

provided , however , that such decrease or withdrawal occurs on, or within 90 days before or after the earlier of (a) a Change of Control, (b) the date of public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (c) public notice of the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by either Rating Agency).

 

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“Related Business” means any business which is the same as or related, ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on March 13, 2007, which includes (a) the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other hydrocarbon properties, and the utilization of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ properties, (b) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith, (c) any power generation and electrical transmission business, (d) oil field sales and services and related activities, (e) development, purchase and sale of real estate and interests therein, and (f) any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) of this definition.

“Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Senior Credit Agreement” means, with respect to the Company, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2010, as amended by the Consent and Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2010, by Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2011, by Omnibus Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2011, by Amendment No. 4 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2011, and by Omnibus Amendment No. 5 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and agents parties thereto from time to time) as provided for in one or more agreements or instruments in each case, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, increased, renewed, refunded, replaced (including replacement after the termination of such credit facility), supplemented, restructured or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in one or more agreements or instruments.

“Senior Debt” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and

(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:

(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(b) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture; or

(c) any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

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

“Special Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07. of the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture hereto, dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Special Optional Redemption” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07. of the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture hereto, dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Special Redemption” means either a Special Mandatory Redemption or a Special Optional Redemption.

“Special Redemption Date” means the earlier of (a) the last Business Day that is on or before the 15th day after a Mandatory Redemption Event or (b) any other Business Day selected by the Company and set forth in the notice of redemption with respect to a Special Redemption, given in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

“Special Redemption Price” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07. of the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture hereto, dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the date of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment, in any respect (by its terms or the terms of any document or instrument relating thereto), to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof);

 

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provided , that the Point Arguello Partnerships, Sepulveda Oil and Gas Company and Nuevo Energy Company are not Subsidiaries of the Company.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee of the Notes by any Guarantor in accordance with Article Fourteen of this Indenture.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of such Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2) except as permitted by Section 10.13 of this Indenture, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee.

As of the Issue Date, each of the following entities has been designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary: Arroyo Grande Land Company, LLC, Lompoc Land Company LLC and Montebello Land Company LLC.

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

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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SECTION 3.02. Defaults and Remedies.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Original Indenture are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

Section 5.1 Events of Default .

(a) Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(i) default in any payment of interest on any Note under this Indenture when due, continued for 30 days;

(ii) default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Note under this Indenture when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional or mandatory redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;

(iii) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article Eight of this Indenture or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture;

(iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after receipt of a written notice (sent by registered or certified mail, specifying such failure, requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes to comply with Section 10.9 or Section 10.11 of this Indenture or to comply with the provisions described under Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture to the extent not described in clause (iii) of this Section 5.1(a);

(v) (A) except as addressed in subclause (B) of this clause (v), failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after receipt of a written notice (sent by registered or certified mail, specifying such failure, requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture or the Notes or (B) failure by the Company for 180 days after such notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes to comply with Section 10.7 of this Indenture;

(vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, which default:

(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (“payment default”); or

(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity;

 

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and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

(vii) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts that a reputable and creditworthy insurance company has acknowledged liability for in writing), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(viii) any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in a judicial proceeding, or be asserted by the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, not to be, enforceable or valid or shall cease to be in full force and effect (except pursuant to the release or termination of any such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture);

(ix) the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

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

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

(D) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

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

(A) is for relief against the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, in an involuntary case; or

(B) appoints a custodian of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

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(C) orders the liquidation of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

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

(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days after any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment; Interest Rate Increase .

(a) To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (ix) or clause (x) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture, all then Outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company and, in case of a notice by Holders, also to the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a notice of acceleration. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes 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 principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i) the Company or one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(A) all overdue interest on all Notes,

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Notes which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Notes,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Notes, and

(D) 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

(ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Notes, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13 of this Indenture.

(iii) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 5.2(b), if an Event of Default specified in clause (vi) of Section 5.1(a) above shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration shall be automatically rescinded if (i) the Indebtedness that is

 

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the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid, or (ii) if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived or cured and if such Indebtedness has been accelerated, then the holders thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness.

(d) Upon any failure by the Company for 60 days to comply with Section 10.7 of this Indenture, the interest rate on the Notes will increase by 50 basis points (0.5%) and remain at such increased rate thereafter but only for so long as there is a Default under such Section 10.7, and upon resumption of compliance by the Company with such Section 10.7, the interest rate on the Notes will be reset at the initial rate applicable on the Issue Date.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Defaults.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Section 6.2 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Notes, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Notes, 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 Note, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Notes; and, provided , further , that (i) in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(a)(iv), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof, (ii) in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(a)(v)(A), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and (iii) in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(a)(v)(B), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 180 days after the occurrence thereof.

SECTION 3.04. Compensation and Reimbursement.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, the third paragraph of Section 6.7 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

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(a)(ix) or Section 5.1(a)(x), 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.

SECTION 3.05. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Substantially All Assets.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Eight of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS

Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .

(a) The Company will not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into another Person (regardless of whether the Company is the surviving corporation), convert into another form of entity or continue in another jurisdiction, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(i) either: (A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (B) 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, 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 of the United States or the District of Columbia;

(ii) 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, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; provided that, unless such Person is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Notes will be added to this Indenture by agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(iii) immediately after such transaction or transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists;

(iv) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made:

(A) would have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately preceding the transaction;

(B) would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11(a) of this Indenture; or

(C) would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio that is not less than the Fixed Charged Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction; and

(v) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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(b) For purposes of this Section 8.1, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions described in the foregoing clause (a)(iv), any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, the Company may merge into a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction, and any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 8.2 Successor Substituted .

Upon any merger or consolidation, or any sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 8.1 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), 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. When the successor assumes all of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, the Company shall be discharged from those obligations; provided , however , that the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, this Article Eight.

SECTION 3.06. Selection for and Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Sections 11.3 and 11.4 of the Original Indenture are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed .

(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes, by lot or in accordance with any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire Outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Notes shall relate, in the case of any Notes redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Notes which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption .

(a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address; provided , however , that in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, such notice may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering; and provided further that in the case of a Special Redemption, such notices may be mailed less than 30 days (but at least 10 days) before the Special Redemption Date.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(i) the Redemption Date;

(ii) the Redemption Price;

(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;

(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(ix) any conditions that must be satisfied prior to the Company becoming obligated to consummate such redemption; provided , however , that a Special Redemption may not be subject to any conditions precedent.

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

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SECTION 3.07. Additional Redemption Provisions.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Section 11.6 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph as the last paragraph of such Section:

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 11.6, notice of any redemption upon an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to completion of the related Equity Offering. Furthermore, notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 11.6 or any other provisions hereof or of the Notes to the contrary, if a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, all notes shall become due and payable on the Special Redemption Date, regardless of whether previously called for redemption.

SECTION 3.08. Covenant Defeasance.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, the last sentence of Section 13.3 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, the following will no longer constitute an Event of Default: (a) clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture, (b) clause (ix) (but only with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture and (c) clause (x) (but only with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.09. Subsidiary Guarantees.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by adding the following Sections 14.4 and 14.5 thereto:

Section 14.4 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.5 of this Indenture, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (regardless of whether such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(a) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(b) either:

(i) subject to Section 14.5 hereof, if it is not such Guarantor, the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture (including its Subsidiary Guarantee), on the terms set forth herein, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, in which case the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor will be released as contemplated by Section 14.5 of this Indenture; or

 

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(ii) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 10.12.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Subsidiary Guarantee notations to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Subsidiary Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subsidiary Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles Eight and Ten of this Indenture, and notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 14.5 Releases .

(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 10.12. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 10.12, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

(b) In addition, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee:

(i) upon designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(ii) upon Legal Defeasance in accordance with Article Thirteen of this Indenture or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article Four of this Indenture;

 

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(iii) upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing; or

(iv) at such time as such Guarantor does not have outstanding any Guarantee of any Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any Guarantor in excess of $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount.

(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee as provided in this Section 14.5 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Fourteen.

SECTION 3.10. Repurchase Offers.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Original Indenture is hereby amended by adding the following Article Fifteen thereto:

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

REPURCHASE OFFERS

Section 15.1 Generally .

In the event that, pursuant to Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders of Notes to purchase all or a portion of their respective Notes (a “Repurchase Offer”), it shall follow the procedures specified in such Sections and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the procedures specified in Section 15.2 below.

Section 15.2 Repurchase Offer Procedures .

(a) A Repurchase Offer shall remain open for a period of no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 10.12 or 10.15 of this Indenture (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Repurchase Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

(b) If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer.

(c) Upon the commencement of a Repurchase Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders of Notes. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer. The Repurchase Offer shall be made to all Holders of Notes. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Repurchase Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Repurchase Offer is being made pursuant to this Article Fifteen and Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture, and the length of time the Repurchase Offer shall remain open;

 

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(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note (or portion thereof) accepted for payment pursuant to the Repurchase Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Repurchase Offer may elect to have Notes purchased equal to $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Repurchase Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book entry transfer, to the Company, the Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(viii) that, if the aggregate amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or and integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and

(ix) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book entry transfer).

(d) On the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment on a pro rata basis in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes (or portions thereof) tendered pursuant to the Repurchase Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes (or portions thereof) were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Article Fifteen. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than three days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of Notes tendered by such Holder, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note. The Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the respective Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Repurchase Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

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ARTICLE 4

Additional Covenants

With respect to the Notes, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby amended as set forth below in this ARTICLE 4; provided , however , that each such amendment shall apply only to the Notes and not to any other series of Securities issued under the Indenture.

SECTION 4.01. Reports.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.7 thereto:

Section 10.7 Reports .

(a) Regardless of whether required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are Outstanding, the Company will file with the SEC for public availability, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing, in which case the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations):

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

(ii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company were required to file such reports.

(b) All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants.

(c) If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in Section 10.7(a) with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.

(d) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then, to the extent material, the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraphs of this Section 10.7 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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SECTION 4.02. Taxes.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.8 thereto:

Section 10.8 Taxes .

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, any taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

SECTION 4.03. Restricted Payments.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.9 thereto:

Section 10.9 Restricted Payments .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than (i) dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, (ii) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) payments permitted by the next succeeding clauses (2) and (4));

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, any such purchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement made in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent or other Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Debt, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof (excluding (a) any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition); or

(4) make any Restricted Investment;

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

 

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unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

(ii) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11(a) of this Indenture; and

(iii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since March 13, 2007 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) and (xiv) of Section 10.9(b) of this Indenture), is equal to or less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from July 1, 2006 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

(B) 100% of (1)(a) the aggregate net cash proceeds and (b) the Fair Market Value of (x) marketable securities (other than marketable securities of the Company), (y) Capital Stock of a Person (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) engaged primarily in any Related Business and (z) other assets used or useful in any Related Business, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), received by the Company since July 3, 2002 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided , however , that the aggregate amount calculated pursuant to this clause (1) shall not include $731.6 million (representing the Fair Market Value of the common stock of Nuevo Energy Company and shares of common stock of 3TEC Energy Corporation, in each case, received by the Company during the years 2003 and 2004 in exchange for shares of its common stock), (2) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange after March 13, 2007 of any such Indebtedness into or for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock or Subordinated Debt), and (3) the aggregate net cash proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon any conversion or exchange described in clause (1) or (2) above; plus

(C) the amount equal to the net reduction in Restricted Investments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person resulting from repurchases or redemptions of such Restricted Investments by such Person, proceeds realized upon the sale of such Restricted Investment to a purchaser other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, or repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets (including by way of dividend or distribution) by such Person to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that no amount will be included under this clause (C) to the extent it is already included in Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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(D) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after March 13, 2007, the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation.

(b) So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Section 10.9(a) of this Indenture will not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds from the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Equity Interests issued or sold to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (iii)(B) of Section 10.9(a);

(iii) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Debt (including the payment of any required premium and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition) with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(iv) the defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) current or former directors or employees in connection with the exercise or vesting of any equity compensation (including, without limitation, stock options, restricted stock and phantom stock) in order to satisfy the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s tax withholding obligation with respect to such exercise or vesting;

(v) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof;

(vi) payments to fund the purchase, redemption or other acquisition for value by the Company of fractional shares arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations, business combinations or other transactions permitted by this Indenture;

(vii) any transfer to an Unrestricted Subsidiary of any direct or indirect interest of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in real property so long as such interests at the time of such sale or transfer (A) do not include any material proved Hydrocarbons and (B) include a surface interest, and any disposition (by dividend or distribution in respect of Equity Interests of the Company or otherwise) of any such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(viii) the defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) current or former directors or employees; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $3.0 million in any twelve-month period (with unused amounts in any 12-month period being permitted to be carried over into succeeding 12-month periods); provided , further , that the amounts in any 12-month period may be increased by an amount not to exceed (A) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of the Company’s Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to any such directors or employees that occurs after March 13, 2007 ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of Section 10.9(a)) to the extent such proceeds have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments plus (B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after March 13, 2007;

(ix) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued on or after March 13, 2007 in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11(a) below;

(x) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders (other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such dividend or similar distribution is paid to all holders of such Equity Interests on a pro rata basis based their respective holdings of such Equity Interests;

(xi) any Restricted Payment as long as on the date of such Restricted Payment, after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, the Company’s Leverage Ratio would not have exceeded 2.5 to 1;

(xii) the purchase or redemption of any Acquired Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, by application of (A) cash provided from operations in the ordinary course of business or (B) proceeds from borrowings under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Agreement (so long as within 30 days prior to such purchase or redemption, a corresponding amount of borrowings under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Agreement was repaid from cash provided from operations in the ordinary course of business); provided , in any such case, that the Company is able to incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 10.11(a) after giving effect to such purchase or redemption; provided further , that this clause (xii) shall not permit the application of any proceeds from any other borrowings under any Credit Facility to effect any such purchase or redemption;

(xiii) repurchases of Subordinated Debt at a purchase price not greater than (x) 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Debt and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in the event of a Change of Control or (y) 100% of the principal amount of such

 

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Subordinated Debt and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in the event of an Asset Sale, in each case plus accrued interest, in connection with any change of control offer or asset sale offer required by the terms of such Subordinated Debt, but only if:

(A) in the case of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company has first complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 10.15; or

(B) in the case of an Asset Sale, the Company has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 10.12; or

(xiv) other Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million.

