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): November 25, 2013

 

 

CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-33366   20-5913059

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

700 Milam Street, Suite 800, Houston, Texas,   77002
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 375-5000

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On November 25, 2013, Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (“SPL”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), closed the sale of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated November 18, 2013 between SPL and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative of the initial purchasers named therein (the “Initial Purchasers”). The sale of the Notes was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Notes were sold on a private placement basis in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 144A and Regulation S thereunder.

Indenture

The Notes were issued on November 25, 2013 (the “Issue Date”) pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of February 1, 2013 (the “Base Indenture”), by and among SPL, the guarantors that may become party thereto from time to time and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a third supplemental indenture, dated as of November 25, 2013, between SPL and the Trustee, relating to the Notes (the “Supplemental Indenture”). The Base Indenture as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture is referred to herein as the “Indenture.”

Under the terms of the Indenture, the Notes will mature on March 15, 2022 and will accrue interest at a rate equal to 6.25% per annum on the principal amount from November 25, 2013, with such interest payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears, on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on March 15, 2014.

The Notes are senior secured obligations of SPL and rank senior in right of payment to any and all of SPL’s future indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and equal in right of payment with all of SPL’s existing and future indebtedness (including all loans under SPL’s existing credit facilities and all of SPL’s outstanding senior secured notes) that is senior and secured by the same collateral securing the Notes. The Notes are effectively senior to all of SPL’s senior indebtedness that is unsecured to the extent of the value of the assets constituting the collateral securing the Notes.

As of the Issue Date, the Notes were not guaranteed but will be guaranteed in the future by all of SPL’s future restricted subsidiaries. Such guarantees will be joint and several obligations of the guarantors of the Notes. The guarantees of the Notes will be senior secured obligations of the guarantors.

At any time or from time to time prior to, December 15, 2021, SPL may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at a redemption price equal to the “make-whole” price set forth in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. SPL also may at any time on or after December 15, 2021, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

The Indenture also contains customary terms and events of default and certain covenants that, among other things, limit SPL’s ability and the ability of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock or subordinated indebtedness or purchase, redeem or retire capital stock, sell or transfer assets, including capital stock of SPL’s restricted subsidiaries, restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries, incur liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, consolidate, merge, sell or lease all or substantially all of SPL’s assets and enter into certain LNG sales contracts. The Indenture covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions.

This description of the Indenture is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indenture, which is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of the Base Indenture was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report dated January 29, 2013, filed by the Partnership on Form 8-K. A copy of the Supplemental Indenture is filed herewith as Exhibits 4.1.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the closing of the sale of the Notes, SPL and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers, entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 25, 2013 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors of the Notes will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange

 

2


Commission and cause to become effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange any and all of the Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of SPL issued under the Indenture and identical in all material respects to the Notes sought to be exchanged (other than with respect to restrictions on transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate), and that are registered under the Securities Act. SPL has agreed, and any future guarantors of the Notes will agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective within 360 days after the Issue Date. Under specified circumstances, SPL has also agreed, and any future guarantors will also agree, to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective a shelf registration statement relating to resales of the Notes. SPL will be obligated to pay additional interest if it fails to comply with its obligations to register the Notes within the specified time periods.

This description of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

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 report is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

d) Exhibits

 

Number

  

Description

  4.1    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 25, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee under the Indenture.
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.

 

3


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.

 

    CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    By:   CHENIERE ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC,
      its general partner
Date: November 25, 2013     By:  

/s/ H. Davis Thames

   

Name:  H. Davis Thames

   

Title:    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

4


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  4.1    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 25, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee under the Indenture.
10.1    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2013, between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.

 

5

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC

 

 

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of November 25, 2013

 

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Trustee

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE 1 INTERPRETATION

     1   
Section 1.01  

To Be Read With the Original Indenture

     1   
Section 1.02  

Capitalized Terms

     2   
ARTICLE 2 ADDITIONAL NOTES      2   
Section 2.01  

The Additional Notes

     2   
Section 2.02  

Maturity Date

     2   
Section 2.03  

Form; Payment of Interest

     2   
Section 2.04  

Execution and Authentication of the 6.25% 2022 Notes

     2   
ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION      3   
Section 3.01  

Redemption

     3   
ARTICLE 4 MISCELLANEOUS      5   
Section 4.01  

Ratification of the Indenture; Accession Agreement

     5   
Section 4.02  

Governing Law

     5   
Section 4.03  

Counterpart Originals

     5   
Section 4.04  

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

     5   
Section 4.05  

The Trustee

     6   

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A-1

  FORM OF NOTE

Exhibit A-2

  FORM OF REGULATIONS TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE

 

i


THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE dated as of November 25, 2013 between Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “ Trustee ”).

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee previously have entered into an indenture, dated as of February 1, 2013 (the “ Original Indenture ”, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture and the Second Supplemental Indenture, each dated as of April 16, 2013 and this Third Supplemental Indenture and any further amendments or supplements thereto, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance of 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021;

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides for, among other things, that, subsequent to the execution of the Original Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may, without the consent of Holders of the outstanding 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “ Original 5.625% 2021 Notes ”), enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Original Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with Section 2.01(d) thereof;

WHEREAS, the Original Indenture provides that the terms and conditions of any Additional Notes shall be established in one or more Supplemental Indentures approved pursuant to a Board Resolution;

WHEREAS, pursuant to a Board Resolution dated as of November 12, 2013, the Company has authorized the issuance of $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022;

WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Trustee join in the execution of this Third Supplemental Indenture;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Original Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Third Supplemental Indenture; and

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Third Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the parties and a valid supplement to the Original Indenture have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants contained herein and in the Indenture and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are herein acknowledged, the Company and the Trustee hereby agree, for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders, as follows:

ARTICLE 1

INTERPRETATION

Section 1.01 To Be Read With the Original Indenture.

