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): April 24, 2013

 

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   001-35262   16-1731691

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, Texas

  75201
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (214) 750-1771

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

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))

 

 

 


Preliminary Note : Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), Southern Union Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Contributor”), Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Regency SPV”), ETP Holdco Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ETE”), Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ETP”), and ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., a Texas Limited partnership, are parties to the Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated as of April 16, 2013 (as amended, the “Contribution Agreement”), pursuant to which the Contributor agreed to contribute to the Partnership (the “Contribution”) all of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, in exchange for cash, common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Partnership Common Units”) and Class F common units of the Partnership (the “Class F Common Units”). The Contribution Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were described in Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2013 and April 16, 2013.

On April 30, 2013, the Partnership completed the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement. The transactions included the purchase of entities owning a 5,600-mile gathering system and approximately 500 MMcf/d of processing and treating facilities in west Texas and New Mexico for natural gas and natural gas liquids.

Item 1.01 Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Contribution Agreement

In connection with the closing of the Contribution Agreement, the Partnership entered into the following agreements:

 

   

Contributor Registration Rights Agreement : On April 30, 2013, the Partnership entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Contributor Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Contributor. Under the Contributor Registration Rights Agreement, the Partnership granted to the Contributor certain registration rights, including rights to cause the Partnership to file with the SEC a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to resales of the Partnership Common Units and Partnership Common Units issuable upon conversion of the Class F Common Units acquired by the Contributor under the Contribution Agreement. The Contributor Registration Rights Agreement contains customary provisions regarding rights of indemnification between the parties with respect to certain applicable securities law liabilities.

 

   

Services Agreement Amendment : On April 30, 2013, the Partnership entered into the first amendment (the “Services Agreement Amendment”) to the Services Agreement, effective as of May 26, 2010 (the “Services Agreement”), by and among the Partnership, ETE and ETE Services Company LLC (“Services Co.”). Under the Services Agreement, Services Co. performs for the Partnership certain general and administrative services, and the Partnership pays Services Co.’s direct expenses for the provision of these services plus an annual fee of $10 million. The Services Agreement Amendment provides for a waiver of the $10 million annual fee effective as of May 1, 2013 through and including April 30, 2015 and clarifies the scope and expenses chargeable as direct expenses thereunder. See the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 28, 2010 with the SEC for a more detailed description of the Services Agreement.

 

   

Operation and Service Agreement Amendment : On April 30, 2013, the Partnership entered into the second amendment (the “Operation and Service Amendment”) to the Operation and Service Agreement, dated May 19, 2011, as amended November 1, 2011 (the “Operation and Service Agreement”), by and among the Partnership, La Grange Acquisition, L.P. d/b/a Energy Transfer Company (“ETC”), Regency GP LP and Regency Gas Services LP. Under the Operation and Service Agreement, ETC performs certain operations, maintenance and related services reasonably required to operate and maintain certain facilities owned by the Partnership, and the Partnership reimburses ETC for actual costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of these services based on an annual budget agreed upon by both parties. The Operation and Service Agreement Amendment provides that ETC will no longer provide the Partnership with


 

such services for the Partnership’s west Texas facilities or for certain south Texas facilities and also provides for the winding down of the remaining services during the course of the year. See the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2011 with the SEC for a more detailed description of the Operation and Service Agreement.

 

   

Guarantee of Collection : On April 30, 2013, the Partnership entered into the guarantee of collection (the “Guarantee of Collection”) with PEPL Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and subsidiary of the Contributor (“PEPL Holdings”), pursuant to which PEPL Holdings has agreed to provide a guarantee of collection (on a nonrecourse basis to the Contributor) to the Partnership and Regency Energy Finance Corp. (“Regency Finance” and, together with the Partnership, the “Issuers”) with respect to the payment of the principal amount of the Issuers’ 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 issued on April 30, 2013 as more fully described below.

The above descriptions of the Contributor Registration Rights Agreement, the Services Agreement Amendment, the Operation and Service Agreement Amendment and the Guarantee of Collection do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full texts of the Contributor Registration Rights Agreement, the Services Agreement Amendment, the Operation and Service Agreement Amendment and the Guarantee of Collection, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 4.2, Exhibit 10.1, Exhibit 10.2 and Exhibit 10.3, respectively. Item 5.03 is hereby incorporated by reference.

ETE owns Regency GP LP, the general partner of the Partnership, and as a result controls the Partnership. ETE also owns the general partner of ETP.

Issuance of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

Purchase Agreement . On April 24, 2013, the Issuers and certain other subsidiaries of the Partnership (the “Guarantors”) entered into a purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers named therein (the “Initial Purchasers”), with respect to the offering (the “Offering”) by the Issuers of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued in a transaction exempt from the Securities Act and were resold by the Initial Purchasers in reliance on Rule 144A and Regulation S of the Securities Act.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by the Issuers and Guarantors, including obligations of the Issuers and Guarantors to indemnify the Initial Purchasers for certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In connection with the Offering, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings entered into a registration rights agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers, dated April 30, 2013 (the “Notes Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings have agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC so that holders of the Notes can exchange the Notes for registered notes (the “Exchange Notes”) that have substantially identical terms as the Notes and evidencing the same indebtedness as the Notes. In addition, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings have agreed to exchange the guarantees related to the Notes (including the Guarantee of Collection) for registered guarantees having substantially the same terms as the original guarantees. The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the exchange to be completed within 365 days of April 30, 2013 (the “Exchange Date”), and if they cannot effect the exchange offer within such period or in certain other circumstances, they will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause a shelf registration statement for the resale of the Notes to become effective. If the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings fail to satisfy these obligations on a timely basis, an additional 0.25% of interest will accrue on the Notes for the first 90-day period following the Exchange Date and an additional 0.25% of interest for each additional 90-day period that elapses until the exchange offer is completed or the shelf registration statement is declared (or becomes) effective, as applicable, up to a maximum of 1% per year over 4.500%.

4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 . On April 30, 2013, the Issuers completed the Offering of the Notes. The Issuers received net proceeds of $591 million from the Offering, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and commissions and estimated offering expenses, and used such net proceeds to fund the cash consideration for the Contribution.


The terms of the Notes are governed by an indenture dated April 30, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2013, and the Notes will mature on November 1, 2023.

The Notes are senior obligations of the Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior basis by all of the Partnership’s existing consolidated subsidiaries (except Regency Finance, Edwards Lime Gathering, LLC, ELG Oil LLC and ELG Utility LLC). The Notes and guarantees are unsecured and rank equally with all of the Issuers’ and each Guarantor’s existing and future senior obligations, including the Issuers’ existing senior notes and the guarantees thereof. The Notes are senior in right of payment to any of the Issuers’ and each Guarantor’s future obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and guarantees. The Notes and guarantees are effectively subordinated to the Issuers’ and each Guarantor’s secured obligations, including the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and obligations of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes. As described above, PEPL Holdings will provide the Guarantee of Collection to the Issuers with respect to the payment of the principal amount of the Notes and such Guarantee of Collection is non-recourse to the Contributor. PEPL Holdings is not subject to any of the covenants under the Indenture.

The Issuers have the option to redeem all or a portion of the Notes at any time on or after August 1, 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Issuers may also redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a “make-whole” redemption price specified in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, at any time prior to August 1, 2023.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture) event, which occurrence (other than one involving the adoption of a plan relating to liquidation or dissolution) is followed by a ratings decline within 90 days after the consummation of the transaction, the Issuers may be required to offer to purchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date. Additionally, if the Partnership sells certain assets and does not apply the proceeds from the sale in a certain manner, the Issuers must use certain excess proceeds to offer to repurchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.

The Indenture contains customary events of default (each an “Event of Default”). Under the Indenture, Events of Default include the following:

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

(2) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(3) failure by the Partnership or any Guarantor to comply with their obligations to make or consummate a change of control offer or asset sale offer or to comply with any of their agreements or covenants relating to merger, consolidation or sale of assets;

(4) failure by the Partnership for 90 days after notice to comply with its obligations to furnish the holders of Notes and the Trustee certain reports;

(5) failure by the Partnership or any Guarantor to comply with their other covenants or agreements in the Indenture for 60 days after written notice;

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Partnership or any of its restricted subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Partnership or any of its restricted subsidiaries) whether the indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the issue date of the Notes, if that default (A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in the indebtedness on the date of the


default (a “Payment Default”) or (B) results in the acceleration of the indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any of the indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more, subject to certain exceptions;

(7) failure by the Issuers or the Partnership’s restricted subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(8) any guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its guarantee; and

(9) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Issuers or any of the Partnership’s significant subsidiaries or any group of the Partnership’s restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary.

If an 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. Upon such a declaration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Issuers or any of the Partnership’s significant subsidiaries or any group of the Partnership’s restricted subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary, occurs and is continuing, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice on the part of the Trustee or any holders of the Notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

Relationships . The Initial Purchasers and their affiliates have in the past engaged, currently engage and may in the future engage, in transactions with and perform services for, including commercial banking, financial advisory and investment banking services, the Issuers and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they have received or will receive customary fees and expenses. Certain of the Initial Purchasers or their affiliates are lenders and/or agents under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, and an affiliate of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC serves as trustee under the Indenture as well as the indenture governing the Partnership’s existing 9 3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2016. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as a financial advisor to the Partnership and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as a financial advisor to ETP Holdco Corporation in connection with the Contribution. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the Initial Purchasers and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers.

The above descriptions of the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full texts of the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes Registration Rights Agreement, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1, Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.3, respectively.

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On April 30, 2013, the Partnership completed the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement.

The consideration paid by the Partnership in exchange for the Contribution consisted of (1) the issuance of 31,372,419 Common Units to the Contributor, (2) the issuance of 6,274,483 Class F Common Units to the Contributor, (3) the distribution of approximately $463 million in cash to the Contributor and (4) the payment of $30 million in cash to ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd. The contribution consideration is subject to customary post-closing adjustments.

The information set forth under Item 1.01 under the heading “Contribution Agreement,” Item 3.02 and Item 5.03 is hereby incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.


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

The information included in Item 1.01 of this Form 8-K under the heading “Issuance of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023” is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, upon closing of the Contribution, the Partnership issued, as a portion of the total consideration, 31,372,419 Common Units and 6,274,483 Class F Common Units. Both the Common Units and Class F Common Units were issued pursuant to a private placement conducted in accordance with the exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The information set forth under Item 5.03 is hereby incorporated into this Item 3.02 by reference.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

In connection with the closing of the Contribution Agreement, on April 30, 2013, the Partnership entered into an amendment (the “Partnership Agreement Amendment”) to the Partnership’s Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated as of February 3, 2006, as amended (the “Partnership Agreement”), to, among other things, create the Class F Common Units.

The Class F Common Units issued in exchange for the Contribution will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the close of business on the first business day after the record date for payment of the cash distribution for the quarter preceding the quarter in which the second anniversary of the closing of the Contribution occurs (the “Class F Conversion Date”). The Class F Common Units have substantially the same terms and conditions as the Partnership’s Common Units, except that the Class F Common Units are not entitled to participate in the Partnership’s distributions for the equivalent of eight consecutive quarters after the closing of the Contribution. The Class F Common Units have voting rights identical to the voting rights of the Common Units and vote with the Common Units and the Partnership’s Series A Convertible Preferred Units as a single class. The affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the Class F Common Units, voting separately as a class, will be necessary on any matter that adversely affects any rights, preferences and privileges of the Class F Common Units.

Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, the general partner of the Partnership, which is owned and controlled by ETE, an affiliate of the Contributor, agreed to forego distributions with respect to its incentive distribution rights on the Common Units issued in exchange for the Contribution for the equivalent of eight consecutive quarters after the closing of the Contribution.

The above description of the Partnership Agreement Amendment and the Class F Common Units does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Partnership Agreement Amendment, which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 hereto.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On April 24, 2013, the Partnership issued a press release announcing the launch of the Offering and a press release announcing the pricing of the Notes. On April 30, 2013, the Partnership issued a press release announcing the completion of the Contribution Agreement. A copy of each press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1, Exhibit 99.2 and Exhibit 99.3, respectively.

Copies of the press releases are being furnished pursuant to General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K and are not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), nor are they subject to the liabilities of that section. Neither the information contained in this Section 7.01 nor the information in the press releases shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Partnership under the Securities Act.


Forward Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K may include certain statements concerning expectations for the future, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits and other aspects of the transactions described above, that are forward-looking statements as defined by federal law. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Partnership’s or management’s control, including the risk that the anticipated benefits from the Contribution cannot or may not be fully realized. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and other documents filed by the Partnership from time to time with the SEC. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information or events.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

 

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

The financial statements and pro forma financial information with respect to the transactions described in this Current Report on Form 8-K and required to be filed under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K are included in the Partnership’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 12, 2013.

(d) Exhibits. In accordance with General Instruction B.2 of Form 8-K, the information set forth in the attached Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 is deemed to be “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

Exhibit 1.1    Purchase Agreement dated as of April 24, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., certain subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners LP party thereto and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
Exhibit 3.1    Amendment No. 8 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP, dated as of April 30, 2013.
Exhibit 4.1    Indenture dated as of April 30, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
Exhibit 4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, by and between Southern Union Company and Regency Energy Partners LP.
Exhibit 4.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., certain subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners LP party thereto, PEPL Holdings, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
Exhibit 10.1    First Amendment to Services Agreement, dated April 30, 2013, by and among ETE Services Company, LLC, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Regency Energy Partners LP.
Exhibit 10.2    Second Amendment to Operation and Service Agreement, dated April 30, 2013, by and among La Grange Acquisition, L.P. d/b/a Energy Transfer Company, Regency GP LP, Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Gas Services LP.
Exhibit 10.3    Guarantee of Collection, dated as of April 30, 2013, between PEPL Holdings, LLC and Regency Energy Partners, LP.
Exhibit 99.1    Press Release dated April 24, 2013 announcing the launch of the Offering.
Exhibit 99.2    Press Release dated April 24, 2013 announcing the pricing of the Notes.
Exhibit 99.3    Press Release dated April 30, 2013 announcing the completion of the Contribution Agreement.


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.

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By: Regency GP LP, its general partner
By: Regency GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Thomas E. Long
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

April 30, 2013


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

Exhibit 1.1    Purchase Agreement dated as of April 24, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., certain subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners LP party thereto and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
Exhibit 3.1    Amendment No. 8 to Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP, dated as of April 30, 2013.
Exhibit 4.1    Indenture dated as of April 30, 2013 among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.
Exhibit 4.2    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, by and between Southern Union Company and Regency Energy Partners LP.
Exhibit 4.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, among Regency Energy Partners LP, Regency Energy Finance Corp., certain subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners LP party thereto, PEPL Holdings, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers.
Exhibit 10.1    First Amendment to Services Agreement, dated April 30, 2013, by and among ETE Services Company, LLC, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Regency Energy Partners LP.
Exhibit 10.2    Second Amendment to Operation and Service Agreement, dated April 30, 2013, by and among La Grange Acquisition, L.P. d/b/a Energy Transfer Company, Regency GP LP, Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Gas Services LP.
Exhibit 10.3    Guarantee of Collection, dated as of April 30, 2013, between PEPL Holdings, LLC and Regency Energy Partners, LP.
Exhibit 99.1    Press Release dated April 24, 2013 announcing the launch of the Offering.
Exhibit 99.2    Press Release dated April 24, 2013 announcing the pricing of the Notes.
Exhibit 99.3    Press Release dated April 30, 2013 announcing the completion of the Contribution Agreement.

Exhibit 1.1

EXECUTION VERSION

$600,000,000

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

Purchase Agreement

April 24, 2013

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

As Representative of the

several Initial Purchasers listed

in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp ” and, together with the Partnership, the “ Issuers ”), jointly and severally, propose to issue and sell to the several initial purchasers listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Initial Purchasers ”), for whom you are acting as representative (the “ Representative ”), $600,000,000 principal amount of their 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Securities ”). The Securities will be issued pursuant to an Indenture to be dated as of April 30, 2013 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Issuers, the guarantors listed in Schedule 2 hereto (the “ Guarantors ”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), and will be guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by each of the Guarantors (the “ Guarantees ”).

Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ General Partner ”), serves as the general partner of the Partnership and Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ GP LLC ”), serves as the general partner of the General Partner. The Partnership is the sole limited partner of Regency Gas Services LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Operating Partnership ”), and the sole member of Regency OLP GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Operating Partnership GP ”), which serves as the general partner of the Operating Partnership. ETE GP Acquirer LLC


(“ ETE Acquirer ”), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“ ETE ”), is the sole owner of all of the membership interests in GP LLC and is the sole limited partner of the General Partner.

Each of Finance Corp and the entities set forth on Schedule 3 hereto is sometimes referred to herein individually as a “ Subsidiary ” and collectively as the “ Subsidiaries .”

The Partnership, the General Partner, GP LLC, the Operating Partnership and the Operating Partnership GP are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “ Regency Parties .” The Regency Parties and the Subsidiaries are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “ Partnership Entities .” The Operating Partnership, the Operating Partnership GP and each of the Subsidiaries are sometimes referred to herein collectively as the “ Operating Subsidiaries .”

The Securities will be sold to the Initial Purchasers without being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), in reliance upon an exemption therefrom. The Issuers and the Guarantors have prepared a preliminary offering memorandum dated April 24, 2013 (the “ Preliminary Offering Memorandum ”) and will prepare an offering memorandum dated the date hereof (the “ Offering Memorandum ”) setting forth information concerning the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Securities. Copies of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum have been, and copies of the Offering Memorandum will be, delivered by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the terms of this purchase agreement (this “ Agreement ”). The Issuers hereby confirm that they have authorized the use of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the other Time of Sale Information (as defined below) and the Offering Memorandum in connection with the offering and resale of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers in the manner contemplated by this Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum. References herein to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to refer to and include any document incorporated by reference therein and any reference to “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Preliminary Offering Memorandum or the Offering Memorandum shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after such date and incorporated by reference therein.

At or prior to the time when sales of the Securities were first made (the “ Time of Sale ”), the Issuers had prepared the following information (collectively, the “ Time of Sale Information ”): the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, as supplemented and amended by the written communications listed on Annex A hereto.

The Issuers intend to use the proceeds of the offering of the Securities to finance the acquisition of the membership interests of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC (“ SUGS ”) from Southern Union Company (the “ Contribution ”) pursuant to that certain

 

-2-


Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of April 16, 2013 (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), by and among the Partnership, Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ETP Holdco Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and for limited purposes set forth therein, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership.

Holders of the Securities (including the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees) will be entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, to be dated the Closing Date (as defined below) and in a form satisfactory to the Representative (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings, LLC (“PEPL”) will agree to file one or more registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) providing for the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities or the Exchange Securities referred to (and as defined) in the Registration Rights Agreement, the related Guarantees and the PEPL limited guarantee.

The Issuers and the Guarantors hereby confirm their agreement with the several Initial Purchasers concerning the purchase and resale of the Securities, as follows:

1. Purchase and Resale of the Securities .

(a) The Issuers agree to issue and sell the Securities to the several Initial Purchasers as provided in this Agreement, and each Initial Purchaser, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Issuers the respective principal amount of Securities set forth opposite such Initial Purchaser’s name in Schedule 1 hereto at a price equal to 98.500% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, from April 30, 2013 to the Closing Date. The Issuers will not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities except upon payment for all the Securities to be purchased as provided herein.

(b) The Issuers understand that the Initial Purchasers intend to offer the Securities for resale on the terms set forth in the Time of Sale Information. Each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, represents, warrants and agrees that:

(i) it is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “ QIB ”) and an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D under the Securities Act (“ Regulation D ”);

(ii) it has not solicited offers for, or offered or sold, and will not solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act; and

 

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(iii) it has not solicited offers for, or offered or sold, and will not solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities as part of their initial offering except:

(A) within the United States to persons whom it reasonably believes to be QIBs in transactions pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“ Rule 144A ”) and in connection with each such sale, it has taken or will take reasonable steps to ensure that the purchaser of the Securities is aware that such sale is being made in reliance on Rule 144A; or

(B) in accordance with the restrictions set forth in Annex C hereto.

(c) Each Initial Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Issuers and, for purposes of the “no registration” opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections 6(f) and 6(h), counsel for the Issuers and counsel for the Initial Purchasers, respectively, may rely upon the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers, and compliance by the Initial Purchasers with their agreements, contained in paragraph (b) above (including Annex C hereto), and each Initial Purchaser hereby consents to such reliance.

(d) The Issuers acknowledge and agree that the Initial Purchasers may offer and sell Securities to or through any affiliate of an Initial Purchaser and that any such affiliate may offer and sell Securities purchased by it to or through any Initial Purchaser.

(e) The Issuers and the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that each Initial Purchaser is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Issuers and the Guarantors with respect to the offering of Securities contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Issuers, the Guarantors or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representative nor any other Initial Purchaser is advising the Issuers, the Guarantors or any other person in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall consult with their own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making their own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Representative nor any other Initial Purchaser shall have any responsibility or liability to the Issuers or the Guarantors with respect thereto. Any review by the Representative or any Initial Purchaser of the Issuers, the Guarantors, and the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Representative or such Initial Purchaser, as the case may be, and shall not be on behalf of the Issuers, the Guarantors or any other person.

 

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2. Payment and Delivery .

(a) Payment for and delivery of the Securities will be made at the offices of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on April 30, 2013, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representative and the Issuers may agree upon in writing. The time and date of such payment and delivery is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date ”.

(b) Payment for the Securities shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account(s) specified by the Issuers to the Representative against delivery to the nominee of The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), for the account of the Initial Purchasers, of one or more global notes representing the Securities (collectively, the “ Global Note ”), with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of the Securities duly paid by the Issuers. The Global Note will be made available for inspection by the Representative not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors . The Issuers and the Guarantors jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Initial Purchaser that:

(a) Preliminary Offering Memorandum, Time of Sale Information and Offering Memorandum. The Preliminary Offering Memorandum, as of its date, did not, the Time of Sale Information, at the Time of Sale, did not, and at the Closing Date, will not, and the Offering Memorandum, in the form first used by the Initial Purchasers to confirm sales of the Securities and as of the Closing Date, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Issuers and the Guarantors make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Initial Purchaser furnished to the Issuers in writing by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Time of Sale Information or the Offering Memorandum.

(b) Additional Written Communications . The Issuers and the Guarantors (including their agents and representatives, other than the Initial Purchasers in their capacity as such) have not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities (each such communication by the Issuers and the Guarantors or their agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) below) an “ Issuer Written Communication ”) other than (i) the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, (ii) the Offering Memorandum, (iii) the documents listed on Annex A hereto, including a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex B hereto, which constitute part of the Time of Sale Information, and (iv) any electronic road show or other written communications, in each case

 

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used in accordance with Section 4(c). Each such Issuer Written Communication, when taken together with the Time of Sale Information at the Time of Sale, did not, and at the Closing Date will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Issuers and the Guarantors make no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Written Communication in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Initial Purchaser furnished to the Issuers in writing by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in any Issuer Written Communication.

(c) Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, when filed with the Commission, conformed or will conform, as the case may be, in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

(d) Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, together with the related notes thereto, included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum present fairly the financial position of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby; to the Partnership’s knowledge, the financial statements of SUGS and its subsidiaries, together with the related notes thereto, included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum present fairly the financial position of SUGS and its subsidiaries, as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified, and, to the Partnership’s knowledge, such financial statements of SUGS and its subsidiaries have been prepared in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby; the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum has been derived from the accounting records of the Partnership and its subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby; and the pro forma financial information and the related notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum has been prepared in all material respects in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidance with respect to pro forma financial information, and the assumptions underlying such pro forma financial information are in the Partnership’s judgment reasonable and are set forth in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

 

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(e) No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to December 31, 2012, except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, (i) there has been no material adverse change, or any development that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business, properties, operations or prospects, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, of the Partnership and its subsidiaries, considered as one entity (any such change is called a “ Material Adverse Effect ”); and (ii) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Partnership, except for regular quarterly distributions on the Partnership’s common units (the “ Common Units ”) and Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Units (“ Series A Units ”), dividends paid to the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries on any class of capital stock or repurchase or redemption by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries of any class of capital stock.

(f) Organization and Good Standing. Each of the Regency Parties and Finance Corp has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as the case may be, is in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation or incorporation, with full limited partnership, limited liability company or corporate power and authority, as applicable, to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum. Each of the Regency Parties and Finance Corp is duly registered or qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign limited partnership, limited liability company or corporation, as the case may be, in each jurisdiction where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so registered or qualified and in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material liability or disability.

(g) Capitalization. The authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization of the Partnership is as set forth in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum under the heading “Capitalization” (other than for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to employee benefit plans described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum upon exercise of outstanding options or warrants described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, as the case may be).

(h) Ownership of the General Partner Interest in the Partnership . The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership, with an approximate 1.6% general partner interest in the Partnership; such general partner interest is duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited partnership agreement of the Partnership (as the same may be amended at or prior to the Closing Date, if applicable, the

 

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Partnership Agreement ”); and the General Partner owns such general partner interest free and clear of all liens, encumbrances (except for restrictions on transferability contained in Section 4.8 of the Partnership Agreement and as otherwise described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum), security interests, equities, charges or claims.

(i) Ownership of Certain Partnership Interests in the Partnership . The limited partners of the Partnership own 170,965,114 Common Units, and 4,371,586 Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Units (“ Series A Units ”), which Series A Units are convertible into Common Units at an initial conversion price of $18.30 per unit, subject to adjustment.

(j) Ownership of the Subsidiaries . Other than Edwards Lime Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ELG Oil LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and ELG Utility LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, of which the Partnership owns indirectly 60% of the outstanding membership interests, the Partnership owns 100% of the outstanding partnership interests, limited liability company interests or capital stock, as the case may be, in the Operating Subsidiaries free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, equities, charges and claims, except for liens created pursuant to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, effective as of March 4, 2010 (as amended), by and among the Operating Partnership, as Borrower, the Partnership and the other guarantors named therein and the lenders party thereto (the “ Credit Agreement ”). Such ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the organizational documents of the respective Operating Subsidiaries, and are fully paid (to the extent required under their respective organizational documents) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (the “ Delaware LLC Act ”), in the case of a Delaware limited liability company, Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “ Delaware LP Act ”), in the case of a Delaware limited partnership, or Section 21:1328 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law, in the case of a Louisiana limited liability company). In the case of an Operating Subsidiary that is a limited partnership, the general partner interests therein are duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited partnership agreements of the respective Operating Subsidiaries.