(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment.

(d) The Fair Market Value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount, and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment exceeding $15.0 million shall be determined conclusively by two Officers of the Company acting in good faith whose conclusions with respect thereto shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, provided , however , that if the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment exceeds $40.0 million, such Fair Market Value shall be determined conclusively by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in a Board Resolution, and a certified copy of such Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee. For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (i) through (xiv) of Section 10.9(b) or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 10.9(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify such Restricted Payment, or later classify, reclassify or re-divide all or a portion of such Restricted Payment, in any manner that complies with this Section 10.9.

SECTION 4.04. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.10 thereto:

Section 10.10 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) However, the preceding restrictions in Section 10.10(a) will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(iii) applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, permit or similar restriction;

(iv) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(v) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts, leases and licenses (including, without limitation, licenses of intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(vi) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of assets, including without limitation an agreement for the sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary, that restricts distributions by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(vii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(viii) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 10.14 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(ix) the issuance of preferred stock by a Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms thereof; provided that issuance of such preferred stock is permitted pursuant to Section 10.11 and the terms of such preferred stock do not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such preferred stock prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Capital Stock);

(x) other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred pursuant to an agreement entered into subsequent to March 13, 2007 in accordance with Section 10.11; provided that the provisions relating to such

 

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encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as determined by the Company in good faith, than the provisions contained in the Credit Facilities and in this Indenture as in effect on March 13, 2007;

(xi) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

(xii) Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under this Indenture;

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

(xiv) with respect only to encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clause (iii) of Section 10.10(a):

(A) customary nonassignment provisions (including provisions forbidding subletting) in leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in oil and gas properties to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease, the property leased thereunder or the other interests therein;

(B) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in, or transfer of Capital Stock of, joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into (1) in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice or (2) with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitations are applicable only to the assets, property or Capital Stock that are the subject of such agreements; and

(C) Capital Lease Obligations, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements or similar instruments to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property (including Capital Stock) subject to such Capital Lease Obligations, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements or similar instruments.

SECTION 4.05. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.11 thereto:

Section 10.11 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur,” with “incurrence” having a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided , however , that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue Disqualified Stock, and Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such

 

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additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.25 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 10.11(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following (the items of Indebtedness described below in this Section 10.11(b) being referred to collectively as “Permitted Debt”):

(i) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (i) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (x) $1.1 billion and (y) 20% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom;

(ii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;

(iii) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes or the Guarantees of the Notes, to be incurred by the Company or any of the Guarantors on the Issue Date of the Notes;

(iv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed $50.0 million at any time outstanding;

(v) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or Disqualified Stock of the Company, or Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred or issued under Section 10.11(a) or clause (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (x) of this Section 10.11(b);

(vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that (A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vi);

 

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(vii) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided , however , that:

(A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(B) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (vii);

(viii) the incurrence of obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Interest Rate and Currency Hedges, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ix) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu , as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(x) Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

(xi) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days;

(xii) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(xiii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary, provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

(xiv) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from Guarantees of Indebtedness of joint ventures at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 1.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds thereof; and

(xv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) that, when taken together with all other Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the date

 

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of such incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by clauses (i) through (xiv) above or Section 10.11(a)) does not exceed the greater of (x) 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness and (y) $125.0 million.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 10.11, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xv) of Section 10.11(b), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.11(a), the Company will be permitted to divide and classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later divide and reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 10.11. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will be deemed not to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided , in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10.11, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company may incur pursuant to this Section 10.11 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.12 thereto:

Section 10.12 Asset Sales .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(i) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

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(ii) either (x) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or (y) the Fair Market Value of all forms of consideration other than cash and Cash Equivalents received for all Asset Sales since March 13, 2007 does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company at the time each determination is made. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(A) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days after the date of the Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

(C) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (ii) or (iv) of Section 10.12(b) below; and

(D) accounts receivable of a business retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, following the sale of such business, provided that such accounts receivable (1) are not past due more than 90 days and (2) do not have a payment date greater than 120 days from the date of the invoice creating such accounts receivable.

(b) Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or any of its applicable Restricted Subsidiaries) may:

(i) apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to repay Senior Debt;

(ii) apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to invest in Additional Assets;

(iii) apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to make capital expenditures in respect of a Related Business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iv) enter into a bona fide binding contract with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Company to apply an amount equal to the Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above, provided that such binding contract shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such contract until the earlier of:

(A) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated, and

(B) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period.

 

   53    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clauses (i) through (iv) above will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

(c) On the 361st day (or upon the failure to close the contract referred to in clause (iv) of Section 10.12(b) above within the 180 day time period thereafter) after the Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $40.0 million, the Company will make an offer (the “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by Sections 8.1 and/or 10.15 of this Indenture, as applicable, and not by this Section 10.12.

(e) The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.13 thereto:

Section 10.13 Transactions with Affiliates .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

 

   54    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a Board Resolution of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 10.13 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:

(i) any employment, consulting or similar agreement or other compensation, or arrangement, stock option or stock ownership plan, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement, restricted stock agreement, severance agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments, awards, grants or issuances of securities pursuant thereto;

(ii) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(iii) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(iv) reasonable fees and expenses and compensation paid to, and indemnity or insurance provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries;

(v) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to, or receipt of a capital contribution from, Affiliates (or a Person that becomes an Affiliate) of the Company;

(vi) any Permitted Investments or Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 10.9 of this Indenture;

(vii) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(viii) advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any written agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries was a party on March 13, 2007, as these agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; provided , however , that any future amendment, modification or supplement entered into after March 13, 2007 will be permitted to the extent that its terms do not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holders of the Notes (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) as compared to the terms of the agreements in effect on March 13, 2007;

 

   55    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(x) (A) guarantees of performance by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, except for guarantees of Indebtedness in respect of borrowed money, and (B) pledges of Equity Interests of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and

(xi) transactions between the Company and any person, a director of which is also a director of the Company; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company on any matter involving such other Person.

SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Liens.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.14 thereto:

Section 10.14 Limitation on Liens .

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or permit to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that owns or leases any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or Indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired), securing any Subordinated Debt or other Indebtedness, unless:

(a) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Debt of the Company or a Guarantor, the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such Principal Property or such shares of stock or Indebtedness on a senior basis to the Subordinated Debt so secured with the same priority as the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, has to such Subordinated Debt until such time as such Subordinated Debt is no longer so secured by a Lien; and

(b) in the case of Liens securing other Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor, the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such Principal Property or such shares of stock or Indebtedness on an equal and ratable basis with the other Indebtedness so secured until such time as such other Indebtedness is no longer so secured by a Lien.

SECTION 4.09. Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.15 thereto:

Section 10.15 Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control .

(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to an offer (“Change of Control Offer”) on the terms set forth in this Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a payment in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal

 

   56    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder of Notes describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures described in Article Fifteen of this Indenture (including the notice required thereby) and described in such notice. The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Triggering Event provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Triggering Event provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

(c) The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of the Depositary), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Any Note so accepted for payment will cease to accrue interest on and after the Change of Control Payment Date unless the Company defaults in making the Change of Control Payment.

(d) The Company will publicly announce the results of any Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if (i) a third party makes a Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, or (ii) notice of redemption with respect to the Notes has been given pursuant to this Indenture, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable Redemption Price.

 

   57    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


(f) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for a Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer. Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not Outstanding or will be retired and cancelled, at the Company’s option. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 10.15 will have the status of Notes issued and Outstanding.

(g) In the event that Holders of at least 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain Outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus , to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that remain Outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

SECTION 4.10. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.16 thereto:

Section 10.16 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted (the “Gross Investment Amount”) will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation. Such Investment will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 10.9 of this Indenture or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company, by an amount equal to (i) the Gross Investment Amount less, without duplication, (ii) the amount of Restricted Investments made or held (including Restricted Investments received as a Permitted Investment by another Person or otherwise) by the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted (or any of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries) that have previously reduced (but only to the extent of such reduction) the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 10.9 of this Indenture or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b) Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a Board Resolution of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 10.9. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 10.11, the Company will be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted

 

   58    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 10.11, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

SECTION 4.11. Future Guarantors.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.17 thereto:

Section 10.17 Future Guarantors .

If any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is or becomes obligated under any Indebtedness pursuant to a Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (other than the Notes), and the maximum principal amount of Indebtedness of such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary under such Guarantee exceeds $10.0 million, then the Company shall cause that Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes and become a Guarantor, pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee provisions of this Indenture, by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering it to the Trustee within 30 days after the date on which such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary Guaranteed such Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to cause such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to so Guarantee the Notes and become a Guarantor prior to the 180th day after the consummation of any transaction (including without limitation any merger, consolidation or purchase) pursuant to which such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 4.12. Covenant Termination.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.18 thereto:

Section 10.18 Covenant Termination .

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture or of the Notes to the contrary, from and after the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will cease to be subject to Sections 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.15 and 10.16 and 8.1(a)(iv) of this Indenture and no Default or Event of Default shall result from any failure to comply with any of the provisions of such Sections.

ARTICLE 5

M ISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 5.01. Certain Trustee Matters.

The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.

The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or the proper authorization or the due execution hereof or thereof by the Company.

Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall alter the duties, rights or obligations of the Trustee set forth in the Original Indenture.

 

   59    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of the information contained in the prospectus supplement related to the Notes, except such information which specifically pertains to the Trustee itself, or any information incorporated therein by reference.

SECTION 5.02. Continued Effect.

Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, the Original Indenture shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Original Indenture (as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture) is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Supplemental Indenture and all its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Original Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 5.03. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 5.04. Counterparts.

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

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

   60    Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:
PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY
By:   /s/ Winston M. Talbert
Name: Winston M. Talbert

Title: Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer

 

      Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


GUARANTORS:

ARGUELLO INC.

LATIGO PETROLEUM, INC.

PLAINS ACQUISITION CORPORATION

PLAINS RESOURCES INC.

POGO PARTNERS, INC.

By:   /s/ Winston M. Talbert
Name: Winston M. Talbert
Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

PXP PRODUCING COMPANY LLC
By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
By:   Plains Exploration & Production
Company, its sole member
PXP AIRCRAFT LLC
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP GULF COAST LLC
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP LOUISIANA L.L.C.
By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member
By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP LOUISIANA OPERATIONS LLC
By:   PXP Louisiana L.L.C., its sole member
By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member
By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP OFFSHORE LLC
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
By:    /s/ Winston M. Talbert
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

      Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


TRUSTEE:
WELLS FARGO BANK, N. A., as Trustee
By:   /s/ Patrick T. Giordano
Name: Patrick T. Giordano
Title: Vice President

 

      Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[ If a Global Security, insert— 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.]

[ If a Global Security, insert— 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 a Global Security, 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.]

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020

 

No. _________    U.S.$_____________

CUSIP No. 726505AN0

 

ISIN No. US726505AN03

  

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY, a company duly incorporated 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 November 15, 2020, and to pay interest thereon from October 26, 2012 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 in each year, commencing May 15, 2013, at the rate of 6.500% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment; provided , however , that upon any failure by the Company for 60 days to comply with Section 10.7 of such Indenture, the interest rate on the Securities of this series will increase by 50 basis points (0.5%) and remain at such increased rate thereafter but only for so long as there is a Default under such Section 10.7, and upon resumption of compliance by the Company with such Section 10.7, the interest rate on the Securities of this series will be reset at the initial rate applicable on the Issue Date. Interest on overdue principal and interest on overdue interest, if any, will accrue at the applicable interest rate on the Securities of this series. 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 May 1 or November 1 (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 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. Interest on the Securities of this series will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

A-1


[ If a Global Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in the United States 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.]

[ If a Definitive Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the United States of America, 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 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 offices of                      in                      , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by United States Dollar 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 10 days prior to the payment date); provided , however , that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by United States Dollar 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 account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York (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.

( Signature Page Follows )

 

A-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:                   ,         

 

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

A-3


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated 6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N. A., as Trustee
By:    
           Authorized Signatory

 

A-4


[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020

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 March 13, 2007 (the “Original Indenture”), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), as amended and supplemented by the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), by and among the Company, the Trustee and the Guarantors named therein (such Original Indenture, as so amended and supplemented being herein called 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, 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.

This security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Company and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”) by each of the persons named as Guarantors in the Supplemental Indenture (the “Guarantors”). The Subsidiary Guarantee is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of each Guarantor.