This Third Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Original Indenture, and the Original Indenture and this Third Supplemental Indenture shall hereafter be read together and shall have effect, so far as practicable, with respect to the 6.25% 2022 Notes (as defined below) as if all the provisions of the Original Indenture and this Third Supplemental Indenture were contained in one instrument.


Section 1.02 Capitalized Terms.

All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Original Indenture.

ARTICLE 2

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Section 2.01 The Additional Notes

Pursuant to Section 2.01(d) of the Original Indenture, the Company hereby creates and issues a series of Notes designated as “6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022,” initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $1,000,000,000 (the “ 6.25% 2022 Notes ”); provided that the Company may, at any time and from time to time, create and issue additional 6.25% 2022 Notes in an unlimited principal amount which will be part of the same series as the 6.25% 2022 Notes and which will have the same terms (except for the issue date, issue price and, in some cases, the first Interest Payment Date) as the 6.25% 2022 Notes. The 6.25% 2022 Notes will have the same terms as the Original 5.625% 2021 Notes other than as provided in this Third Supplemental Indenture. All 6.25% 2022 Notes issued under the Indenture will, once issued, be considered Notes for all purposes thereunder and will be subject to and take the benefit of all the terms, conditions and provisions of the Indenture.

Section 2.02 Maturity Date

The maturity date of the 6.25% 2022 Notes is March 15, 2022.

Section 2.03 Form; Payment of Interest

(a) With respect to the Notes, the references, in the Original Indenture, in Section 2.01 thereof and in the definition of “Definitive Note,” to Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 , shall be to Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2 attached to this Third Supplemental Indenture.

(b) The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the 6.25% 2022 Notes semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day. Interest on the 6.25% 2022 Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from November 25, 2013. The first Interest Payment Date with respect to the 6.25% 2022 Notes shall be March 15, 2014.

Section 2.04 Execution and Authentication of the 6.25% 2022 Notes

The Trustee shall, pursuant to an Authentication Order, authenticate the 6.25% 2022 Notes.

 

2


ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Redemption.

With respect to the 6.25% 2022 Notes, Section 3.07 of the Original Indenture shall be replaced in its entirety to read as follows:

“Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

At any time or from time to time prior to December 15, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the 6.25% 2022 Notes and the Exchange Notes issued for the 6.25% 2022 Notes (collectively, the “ 6.25% 2022 Series Notes ”), at a redemption price equal to the Make-Whole Price (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date, without duplication).

Make-Whole Price ” with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, means an amount equal to the greater of:

 

  (1) 100% of the principal amount of such 6.25% 2022 Series Notes; and

 

  (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest from the redemption date to December 15, 2021 (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted back to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points;

plus, in the case of both (1) and (2), accrued and unpaid interest on such 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, if any, to the redemption date.

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means, with respect to 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes being redeemed that would be utilized at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity; provided that if such period is less than one year, then the U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of one year shall be used.

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations as determined by the Company.

 

3


Independent Investment Banker ” means, with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or any of its successors, or, if such firm or its successors, if any, as the case may be, are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means, with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and four additional primary Government Securities dealers in New York City (each a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”) selected by the Company, and their respective successors; provided , however , that if such firm or any such successor, as the case may be, shall cease to be a primary Government Securities dealer in New York City, the Company will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(159)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the stated maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date.

The notice of redemption with respect to the foregoing redemption need not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

At any time on or after December 15, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date, without duplication).”

 

4


ARTICLE 4

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 4.01 Ratification of the Indenture; Accession Agreement.

(a) The Original Indenture as supplemented by this Third Supplemental Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and this Third Supplemented Indenture shall be deemed part of the Original Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

(b) Each Holder of the 6.25% 2022 Notes, by its acceptance of the 6.25% 2022 Notes, ratifies and confirms the Accession Agreement, pursuant to which the Notes constitute additional New Secured Debt (as defined in the Accession Agreement) and Secured Debt that is pari passu with all other Secured Debt and secured by the Collateral equally and ratably with all other Secured Debt.

Section 4.02 Governing Law.

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE 6.25% 2022 NOTES AND ANY NOTE GUARANTEES RELATED TO THE 6.25% 2022 NOTES WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW.

Section 4.03 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Third Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Third Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic format ( i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Third Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Third Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronic format ( i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 4.04 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Third Supplemental 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 and will not affect the construction hereof.

 

5


Section 4.05 The Trustee.

The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Company.

[Signatures on following page]

 

6


SIGNATURES

Dated as of November 25, 2013

 

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC
By:   /s/ Graham A. McArthur
 

 

Name:   Graham A. McArthur
Title:   Treasurer

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee

By:   /s/ Laurence J. O’Brien
 

 

Name:   Laurence J. O’Brien
Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT A-1

[Face of Note]

CUSIP: 785592 AC0

ISIN: US785592AC06

6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

No.                         $                             

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC

promises to pay to                      or registered assigns, the principal sum of                                                               DOLLARS on March 15, 2022.

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, commencing March 15, 2014 Record Dates: March 1 or September 1

 

A-1-1


Dated:                      , 20         

 

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the

within-mentioned Indenture:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

A-1-2


[Back of Note]

6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

[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) I NTEREST . Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.250% per annum from November 25, 2013 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 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 March 15, 2014. The Company 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 a rate that is 0.5% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; it 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) M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . The Company 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 March 1 or September 1 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. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent or Registrar maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, 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 the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company 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.