(k) Ownership of Partnership Interests in the General Partner . At the Closing Date, GP LLC will own .001% of the outstanding general partner interests in the General Partner and ETE Acquirer will own 99.999% of the outstanding limited partner interests in the General Partner; at the Closing Date, all of such interests in the General Partner will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the partnership agreement of the General Partner (as the same may be amended at or prior to the Closing Date, the “ General Partner LP Agreement ”) and will be fully paid (to the extent required under the General Partner LP Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303,17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and at the Closing Date, GP LLC and ETE Acquirer will own such

 

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partnership interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, equities, charges or claims, except for liens created pursuant to the Credit Agreement dated as of September 20, 2010 among ETE, Credit Suisse AG, as the administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, as amended (the “ ETE Credit Agreement ”).

(l) Ownership of Limited Liability Company Interests in GP LLC . At the Closing Date, ETE Acquirer will own 100% of the outstanding limited liability company interests in GP LLC; at the Closing Date, all of such interests will be duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of GP LLC (as the same may be amended at or prior to the Closing Date, the “ GP LLC Agreement ”) and will be fully paid (to the extent required under the GP LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and at the Closing Date, ETE Acquirer will own such limited liability company interests free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, equities, charges or claims except for liens created pursuant to the ETE Credit Agreement.

(m) No Other Subsidiaries . Other than (i) its direct or indirect ownership interests in the Operating Subsidiaries, (ii) its 49.99% partnership interest in RIGS Haynesville Partnership Co., a Delaware general partnership (“ RIGS HPC ”), RIGS GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Regency Intrastate Gas LP, a Delaware limited partnership, (iii) its 50% limited liability company interest in Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MEP”), (iv) its 30% limited liability company interest in Lone Star NGL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (v) its 33.33% limited liability company interest in Ranch Westex JV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the Partnership does not own, and at the Closing Date will not own, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.

(n) Due Authorization. Each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors have full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Securities, the Indenture (including each Guarantee set forth therein), the Exchange Securities (including the related Guarantees) and the Registration Rights Agreement (collectively, the “ Transaction Documents ”) and to perform their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of each of the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby has been duly and validly taken.

(o) The Indenture . The Indenture has been duly authorized by each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors and on the Closing Date will be duly executed and delivered by the Issuers and each of the Guarantors and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and binding agreement of each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors enforceable against each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent

 

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transfer, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability (collectively, the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”); and on the Closing Date, the Indenture will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”), and the rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to an indenture that is qualified thereunder.

(p) The Securities and the Guarantees . The Securities have been duly authorized by each of the Issuers and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Issuers enforceable against each of the Issuers in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture; and the Guarantees have been duly authorized by each of the Guarantors and, when the Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as provided in the Indenture and paid for as provided herein, will be valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(q) The Exchange Securities . On the Closing Date, the Exchange Securities (including the related Guarantees) will have been duly authorized by the Issuers and each of the Guarantors and, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered as contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Issuers, as issuer, and each of the Guarantors, as guarantor, enforceable against the Issuers and each of the Guarantors in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

(r) Purchase and Registration Rights Agreements. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors; and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized by each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors and on the Closing Date will be duly executed and delivered by each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors and, when duly executed and delivered in accordance with its terms by each of the parties thereto, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors enforceable against each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and except that rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited by applicable law and public policy.

(s) Descriptions of the Transaction Documents . Each Transaction Document conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

 

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(t) Non-Violation of Existing Instruments . No Partnership Entity is (i) in violation of its formation, governing or other organizational documents, or (ii) in breach or in violation of or in default under (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of, constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or affected, except as disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, except, in the case of clause (ii) above, for any such breach, violation, default or acceleration that would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance by each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors of each of the Transaction Documents to which each is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (A) conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under) (x) the organizational documents of any of the Partnership Entities or (y) any federal, state, local or foreign law, regulation or rule or any decree, judgment or order applicable to the any of the Partnership Entities or (B) conflict with, result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument to which any Partnership Entity is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (A)(y) and (B) above, as disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum and, in the case of clauses (A)(y) and (B) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not have a Material Adverse Effect and would not materially adversely affect consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby.

(u) No Further Authorizations or Approvals Required . Except for any approvals, authorizations, consents, orders or filings that, if not obtained or made, would not have a Material Adverse Effect and would not materially adversely affect consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby, no approval, authorization, consent or order of or filing with any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency is required in connection with the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s execution, delivery and performance of each of the Transaction Documents to which each is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, other than any necessary qualification under applicable securities or blue sky laws.

 

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(v) No Material Actions or Proceedings . Except as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, there are no actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings pending or, to the Issuers’ knowledge after due inquiry, threatened, to which any of the Partnership Entities or of which any of their respective properties is or would be subject at law or in equity, before or by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory commission, board, body, authority or agency, except any such actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings that would not result in any judgments, decrees or orders having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(w) Independent Accountants . (i) Grant Thornton LLP, whose audit reports on the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and SUGS are included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, are independent registered public accountants as required by the Securities Act and by the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“ PCAOB ”); (ii) KPMG LLP, whose audit reports on the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership and RIGS HPC are included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, are independent registered public accountants as required by the Securities Act and by the rules of the PCAOB; (iii) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose audit reports on the consolidated financial statements of MEP are included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, are independent registered public accountants as required by the Securities Act and by the rules of the PCAOB; and (iv) Ernst & Young LLP, whose audit reports on the consolidated financial statements of LDH Energy Asset Holdings LLC are included or incorporated by reference in in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, are independent auditors as required under Rule 101 of the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct, and its interpretations and rulings.

(x) Title to Properties . At the Closing Date, each of the Partnership Entities will have good and indefeasible title to all real property (excluding easements or rights-of-way) and good and marketable title to all personal property described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum as being owned by each of them, which real and personal property shall be free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security interests, equities, charges or claims, except (i) as described, and subject to the limitations contained, in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, (ii) that arise under or are expressly permitted by the Credit Agreement, or (iii) as do not materially interfere with the use of such properties taken as a whole as they have been used in the past and are proposed to be used in the future as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum. All the real and personal property described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum as being held under lease by any of the Partnership Entities is held thereby under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases and with such exceptions as do not materially interfere with the use of such properties in the manner in which such properties are used in the business of the Partnership as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

 

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(y) Rights-of-Way . At the Closing Date, each of the Partnership Entities will have such consents, easements, rights-of-way, permits or licenses from each person (collectively, “ rights-of-way ”) as are necessary to conduct its business in the manner described, and subject to the limitations contained, in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, except for (i) qualifications, reservations and encumbrances as may be set forth in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum or that would not have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) such rights-of-way that, if not obtained, would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect; other than as set forth, and subject to the limitations contained, in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, each of the Partnership Entities has, or at the Closing Date, following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will have, fulfilled and performed, in all material respects, its obligations with respect to such rights-of-way and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such rights-of-way, except for such revocations, terminations and impairments, individually or in the aggregate, that would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and, except as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, none of such rights-of-way contains any restriction that is materially burdensome to the Partnership Entities, taken as a whole.

(z) Intellectual Property Rights . The Partnership Entities own, or have obtained valid and enforceable licenses for, or other rights to use, the inventions, patent applications, patents, trademarks (both registered and unregistered), trade names, service names, copyrights, trade secrets and other proprietary information described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum as being owned or licensed by them or which are necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses, except where the failure to own, license or have such rights would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(aa) No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Issuers or any of their respective subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders or other affiliates of the Issuers or any of their respective subsidiaries, on the other, that would be required by the Securities Act to be described in a registration statement on Form S-1 to be filed with the Commission and that is not so described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

(bb) Partnership Entities Not “Investment Companies.” None of the Partnership Entities is, or after receipt of payment for the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as contemplated under the caption “Use of proceeds” in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum will be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

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(cc) Tax Law Compliance . All material tax returns required to be filed by the Partnership Entities have been filed, and all taxes and other assessments of a similar nature (whether imposed directly or through withholding) including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto due or claimed to be due from such entities have been paid, other than those (i) that are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided or (ii) that, if not paid, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(dd) All Necessary Permits . Each of the Partnership Entities has, or at the Closing Date will have, all licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals of governmental or regulatory authorities (“ permits ”) as are necessary to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business in the manner described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, subject to such qualifications as may be set forth in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum and except for such permits that, if not obtained, would not have a Material Adverse Effect; none of the Partnership Entities is in violation of, or in default under, or has received notice of any proceedings relating to revocation or modification of, any such permits, except where such violation, default, revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ee) ERISA Compliance and Labor Matters . Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) there is (A) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the Issuers’ knowledge, threatened against any of the Partnership Entities, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under collective bargaining agreements is pending or, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, threatened, (B) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, threatened against any of the Partnership Entities, (C) no union representation dispute currently existing concerning the employees of any of the Partnership Entities, (D) no current or past violation of any federal, state, local or foreign law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, any applicable wage or hour laws or any provision of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder concerning the employees of any of the Partnership Entities and (E) to the Issuers’ knowledge, no union organizing activities are currently taking place concerning the employees of any of the Partnership Entities.

(ff) Compliance with and Liability under Environmental Laws . Except as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, each of the Partnership Entities and its properties, assets and operations are in compliance with, and hold all permits, authorizations and approvals required under, Environmental Laws (as defined herein), except to the extent that failure to so comply or to hold such

 

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permits, authorizations or approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; except as disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, there are no past, present or, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, reasonably anticipated future events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, actions, omissions or plans that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any costs or liabilities to any Partnership Entity under any Environmental Law or any actual or alleged release or threatened release or clean up at any location of any Hazardous Materials, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; except as disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, no Partnership Entity (i) is the subject of any investigation, (ii) has received any notice or claim, (iii) is a party to or affected by any pending or, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, threatened action, suit or proceeding, (iv) is bound by any judgment, decree or order or (v) has entered into any agreement, in each case relating to any alleged violation of any Environmental Law or any actual or alleged release or threatened release or cleanup at any location of any Hazardous Materials. As used herein, “ Environmental Law ” means any federal, state or local laws or regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety and the environment, including those imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning any Hazardous Materials, and “ Hazardous Materials ” means (A) any “hazardous substance” as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, (B) any “hazardous waste” as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, (C) any petroleum or petroleum product, (D) any polychlorinated biphenyl and (E) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or toxic chemical, material, waste or substance regulated under or within the meaning of any other Environmental Law.

(gg) Periodic Review of Costs of Environmental Compliance . In the ordinary course of its business, the Partnership Entities conduct a periodic review of the effect of the Environmental Laws on their business, operations and properties, in the course of which they identify and evaluate associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for cleanup, closure of properties or compliance with the Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties).

(hh) Sarbanes–Oxley Compliance; Disclosure Controls . The Partnership has taken all necessary actions to ensure that the Partnership Entities and their respective officers and directors, in their capacities as such, are in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (the “ Sarbanes–Oxley Act ”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission and the New York Stock Exchange promulgated thereunder, including, but not limited to, establishing and maintaining and evaluating “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the

 

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Exchange Act) and “internal control over financial reporting” (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Partnership is made known to the President and Chief Executive Officer of GP LLC and its Chief Financial Officer by others within the Partnership, the General Partner and GP LLC, and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to perform the functions for which they were established; and such internal control over financial reporting has been designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

(ii) Internal Controls and Procedures . The Partnership Entities maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and (v) interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in each of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum is prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

(jj) Insurance . The Partnership Entities maintain insurance covering their properties, operations, personnel and businesses as the Partnership deems reasonably adequate; such insurance insures against such losses and risks to an extent that is reasonably adequate in accordance with customary industry practice to protect the Partnership Entities and their businesses. All such insurance is in full force on the date hereof and will be in full force at the Closing Date.

(kk) Contracts and Agreements . Except as disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, the Partnership Entities have not sent or received any communication regarding termination of, or intent not to renew, any of the contracts or agreements referred to or described in, or filed as an exhibit to, each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum or any documents incorporated by reference therein, and no such termination or non-renewal has been threatened by the Partnership Entities or, to the knowledge of any Partnership Entity, any other party to any such contract or agreement.

(ll) No Unlawful Contributions or Other Payments. Neither the Regency Parties nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or employee, nor, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, any agent or representative of the Regency Parties or of any of the Subsidiaries, has taken or will take any action in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of

 

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money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any “government official” (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) to influence official action or secure an improper advantage; and the Partnership and its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintain and will continue to maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representation and warranty contained herein.

(mm) No Conflict with Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Partnership and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Partnership and the Subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “ Anti-Money Laundering Laws ”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Partnership and its Subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, threatened.

(nn) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws .

(i) Neither the Regency Parties nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or employee thereof, nor, to the Issuers’ or Guarantors’ knowledge, any agent or representative of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries, is an individual or entity (“ Person ”) that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:

(A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Government, including, without limitation, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (collectively, “ Sanctions ”), nor

(B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

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(ii) The Partnership will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:

(A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or

(B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

(iii) For the past five (5) years, the Partnership and the Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

(oo) Solvency. The Issuers and the Guarantors taken as a whole are, and immediately after the Closing Date (after giving effect to the Contribution) will be, Solvent. As used herein, the term “ Solvent ” means, with respect to any person on a particular date, that on such date (i) the fair market value of the assets of such person is greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such person, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets of such person is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, including contingent obligations, as they mature and (iv) such person does not have unreasonably small capital.

(pp) No Restrictions on Dividends . No Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Partnership, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s shares of capital stock or other ownership interests, from repaying to the Partnership any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Partnership or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Partnership or any other Subsidiary of the Partnership, except as described in or contemplated by each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

(qq) Brokers . Other than the discount pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement, there is no broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Issuers any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(rr) Rule 144A Eligibility. On the Closing Date, the Securities will not be of the same class as securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Exchange Act or quoted in an automated inter-dealer quotation system; and each of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, as of its respective date, contains or will contain all the information that, if requested by a prospective purchaser of the Securities, would be required to be provided to such prospective purchaser pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

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(ss) No Integration. Neither the Issuers nor any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D) has, directly or through any agent, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of, any security (as defined in the Securities Act), that is or will be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require registration of the Securities under the Securities Act.

(tt) No General Solicitation or Directed Selling Efforts. None of the Issuers or any of their respective affiliates or any other person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to which no representation is made) has (i) solicited offers for, or offered or sold, the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or (ii) engaged in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”), and all such persons have complied with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S.

(uu) Securities Law Exemptions. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Initial Purchasers contained in Section 1(b) (including Annex C hereto) and their compliance with their agreements set forth therein, it is not necessary, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchasers and the offer, resale and delivery of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, to register the Securities under the Securities Act or to qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

(vv) No Price Stabilization or Manipulation . No Partnership Entity has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or which has constituted or might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Partnership to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

(ww) Margin Rules . 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 a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act, or any regulation promulgated thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(xx) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in any of the Time of Sale Information or the Offering Memorandum has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

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(yy) Statistical and Market Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum are based on or derived from sources that the management of GP LLC believes to be reliable and accurate, and the Issuers have obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources to the extent required.

(zz) No Outstanding Loans or Other Indebtedness . None of the Partnership, the General Partner or GP LLC has, directly, or indirectly through any subsidiary, extended credit, arranged to extend credit or renewed any extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan, to or for any director or executive officer of GP LLC, or to or for any family member or affiliate of any director or executive officer of GP LLC.

(aaa) Lending Relationship . Except as disclosed in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum, the Issuers (i) do not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Initial Purchaser and (ii) do not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Initial Purchaser.

4. Further Agreements of the Issuers and the Guarantors . Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors jointly and severally covenant and agree with each Initial Purchaser that:

(a) Delivery of Copies. The Issuers will deliver, without charge, to the Initial Purchasers as many copies of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any other Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication and the Offering Memorandum (including all amendments and supplements thereto) as the Representative may reasonably request.

(b) Offering Memorandum, Amendments or Supplements. Before finalizing the Offering Memorandum or making or distributing any amendment or supplement to any of the Time of Sale Information or the Offering Memorandum, the Issuers will furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Initial Purchasers a copy of the proposed Offering Memorandum or such amendment or supplement, and will not distribute any such proposed Offering Memorandum, amendment or supplement to which the Representative reasonably objects.

(c) Additional Written Communications. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving or referring to any Issuer Written Communication, the Issuers and the Guarantors will furnish to the Representative and counsel for the Initial Purchasers a copy of such Issuer Written Communication for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any such Issuer Written Communication to which the Representative reasonably objects.

(d) Notice to the Representative. The Issuers will advise the Representative promptly, and confirm such advice in writing, (i) of the issuance by any governmental or regulatory authority of any order preventing or suspending the use of any of the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication or the Offering Memorandum or

 

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the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose; (ii) of the occurrence of any event at any time prior to the completion of the initial offering of the Securities as a result of which any of the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication or the Offering Memorandum as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when such Time of Sale Information, Issuer Written Communication or the Offering Memorandum is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (iii) of the receipt by the Issuers of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Issuers will use their reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any of the Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication or the Offering Memorandum or suspending any such qualification of the Securities and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

(e) Time of Sale Information. If at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which any of the Time of Sale Information as then amended or supplemented would include any 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 (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Time of Sale Information to comply with law, the Issuers will immediately notify the Initial Purchasers thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (b) above, furnish to the Initial Purchasers such amendments or supplements to the Time of Sale Information (or any document to be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference therein) as may be necessary so that the statements in any of the Time of Sale Information as so amended or supplemented (including such documents to be incorporated by reference therein) will not, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, be misleading or so that any of the Time of Sale Information will comply with law.

(f) Ongoing Compliance of the Offering Memorandum. If at any time prior to the completion of the initial offering of the Securities (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Offering Memorandum as then amended or supplemented would include any 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 existing when the Offering Memorandum is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Offering Memorandum to comply with law, the Issuers will immediately notify the Initial Purchasers thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (b) above, furnish to the Initial Purchasers such amendments or supplements to the Offering Memorandum (or any document to be filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference therein) as may be necessary so that the statements in the Offering Memorandum as so amended or supplemented (including such document to be incorporated by reference therein) will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Offering Memorandum is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Offering Memorandum will comply with law.

 

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(g) Blue Sky Compliance. The Issuers will qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the offering and resale of the Securities; provided that neither of the Issuers nor any of the Guarantors shall be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(h) Clear Market. During the period from the date hereof through and including the date that is 45 days after the date hereof, each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will not, without the prior written consent of the Representative, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities issued or guaranteed by each of the Issuers or any of the Guarantors and having a tenor of more than one year.

(i) Use of Proceeds. The Issuers will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum under the heading “Use of proceeds”.

(j) Supplying Information. While the Securities remain outstanding and are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, during any period in which the Partnership is not subject to and in compliance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, furnish to holders of the Securities and prospective purchasers of the Securities designated by such holders, upon the request of such holders or such prospective purchasers, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(k) DTC. The Issuers will assist the Initial Purchasers in arranging for the Securities to be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

(l) No Resales by the Issuers. The Issuers will not, and will not permit any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to, resell any of the Securities that have been acquired by any of them, except for Securities purchased by the Issuers or any of their respective affiliates and resold in a transaction registered under the Securities Act.

(m) No Integration. Neither the Issuers nor any of their respective affiliates (as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D) will, directly or through any agent, sell, offer for sale, solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate in respect of, any security (as defined in the Securities Act), that is or will be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would require registration of the Securities under the Securities Act.

 

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(n) No General Solicitation or Directed Selling Efforts. None of the Issuers or any of their respective affiliates or any other person acting on its or their behalf (other than the Initial Purchasers, as to which no covenant is given) will (i) solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or general advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) of Regulation D or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or (ii) engage in any directed selling efforts within the meaning of Regulation S, and all such persons will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S.

(o) No Stabilization. None of the Issuers nor any of the Guarantors will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Securities.

5. Certain Agreements of the Initial Purchasers . Each Initial Purchaser hereby represents and agrees that it has not and will not use, authorize use of, refer to, or participate in the planning for use of, any written communication that constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Securities other than (i) the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, (ii) any written communication that contains either (a) no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) or (b) “issuer information” that was included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Time of Sale Information or the Offering Memorandum, (iii) any written communication listed on Annex A or prepared pursuant to Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), (iv) any written communication prepared by such Initial Purchaser and approved by the Issuers in advance in writing or (v) any written communication relating to or that contains the terms of the Securities and/or other information that was included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Time of Sale Information or the Offering Memorandum.

6. Conditions of Initial Purchasers’ Obligations. The obligation of each Initial Purchaser to purchase Securities on the Closing Date as provided herein is subject to the performance by each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date; and the statements of the Issuers, the Guarantors and their respective officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date.

(b) No Downgrade. Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Time of Sale and (B) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Securities or any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Issuers or any of their respective subsidiaries by any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined under Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly

 

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announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of the Securities or of any other debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Issuers or any of their respective subsidiaries (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).

(c) No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(e) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in each of the Time of Sale Information (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Offering Memorandum (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) the effect of which in the judgment of the Representative makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

(d) Officer’s Certificate. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date a certificate of an executive officer of each of the Issuers who has specific knowledge of the Issuers’ financial matters and is satisfactory to the Representative (i) confirming that such officer has carefully reviewed the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum and, to the best knowledge of such officer, the representations set forth in Sections 3(a) and 3(b) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors in this Agreement are true and correct and that the Issuers and the Guarantors have complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) above.

(e) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date, each of Grant Thornton LLP, KPMG LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Ernst & Young LLP shall have furnished to the Representative, at the request of the Issuers, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained or incorporated by reference in each of the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum; provided that each letter delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off” date no more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(f) Opinions and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Issuers. Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Issuers, shall have furnished to the Representative, at the request of the Issuers, their written opinions and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, to the effect set forth in Annex D hereto.

 

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(g) Opinion of Local Counsel . Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, LLP, Louisiana counsel for the Issuers, shall have furnished to the Representative, at the request of the Issuers, its written opinion, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Initial Purchasers, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.

(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Initial Purchasers. The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date an opinion and 10b-5 statement, addressed to the Initial Purchasers, of Cahill Gordon & Reindel llp, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, with respect to such matters as the Representative may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(i) No Legal Impediment to Issuance. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or the issuance of the Guarantees; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of the Securities or the issuance of the Guarantees.

(j) Good Standing . The Representative shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Issuers and their respective subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing in such other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

(k) Registration Rights Agreement. The Initial Purchasers shall have received a counterpart of the Registration Rights Agreement that shall have been executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors.

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

(m) Indenture and Securities . The Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the Issuers, each of the Guarantors and the Trustee, and the Securities shall have been duly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the Issuers and duly authenticated by the Trustee.

(n) Contribution . The conditions to closing the Contribution shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date and the closing of the Contribution shall have occurred substantially contemporaneously with the payment and delivery of the Securities under this Agreement.

 

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(o) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall have furnished to the Representative such further certificates and documents as the Representative may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence 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 Initial Purchasers.

7. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) Indemnification of the Initial Purchasers. Each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Initial Purchaser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any of the other Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication or the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial Purchaser furnished to the Issuers in writing by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use therein.

(b) Indemnification of the Issuers and the Guarantors. Each Initial Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Issuers, each of the Guarantors, each of their respective directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers or any of the Guarantors within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Initial Purchaser furnished to the Issuers in writing by such Initial Purchaser through the Representative expressly for use in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any of the other Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication or the Offering Memorandum (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of paragraphs two, eleven and twelve under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum.

 

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(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either paragraph (a) or (b) above, such person (the “ Indemnified Person ”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “ Indemnifying Person ”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraph (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided , further , that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraph (a) or (b) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 7 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and any such separate firm for the Issuers, the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and any control persons of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be designated in writing by the Issuers. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, which shall not be withheld unreasonably, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph,

 

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the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) or (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Issuers from the sale of the Securities and the total discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchasers in connection therewith, as provided in this Agreement, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Issuers and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers or any Guarantor or by the Initial Purchasers and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) Limitation on Liability. The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Initial Purchasers were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take

 

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account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other reasonable expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall an Initial Purchaser be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discounts and commissions received by such Initial Purchaser with respect to the offering of the Securities exceeds the amount of any damages that such Initial Purchaser has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Initial Purchasers’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

8. Termination . This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representative, by notice to the Issuers, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on the New York Stock Exchange or the over-the-counter market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Issuers or any of the Guarantors shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representative, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Time of Sale Information and the Offering Memorandum.

9. Defaulting Initial Purchaser .

(a) If, on the Closing Date, any one or more of the Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase the Securities that it has or they have agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase is not more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be purchased on such date, the other Initial Purchasers shall be obligated severally in the proportions that the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule 1 bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth opposite

 

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the names of all such non-defaulting Initial Purchasers, or in such other proportions as you may specify, to purchase the Securities which such defaulting Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers agreed but failed or refused to purchase on such date; provided that in no event shall the principal amount of Securities that any Initial Purchaser has agreed to purchase pursuant to this Agreement be increased pursuant to this Section 9 by an amount in excess of one-ninth of such principal amount of Securities without the written consent of such Initial Purchaser.

(b) If, on the Closing Date, any Initial Purchaser or Initial Purchasers shall fail or refuse to purchase Securities and the aggregate principal amount of Securities with respect to which such default occurs is more than one-tenth of the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased on such date, and arrangements satisfactory to you and the Partnership for the purchase of such Securities are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Initial Purchaser or the Partnership. In any such case either you or the Partnership shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date, but in no event for longer than seven days, in order that the required changes, if any, in the Time of Sale Information or the Offering Memorandum or in any other documents or arrangements may be effected.

(c) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Initial Purchaser of any liability it may have to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any non-defaulting Initial Purchaser for damages caused by its default.

10. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of their respective obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation and printing of the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, any other Time of Sale Information, any Issuer Written Communication and the Offering Memorandum (including any amendment or supplement thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing each of the Transaction Documents; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ counsel and the independent accountants; (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Securities under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Initial Purchasers); (vi) any fees charged by rating agencies for rating the Securities; (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any paying agent (including related fees and expenses of any counsel to such parties); and (viii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with the approval of the Securities for book-entry transfer by DTC.

 

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(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated by the Initial Purchasers (other than for reasons set forth in Section 8(i), (iii) or (iv)), or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Issuers and the Guarantors to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement, (ii) if for any reason the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be unable to perform their obligations under this Agreement, or (iii) the Issuers for any reason fail to tender the Securities for delivery to the Initial Purchasers, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors jointly and severally agree to reimburse the Initial Purchasers for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Initial Purchasers in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

11. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates of each Initial Purchaser referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Securities from any Initial Purchaser shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

12. Survival . The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Issuers, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Issuers, the Guarantors or the Initial Purchasers.