Except as described below, and except as provided in Section 10.15(g) of the Indenture, the Securities of this series are not redeemable until November 15, 2015. On and after November 15, 2015, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Securities of this series, from time to time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of this series to be redeemed to, but not including, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Redemption Price  

2015

     104.875

2016

     103.250

2017

     101.625

2018 and thereafter

     100.000

The Securities of this series will also be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the Company’s option at any time or from time to time, prior to November 15, 2015, at the applicable Make-Whole Price (as defined below), in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

Make-Whole Price ” with respect to any Securities of this series to be redeemed, means an amount equal to the greater of:

(1) 100% of the principal amount of such Securities; and

(2) the sum of the present values of (a) the Redemption Price of such Securities at November 15, 2015 (as set forth above) and (b) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the Redemption Date to November 15, 2015 (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the Redemption Date) discounted back to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points;

plus , in the case of both (1) and (2), accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to the Redemption Date. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Make-Whole Price, on and after the applicable Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of this series to be redeemed.

 

A-5


Comparable Treasury Issue ” means, with respect to Securities of this series to be redeemed, the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to November 15, 2015, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities; provided if such period is less than one year, then the U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of one year shall be used.

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

Independent Investment Banker ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and their respective successors, at the Company’s option, or, if such firms or the successors, if any, to such firms, as the case may be, are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and one primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City designated by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and their respective successors ( provided , however , that if any such firm or any such successor, as the case may be, shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City, the Company shall substitute therefor another primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City).

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(159)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the stated maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Company on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date.

The notice of redemption with respect to the foregoing redemption need not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

Prior to November 15, 2015, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series, which may include Additional Notes (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), with all or a portion of the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a Redemption Price equal to 106.500% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of this series to be redeemed to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided that:

 

A-6


(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series issued and Outstanding on the Issue Date, remains Outstanding after each such redemption; and

(2) the redemption occurs within 180 days after the closing of such Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to completion of the related Equity Offering.

If a Mandatory Redemption Event (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) occurs, then on the Special Redemption Date (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), the Company shall redeem all and not less than all of the Securities of this series then outstanding, at a redemption price (the “ Special Redemption Price ”) equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Redemption Date (such redemption being referred to herein as a “ Special Mandatory Redemption ”). In addition, if at any time the Company determines that a Mandatory Redemption Event is reasonably likely to occur, then the Company may, at its option, redeem all and not less than all of the Securities of this series then outstanding on the Special Redemption Date, at a redemption price equal to the Special Redemption Price (such redemption being referred to herein as a “ Special Optional Redemption ”). If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, all Securities of this series shall become due and payable on the Special Redemption Date, regardless of whether previously called for redemption. Upon the consummation of the BP GOM Asset Purchase (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), the provisions of this paragraph shall terminate and cease to apply.

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 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.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company 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 and the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected (with each series voting as a separate class). The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in 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 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, 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 offices of                      in                      , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory

 

A-7


to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his 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. $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess 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, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, 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, 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, or the Subsidiary Guarantee endorsed thereon, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or in any Security or in the Subsidiary Guarantee, 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 or any Guarantor or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company 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 execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.

The Indenture provides that the Company 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 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 which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

A-8


[ 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 Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee) the within instrument of PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY 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)   

Signature Guarantee:                                                                                                                           

(Participant in a Recognized Signature

Guaranty Medallion Program)

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 whatever.]

 

A-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT REPURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 10.12 or 10.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 10.12                 ¨ Section 10.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                 

Date:                             

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security)

 

Tax Identification No.:    

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                              

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


[ If a Global Security, insert as a separate page—

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES

IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

Decrease in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Security

  

Amount of

Increase in

Principal Amount

of this

Global Security

  

Principal Amount

of this Global

Security Following

Such Decrease

(or Increase)

  

Signature of

Authorized Officer

of Trustee or

Depositary

 

A-11


SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE NOTATION

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 Subsidiary 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 Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Guarantors:

ARGUELLO INC.

LATIGO PETROLEUM, INC., successor by merger to Latigo Gas Group, LLC, Latigo Gas Holdings, LLC, Latigo Holdings (Texas), LLC, Latigo Investments, LLC, Latigo Gas Services, LP and Latigo Petroleum Texas, LP

PLAINS ACQUISITION CORPORATION

PLAINS RESOURCES INC.

POGO PARTNERS, INC.

By:    
Name: Winston M. Talbert
Title: Vice President & Treasurer

 

PXP PRODUCING COMPANY LLC
By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP AIRCRAFT LLC
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP GULF COAST LLC
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP LOUISIANA L.L.C.
By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member
By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP LOUISIANA OPERATIONS LLC
By:   PXP Louisiana L.L.C., its sole member
By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member
By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
PXP OFFSHORE LLC
By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member
By:    
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

A-12

Table of Contents

Exhibit 4.2

Execution Version

 

 

 

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

as the Company

THE GUARANTOR PARTIES NAMED HEREIN

as Guarantors

and

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

as Trustee

SEVENTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of October 26, 2012

To

INDENTURE

Dated as of March 13, 2007

6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

       Page  

ARTICLE 1 Relation to Indenture; Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.01. Relation to Indenture

     1   

SECTION 1.02. Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.03. General References

     1   

ARTICLE 2 The Series of Securities

     2   

SECTION 2.01. The Form and Title of the Securities

     2   

SECTION 2.02. Amount

     2   

SECTION 2.03. Stated Maturity

     2   

SECTION 2.04. Interest and Interest Rates

     2   

SECTION 2.05. Place of Payment

     2   

SECTION 2.06. Optional Redemption

     3   

SECTION 2.07. Special Redemption

     3   

SECTION 2.08. Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance

     3   

SECTION 2.09. Global Securities

     3   

SECTION 2.10. Subsidiary Guarantees

     3   

ARTICLE 3 Amendments to Original Indenture

     4   

SECTION 3.01. Defined Terms

     4   

SECTION 3.02. Defaults and Remedies

     31   

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Defaults

     34   

SECTION 3.04. Compensation and Reimbursement

     34   

SECTION 3.05. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Substantially All Assets

     34   

SECTION 3.06. Selection for and Notice of Redemption

     36   

SECTION 3.07. Additional Redemption Provisions

     38   

SECTION 3.08. Covenant Defeasance

     38   

SECTION 3.09. Subsidiary Guarantees

     38   

SECTION 3.10. Repurchase Offers

     40   

ARTICLE 4 Additional Covenants

     42   

SECTION 4.01. Reports

     42   

SECTION 4.02. Taxes

     43   

SECTION 4.03. Restricted Payments

     43   

SECTION 4.04. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries

     47   

SECTION 4.05. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock

     49   

SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales

     52   

SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates

     54   

SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Liens

     56   

SECTION 4.09. Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control

     56   

SECTION 4.10. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     58   

SECTION 4.11. Future Guarantors

     59   

SECTION 4.12. Covenant Termination

     59   

ARTICLE 5 Miscellaneous

     59   

SECTION 5.01. Certain Trustee Matters

     59   

SECTION 5.02. Continued Effect

     60   

SECTION 5.03. Governing Law

     60   

SECTION 5.04. Counterparts

     60   

EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A: Form of Note

  

 

      Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


Table of Contents

SEVENTEENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE , dated as of October 26, 2012 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), by and among PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY , a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), each of the Guarantor parties named on the signature pages hereof (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. , a nationally chartered banking association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (in such capacity, the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee have heretofore entered into an Indenture, dated as of March 13, 2007 (the “Original Indenture”) (the Original Indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time, including without limitation pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, being referred to herein as the “Indenture”); and

WHEREAS, under the Original Indenture, a new series of Securities may at any time be established by the Board of Directors of the Company, in accordance with the provisions of the Original Indenture, and the terms of such series may be established by an indenture supplemental to the Original Indenture; and

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to create under the Indenture a new series of Securities; and

WHEREAS, the Company proposes that its obligations under such new series of Securities and under the Indenture to the extent applicable to such new series of Securities be guaranteed by each of the Guarantors in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture (including without limitation Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture and the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture);

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes (as defined below), as follows:

ARTICLE 1

R ELATION TO I NDENTURE ; D EFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Relation to Indenture.

With respect to the Notes, this Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

SECTION 1.02. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Original Indenture.

SECTION 1.03. General References.

Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, (i) all references in this Supplemental Indenture to Articles and Sections refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and (ii) the terms “ herein ”, “ hereof ”, “ hereunder ” and any other word of similar import refers to this Supplemental Indenture.

 

      Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


Table of Contents

ARTICLE 2

T HE S ERIES OF S ECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. The Form and Title of the Securities.

There is hereby established a new series of Securities to be issued under the Indenture and to be designated as the Company’s 6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”). The Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any laws or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Notes may be listed or traded, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently with the Indenture, be determined by the Officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

The Notes shall be executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of, and shall in all respects be subject to, the terms, conditions and covenants of the Original Indenture as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture (including the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto (the terms of which are incorporated in and made a part of this Supplemental Indenture for all intents and purposes)).

SECTION 2.02. Amount.

Subject to compliance with Section 10.11 of the Indenture, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be authenticated and delivered pursuant hereto is unlimited. The Trustee shall initially authenticate and deliver Notes for original issue in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $1,500,000,000, upon delivery to the Trustee of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be issued hereunder may be increased at any time hereafter and the series may be reopened for issuances of Additional Notes, upon Company Order without the consent of any Holder and without any further supplement or amendment to the Original Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture. The Notes issued on the date hereof and any such Additional Notes that may be issued hereafter shall be part of the same series of Securities for all purposes under the Indenture.

SECTION 2.03. Stated Maturity.

The Notes may be issued on any Business Day on or after October 26, 2012, and the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall be February 15, 2023.

SECTION 2.04. Interest and Interest Rates.

The rate or rates at which the Notes shall bear interest, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, in each case, shall be as set forth in the form of Note attached as Exhibit A hereto.

SECTION 2.05. Place of Payment.

As long as any Notes are Outstanding, the Company shall maintain an office or agency in the United States where Notes may be presented for payment. Such office or agency shall initially be the office or agency of the Trustee in Dallas, Texas.

 

   2    Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


Table of Contents

SECTION 2.06. Optional Redemption.

At its option, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, in principal amounts of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof, at any time or from time to time, at the applicable Redemption Prices determined as set forth in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A , in accordance with the terms set forth in the Notes and in accordance with Article Eleven of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, including without limitation Section 3.06. hereof).

SECTION 2.07. Special Redemption.

If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, then on the Special Redemption Date, the Company shall redeem all and not less than all of the Notes then outstanding, at a redemption price (the “Special Redemption Price”) equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Redemption Date (such redemption being referred to herein as a “Special Mandatory Redemption”). In addition, if at any time the Company determines that a Mandatory Redemption Event is reasonably likely to occur, then the Company may, at its option, redeem all and not less than all of the Notes then outstanding on the Special Redemption Date, at a redemption price equal to the Special Redemption Price (such redemption being referred to herein as a “Special Optional Redemption”). Upon a Special Redemption, the Company shall redeem all and not less than all of the Notes in accordance with the terms set forth in the form of Note attached hereto as Exhibit A and in accordance with Article Eleven of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, including without limitation Section 3.06. hereof). If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, all Notes shall become due and payable on the Special Redemption Date, regardless of whether previously called for redemption. Upon the consummation of the BP GOM Asset Purchase, this Section 2.07. shall terminate and cease to apply.

SECTION 2.08. Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance.

Article Thirteen of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture) shall apply to the Notes. Furthermore, each of the following shall constitute Additional Defeasible Provisions (as such term is defined in the Original Indenture):

(a) the covenants set forth in ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture; and

(b) the limitation imposed by clause (iv) of Section 8.1(a) of the Indenture (as a result of this Supplemental Indenture).

SECTION 2.09. Global Securities.

The Notes shall initially be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities. Such Global Securities (i) shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which shall act as Depositary with respect to the Notes, (ii) shall bear the legends applicable to Global Securities set forth in Sections 2.2 and 2.4 of the Original Indenture, (iii) may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive form upon the terms and subject to the conditions provided in Section 3.5 of the Original Indenture and in this Supplemental Indenture and (iv) shall otherwise be subject to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

SECTION 2.10. Subsidiary Guarantees.

Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture (as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture, including without limitation Section 3.09. hereof) shall apply to the Notes. For the purposes of this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes (including without limitation the provisions of the Original Indenture to the extent applicable thereto), the term “Guarantor” shall mean each of the Guarantor parties named on the signature pages of this Supplemental Indenture.

 

   3    Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


Table of Contents

ARTICLE 3

A MENDMENTS TO O RIGINAL I NDENTURE

With respect to the Notes, the Original Indenture is hereby amended as set forth below in this ARTICLE 3; provided , however , that each such amendment shall apply only to the Notes and not to any other series of Securities issued under the Indenture.

SECTION 3.01. Defined Terms.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Section 1.1 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by inserting or restating, as the case may be, each of the following defined terms in its appropriate alphabetical position:

“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, regardless of whether such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person, but excluding Indebtedness which is extinguished, retired or repaid in connection with such Person merging with or becoming a Subsidiary of such specified Person; and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

“Acquired Subordinated Indebtedness” means Subordinated Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, that is Acquired Debt and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, another Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Additional Assets” means:

(1) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a Related Business;

(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(4) Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall entitle the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to not less than a pro rata portion of all dividends or other distributions made by such Subsidiary upon any of such Capital Stock;

provided further, however , that in the case of clauses (2), (3) and (4), such Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

“Additional Notes” means an unlimited maximum aggregate principal amount of Notes (other than the Notes issued on the date hereof) issued under the Indenture pursuant to Section 2.02. of the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture hereto dated as of October 26, 2012.