 

A-1-3


(3) P AYING A GENT AND R EGISTRAR . Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) I NDENTURE AND S ECURITY D OCUMENTS . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 1, 2013, as supplemented by a third supplemental indenture dated as of November 25, 2013 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, 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 such Act 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 secured obligations of the Company. The Notes are secured by a pledge of Collateral (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Security Documents referred to in the Indenture. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) O PTIONAL R EDEMPTION .

At any time or from time to time prior to December 15, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, at a redemption price equal to the Make-Whole Price (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date, without duplication).

Make-Whole Price ” with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, means an amount equal to the greater of:

 

  (1) 100% of the principal amount of such 6.25% 2022 Series Notes; and

 

  (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest from the redemption date to December 15, 2021 (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted back to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points;

plus, in the case of both (1) and (2), accrued and unpaid interest on such 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, if any, to the redemption date.

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means, with respect to 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes being redeemed that would be utilized at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity; provided that if such period is less than one year, then the U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of one year shall be used.

 

A-1-4


Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations as determined by the Company.

Independent Investment Banker ” means, with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or any of its successors, or, if such firm or its successors, if any, as the case may be, are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means, with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and four additional primary Government Securities dealers in New York City (each a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”) selected by the Company, and their respective successors; provided , however , that if such firm or any such successor, as the case may be, shall cease to be a primary Government Securities dealer in New York City, the Company will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(159)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the stated maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date.

The notice of redemption with respect to the foregoing redemption need not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

 

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At any time on or after December 15, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date, without duplication).

(6) M ANDATORY R EDEMPTION .

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) R EPURCHASE AT THE O PTION OF H OLDER .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) of payment (a “ Change of Control Payment ”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (the “ Change of Control Payment Date, ” which date will be no earlier than the date of such Change of Control). No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) The Company will be required to make Asset Sale Offers, Excess Proceeds Offers and Project Document Termination Payment Offers to the extent provided in Sections 4.09, 4.16 and 4.22, respectively, of the Indenture.

(8) N OTICE OF R EDEMPTION . Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed 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 $100,000 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) D ENOMINATIONS , T RANSFER , E XCHANGE . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 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 Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company 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 Company 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.

 

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(10) P ERSONS D EEMED O WNERS . The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11) T RUSTEE D EALINGS WITH C OMPANY . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(12) N O R ECOURSE A GAINST O THERS . No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor (including the General Partner and the Parent), as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Financing Documents 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.

(13) A UTHENTICATION . This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(14) A BBREVIATIONS . 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).

(15) A DDITIONAL R IGHTS OF H OLDERS OF R ESTRICTED G LOBAL N OTES AND R ESTRICTED D EFINITIVE N OTES . 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 November 25, 2013, between the Company 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 Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company and the Guarantors, if any, to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”). By such Holders’ acceptance of Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes, such Holder acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including without limitation the obligations of the Holders with respect to indemnification of the Company and the Guarantors to the extent provided therein

(16) CUSIP N UMBERS . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has 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.

 

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(17) G OVERNING L AW . THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Company 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:

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Treasurer

 

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A SSIGNMENT F ORM

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 Company. 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).

 

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O PTION OF H OLDER TO E LECT P URCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09, 4.14, 4.16 or 4.22 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 4.09              ¨ Section 4.14              ¨ Section 4.16              ¨ Section 4.22

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09, 4.14, 4.16 or 4.22 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).

 

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S CHEDULE OF E XCHANGES OF I NTERESTS IN THE G LOBAL N OTE

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 [at

maturity] of this

Global Note

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal

Amount [at

maturity] of this

Global Note

  

Principal

Amount [at

maturity] of

this Global

Note following

such decrease

(or increase)

  

Signature of

authorized

officer of

Trustee or

Custodian

 

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EXHIBIT A-2

 

[Face of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]

  

CUSIP: U77888 AD4

ISIN: USU77888AD45

6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

No.         

   $                     

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC

promises to pay to              or registered assigns, the principal sum of                                                                   DOLLARS on March 15, 2022.

Interest Payment Dates: March 15 and September 15, commencing March 15, 2014

Record Dates: March 1 and September 1

 

A-2-1


Dated:                  , 20         

 

SABINE PASS LIQUEFACTION, LLC

By:

   

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

This is one of the Notes referred to in the

within-mentioned Indenture:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

    as Trustee

By:

   
  Authorized Signatory

 

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[Back of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]

6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.

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 COMPANY.

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 COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS 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.

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON

 

A-2-3


BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ‘‘ACCREDITED INVESTOR’’ WITHIN THE MEANING OF SUBPARAGRAPH (A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF RULE 501 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING THE NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ‘‘ACCREDITED INVESTOR’’, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) I NTEREST . Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.250% per annum from November 25, 2013 until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 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 March 15, 2014. The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and

 

A-2-4


premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 0.5% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; it 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.

Until this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.

(2) M ETHOD OF P AYMENT . The Company 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 March 1 or September 1 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. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent or Registrar maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, 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 the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company 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) P AYING A GENT AND R EGISTRAR . Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) I NDENTURE AND S ECURITY D OCUMENTS . The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 1, 2013, as supplemented by a third supplemental indenture dated as of November 25, 2013 (the “ Indenture ”) among the Company, 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 such Act 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 secured obligations of the Company. The Notes are secured by a pledge of Collateral (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Security Documents referred to in the Indenture. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

 

A-2-5


(5) O PTIONAL R EDEMPTION .

At any time or from time to time prior to December 15, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, at a redemption price equal to the Make-Whole Price (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date, without duplication).