13. Certain Defined Terms . For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “ affiliate ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “ business day ” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; (c) the term “ subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (d) the term “ Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (e) the term “ written communication ” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

14. Compliance with USA Patriot Act . In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Initial Purchasers are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Issuers, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Initial Purchasers to properly identify their respective clients.

 

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15. Miscellaneous .

(a) Authority of the Representative. Any action by the Initial Purchasers hereunder may be taken by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC on behalf of the Initial Purchasers, and any such action taken by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC shall be binding upon the Initial Purchasers.

(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Initial Purchasers shall be given to the Representative c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (fax: 212-270-1063); Attention: Jack Smith. Notices to the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be given to them c/o Regency Energy Partners LP at 2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700, Dallas, Texas 75201, (fax: 214-750-1749); Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

(c) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

(d) Submission to Jurisdiction . The Issuers and each of the Guarantors hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. federal and New York state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. The Issuers and each of the Guarantors waive any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit or proceeding in such courts. Each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors agree that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuers and each Guarantor, as applicable, and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which each of the Issuers and each Guarantor, as applicable, is subject by a suit upon such judgment.

(e) Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(g) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

 

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(h) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
Issuers
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP, its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President
Guarantors
REGENCY OLP GP LLC
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President
REGENCY GAS SERVICES LP
By:   Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President

 

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CDM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LLC
CDM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT I LLC
  By:   CDM Resource Management LLC,
    its sole member
FRONTSTREET HUGOTON LLC
GULF STATES TRANSMISSION LLC
REGENCY WESTERN G&P LLC
REGENCY FIELD SERVICES LLC
REGENCY GAS UTILITY LLC
REGENCY HAYESVILLE INTRASTATE GAS LLC
REGENCY LIQUIDS PIPELINE LLC
REGENCY MIDCONTINENT EXPRESS LLC
REGENCY MIDSTREAM LLC
REGENCY TEXAS PIPELINE LLC
REGENCY RANCH JV LLC
WGP-KHC, LLC
  By:   FrontStreet Hugoton LLC, its sole
    member
ZEPHYR GAS SERVICES LLC
ZEPHYR GAS SERVICES I LLC
By:   Regency Gas Services LP, its sole member
By:   Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President
PUEBLO HOLDINGS, INC.
PUEBLO MIDSTREAM GAS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President

 

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Accepted: April 24, 2013
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
For itself and on behalf of the several Initial Purchasers listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
By  

/s/ Jack Smith

  Authorized Signatory

 

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Schedule 1

 

Initial Purchaser

   Principal Amount  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   $ 120,000,000   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

   $ 60,000,000   

Barclays Capital Inc.

   $ 60,000,000   

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

   $ 60,000,000   

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

   $ 60,000,000   

RBS Securities Inc.

   $ 60,000,000   

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

   $ 60,000,000   

UBS Securities LLC

   $ 60,000,000   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

   $ 60,000,000   

Total

   $ 600,000,000   

 

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Schedule 2

Guarantors

Regency Liquids Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Field Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Gulf States Transmission LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company

Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Gas Utility LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Pueblo Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation

FrontStreet Hugoton, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

CDM Resource Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

CDM Resource Management I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Pueblo Midstream Gas Corporation, a Texas corporation

WGP-KHC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Haynesville Intrastate Gas LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Zephyr Gas Services I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Zephyr Gas Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Midstream LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Texas Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Ranch JV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Gas Services LP, a Delaware limited partnership

Regency OLP GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

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Schedule 3

Subsidiaries

Regency Liquids Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Field Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Gulf States Transmission LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company

Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Gas Utility LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Pueblo Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation

FrontStreet Hugoton, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

CDM Resource Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

CDM Resource Management I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Pueblo Midstream Gas Corporation, a Texas corporation

WGP-KHC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Edwards Lime Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Haynesville Intrastate Gas LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Zephyr Gas Services I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Zephyr Gas Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Midstream LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

Regency Texas Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

ELG Oil LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ ELG Oil ”)

ELG Utility LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ ELG Utility ”)

Regency Ranch JV LLC, a Delaware limited liability company

 

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ANNEX A

a. Additional Time of Sale Information

1. Term sheet containing the terms of the Securities, substantially in the form of Annex B.

 

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ANNEX B

[See attached]

 

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ANNEX C

Restrictions on Offers and Sales Outside the United States

In connection with offers and sales of Securities outside the United States:

(a) Each Initial Purchaser acknowledges that the Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(b) Each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, represents, warrants and agrees that:

(i) Such Initial Purchaser has offered and sold the Securities, and will offer and sell the Securities, (A) as part of their distribution at any time and (B) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Securities and the Closing Date, only in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”) or Rule 144A or any other available exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

(ii) None of such Initial Purchaser or any of its affiliates or any other person acting on its or their behalf has engaged or will engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Securities, and all such persons have complied and will comply with the offering restrictions requirement of Regulation S.

(iii) At or prior to the confirmation of sale of any Securities sold in reliance on Regulation S, such Initial Purchaser will have sent to each distributor, dealer or other person receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration that purchases Securities from it during the distribution compliance period a confirmation or notice to substantially the following effect:

“The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Securities and the date of original issuance of the Securities, except in accordance with Regulation S or Rule 144A or any other available exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Terms used above have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.”

 

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(iv) Such Initial Purchaser has not and will not enter into any contractual arrangement with any distributor with respect to the distribution of the Securities, except with its affiliates or with the prior written consent of the Issuers.

Terms used in paragraph (a) and this paragraph (b) and not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings given to them by Regulation S.

(c) Each Initial Purchaser acknowledges that no action has been or will be taken by the Issuers that would permit a public offering of the Securities, or possession or distribution of any of the Time of Sale Information, the Offering Memorandum, any Issuer Written Communication or any other offering or publicity material relating to the Securities, in any country or jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.

 

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ANNEX D-1

[Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors]

 

1. Each of the Issuers and the Delaware Guarantors is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, under the laws of the State of Delaware with corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership power and authority, as applicable, to own its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum. With your consent, based solely on certificates from public officials, we confirm that each of the Issuers and the Delaware Guarantors is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is qualified to do business in the States set forth opposite their respective names on Annex B hereto.

 

2. 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 Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum. With your consent, 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 and is qualified to do business in the States set forth opposite its name on Annex B hereto.

 

3. The execution, delivery and performance of the Purchase Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company and limited partnership action, as applicable, of each Issuer and each Specified Guarantor, and the Purchase Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Issuer and each Specified Guarantor.

 

4. The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and limited partnership action, as applicable, of each Issuer, has been duly executed and delivered by each Issuer, and is the legally valid and binding agreement of each Issuer, enforceable against each Issuer in accordance with its terms.

 

5. The Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and limited partnership action, as applicable, of each Issuer 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 Purchase Agreement, will be legally valid and binding obligations of each Issuer, enforceable against each Issuer in accordance with their terms.

 

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6. The Indenture has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company and limited partnership action, as applicable, of each of the Specified Guarantors, and has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Specified Guarantors. The Indenture, including the Guarantees contained therein, is the legally valid and binding agreement of each of the Guarantors, enforceable against each of the Guarantors in accordance with its terms.

 

7. The execution, delivery and performance of the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company and limited partnership action, as applicable, of each Issuer and each Specified Guarantor, has been duly executed and delivered by each Issuer and each Specified Guarantor, and is the legally valid and binding agreement of each Issuer and each Guarantor, enforceable against each Issuer and each Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

 

8. The Issuers’ new 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 to be issued in exchange for the Notes (the “Exchange Notes”) pursuant to the registered exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate and limited partnership action, as applicable, of each Issuer and, when executed, issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered in accordance with the terms of the registered exchange offer contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, will be legally valid and binding obligations of each Issuer, enforceable against each Issuer in accordance with their terms.

 

9. The execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement, the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, and the issuance and sale of the Notes and the Guarantees by the Issuers and the Specified Guarantors to you and the other Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, do not on the date hereof:

 

  i. violate the Governing Documents; or

 

  ii. result in the breach of or a default under any of the Specified Agreements; or

 

  iii. violate any federal, New York or Texas statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Issuers and the Specified Guarantors or the DGCL, DLLCA or the DRULPA; or

 

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

 

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10. The statements in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Description of the notes,” insofar as they purport to describe or summarize certain provisions of the Notes, the Guarantees or the Indenture, under the caption “Registration rights,” insofar as they purport to describe or summarize certain provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, and under the caption “Description of other indebtedness,” insofar as they purport to describe or summarize certain provisions of the documents referred to therein, are accurate descriptions or summaries in all material respects.

 

11. Each Issuer and Guarantor is not, and immediately after giving effect to the sale of the Notes in accordance with the Purchase Agreement and the application of the proceeds as described in the Offering Memorandum 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.

 

12. The Indenture meets the requirements for qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “TIA”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission applicable to an indenture which is qualified thereunder.

 

13. No registration of the Notes or the Guarantees under the Securities Act, and no qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, is required for the purchase of the Notes by you or the initial resale of the Notes by you, in each case, in the manner contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the Offering Memorandum. We express no opinion, however, as to when or under what circumstances any Notes initially sold by you may be reoffered or resold.

 

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ANNEX D-2

[Form of Tax Opinion of Counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors]

Based on such facts and subject to the qualifications, assumptions and limitations set forth in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, the statements in the Preliminary Offering Memorandum and the Offering Memorandum under the caption “Certain United States federal income tax considerations,” insofar as such statements purport to constitute summaries of United States federal income tax laws and regulations or legal conclusions with respect thereto, constitute accurate summaries of the matters described therein in all material respects.

 

-47-


ANNEX D-3

[Form of Negative Assurance Letter of Counsel for the Issuers and the Guarantors]

Based on our participation, review and reliance as described above, we advise you that no facts came to our attention that caused us to believe that:

 

   

the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, as of 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 24, 2013 (together with the Incorporated Documents at that time), when taken together with the Pricing Information Annex, 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 Offering Memorandum, as of its date and as of the date hereof (together with the Incorporated Documents as of those respective 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 we express no belief with respect to the financial statements, schedules, or other financial or accounting data included or incorporated by reference in, or omitted from, the Preliminary Offering Memorandum, the Pricing Information Annex or the Offering Memorandum or the Incorporated Documents.

 

-48-

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDMENT NO. 8 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

This Amendment No. 8 to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP (this “ Amendment ”), dated as of April 30, 2013, is entered into and effectuated by Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as the General Partner, pursuant to authority granted to it in Sections 5.6 and 13.1 of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP, dated as of February 3, 2006, as amended by Amendments No. 1 through 7 (collectively, the “ Partnership Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

RECITALS:

Section 13.1(d)(i) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement to reflect a change that, in the discretion of the General Partner, does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect. The General Partner has determined that the following amendment to the Partnership Agreement does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect.

Section 5.6 of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Limited Partners, may issue additional Partnership Securities, or classes or series thereof, for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time, and may issue such Partnership Securities for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the General Partner in its sole discretion.

Section 13.1(g) of the Partnership Agreement provides that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of the Partnership Agreement necessary or advisable in connection with the authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6 of the Partnership Agreement.

The Partnership, Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Regency SPV ”), Southern Union Company, a Delaware corporation and the other parties named therein, entered into that certain Contribution Agreement (the “ Contribution Agreement ”) dated February 27, 2013, as amended, pursuant to which the Partnership through Regency SPV will acquire all of the outstanding limited liability company interests of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC in exchange for aggregate consideration that includes the issuance of Common Units and Class F Common Units.

The General Partner deems it in the best interest of the Partnership to effect this Amendment in order to provide for (i) the temporary elimination of the obligation to pay certain Incentive Distributions as provided in Section 1 of this Amendment and (ii) the issuance of the Class F Common Units to certain persons pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.


NOW, THEREFORE , the Partnership Agreement is amended as follows:

Section 1. Amendment Relating to Incentive Distribution Rights . Section 6.4 is amended by adding a new subsection (c) to such Section:

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.4, the amount of Available Cash distributable to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to clauses (iii)(B), (iv)(B) and (v)(B) of Subsection 6.4(b), as applicable, in respect of (i) the Preceding Quarter, the Closing Quarter, and the seven full consecutive Quarters after the Closing Quarter shall be equal to the amount that would have been distributed to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights for such Quarter if the 2013 Contribution Units had not been issued, and (ii) the eighth full Quarter after the Closing Quarter, shall be determined in accordance with the following formula:

[A + (B * C/D)-((E * F) * (G/H))] = Available Cash distributed to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights for the eighth full Quarter after the Closing Quarter

Where:

A = the amount of Available Cash that would have been distributed to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights for such Quarter pursuant to clauses (iii)(B), (iv)(B) and (v)(B) of Section 6.4(b), as applicable, if the 2013 Contribution Units had not been issued; and

B = the amount of Available Cash that would otherwise have been distributed to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights for such Quarter pursuant to clauses (iii)(B), (iv)(B) and (v)(B) of Section 6.4(b), as applicable, if this Section 6.4(c) did not exist, less the amount of Available Cash that would have been distributed to the holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights for such Quarter pursuant to clauses (iii)(B), (iv)(B) and (v)(B) of Section 6.4(b), as applicable, if the 2013 Contribution Units had not been issued; and

C = the number of days commencing on the Contribution Agreement Closing Date and ending on and including the last day of the Closing Quarter;

D = the total number of days in the Closing Quarter;

E = the Amount of Available Cash that would have been distributed per Common Unit then Outstanding for such Quarter pursuant to Section 6.4(b) if this Section 6.4(c) were not in effect;

F = 6,274,483; and

G = the number of days commencing on the first day of the such Quarter and ending on and including the second anniversary of the Contribution Agreement Closing Date; and

H = the total number of days in such Quarter.

 

2


After the Quarter referred to in clause (ii) of this Section 6.4(c), Incentive Distributions shall be payable to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights without reduction pursuant to this Section 6.4(c).

Section 2. Amendment Relating to Class F Common Units .

(a) Section 1.1 is amended to add or amend and restate the following definitions in the appropriate alphabetical order:

(i) “ 2013 Contribution Units ” means the 31,372,419 Common Units issued to Southern Union Company or its affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement.

(ii) “ Class F Common Unit ” means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to the Class F Common Units in this Agreement. Other than to the extent that this Agreement provides for specific different rights, preferences or designations, the term “ Class F Common Unit ” refers to a Common Unit and each Class F Common Unit shall be treated as if it were a Common Unit for all purposes.

(iii) “ Class F Conversion Date ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.15(b)(vii).

(iv) “ Closing Quarter ” means the Quarter in which the Contribution Agreement Closing Date occurs.

(v) “ Contribution Agreement ” means the Contribution Agreement by and among the Partnership, Regency SPV, Southern Union Company, a Delaware limited liability company and the other parties named therein, dated as of February 27, 2013, as amended.

(vi) “Contribution Agreement Closing Date” means the date of the closing of the contribution of 100 percent of the membership interest of Southern Union Gathering Company, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

(vii) “ Issue Price ” means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, after taking into account any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership and after taking into account any other form of discount with respect to the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership; provided, however, that, (A) in the case of the Series A Preferred Units, the Issue Price shall be $18.30 per Unit and (B) in the case of the Class F Common Units, the Issue Price shall be $23.9063 per unit.

(viii) “ Partnership Security ” means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including, without limitation, Common Units, Class F Common Units, Series A Preferred Units, and Incentive Distribution Rights.

(ix) “ Preceding Quarter ” means the Quarter immediately prior to the Closing Quarter.

 

3


(x) “ Regency SPV ” means Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.

(xi) “ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments ” means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Class F Common Units, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units or Class F Common Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners’ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General Partner’s Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Units for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.

(xii) “ Retained Converted Class F Common Units ” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5(c)(iii).

(xiii) “ Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items ” means, in connection with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units or Class F Common Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders’ Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Interest), the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partner’s Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time, and (iii) with respect to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.

(xiv) “ Unit ” means a Partnership Security that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units, Class F Common Units and Series A Preferred Units, but shall not include (i) General Partner Units (or the General Partner Interest represented thereby) or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.

(xv) “ Unit Majority ” means at least a majority of the Outstanding Units.

(b) Section 4.8(c) of the Partnership Agreement is amended to add the following sentence at the end of such section as follows:

The transfer of a Class F Common Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(e).

 

4


(c) Section 5.5(a) of the Partnership Agreement is amended to add the following at the end of such section:

The initial Capital Account balance in respect of each Class F Common Unit shall be the Issue Price for such Class F Common Unit, and the initial Capital Account balance of each holder of Class F Common Units in respect of all Class F Common Units held shall be the product of such initial balance for a Class F Common Unit multiplied by the number of Class F Common Units held thereby.

(d) Section 5.5(c) is amended to add a new subclause (iii) at the end of such section as follows:

(iii) Immediately prior to the transfer of a Class F Common Unit or of a Class F Common Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.15 by a holder thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this subparagraph 5.5(c)(iii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units (“ Retained Converted Class F Common Units ”); provided that, if such remaining balance would be negative, items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(v) to such transferor Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the deficit in its Capital Account as quickly as possible. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Class F Common Units or Retained Converted Class F Common Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.

(e) Section 5.5(d)(i) is amended to add the following sentence at the end of such section as follows:

Any adjustments that are made under this paragraph in connection with the issuance of the Class F Common Units shall be based on the Issue Price of the Class F Common Units.

(f) Article V is amended to add a new Section 5.15 creating a new series of Units to read in its entirety:

Section 5.15. Establishment of Class F Common Units .

(a) General . The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of Units to be designated as “ Class F Common Units ” and consisting of a total of 6,274,483 Class F Common Units, having the same rights and preferences, and subject to the same duties and obligations as the Common Units, except as set forth in this Section 5.15.

 

5


(b) Rights of Class F Common Units . During the period commencing upon the date of issuance of the Class F Common Units and ending on the Class F Conversion Date, the Class F Common Units shall have the following rights and preferences and shall be subject to the following duties and obligations:

(i) Allocations . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no items of Partnership income, gain, loss, deduction and credit shall be allocated to the Class F Common Units under Section 6.1(a) and (b).

(ii) Distributions . The Class F Common Units shall not have the right to share in regular quarterly Partnership distributions of cash from Operating Surplus. In no event shall this be construed as a limitation on the right of holders of Class F Common Units to share in distributions from Capital Surplus.

(iii) Allocation of Net Termination Gain to Class F Common Unitholders . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 6.1(c)(i), Unitholders holding Class F Common Units shall be allocated Net Termination Gain in accordance with Section 6.1(c)(i); provided , that

(A) Unitholders holding Class F Common Units shall not receive any allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(B) or Section 6.1(c)(i)(C); and

(B) following any allocation made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(B) and prior to any allocation made pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(i)(C), any remaining Net Termination Gain shall be allocated (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Class F Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of Section 6.1(c)(i)(B), until the Capital Account in respect of each Class F Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to its Unrecovered Capital, determined for the taxable year (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates; and

(C) Unitholders holding Class F Common Units shall be entitled to receive allocations pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i)(D) through 6.1(c)(i)(G) as Unitholders, but Class F Common Units shall not be deemed to be Common Units for the purposes of determining whether or not any of the First Liquidation Target Amount, the Second Liquidation Target Amount or the Third Liquidation Target Amount has been achieved.

(iv) A llocation of Net Termination Loss to Class F Common Unitholders . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 6.1(c)(ii), with respect to allocations made in accordance with Section 6.1(c)(ii), Unitholders holding Class F Common Units shall be allocated Net Termination Loss in accordance with Section 6.1(c)(ii)(B) in the same manner as Unitholders holding Common Units.

(v) Voting Rights .

(A) The Class F Common Units shall have voting rights that are identical to the voting rights of the Common Units and shall vote with the Common Units and the Series A Preferred Units as a single class, so that each Class F Common Unit will be entitled to one vote on each matter with respect to which each Common Unit is entitled to vote. Each reference in the Partnership Agreement to a vote of holders of Common Units shall be deemed to be a reference to the holders of Common Units and Class F Common Units.

 

6


(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in addition to all other requirements imposed by Delaware law, and all other voting rights granted under this Agreement, the affirmative vote of seventy-five percent (75%) of the Class F Common Units, voting separately as a class with one vote per Class F Common Unit, shall be necessary on any matter that adversely affects any of the rights, preferences and privileges of the Class F Common Units in any respect.

(vi) Certificates .

(A) The Class F Common Units shall be evidenced by certificates in such form as the General Partner may approve and, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable legal, regulatory and contractual requirements, may be assigned or transferred in a manner identical to the assignment and transfer of other Units; unless and until the General Partner determines to assign the responsibility to another Person, the General Partner will act as the registrar and transfer agent for the Class F Common Units. The certificates evidencing Class F Common Units shall be separately identified and shall not bear the same CUSIP number as the certificates evidencing Common Units.

(B) In addition to any legend required by the Partnership Agreement to be included on any certificate representing Class F Common Units (or Common Units issuable upon conversion thereof) a legend shall be placed on the certificates representing the Class F Common Units (and the Common Units issuable upon conversion thereof) as required by, and until eligible to be removed as provided in, Section 5.11 of the Contribution Agreement.

(vii) Conversion . Each Class F Common Unit will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the close of business on the first Business Day after the record date for the Quarter preceding the Quarter in which the second anniversary of the Contribution Agreement Closing Date occurs (the “ Class F Conversion Date ”). The holder of any Class F Common Unit shall surrender the certificates evidencing such Class F Common Units for conversion at the office of the General Partner. In such case, the Partnership shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to the Person in whose name the surrendered Class F Common Units were registered one or more certificates evidencing Common Units, registered in the name of such Person, for the number of Common Units to which such Person shall be entitled as aforesaid.

(g) Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A) is amended and restated to read in its entirety:

(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except (x) for any difference resulting from the application of Section 5.15(b)(ii) or (y) cash or property distributed or deemed distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) to any Unitholder with respect to its Units for a taxable year is greater (on a per Unit basis) than the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed to the other Unitholders with respect to their Units (on a per Unit basis), then (1) each Unitholder receiving such greater cash or property distribution shall be allocated gross income in an amount equal to the product of (aa) the amount by which the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to such Unitholder exceeds the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to the Unitholders receiving the smallest distribution and (bb) the number of Units owned by the Unitholder receiving the greater distribution; and (2) the General Partner shall be allocated gross

 

7


income in an aggregate amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time in which the greater cash or property distribution occurs by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partner’s Percentage Interest at the time in which the greater cash or property distribution occurs times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.

(h) Article VI is amended to add a new Section 6.1(d)(xv) as follows:

(xv) Allocations for Class F Common Units .

(B) With respect to any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, a Book-Up Event or a Book-Down Event occurring no earlier than the taxable year during which the Class F Common Units convert into Common Units or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership occurring after the date of issuance of Class F Common Units, Partnership items of income, gain, loss or deduction for such taxable period shall be allocated (1) to the Partners holding Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units that are Outstanding as of the time of such event in proportion to the number of Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units held by such Partners, and/or (2) to the Partners holding Common Units (other than Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units) that are Outstanding as of the time of such event in proportion to the number of Common Units held by such Partners, until the Capital Account of each Class F Common Unit or converted Class F Common Unit is equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then outstanding Common Unit (other than a converted Class F Common Unit).

(C) With respect to any taxable period of the Partnership ending upon, or after, the transfer of converted Class F Common Units to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder, Partnership items of income, gain, loss or deduction for such taxable period shall be allocated (1) to the Partners transferring (or receiving, as applicable) such converted Class F Common Units in proportion to the number of converted Class F Common Units transferred (or received, as applicable) by such Partners, and/or (2) to the Partners holding Common Units (other than Class F Common Units or converted Class F Common Units) that are Outstanding as of the time of such event in proportion to the number of Common Units held by such Partners, until the Capital Account of such converted Class F Common Unit is equal to the Per Unit Capital Amount for a then outstanding Common Unit (other than a converted Class F Common Unit).

 

(i) Article VI is amended to add a new Section 6.7(g) as follows:

(g) A Unitholder holding a Class F Common Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.15 shall be required to provide notice to the General Partner of the proposed transfer of the converted Class F Common Unit within 30 days prior to such proposed transfer and in no event later than the last Business Day of the calendar year during which such transfer occurs, unless (x) the transfer is to an Affiliate of the holder or (y) by virtue of the application of Section 6.1(d)(xv)(B) to a prior transfer of the Unit or the application of Section 6.1(d)(xv)(A), the General Partner has previously determined, based on advice of counsel, that the converted Class F Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(g), the General Partner shall take whatever steps are

 

8


required to provide economic uniformity to the converted Class F Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Units, including the application of Section 5.5(c)(iii) and/or Section 6.1(d)(xv)(B); provided, however, that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units represented by Common Unit Certificates (for this purpose the allocations of income, gain, loss and deductions with respect to Class F Common Units or Common Units will be deemed not to have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units).

Section 3. Ratification of Partnership Agreement . Except as expressly modified and amended herein, all of the terms and conditions of the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 4. General Authority . The appropriate officers of the General Partner are hereby authorized to make such clarifying and conforming changes as they deem necessary or appropriate, and to interpret the Partnership Agreement, to give effect to the intent and purposes of this Amendment.