 

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“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

(a) the sum of:

(i) discounted future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any provincial, territorial, state, Federal or foreign income taxes, as estimated by the Company in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year for which audited financial statements are available and giving effect to applicable Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

(A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves acquired since such year end, which reserves were not reflected in such year end reserve report, and

(B) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior period end) since such year end due to exploration, development, exploitation or other activities, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines,

and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the estimated discounted future net revenues from:

(C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such reserve report produced or disposed of since such year end, and

(D) estimated oil and gas reserves attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves reflected in such reserve report since such year end due to changes in geological conditions or other factors which would, in accordance with standard industry practice, cause such revisions, in each case calculated substantially in accordance with SEC guidelines,

in each case as estimated by the Company’s petroleum engineers or any independent petroleum engineers engaged by the Company for that purpose;

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

(iii) the Net Working Capital (excluding, to the extent included in the determination of discounted future net revenues under clause (i)(A) above, any adjustments made pursuant to FAS 143) on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

(iv) the greater of:

(A) the net book value of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, and

 

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(B) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements ( provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such appraisal solely for the purpose of determining this value); minus

(b) the sum of:

(i) the net book value of shares of stock of any class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that are not owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(ii) any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest audited financial statements;

(iii) to the extent included in (a)(i) above, the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto); and

(iv) the discounted future net revenues, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production and price assumptions included in determining the discounted future net revenues specified in (a)(i) above, would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments (determined, if applicable, using the schedules specified with respect thereto).

If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost or a similar method to the successful efforts method of accounting, “Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost or a similar method of accounting.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights (including by way of a Production Payment or a sale and leaseback transaction); provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Article Eight and/or Section 10.15 of this Indenture and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant set forth in Section 10.12 of this Indenture; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (other than directors’ qualifying shares and other than Capital Stock issued upon the exercise or conversion of other Capital Stock or debt securities issued in accordance with the terms of the Indenture) or the sale of Equity Interests held by the Company or its Subsidiaries in any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20.0 million;

(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, products, services, accounts receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business, and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete assets or assets that are no longer useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 10.9 of this Indenture;

(7) the consummation of a Permitted Investment, including, without limitation, unwinding any Hedging Obligations;

(8) a disposition of Hydrocarbons or mineral products inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(9) the sale or transfer (regardless of whether in the ordinary course of business) of crude oil and natural gas properties or direct or indirect interests in real property; provided that at the time of such sale or transfer such properties do not have associated with them any proved reserves;

(10) the farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped crude oil or natural gas properties owned or held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for crude oil and natural gas properties owned or held by another Person;

(11) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries of oil and gas properties or other properties or assets for oil and gas properties or other properties or assets owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further that any net cash received must be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.12 of this Indenture;

(12) the creation or perfection of a Lien (but not, except to the extent contemplated in clause (13) below, the sale or other disposition of the properties or assets subject to such Lien);

(13) the creation or perfection of a Permitted Lien and the exercise by any Person in whose favor a Permitted Lien is granted of any of its rights in respect of that Permitted Lien;

(14) the licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property, including, without limitation, licenses for seismic data, in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially interfere with the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(15) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind; and

(16) the disposition of oil and natural gas properties in connection with tax credit transactions complying with Section 29 of the Code or any successor or analogous provisions of the Code.

“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

“BP GOM Asset Purchase” means the purchase of all or substantially all of the Properties (as defined in the BP Purchase Agreement) on substantially the terms described in the Company’s prospectus supplement, dated October 23, 2012, relating to the Notes, and filed with the SEC on October 24, 2012.

“BP Purchase Agreement” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, by and among BP Exploration & Production, Inc., BP America Production Company and the Company.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, regardless of whether such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government ( provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

(3) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

 

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(4) certificates of deposit, demand deposit accounts and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;

(7) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition; and

(8) deposits in any currency available for withdrawal on demand with any commercial bank that is organized under the laws of any country in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office or is engaged in the Related Business, provided that all such deposits are made in such accounts in the ordinary course of business.

“Change of Control” means:

(1) any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (or its successor by merger, consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of its assets) (for the purposes of this clause, such person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of the Company held by an entity, if such person or group “beneficially owns” (as defined above), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such entity);

(2) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors;

(3) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act); or

(4) the adoption of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Notes.

 

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“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale (together with any related provision for taxes and any related non-recurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity), to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3) the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4) exploration and abandonment expense (if applicable) to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5) depreciation, depletion, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period), impairment, other non-cash expenses and other non-cash items (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairment and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(6) any interest expense attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, to the extent that such interest expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(7) the accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations and future retirement benefits, to the extent such charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

(8) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than items that were accrued in the ordinary course of business; and minus

(9) the sum of (a) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (b) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes on the income or profits of, and the depreciation, depletion and amortization and other non-cash charges and expenses of, a Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the Net Income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of

 

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such Person and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the referent Person by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained), and without direct or indirect restriction pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders. Furthermore, solely for the purpose of calculating Consolidated Cash Flow, any expenses attributable to stock appreciation rights will not be deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income prior to payment of such expenses in cash.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided , however that the operation of this clause (2) shall be suspended with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary that is acquired by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (regardless of whether such acquisition is effected pursuant to a merger or otherwise) (such Restricted Subsidiary being referred to as a “Newly Acquired Restricted Subsidiary”), but such suspension shall cease immediately after the first six months following such acquisition; provided further , however that the Net Income for such period of any Newly Acquired Restricted Subsidiary that is acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period, shall be included;

(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded;

(4) any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of such Person or its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale or leaseback transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person will be excluded;

(5) any asset impairment write-downs on Oil and Gas Properties under GAAP or SEC guidelines will be excluded;

(6) any non-cash mark-to-market adjustments to assets or liabilities resulting in unrealized gains or losses in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of SFAS 133) shall be excluded;

(7) to the extent deducted in the calculation of Net Income, any non-cash or nonrecurring charges associated with any premium or penalty paid, write-off of deferred financing costs or other financial recapitalization charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness will be excluded; and

 

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(8) any net losses or expenses associated with the Pre-Issue Date Hedge Buyouts and/or the Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts mentioned in the definition of “Pre-Issue Date Hedge Buyouts” will be excluded.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means, with respect to any specified Person as of any date, the sum of:

(1) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date; plus

(2) the respective amounts reported on such Person’s balance sheet as of such date with respect to any series of preferred stock (other than Disqualified Stock) that by its terms is not entitled to the payment of dividends unless such dividends may be declared and paid only out of net earnings in respect of the year of such declaration and payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such Person upon issuance of such preferred stock.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:

(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on March 13, 2007; or

(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election.

“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Agreement), commercial paper facilities or Debt Issuances providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to any lenders, other financiers or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell such receivables to) any lenders or other financiers against such receivables), letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, other borrowings or Debt Issuances, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, extended, refunded, replaced or refinanced (in each case, without limitation as to amount), in whole or in part, from time to time (including through one or more Debt Issuances) and any agreements and related documents governing Indebtedness or obligations incurred to refinance amounts then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding, whether provided under the original agreement, indenture or other documentation relating thereto.

“Currency Agreement” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

“Debt Issuances” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more issuances after March 13, 2007 of Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar securities or instruments.

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

 

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“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 10.9 of this Indenture. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

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

“Domestic Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that Guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

“Equity Offering” means (i) an offering for cash by the Company of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), or options, warrants or rights with respect to its Capital Stock or (ii) a contribution of cash to the Company in exchange for its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock).

“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Agreement, the Notes and the Guarantees thereof) in existence on the Issue Date, in each case, until such amounts are repaid.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or management of the Company (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture), which determination will be conclusive for all purposes under this Indenture.

“Farm-In Agreement” means an agreement whereby a Person agrees to pay all or a share of the drilling, completion or other expenses of an exploratory or development well (which agreement may be subject to a maximum payment obligation, after which expenses are shared in accordance with the working or participation interest therein or in accordance with the agreement of the parties) or perform the drilling, completion or other operation on such well in exchange for an ownership interest in an oil or gas property.

“Farm-Out Agreement” means a Farm-In Agreement, viewed from the standpoint of the party that transfers an ownership interest to another.

 

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“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers, consolidations or otherwise (including acquisitions of assets used or useful in a Related Business), or by any Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquired by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and including any related financing transactions and including increases in ownership of Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date, shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and the Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated giving pro forma effect to any expense and cost reductions that have occurred or, in the reasonable judgment of the chief accounting or chief financial officer of the Company, are reasonably expected to occur (regardless of whether those operating improvements or cost savings could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC related thereto);

(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

 

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“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (excluding (i) any interest attributable to Production Payments and Reserve Sales, (ii) write-off of deferred financing costs and (iii) accretion of interest charges on future plugging and abandonment obligations, future retirement benefits and other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, but including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, noncash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations other than that attributable to any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements; plus

(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3) any interest on Indebtedness of another Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person) that is guaranteed by the specified Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such specified Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, regardless of whether such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and regardless of whether in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise), or entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part).

“Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary that has become obligated under a Subsidiary Guarantee, in accordance with the terms of the guarantee provisions of this Indenture, but only for so long as such Subsidiary remains so obligated pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges and any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts.

“Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

 

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“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, without duplication, any indebtedness of such Person, regardless of whether contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;

(5) in respect of any Guarantee by such Person of production or payment with respect to a Production Payment (but not any other contractual obligation in respect of such Production Payment);

(6) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or a trade payable; or

(7) representing any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit and Interest Rate and Currency Hedges) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes (a) all indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (7), secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (regardless of whether such indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person), provided that the amount of such indebtedness will be the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such indebtedness of such other Person, and (b) to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (7).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute “Indebtedness:”

(i) accrued expenses and trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business;

(ii) except as provided in clause (5) of the first paragraph of this definition, any obligation in respect of any Production Payment and Reserve Sales;

(iii) any obligation in respect of any Farm-In Agreement;

(iv) any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or United States government bonds (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness;

(v) oil or natural gas balancing liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

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(vi) any obligation in respect of any Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract;

(vii) any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of FAS 133);

(viii) any obligations in respect of (a) bid, performance, completion, surety, appeal and similar bonds, (b) obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (c) insurance obligations or bonds and other similar bonds and obligations and (d) any guaranties or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations; provided , however , that such bonds or obligations mentioned in subclause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this clause (viii), are incurred in the ordinary course of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and do not relate to obligations for borrowed money;

(ix) any obligations in respect of completion bonds, performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds, bankers acceptances, letters of credit, insurance obligations or bonds and other similar bonds and obligations incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and any guaranties and obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing bonds or obligations;

(x) any obligation arising from any agreement providing for indemnities, guarantees, purchase price adjustments, holdbacks, contingency payment obligations based on the performance of the acquired or disposed assets or similar obligations (other than guaranties of Indebtedness) incurred by any Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets; and

(xi) all contracts and other obligations, agreements instruments or arrangements described in clauses (21), (22), (23) and (24) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”

“Interest Rate Agreement” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

“Interest Rate and Currency Hedges” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than:

(1) Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s; or

(2) BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P,

or, if either such entity ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

“Investment Grade Rating Event” means the first day on which the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from a Rating Agency and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture.

 

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“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business, and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, employees and consultants made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 10.9(d) of this Indenture. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in Section 10.9(d) of this Indenture. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

“Issue Date” means the first date on which Notes are issued under this Indenture.

“Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the total consolidated Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, which would be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to the amount of consolidated Indebtedness and Consolidated Cash Flow as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

“Mandatory Redemption Event” means the first occurrence of either (a) the termination of the BP Purchase Agreement prior to the consummation of the BP GOM Asset Purchase or (b) the failure to consummate the BP GOM Asset Purchase on or before March 15, 2013.

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

“Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

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(2) any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or nonrecurring gain or loss.

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

(1) all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expense incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP (after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Sale;

(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Sale, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale;

(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to holders of minority interests in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Sale; and

(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, or held in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price or for any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale.

“Net Working Capital” means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries except current assets from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, less (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness and any current liabilities from Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (excluding any adjustments made pursuant to FAS 133).

“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any Guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), in each case other than Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent securing otherwise Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture; and

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

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“Notes” means a series of Securities designated as the Company’s 6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023, issued pursuant to this Indenture, as amended and supplemented by the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture hereto dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(a)(iv) or Section 5.1(a)(v) of this Indenture.

“Officer” means, in the case of the Company, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company and, in the case of any Guarantor, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of such Guarantor.

“Officers’ Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and, in the case of any Guarantor, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of such Guarantor.

“Oil and Gas Properties” means all Properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by such Person which contain “proved oil and gas reserves” as defined in Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act.

“Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contract” means any oil and natural gas hedging agreements and other agreements or arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business in the oil and gas industry for the purpose of protecting against fluctuations in oil or natural gas prices.

“Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock was Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of:

(1) a Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(2) a Person that was merged, consolidated or amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

provided that on the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged, consolidated and amalgamated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto,

(a) the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11 of this Indenture,

(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company immediately prior to such transaction, or

(c) the Consolidated Net Worth of the Restricted Subsidiary or the Company, as applicable, would be greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company immediately prior to such transaction.

 

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“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments and expenditures made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, a Related Business as means of actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals (including with respect to plugging and abandonment) through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements that permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of a Related Business jointly with third parties, including without limitation, (i) ownership interests in oil, natural gas, other hydrocarbons and minerals properties or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or related systems and (ii) any operating agreements, joint ventures, partnership agreements, working interests, royalty interests, mineral leases, processing agreements, Farm-In Agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil, natural gas and other hydrocarbons, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements, stockholder agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, production sharing agreements or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests, or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto.