Make-Whole Price ” with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, means an amount equal to the greater of:

 

  (1) 100% of the principal amount of such 6.25% 2022 Series Notes; and

 

  (2) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest from the redemption date to December 15, 2021 (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) discounted back to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus 50 basis points;

plus, in the case of both (1) and (2), accrued and unpaid interest on such 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, if any, to the redemption date.

Comparable Treasury Issue ” means, with respect to 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to the remaining term of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes being redeemed that would be utilized at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity; provided that if such period is less than one year, then the U.S. Treasury security having a maturity of one year shall be used.

Comparable Treasury Price ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations as determined by the Company.

Independent Investment Banker ” means, with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or any of its successors, or, if such firm or its successors, if any, as the case may be, are unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company.

Reference Treasury Dealer ” means, with respect to any 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, each of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and four additional primary Government Securities dealers in New York City (each a “ Primary Treasury Dealer ”) selected by the Company, and their respective successors; provided , however , that if such firm or any such successor, as the case may be, shall cease to be a primary Government Securities dealer in New York City, the Company will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

 

A-2-6


Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations ” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

Treasury Rate ” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield, under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated “H.15(159)” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities,” for the maturity corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before or after the stated maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2) if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate shall be calculated on the third Business Day preceding the redemption date.

The notice of redemption with respect to the foregoing redemption need not set forth the Make-Whole Price but only the manner of calculation thereof. The Company will notify the Trustee of the Make-Whole Price with respect to any redemption promptly after the calculation, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for such calculation.

At any time on or after December 15, 2021, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or a part of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 6.25% 2022 Series Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date, without duplication).

(6) M ANDATORY R EDEMPTION .

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) R EPURCHASE AT THE O PTION OF H OLDER .

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “ Change of Control Offer ”) of payment (a “ Change of Control Payment ”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid

 

A-2-7


interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (the “ Change of Control Payment Date, ” which date will be no earlier than the date of such Change of Control). No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) The Company will be required to Asset Sale Offers, Excess Proceeds Offers and Project Document Termination Payment Offers to the extent provided in Sections 4.09, 4.16 and 4.22, respectively, of the Indenture.

(8) N OTICE OF R EDEMPTION . Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed 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 $100,000 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) D ENOMINATIONS , T RANSFER , E XCHANGE . The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 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 Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company 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 Company 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.

This Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the termination of the 40-day distribution compliance period (as defined in Regulation S) and (ii) upon presentation of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required by Article 2 of the Indenture. Upon exchange of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

(10) P ERSONS D EEMED O WNERS . The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11) T RUSTEE D EALINGS WITH C OMPANY . The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

A-2-8


(12) N O R ECOURSE A GAINST O THERS . No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor (including the General Partner and the Parent), as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents, the Financing Documents 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. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under federal securities laws.

(13) A UTHENTICATION . This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(14) A BBREVIATIONS . 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).

(15) A DDITIONAL R IGHTS OF H OLDERS . In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 25, 2013, between the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders thereof will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, among the Company, the Guarantors, if any, and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company and the Guarantors, if any, to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreement”). By such Holders’ acceptance of the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes, such Holder acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including without limitation the obligations of the Holders with respect to indemnification of the Company and the Guarantors to the extent provided therein.

(16) CUSIP N UMBERS . Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has 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.

(17) G OVERNING L AW . THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Company 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:

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Treasurer

 

A-2-9


A SSIGNMENT F ORM

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 Company. 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-2-10


O PTION OF H OLDER TO E LECT P URCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09, 4.14, 4.16 or 4.22 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨    Section 4.09                 ¨    Section 4.14                 ¨    Section 4.16                 ¨    Section 4.22

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.09, 4.14, 4.16 or 4.22 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-2-11


S CHEDULE OF E XCHANGES OF I NTERESTS IN THE R EGULATIONS

T EMPORARY G LOBAL N OTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for an interest in another Global Note, or exchanges of a part of another other Restricted Global Note for an interest in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount [at
maturity] of this Global
Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal Amount [at
maturity] of this Global Note

  

Principal Amount
[at maturity] of this
Global Note following
such decrease (or
increase)

  

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Custodian

 

A-2-12

Exhibit 10.1

$1,000,000,000

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

November 25, 2013

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

    as Representative of the Initial Purchasers

        c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

              1585 Broadway

              New York, New York 10036

Dear Ladies and Gentleman:

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Issuer ”), proposes to issue and sell to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and the initial purchasers named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “ Initial Purchasers ”), for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is acting as Representative, upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement dated November 18, 2013 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”) by and among the Issuer and the Initial Purchasers, $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “ Initial Securities ”) to be unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Guaranties ”) by all of its future domestic restricted subsidiaries (such subsidiaries, if any, the “ Guarantors ” and, together with the Issuer, the “ Company ”). The Initial Securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of February 1, 2013 (the “ Base Indenture ”), among the Issuer, any Guarantors that may become a party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”), as supplemented by a third supplemental indenture that will be dated as of November 25, 2013 (the “ Third Supplemental Indenture ”) (the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Third Supplemental Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers, the Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the holders of the Initial Securities (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), the Exchange Securities (as defined below) and the Private Exchange Securities (as defined below) (collectively the “ Holders ”), as follows:

1. Registered Exchange Offer . The Company shall, at its own cost, prepare and use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement (the “ Exchange Offer Registration Statement ”) on an appropriate form under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), with respect to a proposed offer (the “ Registered Exchange Offer ”) to the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6 hereof), who are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities (the “ Exchange Securities ”) of the Company issued under the Indenture and identical in all material respects to the Initial Securities (except for the transfer restrictions relating to the Initial Securities and the provisions relating to the matters described in Section 6 hereof) that would be registered under the Securities Act. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act within 360 days (or if the 360th day is not a business day, the first business day thereafter) after the date of original issuance of the Initial Securities (the “ Issue Date ”) and shall keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than 20 business days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders (such period being called the “ Exchange Offer Registration Period ”).