Section 5. Governing Law . This Amendment shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

(Signature page follows)

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner has executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

GENERAL PARTNER:
REGENCY GP LP

By:

 

Regency GP LLC, its General Partner

By:

  /s/ Thomas E. Long
Authorized Officer: Thomas E. Long
Title: Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

4.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2023

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of April 30, 2013

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 


CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section    Indenture Section
310   (a)(1)    7.10
  (a)(2)    7.10
  (a)(3)    N.A.
  (a)(4)    N.A.
  (a)(5)    7.10
  (b)    7.10
  (c)    N.A.
311   (a)    7.11
  (b)    7.11
  (c)    N.A.
  312(a)    2.05
  (b)    12.03
  (c)    12.03
313   (a)    7.06
  (b)(1)    N.A.
  (b)(2)    7.06; 7.07
  (c)    7.06; 12.02
  (d)    7.06
314   (a)    4.03; 12.02; 12.05
  (b)    N.A.
  (c)(1)    12.04
  (c)(2)    12.04
  (c)(3)    N.A.
  (d)    N.A.
  (e)    12.05
  (f)    N.A.
315   (a)    7.01
  (b)    7.05; 12.02
  (c)    7.01
  (d)    7.01
  (e)    6.11
316   (a)(last sentence)    2.09
  (a)(1)(A)    6.05
  (a)(1)(B)    6.04
  (a)(2)    N.A.
  (b)    6.07
  (c)    2.12
317   (a)(1)    6.08
  (a)(2)    6.09
  (b)    2.04
318   (a)    12.01
  (b)    N.A.
  (c)    12.01

 

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

           Page
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01

  Definitions    1

Section 1.02

  Other Definitions    24

Section 1.03

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.    24

Section 1.04

  Rules of Construction    25
ARTICLE 2
THE NOTES

Section 2.01

  Form and Dating    25

Section 2.02

  Execution and Authentication    26

Section 2.03

  Registrar and Paying Agent    26

Section 2.04

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust    27

Section 2.05

  Holder Lists    27

Section 2.06

  Transfer and Exchange    27

Section 2.07

  Replacement Notes    37

Section 2.08

  Outstanding Notes    37

Section 2.09

  Treasury Notes    38

Section 2.10

  Temporary Notes    38

Section 2.11

  Cancellation    38

Section 2.12

  Defaulted Interest    38
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE

Section 3.01

  Notices to Trustee    39

Section 3.02

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed    39

Section 3.03

  Notice of Redemption    39

Section 3.04

  Effect of Notice of Redemption    40

Section 3.05

  Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price    40

Section 3.06

  Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part    41

Section 3.07

  Optional Redemption    41

Section 3.08

  Special Mandatory Redemption    41

Section 3.09

  Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds    42
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS

Section 4.01

  Payment of Notes    43

Section 4.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency    44

Section 4.03

  Reports    44

 

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         Page  
Section 4.04  

Compliance Certificate

     45   
Section 4.05  

Taxes

     45   
Section 4.06  

Stay, Extension and Usury Laws

     46   
Section 4.07  

Restricted Payments

     46   
Section 4.08  

Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

     49   
Section 4.09  

Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity

     50   
Section 4.10  

Asset Sales

     53   
Section 4.11  

Transactions with Affiliates

     55   
Section 4.12  

Liens

     56   
Section 4.13  

Business Activities

     56   
Section 4.14  

Corporate Existence

     57   
Section 4.15  

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control

     57   
Section 4.16  

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     59   
Section 4.17  

Payments for Consent

     59   
Section 4.18  

Additional Guarantees

     59   
Section 4.19  

Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries

     60   
Section 4.20  

Termination of Covenants

     60   
ARTICLE 5   
SUCCESSORS   
Section 5.01  

Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets

     61   
Section 5.02  

Successor Person Substituted

     62   
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
Section 6.01  

Events of Default

     63   
Section 6.02  

Acceleration

     65   
Section 6.03  

Other Remedies

     65   
Section 6.04  

Waiver of Past Defaults

     65   
Section 6.05  

Control by Majority

     66   
Section 6.06  

Limitation on Suits

     66   
Section 6.07  

Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment

     66   
Section 6.08  

Collection Suit by Trustee

     66   
Section 6.09  

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     66   
Section 6.10  

Priorities

     67   
Section 6.11  

Undertaking for Costs

     67   
ARTICLE 7   
TRUSTEE   
Section 7.01  

Duties of Trustee

     68   
Section 7.02  

Rights of Trustee

     69   
Section 7.03  

Individual Rights of Trustee

     69   
Section 7.04  

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     70   
Section 7.05  

Notice of Defaults

     70   
Section 7.06  

Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes

     70   

 

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         Page  

Section 7.07

  Compensation and Indemnity      70   
Section 7.08  

Replacement of Trustee

     71   
Section 7.09  

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

     72   
Section 7.10  

Eligibility; Disqualification

     72   
Section 7.11  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers

     72   
Section 7.12  

Force Majeure

     72   
Section 7.13  

U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

     73   
ARTICLE 8   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   
Section 8.01  

Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     73   
Section 8.02  

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     73   
Section 8.03  

Covenant Defeasance

     74   
Section 8.04  

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     74   
Section 8.05  

Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     75   
Section 8.06  

Repayment to the Issuers

     76   
Section 8.07  

Reinstatement

     76   
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   
Section 9.01  

Without Consent of Holders of Notes

     76   
Section 9.02  

With Consent of Holders of Notes

     77   
Section 9.03  

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

     78   
Section 9.04  

Revocation and Effect of Consents

     79   
Section 9.05  

Notation on or Exchange of Notes

     79   
Section 9.06  

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

     79   
ARTICLE 10   
NOTE GUARANTEES   
Section 10.01  

Guarantee

     79   
Section 10.02  

Limitation on Guarantor Liability

     80   
Section 10.03  

Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee

     81   
Section 10.04  

Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

     81   
Section 10.05  

Releases

     82   
ARTICLE 11   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   
Section 11.01  

Satisfaction and Discharge

     83   

Section 11.02

  Application of Trust Money      84   

 

-iii-


         Page
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01

  Trust Indenture Act Controls    84

Section 12.02

  Notices    84

Section 12.03

  Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes    85

Section 12.04

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent    86

Section 12.05

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion    86

Section 12.06

  Rules by Trustee and Agents    86

Section 12.07

  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders    86

Section 12.08

  Governing Law    87

Section 12.09

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements    87

Section 12.10

  Successors    87

Section 12.11

  Severability    87

Section 12.12

  Counterpart Originals    87

Section 12.13

  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    87

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D    FORM OF CERTIFICATE ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Exhibit E    FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE
Exhibit F    FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

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INDENTURE dated as of April 30, 2013 among REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.

The Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

“2013 Notes Issue Date” means December 12, 2006, the date of original issue of the Issuers’ 8  3 / 8 % Senior Notes due 2013.

“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 becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a 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 specific Person; and

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

“Additional Interest” means all additional interest then owing pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the Initial Notes.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control; provided , further , that any third Person which also beneficially owns 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a specified Person shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of either the specified Person or the other Person merely because of such common ownership in such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.


“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any redemption date, the greater of:

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

(2) the excess of: (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at August 1, 2023 (such redemption price being set forth in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through August 1, 2023 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of the Note.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, and Clearstream Banking, S.A. that apply to such transfer or exchange.

“Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any properties or assets; provided , however , that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Regency Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by Section 4.15 hereof and/or Section 5.01 hereof and not by Section 4.10 hereof; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

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 properties or assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $10.0 million;

(2) a transfer of properties or assets between or among Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners to Regency Energy Partners or to a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;

(4) the sale or lease of products, services or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business and any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or obsolete properties or assets in the ordinary course of business;

(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents, Hedging Obligations or other financial instruments in the ordinary course of business;

(6) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment;

 

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(7) any trade or exchange by Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners of properties or assets of any type for properties or assets of any type owned or held by another Person, including any disposition of some but not all of the Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners in exchange for assets or properties and after which the Person whose Equity Interests have been so disposed of continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents and liabilities assumed) is reasonably equivalent to the Fair Market Value of the properties or assets (together with any cash or Cash Equivalents and liabilities assumed) to be received by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary; and provided , further , that any cash received must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof; and

(8) the creation or perfection of a Lien that is not prohibited by Section 4.12 hereof and any disposition in connection with a Permitted Lien.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided , however , that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

“Available Cash” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the 2013 Notes Issue Date.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

“Board of Directors” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of the partnership, or, if such general partner is itself a limited partnership, then the board of directors or board of managers of its general partner;

(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

 

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“Broker-Dealer” has the meaning attributed to the term “Participating Broker-Dealer” in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“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 prepared in accordance with GAAP.

“Capital Stock” means:

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

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

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; 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, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars or, in an amount up to the amount necessary or appropriate to fund local operating expenses, other currencies;

(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) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months 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;

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

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

(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this definition.

 

4


“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Regency Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a Qualified Owner, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline within 90 days;

(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Regency Energy Partners or the removal of the General Partner by the limited partners of Regency Energy Partners; or

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation), the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a Qualified Owner, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner or of Regency Energy Partners, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline within 90 days.

Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of Regency Energy Partners from a limited partnership to a corporation, limited liability company or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding limited partnership interests for capital stock in a corporation, for member interests in a limited liability company or for Equity Interests in such other form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as immediately following such conversion or exchange either (i) the “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of Regency Energy Partners immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), excluding any Qualified Owner, Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity or (ii) one or more Qualified Owners in the aggregate own more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity.

“Company Order” means a written order delivered to the Trustee by Regency Energy Partners and executed on its behalf by an Officer of the General Partner.

“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 (i) any extraordinary loss plus (ii) any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale or 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, in each case, 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

 

5


(3) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of all payments, if any, pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (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, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5) unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(6) all extraordinary or non-recurring items of gain or loss, or revenue or expense; minus

(7) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,

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

“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 aggregate 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, partners or members;

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

(4) unrealized losses and gains under derivative instruments included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income, including those resulting from the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 will be excluded; and

 

6


(5) any nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to its Stated Maturity will be excluded.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in such Person’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after (i) adding the aggregate incremental amount of total assets that would have resulted from an acquisition of assets from an Affiliate that is accounted for as a pooling had it been accounted for using purchase accounting and (ii) deducting the following amounts: (a) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, and (b) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuers.

“Credit Agreement” means that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2010, as amended by that certain Amendment Agreement No. 1 dated as of May 26, 2010 , Amendment Agreement No. 2 dated as of May 2, 2011, Amendment Agreement No. 3 dated as of December 15, 2011, Increase Joinder thereto dated as of August 22, 2012, and Amendment Agreement No. 4 dated as of February 15, 2013, by and among Regency Gas Services LP, Regency Energy Partners, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders and collateral agent for the secured parties, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Banc of America Securities LLC and RBS Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookmanagers, Bank of America, N.A. and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as co-syndication agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., UBS Loan Finance LLC and Citibank, N.A., as senior managing agents, and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc. and Barclays Bank plc, as co-documentation agents, providing for $1.15 billion of borrowings and letters of credit, including any related notes, Guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder).

“Credit Facilities” means, one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in each case, with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, accounts receivable financing (including through the sale of accounts receivable to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such accounts receivable) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time (including increasing the amount of available borrowings thereunder).

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note’ attached thereto.

 

7


“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

“Disqualified Equity” means any Equity Interest 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 Equity Interest), 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 Equity Interest, 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 Equity Interest that would constitute Disqualified Equity solely because the holders of the Equity Interest have the right to require Regency Energy Partners to repurchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Equity if the terms of such Equity Interest provide that Regency Energy Partners may not repurchase or redeem any such Equity Interest pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

“Edwards Lime Entities” means collectively Edwards Lime Gathering, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ELG Oil LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and ELG Utility LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

“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).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in an Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

“Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

“Existing Indebtedness” means the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence on the date of this Indenture, 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 of Regency Energy Partners (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

“FERC Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that is subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (or any successor thereof) under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act of 1938.

 

8


“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. If 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 Disqualified Equity subsequent to the commencement of the applicable four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Equity, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of such 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 or consolidations and including any related financing transactions during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, including any Consolidated Cash Flow and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer of Regency Energy Partners (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC related thereto);

(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) interest income reasonably anticipated by such Person to be received during the applicable four-quarter period from cash or Cash Equivalents held by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, which cash or Cash Equivalents exist on the Calculation Date or will exist as a result of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, will be included;

(5) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of the applicable period to 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); and

(6) if any Indebtedness is incurred under a revolving credit facility and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated based on the average daily balance of such Indebtedness for the four fiscal quarters subject to the pro forma calculation.

 

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

(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest rates; 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 that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of Disqualified Equity of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners (other than Disqualified Equity) or to Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; minus

(B) to the extent included in (A) above, write-offs of deferred financing costs of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period and any charge related to, or any premium or penalty paid in connection with, paying any such Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to its Stated Maturity.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, which are in effect from time to time.

“General Partner” means Regency GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of Regency GP LP, a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of Regency Energy Partners or as the business entity with the ultimate authority to manage the business and operations of Regency Energy Partners.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4) or 2.06(f) hereof.

“Government Securities” means direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which guarantee or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.

 

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“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.

“Guarantors” means each of:

(1) the Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners, other than Finance Corp. and the Edwards Lime Entities, executing this Indenture as initial Guarantors; and

(2) any other Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture,

and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes under:

(1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements entered into with one or more financial institutions and designed to reduce costs of borrowing or to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;

(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk;

(3) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in currency exchange rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred;

(4) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against fluctuations in the price of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by that Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time; and

(5) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

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

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

 

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

(3) in respect of bankers’ acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;

(5) 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; or

(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Attributable Debt and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person.

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

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

(2) any obligation of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of bid, performance, surety and similar bonds issued for the account of Regency Energy Partners and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including Guarantees and obligations of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit supporting such obligations (in each case other than an obligation for money borrowed);

(3) any Indebtedness that has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Government Securities (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such Indebtedness at fixed 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;

(4) any obligation arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided , however , that such obligation is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence; and

(5) 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 guarantees of Indebtedness) incurred by any Person in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets.

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

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“Initial Notes” means the first $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, RBS Securities Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

“Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, that is not also a QIB.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.

“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 (1) commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business and (2) advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender), 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 Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners, Regency Energy Partners will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of Regency Energy Partners’ Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in Section 4.07(b) hereof.

“Joint Venture” means any Person that is not a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners in which Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes any Investment.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in Dallas, Texas or the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuers and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with an Exchange Offer.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a lease not intended as a security interest. In no event shall a right of first refusal be deemed to constitute a Lien.

 

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“Lone Star” means Lone Star NGL LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (formerly, ETP-Regency Midstream Holdings, LLC), and its successors and assigns.

“Mandatory Redemption Event” means the first to occur of either (a) the termination of the SUGS Contribution Agreement or (b) 11:59 p.m., central time, on September 1, 2013, in each case, if the SUGS Acquisition has not been consummated prior to such time.

“MEP” means Midcontinent Express Pipeline LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and assigns.

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

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

(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with:

(a) any Asset Sale; or

(b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person; and

(2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss).

“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of:

(1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale,

(2) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements,

(3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness, other than revolving credit Indebtedness except to the extent resulting in a permanent reduction in availability of such Indebtedness under a Credit Facility, secured by a Lien on the properties or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale and all distributions and payments required to be made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such Asset Sale, and

(4) any amounts to be set aside in any reserve established in accordance with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such properties or assets or for liabilities associated with such Asset Sale and retained by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount returned to Regency Energy Partners or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such escrow arrangement, as the case may be.

 

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“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither Regency Energy Partners nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise or (c) is the lender;

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and

(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries except as contemplated by clause (10) of the definition of Permitted Liens.

For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, if any Non-Recourse Debt of any of Regency Energy Partners’ Unrestricted Subsidiaries ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners.

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

“Note Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include any Additional Notes.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Offering Memorandum” means the final Offering Memorandum of the Issuers, dated April 24, 2013 with respect to the Notes.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice President of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person, and in the case of Regency Energy Partners, the General Partner).

 

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“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed on behalf of such Person by any two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of such Person that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof.

“Operating Surplus” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Partnership Agreement, as in effect on the 2013 Notes Issue Date.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to Regency Energy Partners, the General Partner, any Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners or the General Partner or the Trustee.

“Partnership Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Regency Energy Partners LP, dated as of February 3, 2006, as amended as of the date hereof, and as such may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Permitted Business” means either (1) gathering, transporting, treating, processing, marketing, distributing, fractionating, storing or otherwise handling Hydrocarbons, or activities or services reasonably related or ancillary thereto, including entering into Hedging Obligations to support these businesses, or (2) any other business that generates gross income that constitutes “qualifying income” under Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Permitted Business Investments” means Investments by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Unrestricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners or in any Joint Venture, provided that:

(1) either (a) at the time of such Investment and immediately thereafter, Regency Energy Partners could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof or (b) such Investment does not exceed the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds (as defined in Section 4.07 hereof) not previously expended at the time of making such Investment;

(2) if such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture has outstanding Indebtedness at the time of such Investment, either (a) all such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Debt or (b) any such Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Joint Venture that is recourse to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (which shall include all Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture for which Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may be directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, obligated to pay, whether pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness, by law or pursuant to any guarantee, including any “claw-back,” “make-well” or “keepwell” arrangement) could, at the time such Investment is made, be incurred at that time by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(3) such Unrestricted Subsidiary’s or Joint Venture’s activities are not outside the scope of the Permitted Business.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in Regency Energy Partners or in a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

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

 

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(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; or

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

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from:

(a) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10 hereof; or

(b) pursuant to clause (7) of the items deemed not to be Asset Sales under the definition of “Asset Sale”;

(5) any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity) of Regency Energy Partners;

(6) 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 Regency Energy Partners 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 as a result of a foreclosure by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(7) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred;

(8) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(9) repurchases of the Notes;

(10) any Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility, workers’ compensation and performance and other similar deposits and prepaid expenses made in the ordinary course of business;

(11) Permitted Business Investments; and

(12) 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 (12) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Regency Energy Partners’ Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens securing any Indebtedness under any of the Credit Facilities and all Obligations and Hedging Obligations relating to such Indebtedness;

 

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(2) Liens in favor of Regency Energy Partners or the Guarantors;

(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with Regency Energy Partners or any Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with Regency Energy Partners or the Subsidiary;

(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the property by Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition;

(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of Section 4.09(b) hereof covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(7) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture (other than Liens securing the Credit Facilities);

(8) Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (or the Note Guarantees);

(9) Liens on any property or asset acquired, constructed or improved by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries which (a) are in favor of the seller of such property or assets, in favor of the Person developing, constructing, repairing or improving such asset or property, or in favor of the Person that provided the funding for the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property, (b) are created within 360 days after the acquisition, development, construction, repair or improvement, (c) secure the purchase price or development, construction, repair or improvement cost, as the case may be, of such asset or property in an amount up to 100% of the Fair Market Value of such acquisition, construction or improvement of such asset or property, and (d) are limited to the asset or property so acquired, constructed or improved (including the proceeds thereof, accessions thereto and upgrades thereof);

(10) Liens on and pledges of the Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Joint Venture owned by Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners to the extent securing Non-Recourse Debt or other Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary or Joint Venture;

(11) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on deposit with or in possession of such bank;

(12) Liens to secure performance of Hedging Obligations of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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(13) Liens arising under construction contracts, interconnection agreements, operating agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farmout agreements, division orders, contracts for purchase, gathering, processing, sale, transportation or exchange of crude oil, natural gas liquids, condensate and natural gas, natural gas storage agreements, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, real property leases and other agreements arising in the ordinary course of business of Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are customary in the Permitted Business;

(14) Liens upon specific items of inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or receivables securitizations issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory, receivables or other goods or proceeds and permitted by Section 4.09;

(15) Liens securing any Indebtedness equally and ratably with all Obligations due under the Notes or any Note Guarantee pursuant to a contractual covenant that limits Liens in a manner substantially similar to Section 4.12;

(16) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; provided , however , that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness then outstanding and secured by any Liens pursuant to this clause (16) does not exceed 5.0% of Regency Energy Partners’ Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at such time; and

(17) any Lien renewing, extending, refinancing or refunding a Lien permitted by clauses (1) through (16) above; provided that (a) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by such Lien does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness outstanding immediately prior to the renewal, extension, refinance or refund of such Lien, plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness secured thereby and the amount of all fees, expenses and premiums incurred in connection therewith, and (b) no assets encumbered by any such Lien other than the assets permitted to be encumbered immediately prior to such renewal, extension, refinance or refund are encumbered thereby.

After termination of the covenants referred to in Section 4.20, for purposes of complying with Section 4.12, the Liens described in clauses (1) and (17) of this definition of “Permitted Liens” will be Permitted Liens only to the extent those Liens secure Indebtedness not exceeding, at the time of determination, 10% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of Regency Energy Partners. Once effective, this 10% limitation on Permitted Liens will continue to apply during any later period in which the Notes do not have an Investment Grade Rating by both Rating Agencies.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge other Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:

(1) the principal amount of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged (plus all accrued interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all fees and expenses, including premiums, incurred in connection therewith);

 

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(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged;

(3) if the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged; and

(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by Regency Energy Partners or by the Restricted Subsidiary that is the obligor on or guarantor of the Indebtedness being renewed, refunded, refinanced, replaced, defeased or discharged.

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

“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1)(A) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Qualified Owner” means any of (i) LE GP, L.L.C., Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., (ii) any Person who Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of any entity specified in clause (i) above or who Beneficially Owns sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity and (iii) any Subsidiary of any entity specified in either clause (i) or clause (ii) above.

“Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P.

“Ratings Categories” means:

(1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and

(2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).

“Ratings Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the Notes by both Moody’s and S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories). In determining whether the rating of the Notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Ratings Categories, namely + or – for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a ratings decline either from BB+ to BB or BB to BB- will constitute a decrease of one gradation.

 

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“Registration Rights Agreement” means (i) with respect to the Initial Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2013, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, and (ii) with respect to any Additional Notes, the comparable agreement, in each case as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Reporting Default” means a Default described in clause (4) under Section 6.01.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

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

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Finance Corp. shall be a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

“Senior Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person, Indebtedness of such Person, unless the instrument creating or evidencing such Indebtedness provides that such Indebtedness is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantee of such Person, as the case may be.

 

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“Shelf Registration Statement” means a registration statement effecting a Shelf Registration as defined in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

“Southern Union” means Southern Union Company, a Delaware corporation.

“Special Mandatory Redemption Date” means the last Business Day that is on or before the fifth (5th) day after the Mandatory Redemption Event; provided that the Special Mandatory Redemption Date shall occur at least two Business Days following delivery of written notice of the special mandatory redemption to the Trustee.

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

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

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership or limited liability company) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

(2) any partnership (whether general or limited) or limited liability company (a) the sole general partner or member of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or (b) if there is more than a single general partner or member, either (x) the only managing general partners or managing members of which are such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof) or (y) such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, a majority of the outstanding general partner interests, member interests or other Voting Stock of such partnership or limited liability company, respectively.

“SUGS Acquisition” means the acquisition by Regency Energy Partners of all the equity interests in Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to the SUGS Contribution Agreement.

“SUGS Contribution Agreement” means that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, by and among Southern Union, Regency Energy Partners, Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and for limited purposes set forth therein, ETP Holdco Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto dated April 16, 2013.

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available

 

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at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2023; provided , however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, Regency Energy Partners shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2023, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used. Regency Energy Partners will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate on the second Business Day preceding the applicable Redemption Date and (b) prior to such Redemption Date file with the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

“Trustee” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners (other than Finance Corp. or any successor to it) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the General Partner as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1) except to the extent permitted by subclause (2)(b) of the definition of “Permitted Business Investments,” has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2) except as permitted under clause (4) of Section 4.11(b) hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of Regency Energy Partners;

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither Regency Energy Partners 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 Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

All Subsidiaries of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be also Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

“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.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in Section
“Affiliate Transaction”    4.11
“Asset Sale Offer”    3.09
“Authentication Order”    2.02
“Change of Control Offer”    4.15
“Change of Control Payment”    4.15
“Change of Control Payment Date”    4.15
“Covenant Defeasance”    8.03
“DTC”    2.03
“Event of Default”    6.01
“Excess Proceeds”    4.10
“Incremental Funds”    4.07
“incur”    4.09
“Legal Defeasance”    8.02
“Offer Amount”    3.09
“Offer Period”    3.09
“Patriot Act”    7.13
“Paying Agent”    2.03
“Permitted Debt”    4.09
“Payment Default”    6.01
“Purchase Date”    3.09
“Redemption Date”    3.07
“Registrar”    2.03
“Restricted Payments”    4.07
“Special Mandatory Redemption Price”    3.08

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

 

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The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

“indenture security holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Issuers and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

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

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

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

(5) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

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

(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act or Exchange Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

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(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for each of the Issuers by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuers signed by two Officers of each Issuer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes and Exchange Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Issuers pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Issuers will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Issuers will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. Regency Energy Partners, Finance Corp. or any of Regency Energy Partners’ other Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

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The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Issuers will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than Regency Energy Partners or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If Regency Energy Partners or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to Regency Energy Partners, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Issuers shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes if:

(1) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2) the Issuers in their sole discretion determine that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and deliver a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes and the Depositary notifies the Trustee of its decision to exchange the Global Notes for Definitive Notes.

 

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Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Sections 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both:

(i) a written order from a participant or an indirect participant in the Depositary given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B) both:

(i) a written order from a participant or an indirect participant in the Depositary given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (i) above.

 

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Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery

 

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thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate, one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

 

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(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depository. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (l)(b) thereof; or

(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable

 

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to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests. Definitive Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in a Global Note.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

 

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(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the related Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers; and

(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers.

 

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Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A “QIB”), (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON, IS NOT ACQUIRING THIS NOTE FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “IAI”), (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT, WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO UNDER RULE 144 (TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 144(d) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IF APPLICABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE EXCEPT (A) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE HOLDER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE), (E) TO AN IAI THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES AT THE TIME OF TRANSFER OF LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUERS THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT OR (F) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO

 

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EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN INTEREST HEREIN IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO ABOVE, THE HOLDER MUST COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO THE TRUSTEE THE CERTIFICATE SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE RELATING TO THE MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER (THE FORM OF WHICH CERTIFICATE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE). AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS “OFFSHORE TRANSACTION,” “UNITED STATES” AND “U.S. PERSON” HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of a Company Order or at the Registrar’s request.

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof).

(3) [Reserved.]

(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers will be required:

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange, any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

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(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes for original issue in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(j) Automatic Exchange from Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Global Note. At the option of the Issuers and upon compliance with the Applicable Procedures, beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. Upon such exchange of beneficial interests pursuant to this Section 2.06(j), the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date of such transfer and a decrease and increase, respectively, in the principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Note and the Unrestricted Global Note, respectively, equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred. Following any such transfer pursuant to this Section 2.06(j) of all of the beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note, such Restricted Global Note shall be cancelled.

(k) Transfers of Securities Held by Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.06, any certificate (i) evidencing a Note that has been transferred to an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the Issuers, as evidenced by a notation on the certificate of transfer or certificate of exchange for such transfer or in the representation letter delivered in respect thereof, or (ii) evidencing a Note that has been acquired from an affiliate (other than by an affiliate) in a transaction or a chain of transactions not involving any public offering, as evidenced by a notation on the certificate of transfer or certificate of exchange for such transfer or in the representation letter delivered in respect thereof, shall, until one year after the last date on which either the Issuers or any affiliate of the Issuers was an owner of such Note, in each case, be in the form of a permanent Definitive Note and bear the private placement legend subject to the restrictions in this Section 2.06. The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Section 2.06(k). Regency Energy Partners, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable advance written notice to the Trustee.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of each of the Issuers and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section

 

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2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuers or an Affiliate of the Issuers holds the Note; however, Notes held by Regency Energy Partners or a Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on it cease to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than Regency Energy Partners, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on a Redemption Date or other maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Issuers. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

If the Issuers default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes

 

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and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuers will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuers will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) will send or cause to be sent to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, Regency Energy Partners must furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before the giving of the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur,

(2) the Redemption Date;

(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

(4) the redemption price, if then determinable and, if not, then a method for determination.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:

(1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or

(2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and, if the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes, in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

No Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Issuers will send or cause to be sent a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article 8 or 11 hereof.