“Permitted Holders” means (i) James C. Flores and his spouse and lineal descendants, and their respective estates or legal representatives, (ii) trusts created for the benefit of such Persons and (iii) entities 80% or more of the Voting Stock of which is directly or indirectly owned by any of the preceding Persons.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 10.12 of this Indenture;

(5) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(6) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

 

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(7) advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

(8) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(9) advances and prepayments for asset purchases in the ordinary course of business in a Related Business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(10) receivables owing to Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided , however , that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

(11) surety and performance bonds and workers’ compensation, utility, lease, tax, performance and similar deposits and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business;

(12) Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 10.11 of this Indenture;

(13) guarantees by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of operating leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations) or of other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness, in each case entered into by any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

(14) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after March 13, 2007 or of any entity merged into the Company or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with Article Eight or Section 14.4 (as applicable) of this Indenture to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

(15) Permitted Business Investments;

(16) Investments received as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(17) any Investment in any Person solely (except to the extent of cash payments in lieu of fractional shares) in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(18) Investments in any units of any oil and gas royalty trust;

(19) Investments existing on March 13, 2007, and any extension, modification or renewal of any such Investments existing on March 13, 2007, but only to the extent not involving additional advances, contributions or other Investments of cash or other assets or other increases of such Investments (other than as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities, in each case, pursuant to the terms of such Investments as in effect on March 13, 2007);

 

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(20) repurchases of or other Investments in the Notes; and

(21) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (21) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) 1.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets or (b) $50.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under Credit Facilities pursuant to Section 10.11 of this Indenture;

(2) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of Section 10.11(b) of this Indenture covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(3) pledges or deposits by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits or cash or United States government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import or customs duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(4) landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or similar Liens arising by contract or statute in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts which are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(5) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet subject to penalties for non-payment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

(6) Liens in favor of the issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business; provided , however , that such letters of credit do not constitute Indebtedness;

(7) encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(8) Liens securing Hedging Obligations, so long as the related Indebtedness, if any, is, and is permitted under this Indenture to be, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such Hedging Obligation;

 

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(9) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(10) any attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default;

(11) Liens for the purpose of securing the payment of all or a part of the purchase price of, or Capitalized Lease Obligations with respect to, or the repair, improvement or construction cost of, assets or property acquired or repaired, improved or constructed in the ordinary course of business; provided that:

(a) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens is otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Indenture and does not exceed the cost of the assets or property so acquired or repaired, improved or constructed plus fees and expenses in connection therewith; and

(b) such Liens are created within 180 days of repair, improvement or construction or acquisition of such assets or property and do not encumber any other assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than such assets or property and assets affixed or appurtenant thereto (including improvements);

(12) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained or deposited with a depositary institution; provided that:

(a) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; and

(b) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

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

(14) Liens existing on March 13, 2007;

(15) Liens on property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than those of the Person merged or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(16) Liens on property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; provided further , however , that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(17) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Guarantor;

(18) Liens securing the Notes, the Subsidiary Guarantees and other obligations arising under this Indenture;

(19) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred to refinance Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was previously so secured; provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced or is in respect of property or assets that is the security for a Permitted Lien hereunder;

(20) Liens in respect of Production Payments and Reserve Sales;

(21) Liens on pipelines and pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law;

(22) Liens arising under joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases or subleases, assignments, purchase and sale agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchasing, processing, transportation or exchange of oil or natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, licenses, sublicenses, net profits interests, participation agreements, Farm-Out Agreements, Farm-In Agreements, carried working interest, and joint operating, unitization, royalty, sales and similar agreements relating to the exploration or development of, or production from, oil and gas properties entered into in the ordinary course of business in a Related Business;

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

(24) Liens on, or related to, properties or assets to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of a Related Business for exploration, drilling, development, production, processing, transportation, marketing, storage, abandonment or operation;

(25) Liens arising under this Indenture in favor of the Trustee for its own benefit and similar Liens in favor of other trustees, agents and representatives arising under instruments governing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided that such Liens are solely for the benefit of the trustees, agents or representatives in their capacities as such and not for the benefit of the holders of the Indebtedness;

(26) Liens securing obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Hedging Obligations;

(27) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any joint venture owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or joint venture; and

(28) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to obligations that, at any one time outstanding, do not exceed the greater of $20.0 million and 0.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

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“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued (a) in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, or (b) constituting an amendment, modification or supplement to or a deferral or renewal of ((a) and (b) above, collectively, a “Refinancing”), any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness), any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary in a principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, liquidation preference, not to exceed (after deduction of reasonable and customary fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Refinancing) the lesser of:

(1) the principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, liquidation preference, of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock so Refinanced ( plus , in the case of Indebtedness, the amount of premium, if any paid in connection therewith); and

(2) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced was issued with any original issue discount, the accreted value of such Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time of such Refinancing.

Notwithstanding the preceding, no Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock will be deemed to be Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, unless:

(1) such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced;

(2) if the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to the Notes, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to, the Notes, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced at the time of the Refinancing; and

(3) such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is incurred or issued by the Company or such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is incurred or issued by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being Refinanced or the issuer of the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced; provided that a Restricted Subsidiary that is also a Guarantor may guarantee Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by the Company, whether or not such Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or guarantor of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

 

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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

“Point Arguello Partnerships” means the following partnerships of which Arguello Inc. is a managing general partner: (a) Gaviota Gas Plant Company, (b) Point Arguello Natural Gas Line Company, (c) Point Arguello Pipeline Company and (d) Point Arguello Terminal Company.

“Pre-Issue Date Hedge Buyouts” means the series of transactions consummated prior to March 13, 2007 to terminate or unwind, and the associated settlement and accounting of, Oil and Natural Gas Hedging Contracts pertaining to (i) 2006 crude oil price swaps for 15,000 barrels of oil per day at an average price of $25.28 per barrel, (ii) 2006 crude oil price collars for 22,000 barrels per day with a floor price of $25.00 and an average ceiling price of $34.76, (iii) 2007 crude oil price collars for 22,000 barrels of oil per day with a floor price of $25.00 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $34.76 per barrel and (iv) 2008 crude oil price collars for 22,000 barrels of oil per day with a floor price of $25.00 per barrel and an average ceiling price of $34.76 per barrel.

“Principal Property” means any property owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, the gross book value of which exceeds one percent of Consolidated Net Worth of the Company.

“Production Payments” means Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments, collectively.

“Production Payments and Reserve Sales” means the grant or transfer by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, Production Payment, partnership or other interest in oil and gas properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the oil and gas business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.

“Rating Agency” means each of S&P and Moody’s, or if S&P or Moody’s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, or both, as the case may be.

“Rating Decline” means the occurrence of:

(1) a decrease of one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories) in the rating of the Notes by either Rating Agency; or

(2) a withdrawal of the rating of the Notes by either Rating Agency;

provided , however , that such decrease or withdrawal occurs on, or within 90 days before or after the earlier of (a) a Change of Control, (b) the date of public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (c) public notice of the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by either Rating Agency).

 

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“Related Business” means any business which is the same as or related, ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on March 13, 2007, which includes (a) the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development, production, operation and disposition of interests in oil, gas and other hydrocarbon properties, and the utilization of the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ properties, (b) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing, storage, refining, selling and transporting of any production from such interests or properties and products produced in association therewith, (c) any power generation and electrical transmission business, (d) oil field sales and services and related activities, (e) development, purchase and sale of real estate and interests therein, and (f) any business or activity relating to, arising from, or necessary, appropriate or incidental to the activities described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) of this definition.

“Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Senior Credit Agreement” means, with respect to the Company, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2010, as amended by the Consent and Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 8, 2010, by Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2011, by Omnibus Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 17, 2011, by Amendment No. 4 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8, 2011, and by Omnibus Amendment No. 5 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders and agents parties thereto from time to time) as provided for in one or more agreements or instruments in each case, as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, increased, renewed, refunded, replaced (including replacement after the termination of such credit facility), supplemented, restructured or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time in one or more agreements or instruments.

“Senior Debt” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;

(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee; and

(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1) and (2).

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding sentence, Senior Debt will not include:

(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

(b) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture; or

(c) any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

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

“Special Mandatory Redemption” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07. to the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture hereto, dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Special Optional Redemption” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07. to the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture hereto, dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Special Redemption” means either a Special Mandatory Redemption or a Special Optional Redemption.

“Special Redemption Date” means the earlier of (a) the last Business Day that is on or before the 15th day after a Mandatory Redemption Event or (b) any other Business Day selected by the Company and set forth in the notice of redemption with respect to a Special Redemption, given in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

“Special Redemption Price” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07. of the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture hereto, dated as of October 26, 2012.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the date of this Indenture, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment, in any respect (by its terms or the terms of any document or instrument relating thereto), to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof);

 

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provided , that the Point Arguello Partnerships, Sepulveda Oil and Gas Company and Nuevo Energy Company are not Subsidiaries of the Company.

“Subsidiary Guarantee” means any guarantee of the Notes by any Guarantor in accordance with Article Fourteen of this Indenture.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of such Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2) except as permitted by Section 10.13 of this Indenture, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee.

As of the Issue Date, each of the following entities has been designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary: Arroyo Grande Land Company, LLC, Lompoc Land Company LLC and Montebello Land Company LLC.

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

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

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SECTION 3.02 . Defaults and Remedies.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Original Indenture are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

Section 5.1 Events of Default .

(a) Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(i) default in any payment of interest on any Note under this Indenture when due, continued for 30 days;

(ii) default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Note under this Indenture when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional or mandatory redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;

(iii) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Article Eight of this Indenture or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture;

(iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days after receipt of a written notice (sent by registered or certified mail, specifying such failure, requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes to comply with Section 10.9 or Section 10.11 of this Indenture or to comply with the provisions described under Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture to the extent not described in clause (iii) of this Section 5.1(a);

(v) (A) except as addressed in subclause (B) of this clause (v), failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after receipt of a written notice (sent by registered or certified mail, specifying such failure, requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” under this Indenture) from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture or the Notes or (B) failure by the Company for 180 days after such notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes to comply with Section 10.7 of this Indenture;

(vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, which default:

(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (“payment default”); or

(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its maturity;

 

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and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a payment default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;

(vii) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million (net of any amounts that a reputable and creditworthy insurance company has acknowledged liability for in writing), which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(viii) any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held in a judicial proceeding, or be asserted by the Company or any Guarantor, as applicable, not to be, enforceable or valid or shall cease to be in full force and effect (except pursuant to the release or termination of any such Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture);

(ix) the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

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

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

(D) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

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

(A) is for relief against the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, in an involuntary case; or

(B) appoints a custodian of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company; or

 

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(C) orders the liquidation of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary of the Company or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company;

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

(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within five Business Days after any Officer becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 5.2 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment; Interest Rate Increase .

(a) To the extent permitted by applicable law, in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (ix) or clause (x) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture, all then Outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately by notice in writing to the Company and, in case of a notice by Holders, also to the Trustee specifying the respective Event of Default and that it is a notice of acceleration. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Notes 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 principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(i) the Company or one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(A) all overdue interest on all Notes,

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Notes which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Notes,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Notes, and

(D) 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

(ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Notes, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Notes which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13 of this Indenture.

(iii) No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing Section 5.2(b), if an Event of Default specified in clause (vi) of Section 5.1(a) above shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration shall be automatically rescinded if (i) the Indebtedness that is

 

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the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid, or (ii) if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived or cured and if such Indebtedness has been accelerated, then the holders thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness.

(d) Upon any failure by the Company for 60 days to comply with Section 10.7 of this Indenture, the interest rate on the Notes will increase by 50 basis points (0.5%) and remain at such increased rate thereafter but only for so long as there is a Default under such Section 10.7, and upon resumption of compliance by the Company with such Section 10.7, the interest rate on the Notes will be reset at the initial rate applicable on the Issue Date.

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Defaults.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Section 6.2 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

Section 6.2 Notice of Defaults .

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Notes, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Notes, 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 Note, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Notes; and, provided , further , that (i) in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(a)(iv), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof, (ii) in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(a)(v)(A), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and (iii) in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(a)(v)(B), no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 180 days after the occurrence thereof.

SECTION 3.04. Compensation and Reimbursement.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, the third paragraph of Section 6.7 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

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(a)(ix) or Section 5.1(a)(x), 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.

SECTION 3.05. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Substantially All Assets.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Eight of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

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ARTICLE EIGHT

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF SUBSTANTIALLY ALL ASSETS

Section 8.1 Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .

(a) The Company will not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into another Person (regardless of whether the Company is the surviving corporation), convert into another form of entity or continue in another jurisdiction, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(i) either: (A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (B) 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, 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 of the United States or the District of Columbia;

(ii) 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, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; provided that, unless such Person is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Notes will be added to this Indenture by agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(iii) immediately after such transaction or transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists;

(iv) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made:

(A) would have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately preceding the transaction;

(B) would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11(a) of this Indenture; or

(C) would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio that is not less than the Fixed Charged Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction; and

(v) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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(b) For purposes of this Section 8.1, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions described in the foregoing clause (a)(iv), any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, the Company may merge into a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction, and any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 8.2 Successor Substituted .

Upon any merger or consolidation, or any sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 8.1 of this Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance or other disposition is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for the Company (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), 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. When the successor assumes all of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture, the Company shall be discharged from those obligations; provided , however , that the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, this Article Eight.