If the Company effects the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will be entitled to close the Registered Exchange Offer 20 business days after the commencement thereof provided that the Company has accepted all the Initial Securities theretofore validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Registered Exchange Offer.


Following the declaration of the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6 hereof) electing to exchange the Initial Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business and has no arrangements with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Securities and is not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under the securities laws of the several states of the United States. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Registered Exchange Offer on or before the 60th day after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act.

The Company acknowledges that, pursuant to current interpretations by the Commission’s staff of Section 5 of the Securities Act, in the absence of an applicable exemption therefrom, (i) each Holder that is a broker-dealer electing to exchange Initial Securities, acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, for Exchange Securities (an “ Exchanging Dealer ”), is required to deliver a prospectus containing the information set forth in (a) Annex A hereto on the cover, (b) Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and the “Purpose of the Exchange Offer” section, and (c) Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution” section of such prospectus in connection with a sale of any such Exchange Securities received by such Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) an Initial Purchaser that elects to sell Exchange Securities acquired in exchange for Initial Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment is required to deliver a prospectus containing the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in connection with such sale.

The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the prospectus contained therein, in order to permit such prospectus to be lawfully delivered by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such requirements in order to resell the Exchange Securities; provided, however, that (i) in the case where such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be delivered by an Exchanging Dealer or an Initial Purchaser, such period shall be the lesser of 180 days and the date on which all Exchanging Dealers and the Initial Purchasers have sold all Exchange Securities held by them (unless such period is extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) and (ii) the Company shall make such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Securities for a period of not less than 90 days after the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer.

If, upon consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, any Initial Purchaser holds Initial Securities acquired by it as part of its initial distribution, the Company, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Securities pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser upon the written request of such Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the “ Private Exchange ”) for the Initial Securities held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount of debt securities of the Company issued under the Indenture and identical in all material respects (including the existence of restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act and the securities laws of the several states of the United States, but excluding provisions relating to the matters described in Section 6 hereof) to the Initial Securities (the “ Private Exchange Securities ”). The Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities are herein collectively called the “ Securities ”.

In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

(a) mail to each Holder a copy of the prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;

(b) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 business days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders;

 

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(c) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which may be the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee;

(d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time prior to the close of business, or 5 p.m., New York City time, on the last business day on which the Registered Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

(e) otherwise comply with all applicable laws.

As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:

(x) accept for exchange all the Initial Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange;

(y) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all the Initial Securities so accepted for exchange; and

(z) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each Holder of the Initial Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the Initial Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.

The Indenture will provide that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and, other than as described in Section 9.02 of the Indenture, that all the Securities will vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that none of the Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a class separate from one another on any matter.

Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange Security issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Initial Securities surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Initial Securities, from the Issue Date.

Each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be required to represent to the Company that at the time of the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Securities received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business, (ii) such Holder will have no arrangements or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Securities or the Exchange Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act, (iii) such Holder is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company or if it is an affiliate, such Holder will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the Exchange Securities and (v) if such Holder is a broker-dealer, that it will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities.

Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will ensure that (i) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes effective, 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 and (iii) any prospectus forming part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus, does not include an 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.

 

3


2. Shelf Registration . If, (i) the Company determines that it is not permitted to effect a Registered Exchange Offer, as contemplated by Section 1 hereof, under applicable law or applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission, (ii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the 360th day after the Issue Date, or (iii) any Initial Purchaser notifies the Issuer in writing following the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer that such Initial Purchaser holds Transfer Restricted Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company shall take the following actions:

(a) The Company shall, at its cost, prepare and file with the Commission and thereafter use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing) a registration statement (the “ Shelf Registration Statement ” and, together with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a “ Registration Statement ”) on an appropriate form under the Securities Act relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities (as defined in Section 6 hereof) by the Holders thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act (hereinafter, the “ Shelf Registration ”); provided, however, that no Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder.

(b) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the prospectus included therein to be lawfully delivered by the Holders of the relevant Securities for a period of one year (or for such longer period if extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) from the Issue Date or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement (i) have been sold pursuant thereto or (ii) may be freely sold without volume restrictions by non-affiliates pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or any successor rule thereof, or otherwise transferred in a manner that results in (A) the Securities not being subject to transfer restrictions under the Securities Act and (B) the absence of a need for a restrictive legend regarding registration and the Securities Act (assuming for the purpose that the Holders thereof are not affiliates of the Company) (such period being called the “ Shelf Registration Period ”).

(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of its respective effective date, (i) to comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission and (ii) not to 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 case of the prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading.

3. Registration Procedures . In connection with any Shelf Registration contemplated by Section 2 hereof and, to the extent applicable, any Registered Exchange Offer contemplated by Section 1 hereof, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) The Company shall (i) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereof and each supplement, if any, to the prospectus included therein and, in the event that an Initial Purchaser (with respect to any portion of an unsold allotment from the original offering) is participating in the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as such Initial Purchaser reasonably may propose, provided that such comments are received by the Issuer within ten business days after the receipt by such Initial Purchaser of such document; (ii) include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the cover, in Annex B hereto in the “Exchange Offer Procedures” section and the “Purpose of the Exchange Offer” section and in Annex C hereto in the “Plan of Distribution” section of the prospectus

 

4


forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and include the information set forth in Annex D hereto in the Letter of Transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer; (iii) if requested by an Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; (iv) include within the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled “Plan of Distribution,” reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the Commission with respect to the potential “underwriter” status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (a “ Participating Broker-Dealer ”), whether such positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the Commission or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the Initial Purchasers based upon advice of counsel (which may be in-house counsel), represent the prevailing views of the staff of the Commission; and (v) in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include in the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement (or, if permitted by Rule 430B(b) under the Securities Act, in a prospectus supplement that becomes a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B(f) under the Securities Act) that is delivered to any Holder pursuant to Sections 3(d) and (f) hereof, the names of the Holders who propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as selling securityholders.