 

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

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the redemption price, if then determinable, and, if not, then a method for determination;

(3) 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 will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

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

(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

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

(8) 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.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ names and at their expense; provided , however , that the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days prior to the date of giving such notice, 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. Such Officers’ Certificate may be combined with the Officers’ Certificate referred to in Section 3.01.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is delivered in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

By 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the redemption or purchase date, the Issuers will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

 

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If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest and Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or surrendered for purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption or surrendered for purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Issuers will issue and, upon receipt of a Company Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to August 1, 2023, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date. On or after August 1, 2023, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date.

(b) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Special Mandatory Redemption.

(a) If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, then on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, Regency Energy Partners will redeem all and not less than all the Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”).

(b) Regency Energy Partners will promptly, and in any event not more than three Business Days after the occurrence of a Mandatory Redemption Event, deliver notice of the special mandatory redemption to the Trustee, who will then promptly deliver such notice to each Holder of Notes at its registered address. On or prior to the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, Regency Energy Partners will deposit with the Trustee an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Price. Prior to any such deposit of cash with the Trustee to fulfill the Special Mandatory Redemption Price or the consummation of the SUGS Acquisition, Regency Energy Partners shall maintain the net proceeds from the issuance of the Initial Notes on hand at all times in cash or Cash Equivalents. However, Holders will not have any special access or rights to or a Lien or encumbrance of any kind on the net proceeds to Regency Energy Partners from the issuance of the Initial Notes.

 

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Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, Regency Energy Partners is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders 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. The Asset Sale Offer will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, 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 Issuers will apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the manner prescribed in the Notes.

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 and Additional Interest, if any, will 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 will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuers will send a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:

(1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer will remain open;

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

(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;

(4) that, unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Purchase Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(6) that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Issuers, a depositary, if appointed by the Issuers, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days before the Purchase Date;

(7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer

 

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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;

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuers will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000, or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

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

On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount allocable to the Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount allocable to the Notes has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuers in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) 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 Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.05 and 3.06 hereof.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Issuers shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Regency Energy Partners or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Issuers in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, then due. The Issuers will pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner as interest on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the applicable Registration Rights Agreement.

The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

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The Issuers shall notify the Trustee of the amounts and payment dates of any Additional Interest that may become payable under any Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuers shall maintain in the continental United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers fail to maintain any such required office or agency or fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided , however , that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligation to maintain an office or agency in the continental United States for such purposes. The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuers hereby designate the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, Regency Energy Partners will furnish (whether through hard copy or internet access) 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:

(1) all quarterly and annual reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if Regency Energy Partners were required to file such reports as a non-accelerated filer; and

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if Regency Energy Partners were required to file such reports.

All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports, including Section 3-10 of Regulation S-X. Each annual report on Form 10-K will include a report on Regency Energy Partners’ consolidated financial statements by Regency Energy Partners’ independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, Regency Energy Partners will file a copy of each of the reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the rules and regulations applicable to such reports (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and will post the reports on its website within those time periods.

 

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If, at any time Regency Energy Partners is no longer subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, Regency Energy Partners will nevertheless continue filing the reports specified in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4.03 with the SEC within the time periods specified above unless the SEC will not accept such a filing; provided that, for so long as Regency Energy Partners is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for any reason, the time period for filing reports on Form 8-K shall be 5 Business Days after the event giving rise to the obligation to file such report. Regency Energy Partners 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 Regency Energy Partners’ filings for any reason, Regency Energy Partners will post the reports referred to in the preceding paragraphs on its website within the time periods that would apply if Regency Energy Partners were required to file those reports with the SEC.

(b) To the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as the Notes are outstanding, Regency Energy Partners will furnish to the Holders of the Notes, securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act. Regency Energy Partners will be deemed to have furnished such reports to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes if it has filed such reports with the SEC using the EDGAR filing system and such reports are publicly available.

(c) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.03 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including Regency Energy Partners’ compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuers and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and Regency Energy Partners’ Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto).

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee, promptly upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

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

 

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Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Issuers and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuers and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that they will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

(a) Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall 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 its outstanding Equity Interests (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of Regency Energy Partners’ or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than distributions or dividends payable in Equity Interests, excluding Disqualified Equity, of Regency Energy Partners and other than distributions or dividends payable to Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary);

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Regency Energy Partners) any Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners or any direct or indirect parent of Regency Energy Partners;

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the Notes or to any Note Guarantee (excluding intercompany Indebtedness between or among Regency Energy Partners and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except a payment of interest or principal within one month of the Stated Maturity thereof; or

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

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, no Default (except a Reporting Default) or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment and either:

(1) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Regency Energy Partners’ most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is not less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4) (to the extent, in the case of clause (4), payments are made to Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of Section 4.07(b) hereof) during the quarter in which such Restricted Payment is made, is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

 

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(A) Available Cash from Operating Surplus as of the end of the immediately preceding quarter; plus

(B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by Regency Energy Partners (including the Fair Market Value of any Permitted Business or long-term assets that are used or useful in a Permitted Business to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners (other than Disqualified Equity)) since the 2013 Notes Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners (other than Disqualified Equity) or from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Equity or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of Regency Energy Partners that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Equity or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners); plus

(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after the 2013 Notes Issue Date is sold for cash or Cash Equivalents or otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash or Cash Equivalents, the return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any); plus

(D) the net reduction in Restricted Investments resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances, or other transfers of assets in each case to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person (including Unrestricted Subsidiaries) or from redesignations of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries, to the extent such amounts have not been included in Available Cash from Operating Surplus for any period commencing on or after the 2013 Notes Issue Date (items (B), (C) and (D) being referred to as “Incremental Funds”); minus

(E) the aggregate amount of Incremental Funds previously expended pursuant to this clause (1) and clause (2) below; or

(2) if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Regency Energy Partners’ most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment is less than 1.75 to 1.0, such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4) (to the extent, in the case of clause (4), payments are made to Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary), (5), (6), (7) and (8) of Section 4.07(b) hereof) during the quarter in which such Restricted Payment is made (such Restricted Payments for purposes of this clause (2) meaning only distributions on common units and subordinated units of Regency Energy Partners, plus the related distribution on the general partner interest), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:

(A) $100.0 million less the aggregate amount of all prior Restricted Payments made by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this clause (2)(A) during the period since the 2013 Notes Issue Date; plus

(B) Incremental Funds to the extent not previously expended pursuant to this clause (2) or clause (1) above.

 

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(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof shall not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of its declaration, if at the date of declaration the payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of, a substantially concurrent (a) capital contribution to Regency Energy Partners from any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners) or (b) sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners) of Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners, with a sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition occurs not more than 120 days after such sale; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be excluded or deducted from the calculation of Available Cash from Operating Surplus and Incremental Funds;

(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or retirement of any subordinated Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;

(4) the payment of any distribution or dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners to the holders of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity) on a pro rata basis;

(5) so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners held by any current or former officer, director or employee of the General Partner, Regency Energy Partners or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any equity subscription agreement or plan, stock or unit option agreement, shareholders’ agreement or similar agreement; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $2.0 million in any calendar year (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $5.0 million in any calendar year); provided further that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (a) the cash proceeds received by Regency Energy Partners from the sale of Equity Interests of Regency Energy Partners to members of management or directors of the General Partner, Regency Energy Partners or its Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs after the 2013 Notes Issue Date (to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clauses (1)(B) or (2)(B) of Section 4.07(a) hereof), plus (b) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by Regency Energy Partners after the 2013 Notes Issue Date;

(6) so long as no Default (except a Reporting Default) has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, payments of dividends on Disqualified Equity issued pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof;

 

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(7) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options, warrants or other convertible securities if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price of such options, warrants or other convertible securities; or

(8) cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock of Regency Energy Partners.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.07 will be determined, in the case of amounts over $15.0 million, by the Board of Directors of the General Partner, whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee. For the purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, if a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted Payments described in the preceding clauses (1)-(8), Regency Energy Partners will be permitted to classify (or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

(a) Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall 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:

(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Equity Interests to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or to pay any indebtedness owed to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) agreements as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or the Indebtedness to which they relate; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend, distribution and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date of this Indenture;

(2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

 

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(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Equity Interests of a Person acquired by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Equity Interests were 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, the incurrence thereof was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Indenture;

(5) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts for purchase, gathering, processing, sale, transportation or exchange of crude oil, natural gas liquids, condensate and natural gas, natural gas storage agreements, in transportation agreements or purchase and sale or exchange agreements, pipeline or terminaling agreements, or similar operational agreements or in licenses or leases, in each case entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof;

(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

(8) 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;

(9) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(10) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, buy/sell agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(11) any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets acquired after the date hereof, so long as such encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or assets so acquired and is not and was not created in anticipation of such acquisitions;

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

(13) any instrument governing Indebtedness of an FERC Subsidiary, provided that such Indebtedness was otherwise permitted by this Indenture to be incurred.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Equity.

(a) Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and Regency Energy Partners shall not issue any Disqualified Equity and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Disqualified Equity; provided , however , that Regency Energy Partners and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and Regency Energy Partners and the Restricted Subsidiaries may issue Disqualified Equity, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for Regency Energy Partners’ most recently ended four full fiscal quarters

 

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for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Equity is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.0 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 Equity had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”) or the issuance of any preferred securities described in clause (11) below:

(1) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners and any Restricted Subsidiary of additional Indebtedness (including letters of credit) under one or more Credit Facilities, provided , that, after giving effect to such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (a) $900.0 million and (b) the sum of $500.0 million and 20.0% of Regency Energy Partners’ Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

(2) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;

(3) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners, Finance Corp. and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued on the date of this Indenture (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement);

(4) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), provided that after giving effect to such incurrence the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4) and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (a) $20.0 million and (b) 2.0% of Regency Energy Partners’ Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;

(5) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (2) or (3) of this Section 4.09(b) or this clause (5);

(6) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among Regency Energy Partners and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided , however , that:

(A) if Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor is the obligor on such Indebtedness and the payee is not Regency Energy Partners or a Guarantor, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations then due with respect to the Notes, in the case of Regency Energy Partners, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor, and

 

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(B) (1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners and (2) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted by this clause (6);

(7) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations;

(8) the guarantee by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; 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;

(9) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of obligations relating to net gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

(10) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Acquired Debt in connection with a transaction meeting either one of the financial tests set forth in clause (4) under Section 5.01(a);

(11) the issuance by any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries to Regency Energy Partners or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any preferred securities; provided, however, that:

(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred securities being held by a Person other than Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; and

(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred securities to a Person that is not either Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred securities by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (11); and

(12) the incurrence by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness; provided that, after giving effect to any such incurrence, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (12) and then outstanding does not exceed the greater of (a) $25.0 million and (b) 2.5% of Regency Energy Partners’ Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

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Regency Energy Partners shall not incur, and shall not permit Finance Corp. or any Guarantor to incur, any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt) that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners, Finance Corp. or such Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the applicable Note Guarantee on substantially identical terms; provided , however , that no Indebtedness of a Person shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such Person solely by virtue of being unsecured or by virtue of being secured on a first or junior Lien basis.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, if an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (12) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, Regency Energy Partners will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness under Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under this Indenture will initially be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt.

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 Equity in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Equity shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Equity for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided , however , in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of Regency Energy Partners as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1) Regency Energy Partners (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;

(2) such Fair Market Value is determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner if the value is $15.0 million or more, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors of the General Partner; and

(3) at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received by Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Asset Sale and all other Asset Sales since the 2013 Notes Issue Date is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:

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

 

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(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by Regency Energy Partners or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are within 90 days after the Asset Sale (subject to ordinary settlement periods), converted by Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received in that conversion.

Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale (or within 180 days after such 365-day period in the event Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary enters into a binding commitment with respect to such application), Regency Energy Partners (or any Restricted Subsidiary) may apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds:

(1) to repay Senior Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries (or to make an offer to repurchase or redeem such Indebtedness, provided that such repurchase or redemption closes within 45 days after the end of such 365-day period or any permitted extension thereof as contemplated by the first sentence of this paragraph) with a permanent reduction in availability for any revolving credit Indebtedness;

(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Stock of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Stock, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners;

(3) to make a capital expenditure; or

(4) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted Business.

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the second paragraph of this Section 4.10 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, within five days thereof, Regency Energy Partners will make an Asset Sale Offer, pursuant to Section 3.09, 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 of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the purchase date, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, Regency Energy Partners 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, then the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness will be purchased in an authorized denomination and integral multiples thereof). Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

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In making an Asset Sale Offer Regency Energy Partners will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and other securities laws and regulations. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, Regency Energy Partners will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall 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 Regency Energy Partners (each an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:

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

(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $50.0 million, Regency Energy Partners delivers to the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the General Partner set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of Regency Energy Partners.

(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1) any employment agreement, equity award, equity option or equity appreciation agreement or plan or any similar arrangement entered into by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and payments pursuant thereto;

(2) transactions between or among Regency Energy Partners and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners) that is an Affiliate of Regency Energy Partners solely because Regency Energy Partners owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity) of Regency Energy Partners to Affiliates of Regency Energy Partners;

(5) Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof;

 

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(6) customary compensation, indemnification and other benefits made available to officers, directors or employees of Regency Energy Partners, a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners or the General Partner, including reimbursement or advancement of out-of-pocket expenses and provisions of officers’ and directors’ liability insurance;

(7) in the case of contracts for purchase, gathering, processing, sale, transportation and marketing of crude oil, natural gas, condensate and natural gas liquids, hedging agreements, and production handling, operating, construction, terminaling, storage, lease, platform use, or other operational contracts, any such contracts are entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms substantially similar to those contained in similar contracts entered into by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and third parties, or if neither Regency Energy Partners nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has entered into a similar contract with a third party, that the terms are no less favorable than those available from third parties on an arm’s length basis, as determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner;

(8) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business not to exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; and

(9) transactions effected in accordance with the terms of (A) the Contribution Agreement, the Partnership Agreement, the Master Services Agreement or the AMI Agreement, as the case may be, referred to in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Regency Energy Partners filed with the SEC on March 18, 2009, (B) the Contribution Agreement dated as of May 10, 2010 by and among Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Regency Energy Partners and Regency Midcontinent Express LLC, (C) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of March 1, 2007 of MEP, (D) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of May 2, 2011 of Lone Star and (E) the Operation and Service Agreement dated as of May 19, 2011 by and among La Grange Acquisition, L.P. d/b/a Energy Transfer Company, Regency GP LP, Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Gas Services LP, as each such agreement described in clauses (A) through (E) is in effect on the date of this Indenture, and any amendment or extension of such agreement so long as the terms of such amendment or extension, taken as a whole, are not less advantageous to Regency Energy Partners or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary (as determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner in its reasonable good faith judgment) in any material respect than the agreement so amended or extended.

Section 4.12 Liens.

Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness (including any Attributable Debt) upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired, unless all payments due under the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis or on a senior basis with the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien (other than Permitted Liens).

Section 4.13 Business Activities.

Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

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Finance Corp. shall not hold any material assets, become liable for any material obligations or engage in any significant business activities; provided , that Finance Corp. may be a co-obligor or guarantor with respect to Indebtedness if Regency Energy Partners is an obligor on such Indebtedness and the net proceeds of such Indebtedness are received by Regency Energy Partners, Finance Corp. or one or more Guarantors. At any time after Regency Energy Partners is a corporation, Finance Corp. may consolidate or merge with or into Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 4.14 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5 hereof, Regency Energy Partners shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:

(1) its limited partnership existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of Regency Energy Partners or any such Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

provided , however , that Regency Energy Partners shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if it shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, Regency Energy Partners shall make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder of Notes to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is prior to the purchase date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, Regency Energy Partners will send a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any;

(4) that, unless Regency Energy Partners defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest and Additional Interest, if any, after the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

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(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Regency Energy Partners shall comply with all applicable requirements of Rule 14e-l under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, Regency Energy Partners shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, Regency Energy Partners shall, to the extent lawful:

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

(2) 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

(3) 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 Issuers.

The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes (or, to the extent the Notes are in global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC), 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; provided ; that each new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Regency Energy Partners will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

The provisions described above that require the Issuers to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, Regency Energy Partners will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditioned upon the consummation of such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Change of Control Offer is made.

(d) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and Regency Energy Partners purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, Regency Energy Partners will have the right, upon not less than 15 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 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of the Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date.

Section 4.16 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and Regency Energy Partners or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

Section 4.17 Payments for Consent.

Regency Energy Partners shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.18 Additional Guarantees.

If, after the date of this Indenture, any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that is not already a Guarantor guarantees any Indebtedness of either of the Issuers or any Indebtedness of any Guarantor, or any Domestic Subsidiary, if not then a Guarantor, incurs any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility, then in either case that Subsidiary will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto and delivering it to the Trustee within 20 Business Days of the date on which it guaranteed or incurred such Indebtedness, as the case may be; provided , however , that the preceding shall not apply to Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that have been properly designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in accordance with this Indenture for so long as they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the preceding, any Note Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary that was incurred pursuant to this paragraph as a result of its guarantee of any Indebtedness shall provide by its terms that it shall be automatically and unconditionally released upon the release or discharge of the Guarantee that resulted in the creation of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Note Guarantee, except a discharge or release by, or as a result of payment under, such Guarantee.

 

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Section 4.19 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the General Partner 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 Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be either an Investment made as of the time of the designation that will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or a Permitted Investment under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by Regency Energy Partners; provided that any 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.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the General Partner giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, Regency Energy Partners will be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the General Partner may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

Section 4.20 Termination of Covenants.

If at any time the Notes achieve an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing under this Indenture, Regency Energy Partners and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the following provisions of this Indenture:

(1) Section 4.07;

(2) Section 4.08;

(3) Section 4.09;

(4) Section 4.10;

(5) Section 4.11;

(6) Section 4.13;

(7) Section 4.16;

 

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(8) Section 4.18;

(9) Section 4.19; and

(10) Section 5.01(a)(4).

Promptly after such termination, Regency Energy Partners shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate certifying to such termination.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

(a) Neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the surviving entity); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Regency Energy Partners and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1) either:

(A) such Issuer is the surviving entity; or

(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; provided , however , that Finance Corp. may not consolidate or merge with or into any Person other than a corporation satisfying such requirement so long as Regency Energy Partners is not a corporation;

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes, this Indenture and each Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

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

(4) in the case of a transaction involving Regency Energy Partners and not Finance Corp., Regency Energy Partners or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than Regency Energy Partners), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition has been made, will, either:

(A) be, 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, permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a); or

 

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(B) have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, on the date of such transaction and 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, not less than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of Regency Energy Partners immediately prior to such transaction; and

(5) such Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and all conditions precedent therein relating to such transaction have been satisfied;

provided that clause (4) shall not apply to any sale of assets of a Restricted Subsidiary to Regency Energy Partners or another Restricted Subsidiary or the merger or consolidation of a Restricted Subsidiary into any Restricted Subsidiary or Regency Energy Partners.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.01(a), Regency Energy Partners is permitted to reorganize as any other form of entity in accordance with the procedures established in this Indenture; provided that:

(1) the reorganization involves the conversion (by merger, sale, legal conversion, contribution or exchange of assets or otherwise) of Regency Energy Partners into a form of entity other than a limited partnership formed under Delaware law;

(2) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

(3) the entity so formed by or resulting from such reorganization assumes all the obligations of Regency Energy Partners under the Notes, this Indenture and each Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(4) immediately after such reorganization no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(5) such reorganization is not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes (for purposes of this clause (5) it is stipulated that such reorganization shall not be considered materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes solely because the successor or survivor of such reorganization (a) is subject to federal or state income taxation as an entity or (b) is considered to be an “includible corporation” of an affiliated group of corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(b)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any similar state or local law).

(c) A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than Regency Energy Partners or another Guarantor, except as permitted by Sections 10.04 and 10.05 hereof.

Section 5.02 Successor Person Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of Regency Energy Partners in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which Regency Energy Partners is merged or to

 

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which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to “Regency Energy Partners” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to Regency Energy Partners), and may exercise every right and power of Regency Energy Partners under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as Regency Energy Partners herein.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes;

(2) default in the payment when due (at stated maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

(3) failure by the Issuers or the Guarantors to make a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer within the time periods set forth, or consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to the terms described in Sections 4.15 or 4.10 or comply with the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof;

(4) failure by Regency Energy Partners for 90 days after notice to comply with the provisions of Section 4.03 hereof;

(5) failure by the Issuers or the Guarantors for 60 days after written notice to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of this Indenture, if that default:

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

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

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $20.0 million or more, provided , however , that if, prior to any acceleration of the Notes, (i) any such Payment Default is cured or waived, (ii) any such acceleration is rescinded, or (iii) such Indebtedness is repaid during the 10 Business Day period commencing upon the end of any applicable grace period for such Payment Default or

 

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the occurrence of such acceleration, as applicable, any Default or Event of Default (but not any acceleration of the notes) caused by such Payment Default or acceleration shall automatically be rescinded, so long as such rescission does not conflict with any judgment, decree or applicable law;

(7) failure by an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction aggregating in excess of $20.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;

(8) an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary 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) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

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

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

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

(A) is for relief against an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a custodian of an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C) orders the liquidation of an Issuer or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

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

 

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(10) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its Obligations under its Note Guarantee.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (8) or (9) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to Finance Corp., Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare, by notice in writing to the Issuers, all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided , however , that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(1) such Holder gives to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee in its sole discretion against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

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

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers for the whole amount of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian

 

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in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Issuers or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct. The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

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

 

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ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default bas occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

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

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against any loss, liability or expense.

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

 

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Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

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

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of each of the Issuers.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

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

(h) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(i) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.

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

Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the TIA) after a Default has occurred and is continuing it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

 

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Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will send to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will send to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also send all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its delivery to the Holders of Notes will be mailed or delivered by the Trustee to the Issuers and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Issuers will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Issuers and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuers, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection

 

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with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers will not relieve the Issuers or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuers nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Issuers and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal, premium, if any, Additional Interest, if any, and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) or (9) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:

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

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

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

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.

 

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(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuers.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

Section 7.12 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

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Section 7.13 U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act (the “Patriot Act”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the Patriot Act.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

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

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

 

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Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 3.09, 4.03, 4.04 (except for paragraph (a) thereof to the extent required by the TIA), 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes, and the Guarantors will be released from their obligations with respect to the Note Guarantees, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Issuers and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(7) inclusive hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

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

(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:

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

(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

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

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which Regency Energy Partners or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Regency Energy Partners or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuers or others; and

(7) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including either Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuers will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 8.06 Repayment to the Issuers.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided , however , that, if any Notes then outstanding are in definitive form, the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuers.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided , however , that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder of Notes:

(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers’ or such Guarantors’ properties or assets, as applicable;

 

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(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any such Holder;

(5) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(6) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the notes” section of the Issuers’ Offering Memorandum to the extent that such text of this Indenture or the Note Guarantees was intended to reflect such provision of the “Description of the notes”;

(7) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

(8) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a notation of Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes or to reflect the addition or release of a Note Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture;

(9) to secure the Notes and/or the Note Guarantees; or

(10) to provide for the reorganization of Regency Energy Partners as any other form of entity, in accordance with Section 5.01(b).

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by resolutions of their Boards of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by resolutions of their Boards of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06 hereof, the Trustee will join with

 

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the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers will send to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to send such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the Notes (other than provisions relating to Sections 3.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of, principal of, or interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes (other than as permitted by clause (7) below);

(7) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Sections 4.10 or 4.15 hereof);

(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

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Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder; except as provided in the last paragraph of Section 9.02.

Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Boards of Directors of each of the Issuers approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. In the case of any amendment or supplement pursuant to Section 9.01(6) hereof, such Officers’ Certificate shall include a certification that the conforming change being made to this Indenture reflects the intent of the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers.

ARTICLE 10

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1) the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

 

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(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by any of the foregoing to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

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Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the notation of Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a notation of Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

In the event that the Issuers or any of Regency Energy Partners’ Restricted Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 4.18 hereof, the Issuers will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.18 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than Regency Energy Partners or another Guarantor, unless:

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

(2) either:

(a) subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (other than the Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture, its Note Guarantee and each Registration Rights Agreement on the terms set forth herein or therein, pursuant to a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto; or

(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof.

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, of such obligations, 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 notations of Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore

 

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shall not have been signed by the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Section 10.05 Releases.

(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or 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) Regency Energy Partners or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners, 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 Person acquiring the properties or assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note 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 4.10 hereof. Upon delivery by the Issuers 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 Issuers in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(b) Upon designation of any Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee.

(c) At such time as any Guarantor ceases to guarantee any other Indebtedness of an Issuer or another Guarantor, such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee, provided that, if it is also a Domestic Subsidiary, it is no longer an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility; provided , however , that if, at any time following such release, that Guarantor incurs a Guarantee under a Credit Facility, then such Guarantor shall be required to provide a Note Guarantee at such time.

(d) Upon Legal or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee.

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder (except as otherwise specified herein), when:

(1) either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year by reason of the sending of a notice of redemption or otherwise and the Issuers or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and accrued interest to the date of fixed maturity or redemption;

(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor is a party or by which Regency Energy Partners or any Guarantor is bound;

(3) the Issuers or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(4) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at fixed maturity or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money or Government Securities have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

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Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including either Issuer acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof, provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 12.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuers and/or any Guarantor:

Regency Energy Partners LP

Regency Energy Finance Corp.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, Texas 75201

Facsimile No.: (214) 750-1749

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

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With a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street, Suite 3700

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile No.: (713) 546-5401

Attention: William N. Finnegan IV

If to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Services

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, Texas 75201

Facsimile No.: (214) 756-7401

Attention: Corporate Trust Services—Regency Energy Administrator

The Issuers, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery. When the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes, all notices will be deemed to be given when sent pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. When the Notes are represented by one or more Global Notes, all notices or communications will be sent pursuant to the Applicable Procedures and will be deemed to be given when sent pursuant to such procedures. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed or sent to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail or send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuers mail a notice or communication to Holders, they will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

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Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Issuers to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied; provided, however, that the Issuers shall not be required to furnish such Opinion of Counsel in connection with their request for the Trustee to authenticate the Initial Notes on the date hereof.

Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

(1) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

None of the Trustee, the General Partner or any past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Trustee, the General Partner, the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

 

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Section 12.08 Governing Law.

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

Section 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of Regency Energy Partners or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.10 Successors.

All agreements of the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes will bind their successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05 hereof.

Section 12.11 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 12.12 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

[Signatures on following pages]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of the date first written above.