SECTION 3.06. Selection for and Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Sections 11.3 and 11.4 of the Original Indenture are hereby amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

Section 11.3 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed .

(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes, by lot or in accordance with any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate. In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the Outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount at maturity thereof to be redeemed. No Notes in amounts of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire Outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

 

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(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Notes shall relate, in the case of any Notes redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Notes which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 11.4 Notice of Redemption .

(a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address; provided , however , that in the case of a redemption with the net cash proceeds of an Equity Offering, such notice may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering; and provided further that in the case of a Special Redemption, such notices may be mailed less than 30 days (but at least 10 days) before the Special Redemption Date.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(i) the Redemption Date;

(ii) the Redemption Price;

(iii) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

(v) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and become due on the date fixed for redemption;

(vi) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(vii) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(ix) any conditions that must be satisfied prior to the Company becoming obligated to consummate such redemption; provided , however , that a Special Redemption may not be subject to any conditions precedent.

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided , however , that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date (or such shorter period of time as may be acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

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SECTION 3.07 . Additional Redemption Provisions.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Section 11.6 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph as the last paragraph of such Section:

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 11.6, notice of any redemption upon an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to completion of the related Equity Offering. Furthermore, notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 11.6 or any other provisions hereof or of the Notes to the contrary, if a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, all notes shall become due and payable on the Special Redemption Date, regardless of whether previously called for redemption.

SECTION 3.08. Covenant Defeasance.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, the last sentence of Section 13.3 of the Original Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, the following will no longer constitute an Event of Default: (a) clauses (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture, (b) clause (ix) (but only with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture and (c) clause (x) (but only with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company) of Section 5.1(a) of this Indenture.

SECTION 3.09 . Subsidiary Guarantees.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture is hereby amended by adding the following Sections 14.4 and 14.5 thereto:

Section 14.4 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms .

Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.5 of this Indenture, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (regardless of whether such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(a) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(b) either:

(i) subject to Section 14.5 hereof, if it is not such Guarantor, the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture (including its Subsidiary Guarantee), on the terms set forth herein, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, in which case the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor will be released as contemplated by Section 14.5 of this Indenture; or

 

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(ii) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 10.12.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Guarantor and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Subsidiary Guarantee notations to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Subsidiary Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Subsidiary Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Subsidiary Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles Eight and Ten of this Indenture, and notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 14.5 Releases .

(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee, provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 10.12. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 10.12, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee.

(b) In addition, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee:

(i) upon designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(ii) upon Legal Defeasance in accordance with Article Thirteen of this Indenture or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article Four of this Indenture;

 

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(iii) upon the liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing; or

(iv) at such time as such Guarantor does not have outstanding any Guarantee of any Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of the Company or any Guarantor in excess of $10.0 million in aggregate principal amount.

(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee as provided in this Section 14.5 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article Fourteen.

SECTION 3.10 . Repurchase Offers.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 3 of this Supplemental Indenture, the Original Indenture is hereby amended by adding the following Article Fifteen thereto:

ARTICLE FIFTEEN

REPURCHASE OFFERS

Section 15.1 Generally .

In the event that, pursuant to Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture, the Company shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders of Notes to purchase all or a portion of their respective Notes (a “Repurchase Offer”), it shall follow the procedures specified in such Sections and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the procedures specified in Section 15.2 below.

Section 15.2 Repurchase Offer Procedures .

(a) A Repurchase Offer shall remain open for a period of no less than 30 days and no more than 60 days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 10.12 or 10.15 of this Indenture (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Repurchase Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

(b) If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer.

(c) Upon the commencement of a Repurchase Offer, the Company shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders of Notes. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Repurchase Offer. The Repurchase Offer shall be made to all Holders of Notes. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Repurchase Offer, shall state:

(i) that the Repurchase Offer is being made pursuant to this Article Fifteen and Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of this Indenture, and the length of time the Repurchase Offer shall remain open;

 

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(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note (or portion thereof) accepted for payment pursuant to the Repurchase Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(v) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to a Repurchase Offer may elect to have Notes purchased equal to $1,000 and integral multiples thereof;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Repurchase Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer by book entry transfer, to the Company, the Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(viii) that, if the aggregate amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis, in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or and integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and

(ix) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book entry transfer).

(d) On the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment on a pro rata basis in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes (or portions thereof) tendered pursuant to the Repurchase Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes (or portions thereof) were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Article Fifteen. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than three days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of Notes tendered by such Holder, as the case may be, and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note. The Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the respective Holder thereof. The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Repurchase Offer on the Purchase Date.

 

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ARTICLE 4

A DDITIONAL C OVENANTS

With respect to the Notes, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby amended as set forth below in this ARTICLE 4; provided , however , that each such amendment shall apply only to the Notes and not to any other series of Securities issued under the Indenture.

SECTION 4.01 . Reports.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.7 thereto:

Section 10.7 Reports .

(a) Regardless of whether required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are Outstanding, the Company will file with the SEC for public availability, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing, in which case the Company will furnish to the Holders of Notes or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations):

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

(ii) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act if the Company were required to file such reports.

(b) All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants.

(c) If, at any time, the Company is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the Company will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in Section 10.7(a) with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing. The Company will not take any action for the purpose of causing the SEC not to accept any such filings. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the SEC will not accept the Company’s filings for any reason, the Company will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if the Company were required to file those reports with the SEC.

(d) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then, to the extent material, the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraphs of this Section 10.7 will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

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SECTION 4.02. Taxes.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.8 thereto:

Section 10.8 Taxes .

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, any taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

SECTION 4.03. Restricted Payments.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.9 thereto:

Section 10.9 Restricted Payments .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than (i) dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, (ii) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (iii) payments permitted by the next succeeding clauses (2) and (4));

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, any such purchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement made in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent or other Affiliate of the Company that is not a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Debt, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof (excluding (a) any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or acquisition); or

(4) make any Restricted Investment;

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”),

 

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unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;

(ii) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11(a) of this Indenture; and

(iii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since March 13, 2007 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x) and (xiv) of Section 10.9(b) of this Indenture), is equal to or less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from July 1, 2006 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit); plus

(B) 100% of (1)(a) the aggregate net cash proceeds and (b) the Fair Market Value of (x) marketable securities (other than marketable securities of the Company), (y) Capital Stock of a Person (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) engaged primarily in any Related Business and (z) other assets used or useful in any Related Business, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), received by the Company since July 3, 2002 as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company); provided , however , that the aggregate amount calculated pursuant to this clause (1) shall not include $731.6 million (representing the Fair Market Value of the common stock of Nuevo Energy Company and shares of common stock of 3TEC Energy Corporation, in each case, received by the Company during the years 2003 and 2004 in exchange for shares of its common stock), (2) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is reduced on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange after March 13, 2007 of any such Indebtedness into or for Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock or Subordinated Debt), and (3) the aggregate net cash proceeds, if any, received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries upon any conversion or exchange described in clause (1) or (2) above; plus

(C) the amount equal to the net reduction in Restricted Investments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person resulting from repurchases or redemptions of such Restricted Investments by such Person, proceeds realized upon the sale of such Restricted Investment to a purchaser other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, or repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets (including by way of dividend or distribution) by such Person to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided , however , that no amount will be included under this clause (C) to the extent it is already included in Consolidated Net Income; plus

 

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(D) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after March 13, 2007, the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation.

(b) So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, Section 10.9(a) of this Indenture will not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(ii) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds from the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Equity Interests issued or sold to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust to the extent such sale to an employee stock ownership plan, option plan or similar trust is financed by loans from or guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior to the date of determination) or from the substantially concurrent contribution of common equity capital to the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will be excluded from clause (iii)(B) of Section 10.9(a);

(iii) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Debt (including the payment of any required premium and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition) with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(iv) the defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) current or former directors or employees in connection with the exercise or vesting of any equity compensation (including, without limitation, stock options, restricted stock and phantom stock) in order to satisfy the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s tax withholding obligation with respect to such exercise or vesting;

(v) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof;

(vi) payments to fund the purchase, redemption or other acquisition for value by the Company of fractional shares arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations, business combinations or other transactions permitted by this Indenture;

(vii) any transfer to an Unrestricted Subsidiary of any direct or indirect interest of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in real property so long as such interests at the time of such sale or transfer (A) do not include any material proved Hydrocarbons and (B) include a surface interest, and any disposition (by dividend or distribution in respect of Equity Interests of the Company or otherwise) of any such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(viii) the defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary held by any of the Company’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) current or former directors or employees; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $3.0 million in any twelve-month period (with unused amounts in any 12-month period being permitted to be carried over into succeeding 12-month periods); provided , further , that the amounts in any 12-month period may be increased by an amount not to exceed (A) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of the Company’s Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to any such directors or employees that occurs after March 13, 2007 ( provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition or retirement will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (iii) of Section 10.9(a)) to the extent such proceeds have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments plus (B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after March 13, 2007;

(ix) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued on or after March 13, 2007 in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 10.11(a) below;

(x) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the holders (other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such dividend or similar distribution is paid to all holders of such Equity Interests on a pro rata basis based their respective holdings of such Equity Interests;

(xi) any Restricted Payment as long as on the date of such Restricted Payment, after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, the Company’s Leverage Ratio would not have exceeded 2.5 to 1;

(xii) the purchase or redemption of any Acquired Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, by application of (A) cash provided from operations in the ordinary course of business or (B) proceeds from borrowings under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Agreement (so long as within 30 days prior to such purchase or redemption, a corresponding amount of borrowings under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Agreement was repaid from cash provided from operations in the ordinary course of business); provided , in any such case, that the Company is able to incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 10.11(a) after giving effect to such purchase or redemption; provided further , that this clause (xii) shall not permit the application of any proceeds from any other borrowings under any Credit Facility to effect any such purchase or redemption;

(xiii) repurchases of Subordinated Debt at a purchase price not greater than (x) 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated Debt and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in the event of a Change of Control or (y) 100% of the principal amount of such

 

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Subordinated Debt and accrued and unpaid interest thereon in the event of an Asset Sale, in each case plus accrued interest, in connection with any change of control offer or asset sale offer required by the terms of such Subordinated Debt, but only if:

(A) in the case of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company has first complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 10.15; or

(B) in the case of an Asset Sale, the Company has complied with and fully satisfied its obligations under Section 10.12; or

(xiv) other Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million.

(c) The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment.

(d) The Fair Market Value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount, and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment exceeding $15.0 million shall be determined conclusively by two Officers of the Company acting in good faith whose conclusions with respect thereto shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, provided , however , that if the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment exceeds $40.0 million, such Fair Market Value shall be determined conclusively by the Board of Directors of the Company and set forth in a Board Resolution, and a certified copy of such Board Resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee. For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (i) through (xiv) of Section 10.9(b) or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 10.9(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify such Restricted Payment, or later classify, reclassify or re-divide all or a portion of such Restricted Payment, in any manner that complies with this Section 10.9.

SECTION 4.04. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.10 thereto:

Section 10.10 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) However, the preceding restrictions in Section 10.10(a) will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(i) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, increases, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the Issue Date;

(ii) this Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees;

(iii) applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, permit or similar restriction;

(iv) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(v) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts, leases and licenses (including, without limitation, licenses of intellectual property) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(vi) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of assets, including without limitation an agreement for the sale or other disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary, that restricts distributions by the applicable Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(vii) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(viii) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 10.14 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(ix) the issuance of preferred stock by a Restricted Subsidiary or the payment of dividends thereon in accordance with the terms thereof; provided that issuance of such preferred stock is permitted pursuant to Section 10.11 and the terms of such preferred stock do not expressly restrict the ability of a Restricted Subsidiary to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock (other than requirements to pay dividends or liquidation preferences on such preferred stock prior to paying any dividends or making any other distributions on such other Capital Stock);

(x) other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred pursuant to an agreement entered into subsequent to March 13, 2007 in accordance with Section 10.11; provided that the provisions relating to such

 

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encumbrance or restriction contained in such Indebtedness are not materially less favorable to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, as determined by the Company in good faith, than the provisions contained in the Credit Facilities and in this Indenture as in effect on March 13, 2007;

(xi) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest;

(xii) Hedging Obligations permitted from time to time under this Indenture;

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

(xiv) with respect only to encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clause (iii) of Section 10.10(a):

(A) customary nonassignment provisions (including provisions forbidding subletting) in leases governing leasehold interests or Farm-In Agreements or Farm-Out Agreements relating to leasehold interests in oil and gas properties to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease, the property leased thereunder or the other interests therein;

(B) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in, or transfer of Capital Stock of, joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into (1) in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice or (2) with the approval of the Company’s Board of Directors, which limitations are applicable only to the assets, property or Capital Stock that are the subject of such agreements; and

(C) Capital Lease Obligations, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements or similar instruments to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the transfer of the property (including Capital Stock) subject to such Capital Lease Obligations, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements or similar instruments.