(b) The Company shall give written notice to the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the Issuer has received prior written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (which notice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) hereof shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes have been made):

(i) when the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

(ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or for additional information;

(iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, of the issuance by the Commission of a notification of objection to the use of the form on which the Registration Statement has been filed, and of the happening of any event that causes the Company to become an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act;

(iv) of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and

(v) except to the extent otherwise incorporated therein by reference, of the happening of any event that requires the Company to make changes in the Registration Statement or the prospectus in order that the Registration Statement or the prospectus do not contain an untrue statement of a material fact nor omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

 

5


(c) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal at the earliest possible time of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

(d) To the extent not available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov, the Company shall furnish to each Holder of Securities named in the Shelf Registration, without charge, at least one copy of the Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or supplement thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if the Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including those, if any, incorporated by reference). The Company shall not, without the prior consent of the Initial Purchasers, make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

(e) To the extent not available on the Commission’s web site at www.sec.gov, the Company shall deliver to each Exchanging Dealer and each Initial Purchaser, and to any other Holder who so requests in writing, without charge, at least one copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including those incorporated by reference).

(f) The Company shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver to each Holder of the Securities included within the coverage of the Shelf Registration, without charge, as many copies of the prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) included in the Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such person may reasonably request in writing. The Company consents, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to the use of the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of the Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in the Shelf Registration Statement.

(g) The Company shall deliver to each Initial Purchaser, any Exchanging Dealer, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons required to deliver a prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer, without charge, as many copies of the final prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such persons may reasonably request in writing. The Company consents, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to the use of the prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by any Initial Purchaser, if necessary, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons required to deliver a prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with the offering and sale of the Exchange Securities covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

(h) Prior to any public offering of the Securities, pursuant to any Registration Statement, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the Holders of the Securities included therein and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification of the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of such states of the United States as any Holder of the Securities reasonably requests in writing and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the offer and sale in such jurisdictions of the Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or (ii) take any action which would subject it to general service of process or to taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

(i) The Company shall cooperate with the Holders of the Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Securities to be sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request a reasonable period of time prior to sales of the Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

 

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(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraphs (ii) through (v) of Section 3(b) above during the period for which the Company is required to maintain an effective Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly prepare and file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus and any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to Holders of the Securities or purchasers of Securities, the prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company notifies the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Participating Broker-Dealer in accordance with paragraphs (ii) through (v) of Section 3(b) above to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus have been made, then the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any such Participating Broker-Dealers shall suspend use of such prospectus, and the period of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement provided for in Section 2(b) above and the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in Section 1 above shall each be extended by the number of days from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Participating Broker-Dealer shall have received such amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to this Section 3(j). During the period during which the Company is required to maintain an effective Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will prior to the three-year expiration of that Shelf Registration Statement file, use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be declared effective (unless it becomes effective automatically upon filing) within a period that avoids any interruption in the ability of Holders of the Securities covered by the expiring Shelf Registration Statement to make registered dispositions, a new registration statement relating to the Securities, which shall be deemed the “Shelf Registration Statement” for purposes of this Agreement.

(k) Not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, the Company will provide a CUSIP number for the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, and provide the applicable trustee with printed certificates for the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

(l) The Company will comply with all rules and regulations of the Commission to the extent and so long as they are applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration and will make generally available to its securityholders (or otherwise provide in accordance with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) an earning statement satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act, no later than 45 days after the end of a 12-month period (or 90 days, if such period is a fiscal year) beginning with the first month of the Issuer’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement, which statement shall cover such 12-month period.

(m) The Company shall cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “ Trust Indenture Act ”), in a timely manner and containing such changes, if any, as shall be necessary for such qualification. In the event that such qualification would require the appointment of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

(n) The Company may require each Holder of the Securities to be sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, and the Company may exclude from such registration the Securities of any Holder that unreasonably fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

 

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(o) The Company shall enter into such customary agreements (including, if requested, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all such other action, if any, as any Holder of the Securities shall reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration.

(p) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company shall (i) make reasonably available for inspection by the Holders of the Securities, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders of the Securities or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and (ii) cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders of the Securities or any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, in each case, as shall be reasonably necessary to enable such persons, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that the foregoing inspection and information gathering shall be coordinated by the Initial Purchasers and on behalf of the other parties, by one counsel designated by and on behalf of such other parties as described in Section 4 hereof; provided, further, that, if the Company designates in writing any such information, reasonably and in good faith, as confidential, at the time of delivery of such information, each such person will be required to agree or acknowledge that information obtained by it as a result of such inspections shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it as the basis for any market transactions in the securities of the Company or otherwise unless and until such is made generally available to the public through no fault or action of such person.

(q) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company, if requested by any Holder of the Securities covered thereby, shall cause (i) its counsel to deliver an opinion and updates thereof relating to the Securities substantially in the form provided pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Purchase Agreement with such changes as are customary in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement addressed to such Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof and dated, in the case of the initial opinion, the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) its officers to execute and deliver all customary documents and certificates and updates thereof requested by any underwriters of the applicable Securities, dated the date of the closing of such offering of such Securities, and (iii) its independent public accountants to provide to the selling Holders of the applicable Securities and any underwriter therefor a comfort letter dated the date of the closing of such offering of such Securities, in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in comfort letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, subject to receipt of appropriate documentation as contemplated, and only if permitted, by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72.