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP, its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Executive Vice President and
              Chief Financial Officer
REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President
GUARANTORS
REGENCY OLP GP LLC
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President
REGENCY GAS SERVICES LP
By:   Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President

 

S-1


CDM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LLC
CDM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT I LLC
  By: CDM Resource Management LLC,
          its sole member
FRONTSTREET HUGOTON LLC
GULF STATES TRANSMISSION LLC
REGENCY WESTERN G&P LLC
REGENCY FIELD SERVICES LLC
REGENCY GAS UTILITY LLC
REGENCY HAYESVILLE INTRASTATE GAS
  LLC
REGENCY LIQUIDS PIPELINE LLC
REGENCY MIDCONTINENT EXPRESS LLC
REGENCY MIDSTREAM LLC
REGENCY TEXAS PIPELINE LLC
REGENCY RANCH JV LLC
WGP-KHC, LLC
  By: FrontStreet Hugoton LLC,
          its sole member
ZEPHYR GAS SERVICES LLC
ZEPHYR GAS SERVICES I LLC
By:   Regency Gas Services LP, its sole member
By:   Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President
PUEBLO HOLDINGS, INC.
PUEBLO MIDSTREAM GAS CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION , as Trustee

By:  

/s/ John C. Stohlmann

  Name: John C. Stohlmann
  Title:   Vice President

 

S-2


EXHIBIT A

[Face of Note]

CUSIP [            ]

4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

 

No.             $         

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

and

REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.

promise to pay to                                          , or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                                                           DOLLARS on November 1, 2023.

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15

Dated:                  , 20         

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP,
  its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC,
  its general partner
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-1


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:    
Authorized Signatory

 

A-2


[Back of Note]

4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) Interest. Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 4.500% per annum from April 30, 2013 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to Section 2 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Issuers will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November 1, 2013. The Issuers will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; they will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any (without regard to any applicable grace periods), from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2) Method of Payment. The Issuers will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Holders of Definitive Notes must surrender their Notes to the Paying Agent to collect payments of principal and premium, if any, due at maturity. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within the continental United States, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes for which the Holders of $5.0 million or more in principal amount of which have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) Paying Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. Regency Energy Partners or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

A-3


(4) Indenture. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 30, 2013 (the “Indenture”) among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Issuers. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to August 1, 2023, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date. On or after August 1, 2023, the Issuers may redeem some or all of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Redemption Date.

For purposes of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, “Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note or (2) the excess of: (a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the redemption price of the Note at August 1, 2023 (such redemption price being set forth above) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through August 1, 2023 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of the Note. In addition, for purposes of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, “Treasury Rate” means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity as of the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2023; provided , however , that if such period is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, Regency Energy Partners shall obtain the Treasury Rate by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to August 1, 2023, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption price, interest and Additional Interest, if any, will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the applicable Redemption Date.

(b) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and Regency Energy Partners purchases all of the Notes held by such Holders, Regency Energy Partners will have the right, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of the Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an Interest Payment Date that is prior to the Redemption Date.

 

A-4


(6) Special Mandatory Redemption. Except as set forth in this paragraph 6, the Issuers are not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

If a Mandatory Redemption Event occurs, then on the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, Regency Energy Partners will redeem all and not less than all the Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to, but not including, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”).

Regency Energy Partners will promptly, and in any event not more than three Business Days after the occurrence of a Mandatory Redemption Event, deliver notice of the special mandatory redemption to the Trustee, who will then promptly deliver such notice to each Holder of Notes at its registered address. On or prior to the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, Regency Energy Partners will deposit with the Trustee an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Special Mandatory Redemption Price. Prior to any such deposit of cash with the Trustee to fulfill the Special Mandatory Redemption Price or the consummation of the SUGS Acquisition, Regency Energy Partners shall maintain the net proceeds from the issuance of the Initial Notes on hand at all times in cash or Cash Equivalents. However, Holders will not have any special access or rights to or a Lien or encumbrance of any kind on the net proceeds to Regency Energy Partners from the issuance of the Initial Notes.

(7) Repurchase at the Option of Holder.

(a) If there is a Change of Control, the Issuers will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will send a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners consummates any Asset Sale, within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, the Issuers will commence an offer, pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, 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 the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, Regency Energy Partners may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the 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, then the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness shall be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness will be purchased in an authorized denomination and integral multiples thereof). Holders of Definitive Notes that are the subject of an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

 

A-5


(8) Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption will be sent at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.

(9) Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(10) Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11) Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented (i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers’ or such Guarantor’s properties or assets, as applicable; (iv) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder; (v) to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (vi) to conform the text of the Indenture or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of the notes” section of the Issuers’ Offering Memorandum to the extent that such text of the Indenture or the Notes Guarantees was intended to reflect such provision of the “Description of the notes”; (vii) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture as of the date of the Indenture; (viii) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or notation of Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes or to reflect the addition or release of a Note Guarantee in accordance with the Indenture; (ix)to secure the Notes and/or the Note Guarantees; or (x) to provide for the reorganization of Regency Energy Partners as any other form of entity, in accordance with Section 5.01(b) of the Indenture.

(12) Defaults and Remedies. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to the Notes; (ii) default in the payment when due (at stated maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium,

 

A-6


if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to timely consummate repurchase offers under Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture or to comply with Section 5.01 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by Regency Energy Partners for 90 days after notice to comply with Section 4.03 of the Indenture; (v) failure by Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after written notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture; (vi) default under certain other agreements relating to Indebtedness of Regency Energy Partners or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, which default results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; (vii) certain final judgments for the payment of money that remain undischarged for a period of 60 days; (viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; and (ix) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor or any Person acting on its behalf denies or disaffirms its obligations under such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee. If any 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to Finance Corp., Regency Energy Partners or any Restricted Subsidiary of Regency Energy Partners that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Regency Energy Partners that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal, interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Notes. The Issuers and the Guarantors are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuers and the Guarantors are required, upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.

(13) Trustee Dealings with the Issuers. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Issuers or their Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) No Recourse Against Others. None of the Trustee, the General Partner or any past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Trustee, the General Partner, the Issuers or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes and the Note Guarantees. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

(15) Authentication. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

A-7


(16) Abbreviations. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) Additional Rights of Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of April 30, 2013, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Issuers and the Guarantors to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreement”).

(18) CUSIP Numbers. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Regency Energy Partners LP

Regency Energy Finance Corp.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, TX 75201

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

A-8


Assignment Form

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: (Insert assignee’s legal name)

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                             

Your Signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                              

 

  * Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-9


Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

 

Section 4.10    Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 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 Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:

Signature Guarantee*:                             

 

  * Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note 1

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange    Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount of this
Global Note
   Amount of increase in
Principal Amount of this
Global Note
     Principal Amount of this
Global Note following
such decrease (or increase)
     Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Custodian
 
                          
                          
                          

 

1   This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-11


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

Regency Energy Partners LP

Regency Energy Finance Corp.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, TX 75201

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Services

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, TX 75201

Re:  4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $___in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                  (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated

 

B-1


offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) such Transfer is being effected to the Issuers or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

or

(d) such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on a Restricted Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

4. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

 

B-2


(a) Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

103


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

  1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

  (a) a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) 144A Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

  (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

  2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE OF]

 

  (a) a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i) 144A Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

  (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP          ), or

 

  (iii) Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                      ); or

 

  (b) a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

  (c) an Unrestricted Definitive Note,

in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

Regency Energy Partners LP

Regency Energy Finance Corp.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, TX 75201

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

Corporate Trust Services

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, TX 75201

Re: 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

(CUSIP                      )

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                     (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $      in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-1


(c) [Reserved]

(d) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

C-2


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

Regency Energy Partners LP

Regency Energy Finance Corp.

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, TX 75201

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association Corporate Trust Services

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, TX 75201

Re: 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $             aggregate principal amount of:

(a) a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

(b) a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to Regency Energy Partners or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Issuers a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

 

D-1


3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Issuers such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Issuers may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Issuers are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

D-2


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE]

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2013 (the “Indenture”), among Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the Notes, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of, premium, if any, interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, (i) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions (ii) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the Indenture and (iii) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

[Name of Guarantor(s)]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:                     

 

E-1


EXHIBIT F

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of         , 20        , among         (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Regency Energy Partners”), and Regency Energy Finance Corp. (“Finance Corp.” and, together with Regency Energy Partners, the “Issuers”), the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Issuers have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of April 30, 2013 providing for the issuance of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 10 thereof.

3. No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, partner, member, employee, incorporator, manager or unit holder or other owner of Equity Interests of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

F-1


5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

7. The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Issuers.

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

Dated:                      , 20     

 

[Guaranteeing Subsidiary]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP,
  its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC,
  its general partner
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

F-2


[Existing Guarantors]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

F-3

Exhibit 4.2

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

AND

SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of April 30, 2013, by and among REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Regency ”), and SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (“ Southern Union ”).

This Agreement is made in connection with the issuance of the Regency Common Units to Southern Union pursuant to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, as amended (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), by and among Southern Union, Regency, Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, ETP Holdco Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and ETC Texas Pipeline, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership. Regency and Southern Union have agreed to enter into this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.4(a)(iii) and Section 2.4(b)(iii) of the Contribution Agreement.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Contribution Agreement . The terms set forth below are used herein as so defined:

Affiliate ” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such first Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Units ” means 31,372,419 common units representing limited partner interests in Regency issued to Southern Union pursuant to the Contribution Agreement and any common units representing limited partner interests in Regency issuable upon the conversion of the Class F Common Units representing limited partner interests in Regency issued to Southern Union pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.

Contribution Agreement ” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this Agreement.

Effectiveness Period ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.

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

Holder ” means the record holder of any Registrable Securities.

Information ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 3.02(d) of this Agreement.

Losses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.07(a) of this Agreement.

Managing Underwriter ” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the book running lead manager of such Underwritten Offering.

Person ” means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, limited liability company, joint stock company, joint venture, association, company, estate, trust, bank trust company, land trust, business trust, or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, custodian, trustee-executor, administrator, nominee or entity in a representative capacity.


Regency ” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this Agreement.

Registrable Securities ” means the Common Units until such time as such securities cease to be Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 1.02 hereof.

Registration Expenses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(a) of this Agreement.

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

Selling Expenses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.06(a) of this Agreement.

Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

Shelf Registration ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.

Shelf Registration Statement ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.

Southern Union ” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble of this Agreement.

Underwritten Offering ” means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement) in which Common Units are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public or an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks.

Section 1.02 Registrable Securities . Any Registrable Security will cease to be a Registrable Security when (a) a registration statement covering such Registrable Security has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement; (b) such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144 then in force) under the Securities Act; (c) such Registrable Security is held by Regency or one of its subsidiaries; or (d) such Registrable Security is eligible for resale (without restriction, including but not limited to, volume limitations) under Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force under the Securities Act) under the Securities Act.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 2.01 Shelf Registration .

(a) Shelf Registration . At the option and upon the request of the holders of a majority of the Common Units covered by this Agreement, Regency shall prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 (or any similar provision then in force) of the Securities Act (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”). Regency shall use its reasonable best efforts to file the Shelf Registration Statement within 45 days of any such request and cause it to be effective as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter (the “ Shelf Registration ”); provided , however , that Regency shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 2.01(a). The Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall be selected by Regency; provided , however , that if a prospectus supplement will be used in connection with the marketing of an Underwritten Offering from the Shelf Registration Statement and the Managing Underwriter at any time shall notify Southern Union in writing that, in the sole judgment of such Managing Underwriter, inclusion of detailed information to be used in such prospectus supplement is of material importance to the

 

-2-


success of the Underwritten Offering of such Registrable Securities, Regency shall use its reasonable best efforts to include such information in such a prospectus supplement. Regency will cause the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) to be continuously effective under the Securities Act until all Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been distributed in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Shelf Registration Statement or there are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding (the “ Effectiveness Period ”). The Shelf Registration Statement when declared effective (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not 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. If Regency determines in good faith that the requested registration would be materially detrimental to Regency because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving Regency, (y) require premature disclosure of material information that Regency has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (z) render Regency unable to comply with requirements under applicable securities laws, then Regency shall have the right to postpone such requested registration for a period of not more than three months after receipt of Southern Union’s request, such right pursuant to this Section 2.01(b) not to be utilized more than twice in any twelve-month period.

(b) Delay Rights . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Regency may, upon written notice to any Selling Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in the Shelf Registration Statement, suspend such Selling Holder’s use of any prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement (in which event the Selling Holder shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement) if Regency (i) is pursuing a financing, acquisition, merger, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction and determines in good faith that its ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in the Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) has experienced some other material non-public event the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of Regency would materially adversely affect Regency. Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, Regency shall provide prompt notice to the Selling Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in the Shelf Registration Statement, and shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other actions to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement.

Section 2.02 Underwritten Offering . In the event that the Selling Holders holding a majority of the Common Units covered by this Agreement elect to dispose of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering, Regency shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters, which shall include, among other provisions, indemnities to the effect and to the extent provided in Section 2.07, and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the Managing Underwriter in order to expedite or facilitate the registration and disposition of the Registrable Securities. In connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Agreement, Regency shall be entitled to select the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters, subject to the consent of Southern Union not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. No Selling Holder may participate in such Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each Selling Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, Regency to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such Selling Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations. No Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with Regency other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder and its ownership of the securities being registered on its behalf and its intended method of distribution and any other representations required by law. If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an underwriting, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to Regency and the Managing Underwriter; provided , however , that such notice of withdrawal must be made before or at the time of pricing of such offering in order to be effective. No such withdrawal or abandonment shall affect Regency’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses.

 

-3-


Section 2.03 Registration Procedures . In connection with its obligations contained in Section 2.01, Regency will, as expeditiously as possible:

(a) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement;

(b) furnish to each Selling Holder (i) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing the Shelf Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including furnishing or making available exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing the Shelf Registration Statement or supplement or amendment thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement;

(c) if applicable, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing Underwriter, shall reasonably request, provided that neither Regency nor its general partner will be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action which would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

(d) promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement, when the same has become effective; and (ii) any written comments from the Commission with respect to any filing referred to in clause (i) and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;

(e) immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in light of the circumstances then existing; (ii) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (iii) the receipt by Regency of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, Regency agrees to as promptly as practicable amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include 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, in light of the circumstances then existing, and to take such other action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto;

(f) furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to such offering of Registrable Securities;

 

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(g) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, furnish upon request and addressed to the underwriters and to the Selling Holders, (i) an opinion of counsel for Regency, dated the effective date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, and (ii) a “comfort letter”, dated the effective date of the applicable registration statement or the date of any amendment or supplement thereto and a letter of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in each case, signed by the independent public accountants who have certified Regency’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference into the applicable registration statement, and each of the opinion and the “comfort letter” shall be in customary form and cover substantially the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus and any prospectus supplement included therein) as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to the underwriters in Underwritten Offerings of securities, and such other matters as such underwriters may reasonably request;

(h) otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the first full calendar month after the effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

(i) make available to the appropriate representatives of the Managing Underwriter and Selling Holders access to such information and Regency personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such parties to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act; provided that Regency need not disclose any information to any such representative unless and until such representative has entered into a confidentiality agreement with Regency;

(j) cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which similar securities issued by Regency are then listed;

(k) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of Regency to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

(l) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement; and

(m) enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, including participation in “roadshows,” as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from Regency of the happening of any event of the kind described in subsection (e) of this Section 2.03, shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subsection (e) of this Section 2.03 or until it is advised in writing by Regency that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by Regency, such Selling Holder will, or will request the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to deliver to Regency (at Regency’s expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

Section 2.04 Cooperation by Holders . Regency shall have no obligation to include in the Shelf Registration Statement units of a Holder who has failed to timely furnish such information which, in the opinion of counsel to Regency, is reasonably required in order for the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.

 

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Section 2.05 Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each Holder of Registrable Securities who is included in the Shelf Registration Statement agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of the Registrable Securities during the lock-up period contained in a prospectus supplement filed with the Commission with respect to the pricing of an Underwritten Offering, provided that (i) Regency gives written notice to such Holder of the date of the commencement and termination of such period with respect to any such Underwritten Offering and (ii) the duration of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest restriction generally imposed by the underwriters on Regency or on the officers or directors or any other unitholder of Regency on whom a restriction is imposed.

Section 2.06 Expenses .

(a) Certain Definitions . “ Registration Expenses ” means all expenses incident to Regency’s performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration, and the disposition of such securities, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing fees, all registration, filing, qualification and other fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, transfer taxes and fees of transfer agents and registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, the fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for Regency, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort letters” required by or incident to such performance and compliance. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.07 hereof, Regency shall not be responsible for legal fees incurred by Holders in connection with the exercise of such Holders’ rights hereunder. In addition, Regency shall not be responsible for any “ Selling Expenses ,” which means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities.

(b) Expenses . Regency will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement, whether or not the Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective or any sale is made pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. Each Selling Holder shall pay all Selling Expenses in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder.

Section 2.07 Indemnification .

(a) By Regency . In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, Regency will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder thereunder, its directors and officers and each underwriter pursuant to the applicable underwriting agreement with such underwriter and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “ Losses ”), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder or underwriter or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Holder, its directors and officers, each such underwriter and each such controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided , however , that Regency will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such Selling Holder, such underwriter or such controlling Person in writing specifically for use in the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereof. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any such director, officer or controlling Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.

 

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(b) By Each Selling Holder . Each Selling Holder agrees severally and jointly to indemnify and hold harmless Regency, its directors and officers, and each Person, if any, who controls Regency within the meaning of the Securities Act or of the Exchange Act against any Losses to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from Regency to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement or any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereof relating to the Registrable Securities; provided , however , that the liability of each Selling Holder shall not be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of any Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification.

(c) Notice . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but such indemnified party’s failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party other than under this Section 2.07. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.07 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected; provided , however , that, (i) if the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and counsel to the indemnified party shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of one such separate counsel (firm) and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no indemnified party shall settle any action brought against it with respect to which it is entitled to indemnification hereunder without the consent of the indemnifying party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete and unconditional release from all liability of, the indemnifying party.

(d) Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.07 is held by a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to Regency or any Selling Holder or is insufficient to hold it harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses as between Regency, on the one hand, and such Selling Holder, on the other hand, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of Regency, on the one hand, and of such Selling Holder, on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided , however , that in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of proceeds (net of Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification. The relative fault of Regency, on the one hand, and each Selling Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact has been made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were to be

 

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determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to include any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any Loss which is the subject of this paragraph. 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 is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(e) Other Indemnification . The provisions of this Section 2.07 shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which an indemnified party may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

Section 2.08 Rule 144 Reporting . With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, Regency agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to:

(a) Make and keep public information regarding Regency available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act, at all times from and after the date hereof;

(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of Regency under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof; and

(c) So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of Regency, and such other reports and documents so filed as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities without registration.

Section 2.09 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights . The rights to cause Regency to include Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration Statement may be transferred or assigned by Southern Union to one or more transferee(s) or assignee(s) of such Registrable Securities, provided that (a) such transferee or assignee is an Affiliate of Southern Union or receives at least 20% of the Common Units covered by this Agreement, (b) Regency is given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each such transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned, and (c) each such transferee or assignee assumes in writing responsibility for its portion of the obligations of Southern Union under this Agreement.

Section 2.10 Information by Holder . Any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities included in any registration statement shall promptly furnish to Regency such information regarding such Holder or Holders and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders as Regency may reasonably request and as shall be required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to herein.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 3.01 Communications . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by facsimile, courier service or personal delivery:

if to Regency to:

Regency Energy Partners LP

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, TX 75201

Telephone: (214) 840-5400

Facsimile: (214) 840-5515

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

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with a copy to:

Locke Lord LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 2800

Houston, TX 77002

Telephone: (713) 226-1528

Facsimile: (713) 229-2608

Attention: Dan A. Fleckman

if to Southern Union to:

Southern Union Company

c/o Energy Transfer Equity, L.P.

3738 Oak Lawn

Dallas, Texas 75219

Telephone: (832) 668-1210 or (214) 981-0763

Facsimile: (832) 668-1127

Attention: General Counsel

with a copy to:

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 220-4360

Facsimile: (713) 238-7130

Attention: G. Michael O’Leary

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when receipt acknowledged, if sent via facsimile; and when actually received, if sent by any other means.

Section 3.02 Books and Records; Financial Information .

(a) Regency shall provide to Southern Union and its Affiliates access upon reasonable notice during normal business hours to the Regency’s books and records to the extent reasonably necessary to prepare financial statements of Southern Union and its Affiliates in such forms and covering such periods as may be required by any applicable securities laws to be filed with the SEC by Southern Union or any of its Affiliates as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Regency shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its independent accountants to provide any consent necessary to the filing of such financial statements with the SEC and to provide such customary representation letters as are necessary in connection therewith. Until such time none of Southern Union and any of its Affiliates shall be obligated to include financial information with respect to Regency in any of their reports required to be filed with the SEC, Regency’s obligations under this Section 3.02 shall include the obligation to provide to Southern Union or any of its Affiliates, at Southern Union or such Affiliate’s expense, the accounting and financial information set forth on Schedule I.

(b) Regency hereby consents to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of the financial statements of the Regency in any registration statement, report or other filing of Southern Union or any of its Affiliates as to which Southern Union or any of its Affiliates reasonably determines that such financial statements are required to be included or incorporated by reference to satisfy any rule or regulation of the SEC or to satisfy relevant disclosure obligations under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Regency shall use reasonable best efforts to cause its independent auditors to consent to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of its audit opinion with respect to any of the financial statements of Regency in any such registration statement, report or other filing of Southern Union or any of its Affiliates, and Regency shall cause representation letters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the its independent auditors, to be executed and delivered to the independent auditors in connection with obtaining any such consent.

 

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(c) Regency shall provide access upon reasonable notice during normal business hours to its books and records as may be reasonably necessary for Southern Union or any of its Affiliates, or any of its advisors or representatives, to conduct customary due diligence with respect to the financial statements of Regency in connection with any offering of securities by Southern Union or any of its Affiliates or to enable an accounting firm to prepare and deliver a customary comfort letter with respect to financial information relating to Regency. Southern Union or its Affiliates shall reimburse Regency for any cost or expenses incurred by Regency in connection with the foregoing.

(d) Southern Union and its Affiliates shall not, directly or indirectly, disclose to any Person any confidential Information provided to Southern Union pursuant to this Section 3.02 (“ Information ”), which has not become generally available to the public, other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event that Southern Union or any of its Affiliates is required by Law or applicable stock exchange rules to disclose any Information, such party shall (1) notify Regency as promptly as practicable of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding such a request, so that Regency may either waive such party’s compliance with the terms of this Section 3.2 or seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy and (2) if Regency seeks such a protective order, to provide such cooperation as Regency may reasonably request (at Regency’s sole expense) and (B) the Parties acknowledge and agree that Southern Union or its Affiliates may be required to include or incorporate into its financial statements the financial information described on Schedule I and Southern Union and any such Affiliate shall not publicly disclose such Information in its financial statements until Regency has publicly filed its financial statements containing such information. In the event that Regency waives compliance (in whole or in part) with the terms of this Section 3.02, or such protective order or other remedy is denied, as a result of which Southern Union or its Affiliate is nonetheless legally compelled to disclose such Information, Southern Union or its Affiliate, as the case may be, shall furnish only that portion of the Information that its legal counsel advises is legally required, and Southern Union or its Affiliate shall exercise its reasonable best efforts to preserve the confidentiality of the remainder of the Information. In no event shall Southern Union or its Affiliate oppose action by Regency to obtain a protective order or other relief to prevent the disclosure of Information or to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be afforded the Information.

Section 3.03 Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.

Section 3.04 Assignment of Rights . All or any portion of the rights and obligations of Southern Union under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by Southern Union only in accordance with Section 2.09 of this Agreement.

Section 3.05 Recapitalization, Exchanges, etc. Affecting the Common Units . The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all units of Regency or any successor or assign of Regency (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.

Section 3.06 Specific Performance . Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity which such Person may have.

 

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Section 3.07 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

Section 3.08 Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

Section 3.09 Governing Law . The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern this Agreement without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

Section 3.10 Severability of Provisions . Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

Section 3.11 Entire Agreement . This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the rights granted by Regency set forth herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

Section 3.12 Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written amendment signed by Regency and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided , however , that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder.

Section 3.13 No Presumption . In the event any claim is made by a party relating to any conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or its counsel.

[Signature page follows]

 

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

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP, its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC, its general partner
  By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
  Name:   Thomas E. Long
  Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
SOUTHERN UNION COMPANY
  By:   /s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.
  Name:   Martin Salinas, Jr.
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer


Schedule I

Accounting and Financial Information

 

Provide the following financial statements immediately after closing:

 

   

Audited annual financial statements from Regency’s most recent Form 10-K

 

   

Unaudited interim financial statements for the most recent quarter-end

 

Provide audited annual financial statements for each subsequent annual period.

 

   

Provide in draft form when available; provide in final form with auditors’ report when finalized.

 

Provide estimated income at the end of each calendar quarter, no later than the 9th business day following the end of the quarter.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the Contribution Agreement, upon the written request of Southern Union or any of its Affiliates, provide good faith estimates of the following at the end of each calendar quarter, no later than the 21st calendar day following the end of the quarter.

 

   

Qualifying income calculation

 

   

Projection of net taxable income of Regency for the full year

 

Provide a draft of Regency’s Form 10-Q within 20 business days following the end of a calendar quarter

 

Provide a draft of Regency’s Form 10-K within 30 business days following the end of a calendar year

 

Provide assistance with obtaining consent from Regency’s auditor, for example:

 

   

Respond to inquiries

 

   

Sign management representation letters

 

   

Provide updated financial information

Exhibit 4.3

EXECUTION VERSION

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated April 30, 2013 (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (“ Finance Corp .” and, together with the Partnership, the “ Issuers ”), the guarantors listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Initial Guarantors ”), PEPL Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ PEPL Holdings ”), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“ J.P. Morgan ”), on behalf of itself and the other initial purchasers listed on Schedule 1 of the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “ Initial Purchasers ”).

The Issuers, the Initial Guarantors and J.P. Morgan, as representative of the Initial Purchasers, are parties to the Purchase Agreement dated April 24, 2013 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), which provides for the sale by the Issuers to the Initial Purchasers of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Issuers’ 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “ Securities ”) which will be guaranteed on an unsecured basis by each of the Guarantors and which will have the benefit of a limited contingent guarantee by PEPL Holdings (the “ PEPL Limited Guarantee ”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings have agreed to provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.

In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Additional Guarantor ” shall mean any subsidiary of the Partnership that executes a Guarantee under the Indenture after the date of this Agreement.

Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Business Day ” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Exchange Dates ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii) hereof.

Exchange Offer ” shall mean the exchange offer by the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration ” shall mean a registration under the Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement ” shall mean an exchange offer registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate form) and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.


“Exchange Securities” shall mean senior notes issued by the Issuers and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the Indenture, having the benefit of the PEPL Limited Guarantee and containing terms identical to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

Finance Corp. ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include Finance Corp.’s successor.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Free Writing Prospectus ” means each free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Issuers or used or referred to by the Issuers in connection with the sale of the Securities or the Exchange Securities.

Guarantees ” shall mean the guarantees of the Securities and guarantees of the Exchange Securities by the Guarantors under the Indenture.

Guarantors ” shall mean the Initial Guarantors, any Additional Guarantors and any Guarantor’s successor that Guarantees the Securities.

Holders ” shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the Indenture; provided that, for purposes of Section 4 and Section 5 hereof, the term “Holders” shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.

Indemnified Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

Indemnifying Person ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

Indenture ” shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities dated as of April 30, 2013 among the Issuers, the Initial Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, and as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

Initial Purchasers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Inspector ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)(xiv) hereof.

Issuer Information ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a) hereof.

Issuers ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Issuers’ respective successors.

J.P. Morgan ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Majority Holders ” shall mean the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities is required hereunder, any Registrable Securities owned directly or indirectly by the Issuers or any of its affiliates shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage or amount; and provided , further , that if the Issuers shall issue any additional Securities under the Indenture prior to consummation of the

 

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Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement, such additional Securities and the Registrable Securities to which this Agreement relates shall be treated together as one class for purposes of determining whether the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Securities has been obtained.

Notice and Questionnaire ” shall mean a notice of registration statement and selling security holder questionnaire distributed to a Holder by the Issuers upon receipt of a Shelf Request from such Holder.

Participating Broker-Dealers ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) hereof.

Participating Holder ” shall mean any Holder of Registrable Securities that has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Issuers in accordance with Section 2(b) hereof.

Partnership ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include the Partnership’s successor.

PEPL Holdings ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall also include PEPL Holdings’ successor.

PEPL Holdings Information ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(b) hereof.

PEPL Limited Guarantee ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Person ” shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

Prospectus ” shall mean the prospectus included in, or, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Act, deemed a part of, a Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement, and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case including any document incorporated by reference therein.

Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Registrable Securities ” shall mean the Securities; provided that the Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration Statement with respect to such Securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant to such Registration Statement, or (ii) when such Securities cease to be outstanding; provided , however , that Securities held by an Initial Purchaser and that are ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer shall remain Registrable Securities notwithstanding the consummation of the Exchange Offer.

Registration Default ” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the Exchange Offer is not completed on or prior to the Target Registration Date, (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required pursuant to Section 2(b)(i) or Section 2(b)(ii) hereof, has not become effective within 30 days after the Target Registration Date, (iii) if the Issuers receive a Shelf Request pursuant to Section 2(b)(iii), the Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed thereby has not become effective within 30 days after the Target Registration Date, (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required by this Agreement, has become effective and thereafter ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement, at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness

 

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Period, and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period or (v) the Shelf Registration Statement, if required by this Agreement, has become effective and thereafter, on more than two occasions in any 12-month period during the Shelf Effectiveness Period, the Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective or the Prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by this Agreement.

Registration Expenses ” shall mean any and all expenses incident to performance of or compliance by the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings with this Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or FINRA registration and filing fees, (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Participating Holders (which counsel shall be selected by the Participating Holders holding a majority of the aggregate principal amount of Registrable Securities held by such Participating Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial Purchasers) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent registered public accountants of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause (ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Securities by a Holder.

Registration Statement ” shall mean any registration statement of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings that covers any of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

SEC ” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities ” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Securities Act ” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Shelf Effectiveness Period ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration ” shall mean a registration effected pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof.

Shelf Registration Statement ” shall mean a “shelf” registration statement of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings that covers all or a portion of the Registrable Securities (but no other securities unless approved by a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities held by the Participating Holders) on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained therein or deemed a part thereof, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference therein.

 

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Shelf Request ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

Staff ” shall mean the staff of the SEC.

Target Registration Date ” shall mean 365 days after the date hereof.

Trust Indenture Act ” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time.

Trustee ” shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under the Indenture.

Underwriter ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(e) hereof.

Underwritten Offering ” shall mean an offering in which Registrable Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.

2. Registration Under the Securities Act .

(a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to (x) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable Securities for Exchange Securities and (y) have such Exchange Offer Registration Statement become and remain effective until 180 days after the last Exchange Date for use by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers. The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than 365 days after the date hereof.

The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall commence the Exchange Offer by mailing the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other accompanying documents to each Holder stating, in addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law, substantially the following:

(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and that all Registrable Securities validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be accepted for exchange;

(ii) the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “ Exchange Dates ”);

(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest but will not retain any rights under this Agreement, except as otherwise specified herein;

(iv) that any Holder electing to have a Registrable Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be required to (A) surrender such Registrable Security, together with the appropriate letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address and in the manner specified in the notice, or (B) effect such exchange otherwise in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for such Registrable Security, in each case prior to the close of business on the last Exchange Date; and

 

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(v) that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its election, not later than the close of business on the last Exchange Date, by (A) sending to the institution and at the address specified in the notice, a telegram, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of Registrable Securities delivered for exchange and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Securities exchanged or (B) effecting such withdrawal in compliance with the applicable procedures of the depositary for the Registrable Securities.

As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be required to represent to the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings that (1) any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (2) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (3) it is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings and (4) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities, then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available a Prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall:

(I) accept for exchange Registrable Securities or portions thereof validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and

(II) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Issuers and issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal in principal amount to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities tendered by such Holder.

The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff.

(b) In the event that (i) the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings determine that the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) hereof is not available or the Exchange Offer may not be completed as soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not for any other reason completed by the Target Registration Date or (iii) upon receipt of a written request (a “ Shelf Request ”) from any Initial Purchaser representing that it holds Registrable Securities that are or were ineligible to be exchanged in the Exchange Offer, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be filed as soon as practicable after such determination, date or Shelf Request, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and to have such Shelf Registration Statement become effective; provided that no Holder will be entitled to have any Registrable Securities included in any Shelf Registration Statement, or entitled to use the prospectus forming a part of such Shelf Registration Statement, until such Holder shall have delivered a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire and provided such other information regarding such Holder to the Issuers as is contemplated by Section 3(b) hereof.

 

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In the event that the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to file and have become effective both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof with respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer.

The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement and (y) all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold or otherwise cease to be Registrable Securities (the “ Shelf Effectiveness Period” ). The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement, the related Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Issuers for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and regulations thereunder or if reasonably requested by a Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such Holder, and to use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause any such amendment to become effective, if required, and such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to become usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings agree to furnish to the Participating Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.

(c) The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall pay all Registration Expenses in connection with any registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions, brokerage commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.

(d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC. A Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the SEC or is automatically effective upon filing with the SEC as provided by Rule 462 under the Securities Act.

If a Registration Default occurs, the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will be increased by (i) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period beginning on the day immediately following such Registration Default and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, in each case until and including the date such Registration Default ends, up to a maximum increase of 1.00% per annum. A Registration Default ends when the Securities cease to be Registrable Securities or, if earlier, (1) in the case of a Registration Default under clause (i) of the definition thereof, when the Exchange Offer is completed, (2) in the case of a Registration Default under clause (ii) or clause (iii) of the definition thereof, when the Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective or (3) in the case of a Registration Default under clause (iv) or clause (v) of the definition thereof, when the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes effective or the Prospectus again becomes usable. If at any time more than one Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, then, until the next date that there is no Registration Default, the increase in interest rate provided for by this paragraph shall apply as if there occurred a single Registration Default that begins on the date that the earliest such Registration Default occurred and ends on such next date that there is no Registration Default.

 

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(e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers and the Holders, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings acknowledge that any failure by the Issuers, the Guarantors or PEPL Holdings to comply with their obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Issuers’, the Guarantors’ and PEPL Holdings’ obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.

3. Registration Procedures .

(a) In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall as expeditiously as possible:

(i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (A) shall be selected by the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings, (B) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration, be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders thereof and (C) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;

(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period described in Section 4(a)(3) of and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities;

(iii) to the extent any Free Writing Prospectus is used, file with the SEC any Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed by the Issuers, the Guarantors or PEPL Holdings with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act and to retain any Free Writing Prospectus not required to be filed;

(iv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Participating Holder, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for such Participating Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, as such Participating Holder, counsel or Underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities thereunder; and, subject to Section 3(c) hereof, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings consent to the use of such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law by each of the Participating Holders and any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus or such Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;

 

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(v) use their commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Participating Holder shall reasonably request in writing by the time the applicable Registration Statement becomes effective; cooperate with such Participating Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA; and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Participating Holder to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable Securities owned by such Participating Holder; provided that the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall not be required to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where they would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (2) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) subject themselves to taxation in any such jurisdiction if they are not so subject;

(vi) notify counsel for the Initial Purchasers and, in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Participating Holder and counsel for such Participating Holders promptly and, if requested by any such Participating Holder or counsel, confirm such advice in writing (1) when a Registration Statement has become effective, when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes effective, when any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus has been filed, (2) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement, Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective, (3) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, including the receipt by the Issuers of any notice of objection of the SEC to the use of a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (4) if, between the applicable effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities covered thereby, the representations and warranties of any Issuer or any Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings receives any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (5) of the happening of any event during the period a Registration Statement is effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading and (6) of any determination by any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus would be appropriate;

(vii) use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or, in the case of a Shelf Registration, the resolution of any objection of the SEC pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the Securities Act, including by filing an amendment to such Registration Statement on the proper form, at the earliest possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder or Participating Holder of the withdrawal of any such order or such resolution;

(viii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Participating Holder, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);

 

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(ix) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the Participating Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) as such Participating Holders may reasonably request at least one Business Day prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities;

(x) upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(a)(vi)(5) hereof, use their commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective amendment to the applicable Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available) to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall notify the Participating Holders (in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) and the Initial Purchasers and any Participating Broker-Dealers known to the Issuers (in the case of an Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an event, and such Participating Holders, such Participating Broker-Dealers and the Initial Purchasers, as applicable, hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, until the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings have amended or supplemented the Prospectus or the Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, to correct such misstatement or omission;

(xi) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment to a Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus or of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement, a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus after initial filing of a Registration Statement, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, to the Participating Holders and their counsel) and make such of the representatives of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings as shall be reasonably requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Participating Holders or their counsel) available for discussion of such document; and the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall not, at any time after initial filing of a Registration Statement, use or file any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus, any amendment of or supplement to a Registration Statement or a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus, or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement, a Prospectus or a Free Writing Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Participating Holders and their counsel) shall not have previously been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their counsel (and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Participating Holders or their counsel) shall object; provided , that this clause (xi) shall not apply to any filing by the Issuers, the Guarantors or PEPL Holdings of any annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q or current report on Form 8-K with respect to matters unrelated to the Securities, the Registrable Securities and the Exchange Securities and the offering or exchange therefor, unless such filing is incorporated by reference into any Shelf Registration Statement, any Prospectus included therein or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing;

 

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(xii) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be, not later than the initial effective date of a Registration Statement;

(xiii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities, as the case may be; cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents as may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

(xiv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection by a representative of the Participating Holders (an “ Inspector ”), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, any attorneys and accountants designated by a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities held by the Participating Holders and any attorneys and accountants designated by such Underwriter, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial and other records, documents and properties of the Issuers, PEPL Holdings and their respective subsidiaries, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings as being confidential or proprietary, each Person receiving such information shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such information to the extent such action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and interests of any Inspector, Holder or Underwriter;

(xv) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued or guaranteed by any Issuer or any Guarantor are then listed if requested by the Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable listing requirements;

(xvi) if reasonably requested by any Participating Holder, promptly include in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such Participating Holder as such Participating Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment as soon as the Issuers have received notification of the matters to be so included in such filing;

(xvii) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement) in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (1) to the extent possible, make such representations and warranties to the Participating Holders and any Underwriters of such Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Issuers and their subsidiaries and the Registration Statement, Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus and documents incorporated by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings and confirm

 

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the same if and when requested, (2) obtain opinions of counsel to the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings (which counsel and opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Participating Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each Participating Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings, (3) obtain “comfort” letters from the independent registered public accountants of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings (and, if necessary, any other registered public accountant of any subsidiary of any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings, or of any business acquired by any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings for which financial statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the Registration Statement) addressed to each Participating Holder (to the extent permitted by applicable professional standards) and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in “comfort” letters in connection with underwritten offerings, including but not limited to financial information contained in any preliminary prospectus, Prospectus or Free Writing Prospectus and (4) deliver such documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the representations and warranties of the Issuers and the Guarantors made pursuant to clause (1) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in an underwriting agreement; and

(xviii) so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, cause each Additional Guarantor upon the creation or acquisition by the Partnership of such Additional Guarantor, to execute a counterpart to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex A and to deliver such counterpart, together with an opinion of counsel as to the enforceability thereof against such entity, to the Initial Purchasers no later than five Business Days following the execution thereof.

(b) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers may require each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Issuers a Notice and Questionnaire and such other information regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such Registrable Securities as the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

(c) Each Participating Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(a)(vi)(3) or Section 3(a)(vi)(5) hereof, such Participating Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement until such Participating Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus contemplated by Section 3(a)(x) hereof and, if so directed by the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings, such Participating Holder will deliver to the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings all copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Participating Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is current at the time of receipt of such notice.

(d) If the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall give any notice to suspend the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings shall extend the period during which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders of such Registrable Securities shall have received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or any Free Writing Prospectus necessary to resume such dispositions. The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings may give any such notice only twice during any 365-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 30 days for each suspension and there shall not be more than two suspensions in effect during any 365-day period.

 

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(e) The Participating Holders who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment bank or investment banks and manager or managers (each an “ Underwriter ”) that will administer the offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering.

4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer .

(a) The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”) may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings understand that it is the Staff’s position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers (or, to the extent permitted by law, made available to purchasers) to satisfy their prospectus delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.

(b) In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings agree to amend or supplement the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to Section 3(d) hereof), in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited in Section 4(a) above. The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings further agree that Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section 4.

(c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to any Issuer, any Guarantor, PEPL Holdings or any Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof.

5. Indemnification and Contribution .

(a) Each Issuer and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers, PEPL Holdings, the directors of PEPL Holdings and each officer of PEPL Holdings who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial Purchaser, any Holder and PEPL Holdings within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (1) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (2) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any “issuer information”

 

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(“ Is suer Information ”) filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to PEPL Holdings or any Initial Purchaser or information relating to any Holder furnished to the Issuers in writing through J.P. Morgan or any selling Holder, respectively, expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten Offering permitted by Section 3, each Issuer and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, will also indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their respective affiliates and each Person who controls such Persons (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested in connection with any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus or any Issuer Information.

(b) PEPL Holdings agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, the directors of the Issuers and the Guarantors, each officer of the Issuer and the Guarantors who signed the Registration Statement, each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their respective affiliates, directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers, the Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to PEPL Holdings furnished to the Issuers expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus (the “ PEPL Holdings Information ”).

(c) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, the Guarantors, PEPL Holdings, the Initial Purchasers and the other selling Holders, the directors of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings, each officer of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings who signed the Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Issuers, the Guarantors, PEPL Holdings, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Holder furnished to the Issuers in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus.

(d) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, such Person (the “ Indemnified Person ”) shall promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “ Indemnifying Person ”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided , further , that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5 that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such

 

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proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (w) for any Initial Purchaser, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control Persons of such Initial Purchaser shall be designated in writing by J.P. Morgan, (x) for any Holder, its directors and officers and any control Persons of such Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders, (y) for PEPL Holdings shall be designated in writing by PEPL Holdings and (z) in all other cases shall be designated in writing by the Issuers. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(e) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings from the offering of the Securities and the Exchange Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings on the one hand and the Holders on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings or by the Holders and the

 

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parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions, (x) the Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be required to contribute to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of, or based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with the PEPL Holdings Information and (y) PEPL Holdings shall not be required to contribute to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, except for such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of, or based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with the PEPL Holdings Information.

(f) The Issuers, the Guarantors, PEPL Holdings and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (e) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (e) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no event shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5 are several and not joint.

(g) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

(h) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchasers or any Holder or any Person controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the Issuers, the Guarantors, PEPL Holdings or the officers or directors of or any Person controlling the Issuers, the Guarantors or PEPL Holdings, (iii) acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.

6. General .

(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or guaranteed by any Issuer, any Guarantor or PEPL Holdings under any other agreement and (ii) the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings have not entered into, or on or after the date of this Agreement will not enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

(b) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings have obtained the written consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in writing by such Holder. Any amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall be by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

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(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Issuers by means of a notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase Agreement; (ii) if to the Issuers and the Guarantors, initially at the Issuers’ address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c); and (iii) if to PEPL Holdings, initially at 3738 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219 and thereafter at such other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.

(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement or the Indenture. If any transferee of any Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers (in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation to the Issuers, the Guarantors or PEPL Holdings with respect to any failure by a Holder to comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement.

(e) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Issuers, the Guarantors and PEPL Holdings, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.

(f) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(g) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, are not a part of this Agreement and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(h) Governing Law. This Agreement, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

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(j) Entire Agreement; Severability. This Agreement contains the entire agreement among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral statements and prior writings with respect thereto. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The Issuers, the Guarantors, PEPL Holdings and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.

[Signature pages follow]

 

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

 

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By: Regency GP LP, its general partner
By: Regency GP LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
  Name: Thomas E. Long
 

Title: Executive Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP.
By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title: Vice President
REGENCY GAS SERVICES LP
By: Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title: Vice President
PUEBLO HOLDINGS, INC.
PUEBLO MIDSTREAM GAS CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
 

 

  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title: Vice President
CDM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LLC
CDM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT I LLC
FRONTSTREET HUGOTON LLC
GULF STATES TRANSMISSION LLC
REGENCY WESTERN G&P LLC
REGENCY FIELD SERVICES LLC
REGENCY GAS UTILITY LLC
REGENCY HAYESVILLE INTRASTATE GAS LLC

 

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REGENCY LIQUIDS PIPELINE LLC
REGENCY MIDCONTINENT EXPRESS LLC
REGENCY MIDSTREAM LLC
REGENCY TEXAS PIPELINE LLC
REGENCY RANCH JV LLC
WGP-KHC, LLC
         By: FrontStreet Hugoton LLC, its sole member
ZEPHYR GAS SERVICES LLC
ZEPHYR GAS SERVICES I LLC
By: Regency Gas Services LP, its sole member
By: Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title: Vice President
REGENCY OLP GP LLC
By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
  Name: Thomas E. Long
  Title: Vice President

 

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Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

PEPL HOLDINGS, LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.

  Name: Martin Salinas, Jr.
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

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Confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

For itself and on behalf of the

several Initial Purchasers

 

By:  

/s/ Jack Smith

  Authorized Signatory

 

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Schedule 1

Initial Guarantors

CDM Resource Management LLC

CDM Resource Management I LLC

FrontStreet Hugoton LLC

Gulf States Transmission LLC

Pueblo Holdings, Inc.

Pueblo Midstream Gas Corporation

Regency Field Services LLC

Regency Gas Services LP

Regency Gas Utility LLC

Regency Haynesville Intrastate Gas LLC

Regency Liquids Pipeline LLC

Regency Midcontinent Express LLC

Regency Midstream LLC

Regency OLP GP LLC

Regency Ranch JV LLC

Regency Texas Pipeline LLC

Regency Western G&P LLC

WGP-KHC, LLC

Zephyr Gas Services LLC

Zephyr Gas Services I LLC


Annex A

Counterpart to Registration Rights Agreement

The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Guarantor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 30, 2013 by and among Regency Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership, Regency Energy Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, the guarantors party thereto, PEPL Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, on behalf of itself and the other Initial Purchasers) to be bound by the terms and provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this counterpart as of             , 201    .

 

[GUARANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SERVICES AGREEMENT

This First Amendment to Services Agreement (this “ First Amendment ”) is effective as of this 30th day of April, 2013, by and among ETE Services Company, LLC (“ Services Co ”), Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“ ETE ”) and Regency Energy Partners LP (“ Regency ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement (as defined below).

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, Services Co, ETE and Regency (collectively “ the Parties ”) are parties to that certain Services Agreement, effective as of May 26, 2010 (the “Agreement”), covering the provision of certain services by Services Co to Regency; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree that the Agreement shall be amended as follows:

 

  1. The Service Fee shall be waived effective as of May 1, 2013 through and including April 30, 2015.

 

  2. The Parties agree that, effective as of May 1, 2013 and continuing through and including April 30, 2015, Direct Expenses payable each month shall be the sum of $458,333, the monthly as-billed cost for network services/telecom and software required to support the assets of Southern Union Gas Services, Ltd. and Regency, and all costs charged to the following cost centers for work performed on Regency-owned assets during such month:

651836     Meas Data Services

653711     NLA

693710     RIGS

653710     South Texas

653713     Waha

653712     Midcon

690710     Edwards Lime JV

694710     Ranch JV

590763     SUGS

 

  3. Article II, Section 2.1 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

Section 2.1 Scope of G&A Services. Services Co will provide (whether directly or by subcontracting with another Person to provide pursuant to Section 2.3) to the Regency Group general and administrative services in support of the following functions: accounting, tax, SEC compliance, information technology, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, treasury, human resources, measurement, regulatory compliance, and facilities management. The Parties may add or delete services by mutual written agreement. In addition, Services Co will appoint a single point of contact to serve as the Customer Service Representative for the Regency


Group and whose function shall be to ensure that the Regency Group receives service consistent with the Standard of Care set forth in Section 2.4 hereof. In the event that Regency is dissatisfied with the Customer Service Representative, Service Co shall replace him/her with a person acceptable to Regency.

 

  4. The following shall be added as Section 4.7:

Section 4.7 Unilateral Termination Right. Regency shall have the unilateral right to terminate this Agreement upon ninety (90) days prior written notice (“Termination Notice”) if Regency is dissatisfied with the service being provided and Services Company fails to adequately address Regency’s concerns within thirty (30) days of Regency’s written notice to the Customer Services Representative of such concerns. Upon receipt of a Termination Notice, Services Company shall work in good faith with Regency to transition the G&A Services in accordance with Section 4.5.

Except as waived or amended by this First Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect.

This First Amendment shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to the conflicts of law provisions or rules (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

This First Amendment may be executed by facsimile signatures and such signatures shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof without delivery of an original signature being thereafter required. This First Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same documents.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this First Amendment is executed as of the date first above written.

 

ETE SERVICES COMPANY, LLC

By: Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., its sole member

By: LE GP LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ John W. McReynolds

Name: John W. McReynolds

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Page 2 of 3


 

ENERGY TRANSFER EQUITY, L.P.

By: LE GP LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ John W. McReynolds

Name: John W. McReynolds

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

By: Regency GP LP, its general partner

By: Regency GP LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Thomas E. Long

Name: Thomas E. Long

Title: Vice President

 

Page 3 of 3

Exhibit 10.2

SECOND AMENDMENT TO OPERATION AND SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Second Amendment to Operation and Service Agreement (this “ Second Amendment ”) is entered into and effective as of this 30th day of April, 2013, by and among La Grange Acquisition, L.P. d/b/a Energy Transfer Company (“Operator”) , Regency GP LP (the “ General Partner ”), Regency Energy Partners LP (the “ Partnership ”) and Regency Gas Services LP (“ Owner ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement (as defined below).

WITNESSETH

Operator, the General Partner, the Partnership and Owner (collectively “ the Parties ”) are parties to that certain Operation and Service Agreement, dated May 19, 2011, as amended November 1, 2011 (as amended, the “Agreement”), covering the operation of certain assets owned by Owner; and

The Parties desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below;

THEREFORE , for and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

  1. Schedule 1.3(A) is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the attached Schedule 1.3(A) – Revision 1. All references in the Agreement to Schedule 1.3(A) shall be deemed to be to Schedule 1.3(A) – Revision 1.

 

  2. Article 1, Section 1.3 is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

1.3 Description of the Facilities . Subject to the terms hereof, the facilities covered by this Agreement are more particularly identified in Schedule 1.3(A) (the facilities, the personalty, fixtures and real property associated therewith are referred to herein as, individually, a “ Facility ” and collectively, the “ Facilities ,” and the real property on which such personalty and fixtures are located may be singularly referred to as the “ Premises ”). Upon mutual agreement of the parties, other facilities and premises may be added to the terms of this Agreement. It is understood and agreed by the parties that the Facilities subject to this Agreement exclude Third Party Operator Assets and Owner-Operated Assets as defined and described in Schedule l.3(A) . Title to, and ownership of, the Facilities and Premises shall remain vested in Owner, Owner’s subsidiary(ies) or Owner’s lessee(s), as applicable. Title to any new Facility or Premises or improvement or replacement to any existing Facility which is obtained or constructed pursuant to this Agreement, and with particularity Article 4 , shall vest automatically in Owner, Owner’s subsidiary(ies) or Owner’s lessee(s), as applicable, without any other action necessary hereunder.


  3. The parties agree to work in good faith to transition all remaining services (by asset area) provided under the Operating Agreement by August 1, 2013, however, Owner may require additional support for selected services (to be determined by Owner) beyond August 1, 2013. This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier to occur of (a) December 1, 2013 or (b) an earlier date determined by Regency and communicated to Operator by written notice.

Except as amended by this Second Amendment, the Agreement shall remain unmodified and in full force and effect.

This Second Amendment shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to the conflicts of law provisions or rules (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

This Second Amendment may be executed by facsimile signatures and such signatures shall be deemed binding for all purposes hereof without delivery of an original signature being thereafter required. This Second Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which, when executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same documents.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Second Amendment is executed as of the date first above written.

 

OPERATOR:

LA GRANGE ACQUISITION, L.P.,

dba Energy Transfer Company

By: LA GP, LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.

Name: Martin Salinas, Jr.