SECTION 4.05. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.11 thereto:

Section 10.11 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur,” with “incurrence” having a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided , however , that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue Disqualified Stock, and Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such

 

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additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.25 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Section 10.11(a) will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following (the items of Indebtedness described below in this Section 10.11(b) being referred to collectively as “Permitted Debt”):

(i) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause (i) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed the greater of (x) $1.1 billion and (y) 20% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, determined as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom;

(ii) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;

(iii) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes or the Guarantees of the Notes, to be incurred by the Company or any of the Guarantors on the Issue Date of the Notes;

(iv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction, installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), not to exceed $50.0 million at any time outstanding;

(v) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or Disqualified Stock of the Company, or Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred or issued under Section 10.11(a) or clause (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) or (x) of this Section 10.11(b);

(vi) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that (A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (vi);

 

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(vii) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided , however , that:

(A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(B) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (vii);

(viii) the incurrence of obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Interest Rate and Currency Hedges, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ix) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated to or pari passu with the Notes, then the guarantee shall be subordinated or pari passu , as applicable, to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(x) Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness;

(xi) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so long as such Indebtedness is covered within five Business Days;

(xii) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries;

(xiii) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of a Subsidiary, provided that the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition;

(xiv) the incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness arising from Guarantees of Indebtedness of joint ventures at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of $50.0 million and 1.0% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and the application of proceeds thereof; and

(xv) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) that, when taken together with all other Indebtedness of the Company outstanding on the date

 

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of such incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by clauses (i) through (xiv) above or Section 10.11(a)) does not exceed the greater of (x) 2.5% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness and (y) $125.0 million.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 10.11, in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (i) through (xv) of Section 10.11(b), or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 10.11(a), the Company will be permitted to divide and classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later divide and reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 10.11. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will be deemed not to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided , in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness and issuance of preferred stock, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10.11, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company may incur pursuant to this Section 10.11 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

SECTION 4.06. Asset Sales.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.12 thereto:

Section 10.12 Asset Sales .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(i) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

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(ii) either (x) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents or (y) the Fair Market Value of all forms of consideration other than cash and Cash Equivalents received for all Asset Sales since March 13, 2007 does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company at the time each determination is made. For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

(A) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s most recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days after the date of the Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion;

(C) any stock or assets of the kind referred to in clauses (ii) or (iv) of Section 10.12(b) below; and

(D) accounts receivable of a business retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, following the sale of such business, provided that such accounts receivable (1) are not past due more than 90 days and (2) do not have a payment date greater than 120 days from the date of the invoice creating such accounts receivable.

(b) Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or any of its applicable Restricted Subsidiaries) may:

(i) apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to repay Senior Debt;

(ii) apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to invest in Additional Assets;

(iii) apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds to make capital expenditures in respect of a Related Business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(iv) enter into a bona fide binding contract with a Person other than an Affiliate of the Company to apply an amount equal to the Net Proceeds pursuant to clauses (ii) or (iii) above, provided that such binding contract shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such contract until the earlier of:

(A) the date on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated, and

(B) the 180th day following the expiration of the aforementioned 360-day period.

 

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Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in clauses (i) through (iv) above will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”

(c) On the 361st day (or upon the failure to close the contract referred to in clause (iv) of Section 10.12(b) above within the 180 day time period thereafter) after the Asset Sale (or, at the Company’s option, any earlier date), if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $40.0 million, the Company will make an offer (the “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis in the case of definitive notes, or in accordance with the procedures of DTC, in the case of global notes. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by Sections 8.1 and/or 10.15 of this Indenture, as applicable, and not by this Section 10.12.

(e) The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

SECTION 4.07. Transactions with Affiliates.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.13 thereto:

Section 10.13 Transactions with Affiliates .

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

(i) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and

(ii) the Company delivers to the Trustee:

 

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(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $20.0 million, a Board Resolution of the Company set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 10.13 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company; and

(B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $40.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.

(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:

(i) any employment, consulting or similar agreement or other compensation, or arrangement, stock option or stock ownership plan, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement, restricted stock agreement, severance agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments, awards, grants or issuances of securities pursuant thereto;

(ii) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(iii) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(iv) reasonable fees and expenses and compensation paid to, and indemnity or insurance provided on behalf of, officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries;

(v) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to, or receipt of a capital contribution from, Affiliates (or a Person that becomes an Affiliate) of the Company;

(vi) any Permitted Investments or Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 10.9 of this Indenture;

(vii) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(viii) advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) the performance of obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under the terms of any written agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries was a party on March 13, 2007, as these agreements may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time; provided , however , that any future amendment, modification or supplement entered into after March 13, 2007 will be permitted to the extent that its terms do not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holders of the Notes (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) as compared to the terms of the agreements in effect on March 13, 2007;

 

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(x) (A) guarantees of performance by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, except for guarantees of Indebtedness in respect of borrowed money, and (B) pledges of Equity Interests of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of lenders of the Company’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and

(xi) transactions between the Company and any person, a director of which is also a director of the Company; provided , however , that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company on any matter involving such other Person.

SECTION 4.08. Limitation on Liens.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.14 thereto:

Section 10.14 Limitation on Liens .

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur or permit to exist any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that owns or leases any Principal Property (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or Indebtedness are now owned or hereafter acquired), securing any Subordinated Debt or other Indebtedness, unless:

(a) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Debt of the Company or a Guarantor, the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such Principal Property or such shares of stock or Indebtedness on a senior basis to the Subordinated Debt so secured with the same priority as the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, has to such Subordinated Debt until such time as such Subordinated Debt is no longer so secured by a Lien; and

(b) in the case of Liens securing other Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor, the Notes or Subsidiary Guarantee, as applicable, are secured by a Lien on such Principal Property or such shares of stock or Indebtedness on an equal and ratable basis with the other Indebtedness so secured until such time as such other Indebtedness is no longer so secured by a Lien.

SECTION 4.09. Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.15 thereto:

Section 10.15 Offer to Repurchase upon a Change of Control .

(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to an offer (“Change of Control Offer”) on the terms set forth in this Indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will offer a payment in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal

 

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amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes repurchased to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder of Notes describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures described in Article Fifteen of this Indenture (including the notice required thereby) and described in such notice. The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Triggering Event provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Triggering Event provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

(c) The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, if all the Notes are then in global form, make such payment through the facilities of the Depositary), and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Any Note so accepted for payment will cease to accrue interest on and after the Change of Control Payment Date unless the Company defaults in making the Change of Control Payment.

(d) The Company will publicly announce the results of any Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if (i) a third party makes a Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, or (ii) notice of redemption with respect to the Notes has been given pursuant to this Indenture, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable Redemption Price.

 

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(f) A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for a Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer. Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not Outstanding or will be retired and cancelled, at the Company’s option. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to clause (e) of this Section 10.15 will have the status of Notes issued and Outstanding.

(g) In the event that Holders of at least 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain Outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus , to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that remain Outstanding, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

SECTION 4.10. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.16 thereto:

Section 10.16 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries .

(a) The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted (the “Gross Investment Amount”) will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation. Such Investment will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 10.9 of this Indenture or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company, by an amount equal to (i) the Gross Investment Amount less, without duplication, (ii) the amount of Restricted Investments made or held (including Restricted Investments received as a Permitted Investment by another Person or otherwise) by the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted (or any of such Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries) that have previously reduced (but only to the extent of such reduction) the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 10.9 of this Indenture or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b) Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a Board Resolution of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 10.9. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 10.11, the Company will be in Default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted

 

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Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (i) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 10.11, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

SECTION 4.11. Future Guarantors.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.17 thereto:

Section 10.17 Future Guarantors .

If any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is or becomes obligated under any Indebtedness pursuant to a Guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (other than the Notes), and the maximum principal amount of Indebtedness of such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary under such Guarantee exceeds $10.0 million, then the Company shall cause that Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Notes and become a Guarantor, pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee provisions of this Indenture, by executing a supplemental indenture and delivering it to the Trustee within 30 days after the date on which such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary Guaranteed such Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to cause such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary to so Guarantee the Notes and become a Guarantor prior to the 180th day after the consummation of any transaction (including without limitation any merger, consolidation or purchase) pursuant to which such Domestic Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 4.12. Covenant Termination.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the preamble to ARTICLE 4 of this Supplemental Indenture, Article Ten of the Original Indenture is hereby further amended by adding the following Section 10.18 thereto:

Section 10.18 Covenant Termination .

Notwithstanding any provision of this Indenture or of the Notes to the contrary, from and after the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will cease to be subject to Sections 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.15 and 10.16 and 8.1(a)(iv) of this Indenture and no Default or Event of Default shall result from any failure to comply with any of the provisions of such Sections.

ARTICLE 5

M ISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 5.01. Certain Trustee Matters.

The recitals contained herein shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.

The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes or the proper authorization or the due execution hereof or thereof by the Company.

Except as expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Supplemental Indenture shall alter the duties, rights or obligations of the Trustee set forth in the Original Indenture.

 

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The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of the information contained in the prospectus supplement related to the Notes, except such information which specifically pertains to the Trustee itself, or any information incorporated therein by reference.

SECTION 5.02. Continued Effect.

Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture, the Original Indenture shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Original Indenture (as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture) is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Supplemental Indenture and all its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Original Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

SECTION 5.03. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

SECTION 5.04. Counterparts.

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

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and delivered, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE COMPANY:

 

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

By:   /s/ Winston M. Talbert
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

      Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


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GUARANTORS:

 

ARGUELLO INC.

LATIGO PETROLEUM, INC.

PLAINS ACQUISITION CORPORATION

PLAINS RESOURCES INC.

POGO PARTNERS, INC.

By:   /s/ Winston M. Talbert
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Vice President & Treasurer

 

PXP PRODUCING COMPANY LLC
 

By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP AIRCRAFT LLC
 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP GULF COAST LLC
 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP LOUISIANA L.L.C.
 

By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member

 

By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP LOUISIANA OPERATIONS LLC
 

By:   PXP Louisiana L.L.C., its sole member

 

By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member

 

By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP OFFSHORE LLC
 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

 

By:   /s/ Winston M. Talbert
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

      Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


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TRUSTEE:

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N. A., as Trustee

By:   /s/ Patrick T. Giordano
Name:   Patrick T. Giordano
Title:   Vice President

 

      Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture


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EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[ If a Global Security, insert— 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.]

[ If a Global Security, insert— 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 a Global Security, 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.]

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023

 

No.                 

   U.S.$                     

CUSIP No. 726505AP5

 

ISIN No. US726505AP50

  

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY, a company duly incorporated 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 February 15, 2023, and to pay interest thereon from October 26, 2012 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 in each year, commencing February 15, 2013, at the rate of 6.875% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment; provided , however , that upon any failure by the Company for 60 days to comply with Section 10.7 of such Indenture, the interest rate on the Securities of this series will increase by 50 basis points (0.5%) and remain at such increased rate thereafter but only for so long as there is a Default under such Section 10.7, and upon resumption of compliance by the Company with such Section 10.7, the interest rate on the Securities of this series will be reset at the initial rate applicable on the Issue Date. Interest on overdue principal and interest on overdue interest, if any, will accrue at the applicable interest rate on the Securities of this series. 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 February 1 or August 1 (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 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. Interest on the Securities of this series will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

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[ If a Global Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in the United States 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.]

[ If a Definitive Security, insert— Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the United States of America, 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 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 offices of                      in                      , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, by United States Dollar 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 10 days prior to the payment date); provided , however , that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Company by United States Dollar 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 account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York (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.

( Signature Page Follows )

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:                   ,         

 

    PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY
    By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated 6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, N. A.,

as Trustee

By:    
  Authorized Signatory

 

 

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[FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY

6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023

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 March 13, 2007 (the “Original Indenture”), between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), as amended and supplemented by the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), by and among the Company, the Trustee and the Guarantors named therein (such Original Indenture, as so amended and supplemented being herein called 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, 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.

This security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Company and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”) by each of the persons named as Guarantors in the Supplemental Indenture (the “Guarantors”). The Subsidiary Guarantee is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of each Guarantor.

Except as described below, and except as provided in Section 10.15(g) of the Indenture, the Securities of this series are not redeemable until February 15, 2018. On and after February 15, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Securities of this series, from time to time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of this series to be redeemed to, but not including, the applicable Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on February 15 of the years indicated below:

 

        Year        

   Redemption Price  

2018

     103.438

2019

     102.292

2020

     101.146

2021 and thereafter

     100.000

The Securities of this series will also be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the Company’s option at any time or from time to time, prior to February 15, 2018, at the applicable Make-Whole Price (as defined below), in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

Make-Whole Price ” with respect to any Securities of this series to be redeemed, means an amount equal to the greater of:

(1) 100% of the principal amount of such Securities; and

(2) the sum of the present values of (a) the Redemption Price of such Securities at February 15, 2018 (as set forth above) and (b) the remaining scheduled payments of interest from the Redemption Date to February 15, 2018 (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the Redemption Date) discounted back to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points;

plus , in the case of both (1) and (2), accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to the Redemption Date. Unless the Company defaults in payment of the Make-Whole Price, on and after the applicable Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of this series to be redeemed.

 

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Comparable Treasury Issue ” means, with respect to Securities of this series to be redeemed, the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to February 15, 2018, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities; provided if such period is less than one year, then the U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of one year shall be used.

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Trustee obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations.

Independent Investment Banker ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and their respective successors, at the Company’s option, or, if such firms or the successors, if any, to such firms, as the case may be, are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and one primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City designated by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and their respective successors ( provided , however , that if any such firm or any such successor, as the case may be, shall cease to be a primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City, the Company shall substitute therefor another primary U.S. government securities dealer in New York City).

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(159)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the stated maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Company on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date.

The notice of redemption with respect to the foregoing redemption need not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

Prior to November 15, 2015, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series, which may include Additional Notes (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), with all or a portion of the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings at a Redemption Price equal to 106.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of this series to be redeemed to, but not including, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided that:

 

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(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series issued and Outstanding on the Issue Date, remains Outstanding after each such redemption; and

(2) the redemption occurs within 180 days after the closing of such Equity Offering.