(r) If a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated, upon delivery of the Initial Securities by Holders to the Issuer (or to such other Person as directed by the Issuer) in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall mark, or caused to be marked, on the Initial Securities so exchanged that such Initial Securities are being canceled in exchange for the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, and in no event shall the Initial Securities be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.

(s) The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to confirm that the rating of the Initial Securities obtained prior to the initial sale of such Initial Securities will also apply to the Securities covered by a Registration Statement.

(t) In the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Rules (the “ Rules ”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“ FINRA ”)) thereof, whether as a Holder of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise,

 

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the Company will assist such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Rules, including, without limitation, by (i) if such Rules, including Rule 5121, shall so require, engaging a “qualified independent underwriter” (as defined in Rule 5121) to participate in the preparation of the Registration Statement relating to such Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the yield of such Securities, (ii) indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section 5 hereof and (iii) providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the Rules.

(u) So long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, the Issuer shall cause each restricted domestic subsidiary of the Issuer that executes a guarantee of the Notes under the Indenture (each a “ Guarantor ”) upon the creation or acquisition of such Guarantor to execute a counterpart to this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex E 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.

(v) The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Securities covered by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.

4. Registration Expenses . The Company shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 1 through 3 hereof (including the reasonable fees and expenses, if any, of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, incurred in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer), whether or not the Registered Exchange Offer or a Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective, and, in the event of a Shelf Registration, shall bear or reimburse the Holders of the Securities covered thereby for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel designated by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Initial Securities covered thereby to act as counsel for the Holders of the Initial Securities in connection therewith.

5. Indemnification .

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of the Securities, any Participating Broker-Dealer and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or such Participating Broker-Dealer within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each Holder, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such controlling persons are referred to collectively as the “ Indemnified Parties ”) from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, or any actions in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions relating to purchases and sales of the Securities) to which each Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act (“ Issuer FWP ”), relating to a Shelf Registration, or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse, as incurred, the Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or Issuer FWP relating to a Shelf Registration in reliance upon and in conformity with written information

 

9


pertaining to such Holder and furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion therein and (ii) with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in any preliminary prospectus relating to a Shelf Registration Statement, the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection (a) shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased the Securities concerned, to the extent that a prospectus relating to such Securities was required to be delivered (including through satisfaction of the conditions of Rule 172 under the Securities Act) by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer under the Securities Act in connection with such purchase and any such loss, claim, damage or liability of such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer results from the fact that there was not sent or given to such person, at or prior to the time of sale of such Securities to such person, an amended or supplemented prospectus, or if permitted by Section 3(d) hereof, an Issuer FWP correcting such untrue statement, omission or alleged untrue statement or omission if the Company had previously furnished copies thereof to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer; provided further, however, that this indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to such Indemnified Party. The Company shall also indemnify underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders of the Securities if requested by such Holders.

(b) Each Holder of the Securities, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer and each Guarantor, their respective officers and directors and each person, if any, who controls the Issuer or any Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act from and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities or any actions in respect thereof, to which the Issuer or any Guarantor, their respective officers and directors or any such controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus or Issuer FWP relating to a Shelf Registration, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such Holder and furnished to the Issuer or any Guarantor or their respective officers or directors by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion therein; and, subject to the limitation set forth immediately preceding this clause, shall reimburse, as incurred, the Issuer and each Guarantor and their respective officers and directors for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Issuer, each Guarantor, their respective officers and directors, or any such controlling person in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereof. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Holder may otherwise have to the Issuer, each Guarantor, their respective officers and directors or any of their respective controlling persons.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including a governmental investigation), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 5, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have under subsection (a) or (b) above except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under subsection (a) or (b) above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,

 

10


except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 5 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless such settlement (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter of such action, and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsections (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other from the exchange of the Initial Securities, pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, or (ii) if the allocation provided by the foregoing 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) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Holder or such other indemnified party, as the case may be, on the other, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (d). Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection (d), the Holders of the Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such Holders from the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds the amount of damages which such Holders have 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. For purposes of this subsection (d), each person, if any, who controls such indemnified party within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such indemnified party and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

(e) The agreements contained in this Section 5 shall survive the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

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6. Additional Interest Under Certain Circumstances .

(a) Additional interest with respect to the Initial Securities (the “ Additional Interest ”) shall be assessed as follows if any of the following events occur (each such event in clause (i) and (ii) below, a “ Registration Default ”):

(i) The Exchange Offer has not been completed on or prior to the 360th day after the Issue Date; or

(ii) If, pursuant to the terms of Section 2 above, the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the 360th day after the Issue Date or, if the Company is required to file a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to any unsold allotment of Initial Securities held by any Initial Purchaser, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission by the later of (A) the 360th day after the Issue Date and (B) the 180th day after the date on which such Initial Purchaser requests that the Company file a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Securities.

Additional Interest shall accrue on the Initial Securities over and above the interest set forth in the title of the Initial Securities from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all such Registration Defaults have been cured, as follows: with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default, Additional Interest will be paid in an amount equal to 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of Initial Securities; and with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, Additional Interest will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to such periods, up to a maximum amount of Additional Interest for all Registration Defaults of 0.50% per annum of the principal amount of Initial Securities for any period after the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any Initial Securities, Additional Interest shall cease to accrue with respect to such securities.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Registration Default referred to in Section 6(a) hereof shall be deemed not to have occurred and be continuing, and the Company shall have no obligation to pay Additional Interest as a result of such Registration Default, if such Registration Default has occurred solely as a result of action taken or not taken by the Commission that is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with law within the meaning of the federal Administrative Procedure Act, as amended, as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to Section 6(a) above will be payable in cash on the regular interest payment dates with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities. The amount of Additional Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months), and the denominator of which is 360.