Title:                                                                                               

 

Page 2 of 8


OWNER:

REGENCY GAS SERVICES LP

By: Regency OLP GP LLC, its general partner

By:  

/s/ Thomas E. Long

Name: Thomas E. Long

Title: Vice President

THE PARTNERSHIP:

REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP

By: Regency GP LP, its general partner

By: Regency GP LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Thomas E. Long

Name: Thomas E. Long

Title: EVP, CFO & Secretary

THE GENERAL PARTNER:

REGENCY GP LP

By: Regency GP LLC, its general partner

By:

 

/s/ Thomas E. Long

Name: Thomas E. Long

Title: EVP, CFO & Secretary

 

Page 3 of 8


SCHEDULE 1.3(A) – Revision 1

To the Operation and Service Agreement dated May 19, 2011, as amended November 1, 2011, among La Grange Acquisition, L.P., dba Energy Transfer Company, a Texas limited partnership (“ Operator ”), Regency GP LP (the “ General Partner ”) and Regency Gas Services LP (“Owner”)

Facilities

(Maps on subsequent pages)

 

Page 4 of 8


LOGO

 

Page 5 of 8


LOGO

 

Page 6 of 8


LOGO

 

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Third Party Operator Assets

All assets owned by Owner’s subsidiary, WGP-KHC LLC, which are located in Kearny, Finney, Haskell, Seward, Stevens, Grant, Stanton, and Morton Counties, Kansas.

All facilities owned by Owner’s subsidiary Regency Field Services LLC that are located in West Virginia.

Owner-Operated Assets

All assets constructed pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Gas Gathering Agreement dated May 31, 2011 between Regency Field Services LLC and SM Energy Company, which assets are located in Webb and Dimmit Counties, Texas.

All assets owned by Owner and located in New Mexico and in the following Texas Counties: Loving, Crane, Ector, Pecos Ward, Winkler, Reeves, Terrell, Crockett, Upton, Gaines, Andrews, Reagan, and Sutton.

 

Page 8 of 8

Exhibit 10.3

GUARANTEE OF COLLECTION

THIS GUARANTEE OF COLLECTION (this “ Guarantee ”) is made as of April 30, 2013, by PEPL HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Guarantor ”) to REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Regency ”), and REGENCY ENERGY FINANCE CORP., a Delaware corporation (“ Regency Energy Finance Corp ” and, together with Regency, the “ Regency Issuers ”) to provide a guarantee of collection, on the terms set forth herein, for the benefit of the holders (the “ Holders ”) of the Supported Debt (as hereinafter defined) and the trustee (the “ Trustee ”) under the Indenture dated April 30, 2013 (collectively, the “ Senior Notes Indenture ”) with respect to the $600 million aggregate principal amount of the senior notes comprised of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023 (collectively, the “ Supported Debt ”). The Guarantor and Regency may hereinafter be referred to individually as a “ Party ” or collectively as the “ Parties .”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Southern Union Company, a Delaware corporation (“ Southern Union ”), Regency, and Regency Western G&P LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Regency SPV ”), and, solely for limited purposes, ETP Holdco Corporation, a Delaware corporation, Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and ETC Texas Pipeline, LTD., a Texas limited partnership, have entered into that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2013, as amended (the “ Contribution Agreement ”), pursuant to which Southern Union has agreed to contribute to Regency (through Regency SPV) 100% of the ownership interests in Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Contribution ”);

WHEREAS, on April 30, 2013, the Regency Issuers issued the Supported Debt; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Contribution, the Guarantor desires to enter into this Guarantee and be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein.

AGREEMENTS

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the Parties, the Parties agree as follows:

1.  Guarantee . Subject to the terms herein, the Guarantor guarantees to the Holders and the Trustee the full and prompt collection of the principal amount due under the Supported Debt, but not any accrued and unpaid interest thereon or any fees or other amounts of any kind whatsoever that shall be due to the Holders by the Regency Issuers (the “ Liabilities ”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the obligations of Guarantor under this Guarantee are obligations solely of Guarantor and do not constitute a debt or obligation of (and no recourse shall be made with respect to) Southern Union, any of its respective affiliates (other than Guarantor), or any shareholder, partner, member, officer, director or employee of Southern Union or such affiliates (collectively, the “ Non-Recourse Parties ”). No action under or in connection with this Guarantee shall be brought against any Non-Recourse Party, and no judgment for any deficiency upon the obligations hereunder shall be obtainable against any Non-Recourse Party.


2.  Guarantee of Collection . This is a guarantee of collection only, and not a guarantee of payment. Notwithstanding any other term or condition of this Guarantee to the contrary, the Guarantor shall not be obligated to make any payment pursuant to this Guarantee unless and until each of the following has occurred: (i) the Trustee or other Holder must use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain judgment against Regency, (ii) the Trustee or other Holder must use commercially reasonable efforts to execute on any judgment obtained against Regency, (iii) following execution of any such judgment, a portion of the sums due under the Supported Debt constituting Liabilities must remain unpaid, (iv) if no bankruptcy proceeding has been commenced with respect to Regency, the Trustee or other Holder shall have brought an action in a court of law having proper subject matter jurisdiction against Regency to collect such Liabilities, obtained a final and non-appealable judgment by such court against Regency in respect of such Liabilities and levied execution of such judgment against the property of Regency, and as a result of such execution received less than payment in full in cash or property of such Liabilities, and (v) if a bankruptcy proceeding has been commenced with respect to Regency, the closing of the bankruptcy proceeding after its administration under 11 U.S.C. Section 350(a) shall have occurred and the Trustee or other Holder shall have received, after all distributions contemplated by such bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise, less than payment in full in cash or property in respect of such Liabilities. For these purposes, the value of any payment made in property shall be equal to the fair market value of such property at the time of such payment.

3.  Termination of Guarantee . This Guarantee shall remain in effect and will not terminate until the Liabilities have been paid in full.

4.  Waivers . The Guarantor waives (i) notice of acceptance of this Guarantee, (ii) all presentments and protests, and (iii) notice of dishonor.

5.  Obligations Absolute . Except as set forth in this Guarantee, the Guarantor’s obligations are in all respects absolute and unconditional and will not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any modification, discharge, renewal or extension of the Liabilities or the Supported Debt, or any amendment, modification or stay of the Trustee’s or other Holder’s rights under the Supported Debt which may occur in any bankruptcy or reorganization case or proceeding concerning the Regency Issuers, whether permanent or temporary and whether or not assented to by the Trustee or other Holder, (ii) any notice of withdrawal of this Guarantee, at any time and from time to time before, at or after maturity of the Supported Debt, (iii) any determination that any signatures on behalf of the Regency Issuers on the Supported Debt are not genuine or that the Supported Debt is not the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Regency Issuers, or (iv) any defenses that the Regency Issuers may have as to any sums due under the Supported Debt.

 

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6.  Waiver of Subrogation . Until the Liabilities have been paid in full, the Guarantor irrevocably waives, relinquishes and renounces any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or any claim whatsoever which the Guarantor may have against the Regency Issuers or any other guarantors liable on the Supported Debt arising out of, or in any way connected with, the documents evidencing, guaranteeing or otherwise relating to the Supported Debt (the “ Supported Debt Documents ”). The Guarantor will not assert any such claim against the Regency Issuers or any such guarantor, in any proceeding, legal or equitable, including any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceeding, before the Trustee and the Holders are paid in full for the Liabilities. This provision will inure to the benefit of and will be enforceable by the Trustee, the Holders, the Regency Issuers and any such guarantors, and their successors and assigns, including any trustee in bankruptcy or debtor-in-possession. This provision will not prevent the Guarantor from asserting a claim against the Regency Issuers or any such guarantors once the Liabilities have been fully paid to the Trustee and the Holders. Once the Liabilities have been paid in full, if the Guarantor has made any payment to the Trustee and the Holders under this Guarantee, then the Trustee and the Holders will assign to the Guarantor, to the extent of such payment, the Trustee’s and the Holders’ interest in the Supported Debt Documents and any judgments against the Regency Issuers.

7.  Reinstatement of Guaranteed Liabilities . The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall apply to and continue with respect to any amount paid to the Trustee and the Holders on the Liabilities which is subsequently recovered from the Trustee and the Holders for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation, as a result of any bankruptcy, insolvency or fraudulent conveyance proceeding), notwithstanding the fact that the Liabilities may have been previously paid in full or this Guarantee terminated, or both.

8.  Assignment . The Trustee and the Holders may, from time to time, whether before or after any withdrawal of this Guarantee, without notice to the Guarantor, assign or transfer any or all of the Liabilities or any interest therein; and, notwithstanding any such assignment or transfer or any subsequent assignment or transfer thereof, such Liabilities shall be and remain Liabilities for purposes of this Guarantee, and each and every immediate and successive assignee or transferee of any of the Liabilities or of any interest therein shall, to the extent of the interest of such assignee or transferee in the Liabilities, be entitled to the benefits of this Guarantee to the same extent as if such assignee or transferee were the Trustee or other Holder; provided, however , that, unless the Trustee or Holders shall otherwise consent in writing, the Trustee and the Holders shall have an unimpaired right, prior and superior to that of any such assignee or transferee, to enforce this Guarantee, for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders, as to that portion of the Liabilities which the Trustee and the Holders have not assigned or transferred.

9.  Cumulative Rights; No Waiver . Each and every right granted to the Trustee and the Holders hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time subject only to the limitations set forth in this Guarantee. No failure on the part of the Trustee and the Holders to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Trustee or other Holder of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

 

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10.  Interpretation and Construction . Each reference herein to the Trustee and the Holders shall be deemed to include their respective successors and assigns, and each reference to the Regency Issuers and the Guarantor and any pronouns referring thereto as used herein shall be construed in the singular or plural as the context may require and shall be deemed to include the successors and assigns of the Regency Issuers and the Guarantor, all of whom shall be bound by the provisions hereof.

11.  Continuing Guarantee . Subject to the limitations herein, this instrument is intended to be a full, complete and continuing guarantee to the Trustee and the Holders to the extent of and for the Liabilities owing by the Regency Issuers to the Trustee and the Holders from time to time and to be valid and continuous without other or further notice to the Guarantor, notwithstanding the dissolution of the Regency Issuers or any other guarantor, until notice in writing of withdrawal of this Guarantee, signed by the parties hereto or any of them, has actually been given to the Trustee and the Holders, and then only as to the party or parties signing such notice and to transactions subsequent to the time of such notice; provided, however , that no such notice of withdrawal shall affect or impair any of the agreements and obligations of the Guarantor hereunder with respect to any and all Liabilities existing at the time of actual receipt of such notice by the Trustee and the Holders until paid in full; and shall not affect or impair the Trustee’s or other Holder’s right to recover all expenses paid or incurred by the Trustee or other Holder endeavoring to enforce this Guarantee against the Guarantor. All of the agreements and obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall, notwithstanding any such notice of withdrawal, remain in effect until all such Liabilities and all such expenses shall have been paid in full.

12.  Subsequent Guaranties . No subsequent guarantee by the Guarantor or any other person of the Liabilities shall be deemed to be in lieu of or to supersede this Guarantee, unless otherwise expressly provided therein.

13. Covenants of Regency .

(a) Repayment or Refinancing of Supported Debt . Without the prior written consent of the Guarantor, Regency shall not be entitled, prior to the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of this Guarantee, to (i) repay any principal amount of the Supported Debt or (ii) refinance through an exchange offer or otherwise all or any portion of the Supported Debt, unless, in the case of (ii) above, Regency (x) simultaneously replaces such Supported Debt with at least an equivalent amount of new indebtedness (such new indebtedness, the “ Refinancing Supported Debt ”) with substantially similar covenants providing for no earlier amortization of principal than the amortization contemplated by the applicable maturity date of any such Supported Debt (any such date, a “ Maturity Date ”) and (y) permits the Guarantor at its sole discretion to provide a guarantee of collection of the Refinancing Supported Debt, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. If all or any portion of any Supported Debt or Refinancing Supported Debt is repaid or refinanced after the third (3rd) anniversary of the date of this Guarantee and prior to the applicable Maturity Date, the Guarantor may at its sole discretion enter into and provide for a guarantee of collection and/or of payment for the principal amount of all or a portion of any debt of Regency.

 

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(b) Extinguishment of Supported Debt . Regency shall use commercially reasonable efforts to extinguish any applicable outstanding Supported Debt on the Maturity Date. Regency shall release the Guarantor from any liability or obligation under this Guarantee related to the Supported Debt on the applicable Maturity Date for such Supported Debt and shall enter into and execute such documents and instruments as the Guarantor may reasonably request in order to evidence such release.

(c) Regency Energy Finance Corp . Prior to the Maturity Date of the Supported Debt, Regency Energy Finance Corp shall continue to have no material assets or any liabilities, other than as a co-issuer of debt securities of Regency.

14. Covenants of Guarantor .

(a) Net Worth . The Guarantor hereby represents to Regency that its existing net worth is equal to or greater than the aggregate principal amount of the Supported Debt and in the event the Guarantor disposes of, transfers, or conveys any of its assets, except with respect to distributions permitted in clause (b) below, it shall promptly replace such assets with assets having a net fair market value (after taking into account any indebtedness to be assumed by the Guarantor in connection with any such transaction) substantially equivalent to or greater than the net fair market value (after taking into account any indebtedness to be assumed by the Guarantor in connection with any such transaction) of the disposed assets.

(b) Distributions . The Guarantor shall be entitled to make distributions of available cash with respect to its equity interests provided the Guarantor shall not make a distribution of cash or property to the extent such distribution would constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance (as defined in Section 16) in light of the Guarantor’s obligations under this Guarantee or otherwise impair the Guarantor’s ability to satisfy its obligations under this Guarantee.

15. Covenants of Regency and Guarantor to Maintain Tax Treatment . For so long as this Guarantee is outstanding, Regency and the Guarantor hereby agree that:

(a) Unless otherwise required by law, it is the intent of the Parties to treat Southern Union as the sole partner bearing the economic risk of loss with respect to the Supported Debt pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.752-2; provided that , notwithstanding the foregoing, Regency shall not be required to take such position in any taxable year to the extent Regency determines in good faith after consulting with tax counsel that such position is not supported by current law or actual facts and circumstances.

(b) It is the intent of the Parties, that the distribution to Southern Union by Regency of the Cash Consideration (as such term is defined in the Contribution Agreement) be treated as a distribution under Section 731 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), and neither Regency nor any partner of Regency shall take a position inconsistent with such treatment unless otherwise required by law; provided that , notwithstanding the foregoing, Regency shall not be required to take such position in any taxable year to the extent Regency determines in good faith after consulting with tax counsel that such position is not supported by current law or actual facts and circumstances.

 

5


(c) Neither Regency nor the Guarantor shall (i) modify this Guarantee so as to eliminate or limit the ultimate recourse liability of the Guarantor with respect to the Supported Debt, or (ii) except as required by the Senior Notes Indenture, cause or permit any other corporation, partnership, person or entity to assume, guarantee, indemnify against or otherwise incur any liability with respect to any Supported Debt.

(d) In the event a subsidiary of Regency that is regarded as separate and apart from Regency for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including but not limited to Pueblo Holdings, Inc. and Pueblo Midstream Gas Corporation, becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor (as such term is defined in the Senior Notes Indenture) of the Supported Debt or otherwise guarantees the Supported Debt, the Guarantor agrees to indemnify such subsidiary for any amounts that the subsidiary is required to pay pursuant to its guarantee of the Supported Debt.

(e) In the event a partner of Regency guarantees or otherwise incurs any liability with respect to the Supported Debt, the Guarantor agrees to indemnify such partner for any amounts that the partner is required to pay pursuant to its guarantee or liability with respect to the Supported Debt.

16. Fraudulent Conveyance . Notwithstanding any provision of this Guarantee to the contrary, it is intended that this Guarantee not constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance (as defined below). Consequently, the Guarantor agrees that if this Guarantee would, but for the application of this sentence, constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance, this Guarantee shall be valid and enforceable only to the maximum extent that would not cause this Guarantee to constitute a Fraudulent Conveyance, and this Guarantee shall automatically be deemed to have been amended accordingly at all relevant times. For purposes of this Section 16, the term “Fraudulent Conveyance” means a fraudulent conveyance under Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under the provisions of any applicable fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer law or similar law of any state, nation or other governmental unit, as in effect from time to time.

17. Third-Party Beneficiaries . This Guarantee is for the benefit only of the Guarantor, the Regency Issuers, the Trustee, the Holders and the subsidiaries and partners of Regency described in Sections 15(d) and 15(e), and is not intended to confer upon any other third party any rights or remedies hereunder, and shall not be construed as for the benefit of any other third party.

18. Notices . Any and all notices, requests or other communications hereunder shall be given in writing and delivered by: 1) regular, overnight, registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), with first class postage prepaid; 2) hand delivery; 3) facsimile transmission; or 4) overnight courier service, if to the Guarantor, at the following address or facsimile number for the Guarantor:

PEPL Holdings, LLC

3738 Oak Lawn Avenue

Dallas, Texas 75219

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile Number: (214) 981-0701

 

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if to the Regency Issuers, at the following address or facsimile number:

Regency GP LLC

2001 Bryan Street, Suite 3700

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Legal Department

Facsimile Number: 214-840-5515

or at such other address or number as shall be designated by the Guarantor or Regency in a notice to the other Party to this Guarantee. All such communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: (A) in the case of a notice sent by regular mail, on the date actually received by the addressee; (B) in the case of a notice sent by registered or certified mail, on the date receipted for (or refused) on the return receipt; (C) in the case of a notice delivered by hand, when personally delivered; (D) in the case of a notice sent by facsimile, upon transmission subject to telephone confirmation of receipt; and (E) in the case of a notice sent by overnight mail or overnight courier service, the date delivered at the designated address, in each case given or addressed as aforesaid.

19. Separability . Should any clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection or section of this Guarantee be judicially declared to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such decision will not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the remainder of this Guarantee, and the part or parts of this Guarantee so held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable will be deemed to have been stricken herefrom, and the remainder will have the same force and effectiveness as if such stricken part or parts had never been included herein.

20. Counterparts . This Guarantee may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signatures are physically attached to the same counterpart. Delivery of an executed signature page by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart.

21. Governing Law . THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

22. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . The Guarantor irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, for the purposes of any proceeding arising out of this Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby (and agrees that no such proceeding relating to this Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought by it except in such courts). The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives (and agrees not to plead or claim) any objection to the laying of venue of any proceeding

 

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arising out of this Guarantee or the transactions contemplated hereby in any New York State court or federal court of the United States of America sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, or that any such proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Guarantor also agrees that any final and non appealable judgment against it in connection with any proceeding shall be conclusive and binding on it and that such award or judgment may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of the United States. A certified or exemplified copy of such award or judgment shall be conclusive evidence of the fact and amount of such award or judgment. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR TO DEFEND ANY RIGHTS UNDER THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY.

23.  Entire Agreement . This Guarantee constitutes the entire agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties related thereto.

[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Guarantee as of the date and year first written above.

 

PEPL HOLDINGS, LLC
By:   /s/ Martin Salinas, Jr.
Name:   Martin Salinas, Jr.
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
REGENCY ENERGY PARTNERS LP
By:   Regency GP LP, its general partner
By:   Regency GP LLC, its general partner
By:   /s/ Thomas E. Long
Name: Thomas E. Long
Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Regency Energy Partners LP Announces Private Offering of Senior Notes

DALLAS, April 24, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) (“Regency”) today announced a private offering of $600 million of its senior notes due 2023. Regency Energy Finance Corp., a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Regency, will serve as co-issuer of the notes. Regency intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the cash portion of the consideration for its previously announced acquisition of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC (the “SUGS Acquisition”) from Southern Union Company, a jointly owned affiliate of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP). If the SUGS Acquisition does not close on or prior to September 1, 2013, or if the contribution agreement relating to the SUGS Acquisition is terminated at any time prior to the consummation thereof, we will be required to redeem all of the notes in cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

The securities to be offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws; and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the notes or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

This release includes “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “may” or similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, we cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These assumptions include our ability to consummate the proposed senior notes offering and the SUGS Acquisition. Additional risks include: volatility in the price of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, declines in the credit markets and the availability of credit for Regency as well as for producers connected to Regency’s system and its customers, the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by, Regency’s counterparties and customers, Regency’s ability to access capital to fund organic growth projects and acquisitions, including significant acquisitions, Regency’s ability to obtain debt and equity financing on satisfactory terms, Regency’s use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity and interest rate risks, the amount of collateral required to be posted from time-to-time in Regency’s transactions, changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and demand for Regency’s services, changes in laws and regulations impacting the midstream sector of the natural gas industry, weather and other natural phenomena, acts of terrorism and war, industry changes including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition, Regency’s ability to obtain required approvals for construction or modernization of Regency’s facilities and the timing of production from such facilities, and the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard setting boards. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. These and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in filings made by Regency with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available to the public. Regency undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership engaged in the gathering and processing, compression, treating and transportation of natural gas and the transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids. Regency’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE).


SOURCE: Regency Energy Partners LP

Investor Relations:

Regency Energy Partners LP

Lyndsay Hannah, 214-840-5477

Manager, Finance & Investor Relations

ir@regencygas.com

or

Media Relations:

Granado Communications Group

Vicki Granado, 214-599-8785

vicki@granadopr.com

Exhibit 99.2

 

LOGO

Regency Energy Partners LP Announces Pricing of Private Offering of Senior Notes

DALLAS, April 24, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) (“Regency”) today announced that it has priced a private offering of $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2023. Regency Energy Finance Corp., a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Regency, will serve as co-issuer of the notes. The sale of the notes is expected to settle on April 30, 2013, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Regency intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the cash portion of the consideration for its previously announced acquisition of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC (the “SUGS Acquisition”) from Southern Union Company, a jointly owned affiliate of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE: ETP). If the SUGS Acquisition does not close on or prior to September 1, 2013, or if the contribution agreement relating to the SUGS Acquisition is terminated at any time prior to the consummation thereof, we will be required to redeem all of the notes in cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

The securities to be offered have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws; and unless so registered, the securities may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the notes or any other securities and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the notes or any other securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

This release includes “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “may” or similar expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, we cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These assumptions include our ability to consummate the proposed senior notes offering and the SUGS Acquisition. Additional risks include: volatility in the price of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, declines in the credit markets and the availability of credit for Regency as well as for producers connected to Regency’s system and its customers, the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by, Regency’s counterparties and customers, Regency’s ability to access capital to fund organic growth projects and acquisitions, including significant acquisitions, Regency’s ability to obtain debt and equity financing on satisfactory terms, Regency’s use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity and interest rate risks, the amount of collateral required to be posted from time-to-time in Regency’s transactions, changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and demand for Regency’s services, changes in laws and regulations impacting the midstream sector of the natural gas industry, weather and other natural phenomena, acts of terrorism and war, industry changes including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition, Regency’s ability to obtain required approvals for construction or modernization of Regency’s facilities and the timing of production from such facilities, and the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard setting boards. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. These and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in filings made by Regency with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available to the public. Regency undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) is a growth-oriented master limited partnership engaged in the gathering and processing, compression, treating and transportation of natural gas and the transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids. Regency’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE).

SOURCE: Regency Energy Partners LP

Investor Relations:

Regency Energy Partners LP

Lyndsay Hannah, 214-840-5477

Manager, Finance & Investor Relations

ir@regencygas.com

or

Media Relations:

Granado Communications Group

Vicki Granado, 214-599-8785

vicki@granadopr.com

Exhibit 99.3

 

LOGO

Regency Energy Partners Closes on Acquisition of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC

DALLAS, April 30, 2013 – Regency Energy Partners LP (NYSE: RGP) announced today that it has closed on the previously announced acquisition of Southern Union Gathering Company, LLC, the owner of Southern Union Gas Services, Ltd. (SUGS), from Southern Union Company, an affiliate of Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. ( NYSE:ETE ) and Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. ( NYSE:ETP ) for approximately $1.5 billion.

Regency financed the acquisition by issuing approximately 31.4 million new Regency common units and approximately 6.3 million of newly created Class F common units to Southern Union Company. The Class F common units will be substantially equivalent to common units except they will not receive distributions for the equivalent of eight consecutive quarters post-closing. The cash portion of the consideration, which was $600 million, less $107 million of estimated closing adjustments, was funded from the proceeds of senior notes issued by Regency on April 30, 2013. This amount is subject to customary post-closing adjustments.

“The SUGS assets are a great fit for Regency, and we are very pleased to see this transaction come together,” said Mike Bradley, president and chief executive officer of Regency Energy Partners. “We expect the combination of the Regency and SUGS assets to create significant synergies and expand our organic growth opportunities. The increased size and scale will also help improve our ability to serve producers in the Permian Basin.”

SUGS assets include a 5,600-mile gathering system and approximately 500 MMcf/d of processing and treating facilities in west Texas and New Mexico for natural gas and natural gas liquids. These assets significantly expand Regency’s presence in one of the most productive oil and liquids-rich basins in North America, the Permian Basin.

In conjunction with the transaction, ETE, which owns the general partner and incentive distribution rights of Regency, has agreed to forgo the incentive distribution rights payments associated with the new common units issued by Regency for the equivalent of eight consecutive quarters post-closing and to eliminate the $10 million annual management fee due from Regency under a services agreement for two years post-closing.

This release includes “forward-looking” statements. Forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Statements using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” “expect,” “continue,” “estimate,” “goal,” “forecast,” “may” or similar

 

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expressions help identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe our forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and current expectations and projections about future events, we cannot give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties include the risk that the benefits contemplated by the transaction described herein may not be realized. Additional risks include: volatility in the price of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, declines in the credit markets and the availability of credit for the Partnership as well as for producers connected to the Partnership’s system and its customers, the level of creditworthiness of, and performance by the Partnership’s counterparties and customers, the Partnership’s ability to access capital to fund organic growth projects and acquisitions, including significant acquisitions, and the Partnership’s ability to obtain debt and equity financing on satisfactory terms, the Partnership’s use of derivative financial instruments to hedge commodity and interest rate risks, the amount of collateral required to be posted from time-to-time in the Partnership’s transactions, changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and demand for the Partnership’s services, changes in laws and regulations impacting the midstream sector of the natural gas industry, weather and other natural phenomena, acts of terrorism and war, industry changes including the impact of consolidations and changes in competition, the Partnership’s ability to obtain required approvals for construction or modernization of the Partnership’s facilities and the timing of production from such facilities, and the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting standard setting boards. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.

These and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in more detail in filings made by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available to the public. The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Regency Energy Partners LP ( NYSE: RGP ) is a growth-oriented, master limited partnership engaged in the gathering and processing, contract compression, contract treating and transportation of natural gas and the transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids. Regency’s general partner is owned by Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. ( NYSE: ETE ). For more information, please visit Regency’s website at www.regencyenergy.com .

CONTACT:

Investor Relations:

Lyndsay Hannah

Regency Energy Partners

Manager, Finance & Investor Relations

214-840-5477

ir@regencygas.com

Media Relations:

Vicki Granado

Granado Communications Group

214-599-8785

vicki@granadopr.com

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