Notice of any redemption upon an Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering, and any such redemption or notice may at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to completion of the related Equity Offering.

If a Mandatory Redemption Event (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) occurs, then on the Special Redemption Date (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), the Company shall redeem all and not less than all of the Securities of this series then outstanding, at a redemption price (the “ Special Redemption Price ”) equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the Special Redemption Date (such redemption being referred to herein as a “ Special Mandatory Redemption ”). In addition, if at any time the Company determines that a Mandatory Redemption Event is reasonably likely to occur, then the Company may, at its option, redeem all and not less than all of the Securities of this series then outstanding on the Special Redemption Date, at a redemption price equal to the Special Redemption Price (such redemption being referred to herein as a “ Special Optional Redemption ”). If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, all Securities of this series shall become due and payable on the Special Redemption Date, regardless of whether previously called for redemption. Upon the consummation of the BP GOM Asset Purchase (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture), the provisions of this paragraph shall terminate and cease to apply.

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 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.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company 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 and the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected (with each series voting as a separate class). The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in 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 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, 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 offices of                      in                      , or at such other offices or agencies as the Company may designate, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory

 

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to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his 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. $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess 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, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, 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, 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, or the Subsidiary Guarantee endorsed thereon, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or in any Security or in the Subsidiary Guarantee, 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 or any Guarantor or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company 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 execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.

The Indenture provides that the Company 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 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 which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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[ 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 Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee) the within instrument of PLAINS EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY 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)   

Signature Guarantee:                                                                                                                           

(Participant in a Recognized Signature

Guaranty Medallion Program)

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 whatever.]

 

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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT REPURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 10.12 or 10.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 10.12                     ¨ Section 10.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 10.12 or Section 10.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                     

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:    
  (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Security)

 

Tax Identification No.:    
 

 

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                      

 

* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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[ If a Global Security, insert as a separate page—

SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES

IN GLOBAL SECURITY

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

  

Amount of

Decrease in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Security

  

Amount of

Increase in

Principal Amount

of this

Global Security

  

Principal Amount

of this Global

Security Following

Such Decrease

(or Increase)

  

Signature of

Authorized Officer

of Trustee or

Depositary

 

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SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE NOTATION

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 Subsidiary 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 Subsidiary Guarantee.

 

Guarantors:

ARGUELLO INC.

LATIGO PETROLEUM, INC., successor by merger to Latigo Gas Group, LLC, Latigo Gas Holdings, LLC, Latigo Holdings (Texas), LLC, Latigo Investments, LLC, Latigo Gas Services, LP and Latigo Petroleum Texas, LP

PLAINS ACQUISITION CORPORATION

PLAINS RESOURCES INC.

POGO PARTNERS, INC.

By:    
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Vice President & Treasurer
PXP PRODUCING COMPANY LLC
 

By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP AIRCRAFT LLC
 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP GULF COAST LLC
 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP LOUISIANA L.L.C.
 

By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member

 

By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP LOUISIANA OPERATIONS LLC
 

By:   PXP Louisiana L.L.C., its sole member

 

By:   PXP Producing Company LLC, its sole member

 

By:   PXP Gulf Coast LLC, its sole member

 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

PXP OFFSHORE LLC
 

By:   Plains Exploration & Production Company, its sole member

 

By:    
Name:   Winston M. Talbert
Title:   Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 4.3

CONSENT OF MAJORITY LENDERS

October 22, 2012

Plains Exploration & Production Company

711 Milam, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Winston M. Talbert

 

  Re: Issuance of up to $3,000,000,000 Senior Notes

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 3, 2010 (as amended, modified or supplemented prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Plains Exploration & Production Company (the “ Company ”), the lenders party thereto (the “ Lenders ”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. All terms used in this Consent without definition have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Credit Agreement.

You have advised the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that you intend to issue up to $3,000,000,000 of unsecured senior notes pursuant to the Senior Indenture (the “ Additional Senior Notes ”). The terms of the Additional Senior Notes will contain a mandatory redemption event that requires the Company to redeem at par plus accrued but unpaid interest (the “ Special Redemption Price ”) the aggregate principal amount of the Additional Senior Notes in cash if either (i) the BP Purchase Agreement (as defined below) is terminated or (ii) the transaction contemplated by the BP Purchase Agreement has not been consummated by March 15, 2013 (the “ Mandatory Redemption Event ”). This mandatory redemption is referred to herein as the “ Special Mandatory Redemption.

The terms of the Additional Senior Notes will also provide that if, at any time, the Company determines that a Mandatory Redemption Event is reasonably likely to occur, then the Company may, at its option, redeem all and not less than all of the Additional Senior Notes then outstanding, at a redemption price equal to the Special Redemption Price. The optional redemption is referred to herein as the “ Special Optional Redemption .”

For purposes hereof, the “ BP Purchase Agreement ” means the Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2012, among the Company, as buyer, and BP Exploration & Production Inc. and BP America Production Company, as sellers, as modified from time to time.


1. Consent to Special Redemptions:

Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement generally prohibits the issuance of new Debt unless the new Debt is described in one of the exceptions to that section. The Company has informed the Lenders that it desires to issue the Additional Senior Notes pursuant to the exception set forth in Section 9.02(a)(ix) of the Credit Agreement except that the Mandatory Redemption would not be allowed under Section 9.02(a)(ix)(E).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary otherwise contained in the Credit Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Consent, the undersigned (being the Majority Lenders under the Credit Agreement) hereby consent to the issuance by the Company of the Additional Senior Notes (and the provisions relating to the Special Mandatory Redemption contained therein) pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(ix) so long as (i) the issuance of the Additional Senior Notes complies with clauses (A), (B), (C), (D), (F) and (subject to this Consent) (G) of Section 9.02(a)(ix) of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the Additional Senior Notes are not subject to a mandatory redemption event (other than those requiring the Special Mandatory Redemption as described above) that is not also an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement limits the ability of the Company to make optional redemptions of Senior Notes and Permitted Additional Debt. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary otherwise contained in the Credit Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Consent, the undersigned (being the Majority Lenders under the Credit Agreement) hereby consent to the Special Optional Redemption.

2. Borrowing Base reduction of Zero:

You have requested that the reduction of the current Borrowing Base in connection with the issuance of the Additional Senior Notes pursuant to Section 9.02(a)(ix)(G) of the Credit Agreement equal zero. Pursuant to Section 9.01(a)(ix)(G)(ii) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned (being the Majority Lenders under the Credit Agreement) hereby approve no reduction of the Borrowing Base and affirm the resulting Borrowing Base will remain in effect until the earlier of (i) May 1, 2013, and (ii) the effective date of any Interim Redetermination or other adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

3. Debt to EBITDAX ratio:

The undersigned further understand and agree that notwithstanding the definition of “EBITDAX” in the Credit Agreement and specifically the proviso thereto allowing pro forma adjustments with respect to acquisitions that have been consummated, from and after the date hereof until March 15, 2013, or such earlier time as the BP Purchase Agreement has been terminated and, in each case, the Special Redemption Price corresponding to a Special Mandatory Redemption or Special Optional Redemption has become due and payable under the Senior Indenture with respect to the Additional Senior Notes, in determining compliance by the Company with Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement for any four quarter period, EBITDAX will be calculated with such pro forma adjustments as if the transaction contemplated by the BP Purchase Agreement had been consummated on the first day of such period notwithstanding the actual date on which the BP Purchase Agreement is consummated.


4. Miscellaneous:

This Consent is a limited consent and (i) may only be relied upon and used for the specific purpose set forth herein, (ii) except as set forth in this Consent, does not constitute and will not be deemed to constitute a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, and (iii) does not constitute a course of dealing among the parties hereto. Except to the extent provided in this Consent, the Credit Agreement remains in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

This Consent may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which, taken together, constitute one and the same instrument, and will become effective when it has been signed by the Majority Lenders. Delivery by a Lender of an executed counterpart signature page by facsimile or other electronic transmission is as effective as executing and delivering this Consent in the presence of the other parties to this Consent.

THIS CONSENT IS GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Consent as of the date first above written.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and a Lender
By:   /s/ Michael A. Kamauf
Name:    Michael A. Kamauf
Title:   Authorized Officer

Signature Page to Consent


BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:   /s/ Ronald E. McKaig
Name:    Ronald E. McKaig
Title:   Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Consent


BANK OF MONTREAL
By:   /s/ James V. Ducote
Name:    James V. Ducote
Title:   Director

 

Signature Page to Consent


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:   /s/ Paul A. Squires
Name:    Paul A. Squires
Title:   Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Consent


THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By:   /s/ Terry Donovan
Name:    Terry Donovan
Title:   Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Consent


BARCLAYS BANK PLC
By:   /s/ Sreedhar R. Kona
Name:    Sreedhar R. Kona
Title:   Assistant Vice President

 

Signature Page to Consent


CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.
By:   /s/ Phil Ballard
Name:    Phil Ballard
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Consent


ING CAPITAL LLC
By:   /s/ Charles Hall
Name:    Charles Hall
Title:   Managing Director

 

Signature Page to Consent


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By:   /s/ Don J. McKinnerney
Name:    Don J. McKinnerney
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Consent


TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC
By:   /s/ Vicki Ferguson
Name:    Vicki Ferguson
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Consent


CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:   /s/ Nancy M. Mak
Name:    Nancy M. Mak
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page to Consent


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
By:   /s/ Michelle Latzoni
Name:    Michelle Latzoni
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Consent


UBS LOAN FINANCE LLC
By:   /s/ Irja R. Otsa
Name:    Irja R. Otsa
Title:   Associate Director
By:   /s/ David Urban
Name:   David Urban
Title:   Associate Director

 

Signature Page to Consent


BNP PARIBAS
By:   /s/ David Dodd
Name:    David Dodd
Title:   Managing Director
By:   /s/ Sriram Chandrasekaran
Name:   Sriram Chandrasekaran
Title:   Vice President

 

Signature Page to Consent


COMERICA BANK
By:   /s/ Justin Crawford
Name:    Justin Crawford
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page to Consent


MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A.
By:   /s/ William Jones
Name:    William Jones
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Signature Page to Consent

Exhibit 5.1

 

  

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, TX 77002

Tel: +1.713.546.5400 Fax: +1.713.546.5401

www.lw.com

 

FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES

LOGO

 

October 26, 2012

 

 

Plains Exploration & Production Company

700 Milam, Suite 3100

Houston, TX 77002

  

Abu Dhabi

Barcelona

Beijing

Boston

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Chicago

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Dubai

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Hong Kong

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New Jersey

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Washington, D.C.

 

  Re:

Registration Statement No. 333-165263; Issuance of (i) $1,500,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of 6 1/2% Senior Notes due 2020 and (ii) $1,500,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount of 6 7/8% Senior Notes due 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Plains Exploration & Production Company, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), in connection with the issuance by the Company of (i) $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6  1 / 2 % Senior Notes due 2020 and (ii) $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6  7 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2023 (collectively, the “ Notes ”) and the guarantees of the Notes by the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto (the “ Guarantors ”), under an Indenture dated as of March 13, 2007 between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by (i) the sixteenth supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “ Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture ”), and (ii) the seventeenth supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of October 26, 2012 (the “ Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture ” and, together with the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, the “ Supplemental Indentures ” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”), setting forth the terms of the Notes and Guarantees, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) on March 5, 2010 (Registration No. 333-165263) (as amended, the “ Registration Statement ”). This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Notes and the Guarantees.

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company, the Guarantors, and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the internal laws of the States of New York and Texas, the general corporation law


October 26, 2012

Page 2

 

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of the state of Delaware (the “ DGCL ”) and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware (the “ DLLCA ”), and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or, in the case of the DGCL or the DLLCA, any other laws, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, when the Notes have been duly executed, issued, and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by that certain underwriting agreement dated October 23, 2012 among J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as qualified independent underwriter, the Company and the Guarantors, the Notes and the Guarantees will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as applicable, of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and will be legally valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantors in accordance with their respective terms.

Our opinion is subject to: (i) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of or contribution to a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (iv) we express no opinion as to (a) any provision for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty, (b) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, arbitration, remedies, or judicial relief, (c) the waiver of rights or defenses contained in Section 5.15 of the Indenture; (d) any provision requiring the payment of attorneys’ fees, where such payment is contrary to law or public policy; (e) provisions purporting to make a guarantor primarily liable rather than as a surety and provisions purporting to waive modifications of any guaranteed obligation to the extent such modification constitutes a novation; and (f) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect.

With your consent, we have assumed (a) that the Indenture, the Guarantees, and the Notes (collectively, the “ Documents ”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto other than the Company and each of the Guarantors, (b) that the Documents constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto other than the Company and each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, and (c) that the status of the Documents as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties is not affected by any (i) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (ii) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (iii) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.

 


October 26, 2012

Page 3

 

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This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K dated October 26, 2012 and to the reference to our firm contained in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

 


Schedule I

Guarantors

 

   

Arguello, Inc.

 

   

Latigo Petroleum, Inc.

 

   

Plains Acquisition Corporation

 

   

Plains Resources Inc.

 

   

Pogo Partners, Inc.

 

   

PXP Producing Company LLC

 

   

PXP Aircraft LLC

 

   

PXP Gulf Coast LLC

 

   

PXP Louisiana L.L.C.

 

   

PXP Louisiana Operations LLC

 

   

PXP Offshore LLC