(d) “ Transfer Restricted Securities ” means each Security until (i) the date on which such Transfer Restricted Security has been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Registered Exchange Offer, (ii) following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer of an Initial Security for an Exchange Security, the date on which such Exchange Security is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, (iii) the date on which the resale of such Initial

 

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Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and such Initial Security is disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (iv) the date on which such Initial Securities are distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing in this Section 6, (i) the amount of Additional Interest payable shall not increase solely because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending, and a Holder of a Transfer Restricted Security who is not entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration Statement ( i.e., such Holder has not elected to furnish information to the Issuer in accordance with Section 3(n) hereof) shall not be entitled to Additional Interest with respect to a Registration Default relating to a Shelf Registration Statement, and (ii) no Holder who (x) was eligible to exchange such Holder’s outstanding Securities at the time the Exchange Offer was pending and consummated and (y) failed to validly tender such Securities for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer shall be entitled to receive any Additional Interest that would otherwise accrue subsequent to the date that the Exchange Offer is consummated.

7. Rules 144 and 144A . The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities, make publicly available other information so long as necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A under the Securities Act. The Company covenants that it will take such further action as any Holder of Initial Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Initial Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 144A under the Securities Act (including the requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act). The Company will provide a copy of this Agreement to prospective purchasers of Initial Securities identified to the Issuer by the Initial Purchasers upon request. Upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act or take any such actions after the Securities no longer constitute Transfer Restricted Securities.

8. Underwritten Registrations . If any of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering (“ Managing Underwriters ”) will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Securities to be included in such offering.

No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

9. Miscellaneous .

(a) Amendments and Waivers . The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, except by the Issuer and the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waivers or consents.

(b) Notices . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made through electronic mail or in writing by hand delivery, first-class mail, facsimile transmission, or air courier which guarantees overnight delivery:

 

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(i) if to a Holder of the Securities, at the most current address given by such Holder to the Issuer.

(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers;

c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036

Fax No.: (212)729-5216

E-mail: MeiYi.Pen@morganstanley.com

Attention: Mei Yi Pen

with a copy to:

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP

4 Times Square

New York, NY 10036

Fax No.: (416) 777-4790

E-mail: david.armstrong@skadden.com

Attention: David Armstrong

(iii) if to the Issuer, at its address as follows:

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC

700 Milam Street, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77002

Fax No.: (713) 375-6000

E-mail: Graham.McArthur@cheniere.com

Attention: Treasurer

with a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

885 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Fax No.: (212)751-4864

E-mail: jonathan.rod@lw.com

Attention: Jonathan Rod

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time sent, if transmitted by electronic mail; at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three business days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is acknowledged by recipient’s facsimile machine operator, if sent by facsimile transmission; and on the day delivered, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

(c) No Inconsistent Agreements . The Company has not, as of the date hereof, entered into, nor shall it, on or after the date hereof, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders herein or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

(d) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Issuer and its successors and assigns.

 

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(e) 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.

(f) Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(g) Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, EXCEPT THAT SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SHALL APPLY.

(h) Severability . If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

(i) Securities Held by the Issuer . Whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities is required hereunder, Securities held by the Issuer or its affiliates (other than subsequent Holders of Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders of such required percentage.

(j) Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunities . By the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company, in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement that may be instituted in any federal or state court in the State of New York or brought under federal or state securities laws, submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit or proceeding. To the extent that the Company may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, it hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Issuer a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the several Initial Purchasers and the Issuer in accordance with its terms.

 

Very truly yours,
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC
By:  

/s/ Graham A. McArthur

Name: Graham A. McArthur
Title: Treasurer

The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement

    is hereby confirmed and accepted

    as of the date first above written.

M ORGAN S TANLEY  & C O . LLC

 

By:  

/s/ Hamish Bunn

Name: Hamish Bunn

Title: Managing Director

 

 

Acting on behalf of itselfand as representativeof the Initial Purchasers


SCHEDULE A

Initial Purchasers

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

SG Americas Securities, LLC

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

Lloyds Securities Inc.

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.

ING Financial Markets LLC

Banca IMI S.p.A.

Standard Chartered Bank

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

Santander Investment Securities Inc.

CIBC World Markets Corp.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.


ANNEX A

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein), it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”


ANNEX B

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities, where such Initial Securities were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See “Plan of Distribution.”


ANNEX C

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in exchange for Initial Securities where such Initial Securities were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until         , 20     , all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus. (1)

The Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange Securities by broker-dealers. Exchange Securities received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the Exchange Securities or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Securities. Any broker-dealer that resells Exchange Securities that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Securities may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange Securities and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of Transmittal. The Issuer and the Guarantors, if any, have agreed to pay all reasonable expenses incident to the Registered Exchange Offer (including the reasonable expenses of one counsel for the Holders of the Securities) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Securities (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

(1) In addition, the legend required by Item 502(e) of Regulation S-K will appear on the back cover page of the Exchange Offer prospectus.


ANNEX D

¨ CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

 

Name:  

 

Address:  

 

 

 

If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Initial Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.


ANNEX E

COUNTERPART TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

The undersigned hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees as a Guarantor (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 25, 2013 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) by and among Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, any Guarantors party thereto and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as Representative of the Initial Purchasers), to be bound by the terms and provisions of such Registration Rights Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined but otherwise used herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this counterpart as of              , 20      .

 

[NAME]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title: